TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A private language school in Taiwan terminated the contract of a British teacher on Wednesday (March 12) following his explosive confrontation with a local passenger on a Taipei Metro train.
Annie's School (奇異鳥美語學校) revealed the teacher, hired just weeks ago in February, remained in training without assigned classes when the altercation occurred. Officials immediately suspended and then fired him for violating their zero-tolerance policy on violence, promptly notifying Taipei's Department of Education (北市教育局) of their action.
The clash ignited when the British teacher, speaking at disruptive volume levels on the crowded train, rebuffed a Taiwanese passenger named Tsai who requested he quiet down. Rather than lowering his voice, the teacher responded with shouted English, creating palpable tension among startled commuters.
The situation dramatically escalated as the train reached its station. The British man knocked Tsai's hat to the floor, hurled an English profanity, and attempted to flee the scene. Tsai quickly pursued him and reported the incident to authorities, who charged the teacher with intimidation under the Criminal Code (刑法恐嚇). Police have forwarded the case to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office (台北地檢署) for further legal action.