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Teaching in USA with CELTA TESOL but no university degree

 
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britchick



Joined: 24 Feb 2011
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 2:59 pm    Post subject: Teaching in USA with CELTA TESOL but no university degree Reply with quote

Does anyone know how likely I am to find a job in the US without a Bachelor's degree? I've got the CELTA and 3 years experience teaching in Europe, but I'd like to go to the States next and I'm worried the lack of a degree will hold me back.

Grateful for any advice, cheers!
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As in other Anglophone countries, the English teaching market is highly competitive in the US. If you need a visa, your chances are basically nil - why would any school jump through the legal hoops to hire a Brit when there are 50 US citizens knocking on the door in response to every single job opening?

I honestly wouldn't think you've got any chance at all if you need a work visa.

If you have dual citizenship or right to work in the US already, you'll still be on the bottom of the heap..., and of a very tight job market.

Consider: would any UK school be eager to hire a US citizen with your level of qualifications, when there are tonnes of qualified British teachers at the doorstep?
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britchick



Joined: 24 Feb 2011
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hi Spiral

argh, the whole visa thing is something else I'm looking into....for now I was just interested in whether or not a Bachelor Degree was a pre-requisite of working in the USA, or whether there are companies who'll employ teachers with just the CELTA. Out of curiosity more than anything, at this stage.
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You may find schools in out-of-the-way places that will employ teachers with no degree. It's not illegal to hire such teachers, unlike in parts of Asia. I say 'out-of-the-way' (or inner-city) locations because it would be likely only in job markets where there are not enough teachers to go around. I guess what I'm saying boils down to: in places where most teachers don't want to work, you might have a chance, given that you could get yourself a work visa.

However, again, the market is very tight and at the newbie level I believe it would be quite lucky to find one job that would support even basic living expenses. CELTA qualified teachers usually seem to cobble together several part-time gigs plus private tutoring to try to make ends meet, and from what I hear, it's very tough going.
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britchick



Joined: 24 Feb 2011
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ok, that helps, thank you Smile
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry it's not nicer news Sad

Good luck! (though I guess you would likely be happier and wealthier elsewhere)
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ZOLOU11



Joined: 21 Sep 2011
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 2:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi britchick,
I have recently completed a Trinity Cert TESOL (similar to CELTA) and have no degree but experience teaching children as I'm a teaching assistant. I notice that you don't have a degree but have experience in ESl work, I was wondering if you could please give me any advice/suggestions as I have been looking for work and a lot of places seem to require a degree. Thanks Smile
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fraup



Joined: 27 Dec 2004
Posts: 91
Location: OZ (American version)

PostPosted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To teach in the U.S. you need a degree, preferably a 4-year one. Lots of daycare operations advertise for "teachers" and may hire people without degrees to be (basically) babysitters. Even there, they prefer associates' degrees in early childhood education.
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