Kaohsiung is home to a number of Universities. However, unless you are fluent in Mandarin Chinese, the primary focus for visitors will be language learning.
There are two major Language Institutes in the city: Taipei Language Institute TLI and Wenzao College Of Languages.
TLI is located in the heart of downtown Kaohsiung. They focus heavily on spoken and conversational Mandarin, and teach primarily through the use of Hanyu Pinyin.
Wenzao offers courses in a number of languages, including English, French, Spanish, Japanese, German and Mandarin. Chinese classes focus on the full spectrum of the language, and traditionally begin with BoPoMoFo phonetics and move into character production, tone use and full immersion.
Both schools are excellent and highly respected. On average, Westerners can become conversationally adept in 6 months to 2 years, depending on intensity of study and frequency of class attendance.
For foreigners, work in Kaohsiung usually falls into two branches. The majority of employment involves English as a Second Language ESL work in buxibans cram schools, kindergartens and schools public, private or university. Most of the others are businessmen and women in the employ of multinational corporations here to manage, oversee or deploy production in Taiwan for their home company abroad.
Substitute work is easily available for native English speakers and can be obtained through internet groups such as Taiwan Teaching Jobs .... or Connect Kaohsiung or through local postings in expatriate hangouts. More permanent teaching work is also available, especially in the summer and around Chinese New Year. Most buxibans require teachers to sign a 1-year contract and provide a work permit and ARC Alien Residence Card. ARC holders are also covered under national health insurance. Without the proper paperwork - including a 4-year university degree - you cannot get an ARC and will need to leave the country every 2-4 months to renew your visa. You will also be working illegally, which involves a number of other inconveniences including lack of phone and Internet access. It is also highly illegal for foreigner to work as teachers in kindergartens few provide work permits.
Cijin
Cycle
The elongated island is made for cycling and has a nice cycling track.
Rising Victory Bicycles
The Chijin Kiln Studio
Elsewhere
Urban Spotlight
Located at the corner of Central Park, Urban Spotlight is a cafe with a stage where local live bands perform in the evening. Take a walk around Central Park then stop at the cafe to cool off.
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival
At the end of Chinese New Year, near the Kaohsiung harbour and along the Love River, the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is filled with a variety traditional lanterns and more modern light sculptures, nightly fireworks shows, Taiwanese food stands and other art programs and live concerts.