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TheAmericanNomad · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 24

Uh? I was referring to his comment about a BA being a "must" for Taiwan. It is not a Must for Taiwan, an AA with a TESOL certificate is the minimum standard, though a BA is highly recommended.

As for Cambodia, I have no idea. I would defer to your expertise.

microbabe · Joined: 03 Feb 2010 Posts: 115

ATeacher · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

I would like to ask the same question, re. update Asia without degree info.

I've just noticed Indonesia has now added 'degree' to its visa requirements which unfortunately was where I wanted to go. So now, because I want to work legally, I need to look elsewhere.

The real shame of this is, that they are not requiring teacher-specific stuff........ so for teaching, a degree, no experience, no CELTA (or equiv) is better than no degree, CELTA, 3+ years experience.

I'm planning to do a degree from September, so this is looking short-term rather than long-term. However, I'd ideally like to work in Asia this year.

Two things just to clarify for myself and others:

1) I appreciate almost all TEFL ads say 'degree required', however this is also clearly the case in many situations when it is not a requirement.

2) My question is also very much about experienced, CELTA (or equiv) teachers, who believe they can do the job, but just happen not to have a degree. Sorry, but I am not advocating unqualified teaching, nor do I support it (I just don't consider a degree essential to be a good EFL teacher).

Thanks in advance!

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:09 am Post subject:

ATeacher · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 8

Hi tttompatz, appreciate the response. Actually well-aware of the things you have stated. The bit you've quoted was just an add-on... to cover a few things that I saw in other posts.

And just to clarify... this is only about Asia..... for the rest of world, there are many legal no-degree possibilities, not just Eastern Europe.

At present, a grey area is exactly what it seems to be. This is highlighted in a number of forums, which have current threads.

For example, I have seen at least three cases of teachers working legally (now) with full working visa in Thailand and Indonesia. Both governments state, categorically that a degree is a visa requirement. However, in each case, I believe the teacher was in the country before obtaining the work.

This is not surprising, to be honest. I think, sometimes, UK / US (and some other country) residents forget that what we consider absolute rules, government requirements, etc, may not necessarily be absolute in other countries (even though they are written in black and white).

A good example of that is certain Eastern European countries.

Long story short, I'd love to work in Asia, particularly Indonesia. It's really just about whether I can find a way, legally, to do that.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

The funny thing is that requiring a degree has not improved the educational situation one iota in a single one of these countries.

Teaching positions throughout Asia (especially Thailand) go unfilled while the bureaucrats and politicians actively repel the few people who are willing to travel to the over side of the world and try to teach English in their underfunded, under-resourced mismanaged mickey mouse schools.

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject:

Jmthomas · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 14

tttompatz · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:40 pm Post subject:

Opportunity for work = yes.

Opportunity for LEGAL work (proper visas and permits) = no.

Yes, people work in China on a business visa rather than a "Z" visa but it is not legal. Pray you don't pizz off the wrong official or your butt is grass and there are a lot of lawnmowers.

Yes, people work in Thailand on multiple 60-day-double-entry tourist visas, pay for short term extensions and do border runs every 90 days to stay legal in the country. Is it legal = no. Can their be consequences = yes.

It also means that if you have problems with your employer (What do you mean you haven't been paid for 3 months?) you have no legal standing to file complaints.

As to going to jail. Where do you think you sit and wait for your deportation? Not likely a 5* hotel. An immigration detention center (jail) could very well be in your future.

.

Jmthomas · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 14

As I said - it would be illegal

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

Jmthomas · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 14

I have never heard of any (native English speaking) teacher receiving a prison sentence (this may be because in many countries it is reluctantly accepted that it is a necessary element of the educational system and if they make an example of one by putting him in prison all the rest will disappear).

What I have been told of is how friends/ex-colleagues of people I have met have been deported but I would agree that this is a fairly small sample and does not mean this is always the case or that this will continue to be the way authorities deal with anyone caught in the future.

It's possibly a good topic for a new thread, to gain a wider view of how people who have been caught working illegally have been dealt with. (Of course it would not include those who have been locked up and will be behind bars for the forseeable future without internet access and therefore will not be able to contribute - so maybe the input will not be very representative! Confused

)

Bruce · Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 51 Location: Around the world

http://thongsookinternational.com/index.php/ba-tesol.html