Guaranteed Hours

During your first month, we try and ease you into teaching by gradually increasing your workload. After that, we guarantee a minimum number of hours. The 20 Hour Contract guarantees 20 hours per week of teaching, averaged over the month. The 25 Hour Contract guarantees 25 hours per week.

Every time a class advances level, if more than 90% of the students return, teachers receive a scaled bonus. The amount of bonus varies between courses, and the maximum is NT$50,000 per year. On average, most teachers earn an extra NT$25,000 per year (or the equivalent of a return airfare home) from this bonus.

Hess branches offer an optional interest-free startup loan to new teachers. The maximum amount is NT$30,000. You may take up to six months to pay this back. Most teachers use this loan to help them set up their new apartments.

Each school has a Head Native Speaking Teacher or Area Manager who will help new teachers find accommodation that suits their needs. They will provide ongoing professional and living support during the challenging initial period and beyond.
Almost all classes have a Chinese co-teacher who teaches every other lesson or, for young learners, the matching Chinese curriculum. These teaching partners will also be in the class while you teach to provide support and assistance.

We also provide the Hess Taiwan Adventure Guide, a pocket-sized booklet similar to a travel guide, but specifically catering to the needs of those living and working here long term.

Our training program prepares teachers for the classroom and provides ongoing professional development. Teachers earn a TEFL certificate after completing Hess' initial and follow-up trainings and their first year of practicum teaching.

You may take 14 working days vacation each year. In addition, schools (including Hess) close on between six and eight days of national holidays during the year. Christmas is not a national holiday in Taiwan, but all foreign teachers are allowed this day as an extra vacation day. Taking up to seven sick days is acceptable. All days away from teaching are unpaid.

Teachers who renew their contract after their first year may choose to take an extra one-month of vacation time each year in addition to that outlined above.

If a teacher chooses to stay longer than their first year, signing each additional yearly contract earns them a bonus. Upon the full completion of your second contract you will receive a NT$15,000 bonus, the third NT$20,000, and teachers receive NT$30,000 at the end of each additional contract completed thereafter.

After receiving your Hess-sponsored resident visa, we will apply for your national health insurance coverage. This costs you typically NT$300-500 a month (depending on income and area) which is automatically deducted from your salary. (That is a small fraction of the total cost. Hess and the government pay the remainder.) The net effect is you get extremely cheap access to Taiwan's well-equipped health system, including dental work and Chinese traditional remedies.