Do people speak English in Taiwan?
English is taught in schools and is rapidly becoming a third major language in Taiwan, especially in urban areas. However, beyond the major cities, English is not widely used. Most major businesses which cater to tourists (international hotels, restaurants, attractions) will have employees who speak English. Many taxi drivers in Taipei understand basic English but it is always wise to advise travelers to get directions written in Chinese (roundtrip). Often, hotels will provide English speaking travelers with hotel direction cards which can be given to taxi drivers for ease of mobility. Restaurants also often have English menus. For business travelers, there are several opportunities to learn some basic Chinese. Although Chinese and Taiwanese are known for their level of difficulty, it is worth investing in some basic language lessons if travelers plan to be in the area for an extended period or plan to return often.
