On 11 August 2022, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines held a send-off lunch for the first batch of English teachers and teaching assistants of the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP) at the New World Makati Hotel. Representative Peiyung Hsu personally congratulated the 14 English teachers and 3 teaching assistants who were present and wished them an enjoyable and memorable teaching experience in Taiwan.

The TFETP was initiated by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to recruit foreign English teachers and teaching assistants and create more opportunities for Taiwanese students to learn English in schools nationwide. Eligible English teachers from the Philippines are encouraged to apply for the job if they possess high-quality English teaching skills. On the year 2022 alone, a total of 77 English teachers and 11 teaching assistants from the Philippines were employed, and Taiwan welcomes more Filipino English teachers to join the initiative in the future.

Ms. Rufina Guzman Defeo is one of the successful applicants among the thousands of Filipinos who made their applications 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 were also employed as an English teacher, has been teaching for seven years. She applied for TFETP not only because of the competitive salary and benefits, but also in view of the opportunity to shape the lives of foreign students through teaching. Both Ms. Defeo and Ms. Testa will go to Taiwan this coming September and they are excited to experience Taiwan’s beauty and culture.

TECO Philippines wishes all the TFETP teachers and teaching assistants a meaningful teaching experience in Taiwan.