Hi Matt,

How can I find a writing  job in Taiwan? I’ve been in Taiwan for about a year and a half. I don’t feel like I’m cut out for teaching, and writing professionally has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Having just turned 30 in October, I feel like I’m going through a career crisis. How can I break into a writing career here?

Thanks!

Rodney

Hi Rodney,

Although there are a few educational publishers in other cities (most notably Kaohsiung), the vast majority of English-language publishers in Taiwan are based in Taipei, so, I would consider moving there. The most commonly available English jobs in Taiwan are:

Newspaper Copy Editor

This is not a high-paid writing job, nor is it a fun one. However, the English newspapers often advertise for copy editors, so these jobs appear to be fairly easy to get compared to others, and are very good experience for a new writer. These jobs are most commonly advertised in the classifieds of the hiring newspaper.  Newspaper reporter jobs, by comparison, are harder to get because they often require a high level of Chinese proficiency.

The most prominent English newspapers in Taiwan include: The Taipei Times, The Taiwan News, and The China Post. The government information office also publishes several other news-based periodicals in English and other languages.

Education Writer/Editor

These jobs include writing or editing articles for the various educational ESL magazines in Taiwan (such as the LiveABC group, Studio Classroom, and others) or working for other companies that specialize in test writing and educational materials. The only place that I’ve seen these companies advertise is the classified ads on Tealit.com.

Technical Writer

Taiwan’s economy is driven largely by hi-tech research, development, and manufacturing. These companies need to do business and offer documentation in English to their international customers. So, many of them require English technical writers and editors. These jobs can be seen advertised regularly on Tealit.com.

Academic Editor

In Taiwan, like every country, professors are required to publish their research in order to keep their jobs. This can be difficult for them because most journals, and many of the the most prestigious journals, are published in English. So, many professors in Taiwan require English editors to polish their work before they submit it to journals. I do this kind of editing on a freelance basis for a local University. I have never seen these jobs advertised in Taiwan. I think that most professors find editors independently, but some Universities also offer an editing service for students and employees. To find this kind of work, you would probably have to contact professors and universities directly. Over time you could build up a clientele that would keep you busy full-time.  I know of a couple of editors that have gone this route and are doing quite well.

Freelance Writer

This job is the same in Taiwan as it is anywhere in the world. Get online, look for new prospects, pitch articles, and write, write, write!  Although this is probably the poorest paying and most frustrating option, it is the one that I have chosen, and I wouldn’t trade it for all the tea in Yilan.

Finding a job writing in Taiwan is easier than back home, but still not easy.  It will probably take a lot of applications, interviews, and effort.  But, don’t despair.  You’re not the first struggling writer to break into the market in Taiwan! With time and effort you should be able to find a decent writing job in Taiwan.

I hope this helps!

Best,
Matt

The post Ask Matt: How Can I Find a Writing Job in Taiwan? appeared first on XpatMatt.

Dear Matt,

I would like to know: am I qualified to teach English in Taiwan? I am a British woman with a TESOL certificate (accredited by ACTDEC).  I have been teaching English in Sweden for the last 5 years (mainly upper high school students 15-19 but also younger children and employees of companies). Unfortunately I do not have a degree, just various qualifications from colleges since leaving school (none of them in the field of education).

I have read that a degree is not always necessary to teach English in Taiwan.

Is it schools that demand a degree? Or is it a requirement for a working visa? Am I able to legally teach English in Taiwan with these qualifications?

Susan

Hi Susan,

Your experience and qualifications will certainly help you to find a job teaching English in Taiwan. Unfortunately, it is unclear, in my experience, whether you will be able to teach legally in Taiwan.

Most teachers on working visas have at least a four-year degree from an accredited institution. That is the standard.

However, I have met teachers in Taiwan who were given working visas even though they held a two-year college diploma. Unfortunately, I also know of many teachers with two-year college diplomas who were rejected. This may depend on the type of diploma, or it may depend on the person processing the application. I don’t know why some people were granted visas while others were not.  I’m sorry that I can’t provide a more concrete answer than that.

But, if you really want to teach in Taiwan, and are unable to obtain a visa, you still have some options:

1) Teaching private lessons, or for a school, under the table and doing VISA runs.  This is not as uncommon a practice as you may think. These teachers fill an important need in the market. There is always a demand for private teachers.

2) Getting a student VISA by studying Chinese, which is, in my opinion, a worthwhile pursuit in any case.

3) Purchasing a fake degree.  Although this is an option, it is not recommended as the immigration department is checking degrees more and more thoroughly every year.

4) And, of course, you always have the option of finding yourself a Taiwanese husband J

If you need more information about qualifications for teaching English in Taiwan, you may want to read this, and other articles that I have written, on Transitions Abroad about teaching English in Taiwan.

Best of luck!

Matt

The post Ask Matt: Am I Qualified to Teach English in Taiwan? appeared first on XpatMatt.