Job Discussion Forums

[joelackey92]

I'm familiar with the fact that the majority of employers at English schools overseas are looking to hire individuals with a college degree. Assuming both are TEFL certified with no prior teaching experience, would an applicant with a degree in history have an advantage over the applicant with a degree in engineering?

[santi84]

I would imagine that employers who hire teachers with minimum TEFL certification/no experience/non-related degrees are just looking to fulfill visa requirements - so no, I doubt that there would be a preference over a history or engineering degree. I suppose some employers may feel that someone with a history degree has better language knowledge than someone with an engineering degree (stereotypical assumption) but I don't personally see how that translates to teaching ESL/EFL.

[Sirens of Cyprus]

Some ministries or schools won't accept degrees that are not directly related to teaching ESL. Sadly, some will accept, or even prefer, any degree with the word "education" in it, even if it has absolutely nothing to do with ESL. Moreover, in spite of all the lip service paid to content-based-instruction, having a degree in a really hard subject like engineering, or any other subject besides English, ESL, or applied linguistics will not be a feather in your cap, but will more likely be held against you as proof that you can't make up your mind what you want to do.

What really should matter is whether you know English. Quickie certifications, and even MA programs in ESL can teach you the general idea of how to teach ESL, but they can't teach you English. A BA in English should be mandatory.

[Glenski]

History over engineering? By that logic, a social studies degree would trump one in microbiology, a psychology major tops an IT grad, and a political science major would have a better chance than a chemistry major.

It doesn't matter. If employers accept a history degree (and if it's enough to get you a work visa), then what matters is all the other stuff on your resume and in your background, plus your personality and chemistry to interact with staff and students.

[joelackey92]

Thank you guys for the responses. Most of these companies on this site are looking for teachers who have received a degree, but I was just curious as to which degree in particular would have an influence on their decision to hire you.

History and engineering, Glenki, were just two subjects that I wanted to use as an example because of the differences between the two.

[tttompatz]

[thatsforsure]

to be honest degrees dont really matter .. i graduated five years ago and ive don well but you dont need it ,. some jobs require this or that degree such as international school or middle east but really those jobs isnt all there cracked up to be. i do internet activity , very happy .

[Sirens of Cyprus]

See what I mean? A BA in English should be mandatory. What a sad state the profession is in!