The first group of Filipino English teachers with Representative Hsu Peiyung

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines held a send-off lunch at the New World Makati Hotel on 11 August, 2022, for the first group of English teachers and teaching assistants who would be leaving to work in Taiwan under the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program. Representative Peiyung Hsu personally congratulated the 14 English teachers and 3 teaching assistants who were able to attend and wished them an enjoyable and memorable teaching experience in Taiwan.

The Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program was set up by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to recruit foreign English teachers and teaching assistants to create more opportunities for Taiwanese students to learn English in schools nationwide. Eligible English teachers from the Philippines are encouraged to apply for positions in Taiwan if they have high-quality English teaching skills. A total of 77 English teachers and 11 teaching assistants from the Philippines have been employed this year, and Taiwan welcomes more Filipino English teachers to join the program in the future.

Ms. Rufina Guzman Defeo was one of the successful applicants for a teaching position among the thousands of Filipinos who lodged an application this year. When asked why she chose to teach English in Taiwan, she explained that she wants to use her passion for teaching to help Taiwan achieve its Bilingual 2030 goal. She also believes that by immersing oneself in another culture, we can discover more about the true essence of respect, understanding, and trust that transcends cultural boundaries. Ms. Pines Testa, who was also employed as an English teacher, has been teaching for seven years. She applied to take part in the program because it offers a competitive salary and benefits and also offers an opportunity to shape the lives of foreign students through teaching. Ms. Defeo and Ms. Testa will both be going to Taiwan in September this year and they are excited about the opportunities that they will enjoy to experience Taiwan’s beauty and culture.

TECO Philippines wishes all the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program teachers and teaching assistants a meaningful teaching experience in Taiwan.