$1,800
One time
- Round Trip Airfare
- Setup Fees for Housing
- Setup Fees for Internet
- Setup Fees for Phone
$600
Per month
- Housing
- Meals (Tue - Fri)
- Ministry Expense
$300
Per month
- Insurance
- Administrative Costs
become a teacher
SYME Taiwan trains Asian young adults (averaging 18-30, but occasionally students up to age 60!) in
discipleship, youth ministry and English. Students come for 2 to 8 months, and each year is divided into
four 8-week terms. All classes are taught in English, mostly by short-term missionaries, which we refer to
as “Teachers.” Teachers are frequently college students, school teachers or retirees.
Discipling
Tuesday through Friday you would pour yourself into a small group of 5 to 10 students. You would check their Quiet Time Diaries, facilitate a sharing time, eat meals with them and encourage them in their Christian faith and English language learning. You would also be involved in a journaling ministry with several students, giving advice on everything from how to improve their English to how to know God better. In some cases students are not believers (as many as 30% per term) or may have never even heard the Gospel before; yet, they want to come study at SYME! (Perhaps due to an interest in Christianity, but often purely to improve their English.) Regardless of their reason for coming, we find it encouraging that as many as half of our non-Christian students come to a saving knowledge of Christ during their time with us.
teaching
Each day you would teach classes in simple English reading, writing or pronunciation and English conversation, and facilitate an English Bible study class. The lesson plans for each of the three 50-minute classes you would teach have already been prepared for you. The students are required to speak only in English. (If they say one word in Chinese, they pay a fine of $1).
housing
Unmarried teachers are usually provided with a private room in an apartment/dorm. The apartments average 3 to 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms and house about 10 students. Eighty percent of our students go home on the weekends. Students from a long distance away usually continue to live in the dorms during the weekend. When available, married couples can stay in our efficiency apartment with a small bedroom, living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. All housing is within a 5 to 10 minute walk from SYME.
weekends
On the weekends there are plenty of places to shop and explore nearby. Also KFC, McDonalds, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and even Coldstone are within 10 minutes of the school. There are English church services in town, and transportation is readily available via taxi, public bus, MRT and the national train system, which can take you just about anywhere you might want to go on the island. For communicating with folks back home, you would have computer and internet access at SYME or could use your personal device. (Data for phones can be purchased inexpensively, and power outlets are types A/B with 110 volts, the same as US standard.)
cost
REQUIREMENTS
Due to the nature of our mission, the dual-discipline focus of our curriculum (both religious and linguistic),
the age of our students, and the policies of our organization, we have requirements that must be meant to be a teacher.
Bible-believing Christians
Native English speakers
Standard of Conduct
Willing to submit to Word of Life Fellowship and SYME Taiwan rules and expectations.
Married Couples Limitations
Married couples are not to be separated as a result of their service. [We believe that marriage is a high calling, and that couples should be in proximity when at all possible; hence, when a husband or wife applies to serve with us, it is with the understanding that they would come together. This does not mean that both spouses must necessarily be teachers at SYME (ex. one might work remotely while the other serves with our ministry [support/cost adjustments may apply]); nevertheless, we do not accept married applicants who intend to live separately from their spouse for the duration of their service.
What our teacers say
"We enjoyed seeing students learn English and expressing themselves in a language other than their native tongue. One of the most rewarding results of this was sharing the Bible in Chapel, Bible Study and Family Time, were we could encourage students to develop or deepen their walk with Christ."
Ron & Melissa Chew
Short-Term Teacher
Teaching at SYME was not only a great and life-changing experience, but it opened my mind and heart to God’s work in Asia. Because of my time seeing God change hearts for Christ with the incredible team at SYME Taiwan, I know I have wonderful coworkers, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ to work alongside as I seek God’s direction for missions in Asia.
Cody
Short-Term Teacher
"Teaching at SYME Taiwan allowed me to develop a love for teaching and my students. My experience shaped who I am today."
Jo Overly
SYME Director
"Teaching at SYME was such a blessing for my husband and me. The opportunities to not only equip students with English skills but to ground them in the truths of God's Word was incredible. Believe me Cheryl I could say more. All the wonderful relationships, listening to a student realize that it wasn't his fault that he was born with a handicap, getting to have long-term relationships with people from Taiwan, having the opportunity to have them in my home when they come to the United States, The opportunity to share with married students about God's plan for marriage.... Just in case you can't tell, we loved our time there with you all."
Cliff & Jody Bourne
Short-Term Teacher
Next Steps
Tell us in a few words about yourself and indicate which term you
are interested in coming for by contacting us at https://www.wol.org/contact/. Please include
your name, date of birth, phone number and preferred e-mail address so we can send you a
Word of Life Launch Application packet.
After we get your email, we will give you a call for a personal telephone interview to have a chance to get to know each other better, share more details and answer any questions you may have.
If accepted you’ll need prayer support and perhaps financial support, as well. We suggest you
prepare a letter to send to churches, family and friends explaining what you will be doing on this
short-term mission trip. It would be good to have the names and e-mail addresses of between 25
and 50 people and/or churches to communicate with while you are here. Getting their physical
address is also a good for sending cards/letters.
If you’re coming for one term (less than 90 days) you don’t need to apply for a visa.
If staying for two or more terms (more than 90 days), you will need to obtain a visa from your
nearest TECO office (Taiwan Economic and Cultural office). We will give you the details on
exactly how to do this.
You will need to obtain a round-trip plane ticket to Taipei/Taoyuan Airport, Taiwan (TPE). We can
assist you with getting a ticket if needed.
If you have any further questions we will be in contact with you after you initially email us in step one to help you with anything needed.