English has moved from being a side skill to a business requirement in Taiwan.
From tech startups in Taipei to manufacturing giants in Taichung, fluent English isn’t a luxury — it’s expected.
A 2023 report by the Ministry of Education revealed that over 70% of employers in Taiwan consider English proficiency a key hiring factor. Ten years ago, that number was just 40%. That’s not a small leap. It shows a change in how the workforce is being shaped — not for today, but for the next decade.
This isn’t about Taiwan becoming “Western.” It’s about staying competitive. As more regional business is done with partners from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and beyond, English has become the neutral ground.
Even mid-sized companies are hosting internal meetings in English. It’s not perfect, and it’s not always fluent — but it’s happening. The point isn’t perfection. The point is participation.
Why businesses are shifting toward bilingual talent.
Bilingualism, especially in English, now directly links to company growth.
In 2022, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council surveyed over 500 export-driven companies. 61% said their English-speaking teams generated higher-value contracts than their non-English-speaking counterparts.
That’s not a coincidence. That’s cause and effect.
Being able to write a clear business proposal or attend international expos without a translator saves time. It opens up more deals. It builds trust. In business, trust is everything.
Young professionals know this. Over 45% of Taiwanese under age 35 are actively enrolled in English learning programs. Compare that with just 19% of the same age group in 2010.
The language learning industry has responded with tailored options. You’ll now find focused programs for engineers, legal professionals, and marketers — not just generic English classes.
One trend that’s seen explosive growth? Test-focused courses for international certification — like the ones offered in 雅思補習班. These courses go beyond just passing a test. They prepare learners for real conversations, job interviews, visa interviews, and more.
English in public spaces and daily life is growing — slowly but surely.
Go back 15 years and try reading English on a menu outside Taipei. You’d be lucky to see a translated title, much less descriptions.
Fast forward to now, and you’ll see English creeping into coffee shops, signage, train announcements, and even government websites. It’s not always perfect. But the intention is clear: Taiwan is opening up.
The Ministry of Transportation reported that over 60% of MRT and intercity buses now offer English navigation and announcements. It’s functional and practical. That’s what matters most to travelers and international workers.
The demand isn’t just from tourists. Taiwan has seen a 27% increase in foreign professionals working locally since 2019. These workers need to get around, shop, and live. English is the common ground.
Interestingly, a growing number of Taiwanese are using English in casual contexts — especially online. Social media bios, captions, and even tweets. The hybrid use of Mandarin and English is becoming part of the younger generation’s voice.
Education is adapting — and it’s visible in classrooms.
The classroom is no longer a place where English just means grammar drills.
Today, more schools are adopting CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning). This means teaching subjects like science or art — in English. It’s a big shift from traditional rote methods.
The Ministry of Education aims to make Taiwan a bilingual nation by 2030. That sounds ambitious, but progress is steady. In 2024, over 2,100 elementary and junior high schools participated in bilingual pilot programs. That number was just 223 in 2019.
Private education has also stepped up. Many after-school programs now offer immersive learning. They mimic real-life scenarios instead of textbook simulations. The focus is shifting from passing tests to applying the language in context.
That said, test preparation still plays a huge role. Especially in career pathways. For example, students aiming for international careers are turning to 多益補習班 to boost their TOEIC scores. The score isn’t just a number. It opens doors to promotions, overseas transfers, and job interviews.
International tests like IELTS and TOEIC are gaining deeper roots.
Ten years ago, English tests were seen mostly as academic hurdles. Today, they’re career tools.
In 2024, more than 180,000 people in Taiwan registered for the TOEIC exam. That’s a 34% increase from just five years ago.
IELTS registrations also jumped by over 40% since 2018. These aren’t just numbers. They reflect a mindset shift. People aren’t just “learning English.” They’re actively proving their skills.
Employers are also using these test scores as benchmarks. A survey by 104 Job Bank in 2023 found that over 55% of hiring managers use TOEIC or IELTS scores as part of their recruitment criteria for white-collar roles.
Universities now tie certain English test scores to graduation requirements. In some programs, students can’t receive their diploma unless they meet a minimum score. It’s pressure — but it’s purposeful.
It reflects a national strategy. One that aims to make Taiwan more visible and integrated in global networks.
The digital shift makes English more accessible than ever.
Digital learning has broken down old barriers.
Apps, live classes, and hybrid learning platforms are making it easier for people to learn English — even during commutes or lunch breaks.
During the pandemic, Taiwan saw a spike in online language learners. This wasn’t just a temporary change. The trend stuck. In fact, online English learning grew by over 80% between 2020 and 2023.
Platforms now offer 1-on-1 instruction with global teachers. You’re no longer bound by local supply. If you want to learn from a native speaker in London or Toronto, you can. That shift has dramatically improved pronunciation, listening comprehension, and speaking confidence.
There’s also AI-backed feedback now. Students can get real-time grammar corrections and vocabulary suggestions. That means they spend less time confused and more time progressing.
The convenience and personalization of digital tools have made English learning feel less like homework and more like a life skill.
Taiwan’s global image is evolving with its English fluency.
When Taiwan uses English more confidently, it sends a message to the world. That message is: We’re ready to collaborate, communicate, and compete globally.
This is especially important in the realm of soft power. Taiwan doesn’t rely on military presence or economic domination. Instead, it builds influence through technology, culture, and education. English plays a big part in delivering that influence across borders.
Think of Taiwan’s global startups. Tech firms like Gogoro or Appier don’t just market locally. Their pitch decks, product support, and investor presentations are all in English. It’s not just for international buyers — it’s also for visibility on the world stage.
Events like Computex or the Taipei International Book Exhibition now offer simultaneous English translation. That’s not just about convenience. It’s about access. It ensures Taiwan’s ideas and innovations reach the widest possible audience.
The more fluent the nation becomes, the stronger its voice in global conversations.
Tourism is shaping expectations for bilingual service.
Tourism might’ve dipped during the pandemic. But in 2023 and 2024, numbers bounced back fast.
According to the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, over 6 million foreign travelers visited in 2023. A huge portion of them came from English-speaking regions or used English as a second language.
Hotels, restaurants, and tour services are feeling that shift. Many now require frontline staff to understand and speak basic English. It’s no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s tied to reviews, ratings, and return customers.
In tourist-heavy areas like Tamsui, Jiufen, and Sun Moon Lake, you’ll spot more dual-language menus, QR code translations, and English-speaking guides. That’s the demand talking — and the market listening.
Local businesses are also adapting. Even small tea shops or night market stalls are picking up key English phrases. Not from formal training — but from experience, daily interaction, and the desire to connect.
And that’s the root of it. Language connects. Even if imperfect, the attempt to communicate builds bridges.
English learning is no longer one-size-fits-all.
The way people learn English in Taiwan has completely changed in the last 10 years. The traditional classroom still exists. But it’s no longer the only option — and definitely not the most flexible one.
Now there’s modular learning. Some people focus only on speaking. Others dive deep into business writing. Some want travel phrases. Others aim for full academic fluency. Platforms cater to these unique needs with precision.
There are also more choices than ever. Live lessons, on-demand videos, personalized study plans, AI-powered feedback tools — learners can combine them as needed.
That kind of flexibility wasn’t available before. It reflects a bigger shift. People no longer just want to learn English — they want it to fit their lives. Not the other way around.
And cost-wise, learning English is more accessible too. Affordable monthly plans, trial lessons, and performance-based feedback have removed a lot of the barriers that used to exist.
The result? More learners, better results, less stress.
English isn’t replacing Mandarin — it’s adding to it.
A common fear is that more English means less Mandarin. But that’s not what’s happening.
Taiwanese identity is rooted in Mandarin and local dialects. That hasn’t changed and won’t change.
What’s happening is bilingual layering. English is being added to daily life, not replacing the language people use with family or friends. It’s becoming the medium of communication in specific spaces — work, education, travel, and tech.
Linguists call this code-switching. It’s when people move between languages depending on the context. In Taiwan, it’s becoming normal. An engineer might speak Mandarin in meetings, then send follow-up emails in English. A student might write assignments in Mandarin but apply for grad school in English.
It’s not a battle. It’s balance.
This kind of bilingualism is powerful. Research from the University of Hong Kong showed that bilingual professionals process information faster and adapt quickly in dynamic work environments. It’s cognitive — not just cultural.
Parents are investing early in future-ready language skills.
The push for English doesn’t start at high school anymore. It starts in preschool.
Parents in Taiwan increasingly enroll their children in bilingual or international kindergartens. They don’t want their kids to struggle with English later. They want them to grow up naturally fluent.
According to a 2023 survey by Global Views Monthly, 67% of parents in northern Taiwan believe early English exposure gives children a competitive advantage in both local and international careers.
It’s not just about education. It’s about future-readiness. Parents see English not just as a subject but as a bridge. To study abroad. To work globally. To think differently.
Some even shift their work schedules or budgets to afford language lessons for their kids. That says a lot about where priorities are moving.
The demand is shaping supply. More English camps, immersion experiences, and play-based language schools are popping up in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
The next generation may be the first to grow up truly bilingual without effort. For them, switching between languages might feel like switching apps.
Conclusion
Taiwan’s relationship with English is not a trend. It’s a transformation.
It’s affecting business, education, culture, tourism, and identity. And it’s happening fast — not because of outside pressure, but internal readiness.
The nation understands the value of language as a connector. Not just to other countries but to ideas, to innovation, and to possibility.
From high-stakes boardrooms to roadside stalls, the presence of English in Taiwan is growing — and growing with purpose. This isn’t random. It’s strategic. It’s aligned with Taiwan’s vision to become a truly bilingual nation by 2030.
The path won’t be perfect. There will be missteps, accents, and awkward grammar. But that’s fine. That’s growth.
And more importantly, that’s progress.
