Job Discussion Forums

[plantagenet]

Hello, I am wondering if it is possible to earn a degree while teaching abroad? I really want to get started teaching English, but I don't want to wait until I obtain a 4 year degree due to my age (23.) I plan on getting a CELTA certification and trying to obtain employment going on that and a professional demeanor, but I realize that in the TEFL world a BA degree is a very important asset.

I have some questions regarding this process that I hope someone can help me out with. First, since I don't have a degree which country would be ideal for teaching in without a degree and earning enough to pay for college courses part time, assuming I can budget or live frugally? China seems like a possibility. I am also interested in Turkey, but I hear that you can't get legal employment without a degree. Of course I am also interested in Eastern Europe (Czech, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland) but being that I am not an EU citizen and don't have a degree, it seems I am at the bottom of the food chain for employability. I really don't want to go to Indonesia, Africa, Malaysia, or South East Asia in general. I would be interested in Argentina or Uruguay, but I hear the pay is terrible.

Secondly, if one were to pursue this path, would it be better to attend an online university or attend a foreign university? Any recommendations for a cheap 4 year degree would be appreciated as well, as I really only want the degree for the doors it will open up to me in the TEFL world, and therefore don't want to spend a fortune.

I know a possible answer to my dilemma would be to just earn my degree here in New Jersey and wait to start teaching English, but this is something I really don't want to do. So any assistance beyond this suggestion would be most welcome.

Thank you for your time.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Yes, it is possible to earn your degree while teaching. It will take some good time management and prioritizing skills, but it can be done (there are probably some on this board who have).
If I were in your situation, I would think seriously about UNISA (University of South Africa). I have done research on this institution (thought about doing a higher degree there) and from the looks of things everything is on the up-and-up: For instance, the US Dept. of Education and Dept. of State recognize its degrees. I also know there are some profs in US colleges with Master's and Phds from UNISA. It's cheap. It's recognized. It's distance. I can't imagine a better deal*:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.html



* I am in no way connected with UNISA, nor can I verify, first-hand, the quality of its education

[spiral78]

On the topic of Central Europe, you would definitely not earn enough as an entry-level teacher to pay for a degree. It's really not feasible in that job market.

[nomad soul]

[plantagenet]

[plantagenet]

[spiral78]

Probably not, I'm afraid. The very very few 'better' jobs in the region generally require teacher certification and experience in one's home country, for example, to get into an international school (and openings are rare).

I have advanced quals plus more than a decade of experience, would love to be in the Czech Rep full time, but can't afford to be there as I need to save for retirement. With Czech citizenship, over a decade of experience, and a related MA, I can't earn enough in the region to save anything significant. It's just not there, I'm afraid.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

You could make a run of it in Russia. Get hired. Be professional. Make local contacts. It can be done without a degree.

[tttompatz]

[morrisonhotel]

[Kofola]

[url]In a scenario where someone were to obtain an employment in Central/Eastern Europe, would someone eventually be able to work their way up to enough money to start earning a degree on a part time basis, after establishing contacts, reputation, experience, and perhaps doing some private lessons on the side?[/url]

Anything is possible

I am just completing an MA, which I have paid for on the basis of my earnings in Slovakia (the course cost �6000 over 2 years).

I've been teaching for many years and have a lot of experience. However, I don't consider myself to be particularly well paid. What I do have is a good reputation and a constant supply of work (some of which I have to turn down). I'm telling you this because I think on these boards we are all very different people. I often hear people saying that you can't earn a decent living in Poland, Slovakia etc. In the end of the day it comes down to what kind of person you are and what you want from life. I, for example, really really hate shopping (any kind) - it helps keeps the cost down Earning a lot of money isn't a priority for me. If it is for you, then this is the wrong country for you.

I would recommend you sit down and think hard about where you want to live, what kind of lifestyle you want to lead and where you see yourself in ten years' time. Then look at the countries you have highlighted, the budget you would need and see if it's feasible.

In the end of the day what really matters is whether you are any good as a teacher. If you are good, you will always be able to find enough work. Throw in some good networking skills and you can climb the ladder faster.

But you would have to make sacrifices if you were to teach and study at the same time and that's hard to sustain unless you really believe in what you are doing.

That 's my rapidly depreciating two cents worth!

[DebMer]

This is fantastic information! Thank you both! I've been considering work on a masters, and trying to figure out how to manage the time and cost in relationship to travel plans. Morrisonhotel, did you get your degree through this program?

[DebMer]

Aw heck. I just checked, and found nothing related to TESOL in their MA offerings.

[morrisonhotel]

[plantagenet]