Job Discussion Forums

SZW · Joined: 22 Jan 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Vancouver Canada

Hello all,

I need some advice please. I'm REALLY interested in teaching English in Taiwan. One main thing that I have against me is that I don't have a degree! Currently I'm working on my two year diploma in business and in couple of months I'm going to be taking the TEFL course through Oxford Seminar. I was wondering if there was any way I could get a job legally??

I don't know what to do, because majority of the companies in Taiwan require their teachers to have a degree. To tell you the truth I disagree with that policy, because a person who does have a "degree in any discipline" does not qualify them to be a teacher. The reason why I didn't get a degree is because I enjoy hands on vs. theory based learning.

I'm sure you guys hear this all the time! I'm sorry =] I just need some hope....

Wonder · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 109

Degree Vs. Diploma has been an ongoing debate here and at other ESL message boards for a looooooooong time.

Here it is in black and white: You do not NEED a degree to teach legally, to obtain an ARC and all the other goodies that go with it.

However.....

Numerous schools in Taiwan have their own policy requiring degrees and there is nothing you can do about that.

So.....

If you are determined to teach ESL in Taiwan, and you have a diploma and TESOL Certificate of some kind, there is a good chance you will be hired legally. It just might take some time and you may end up at a less than desirable school.

Make sure you are very upfront about your academic credentials when applying for a job though. There are many schools here that simply assume you have a degree because you answered their ad. They rarely read the fine print on resumes and you could go through numerous phone calls/arrangements, whatever until they finally clue in that you do not have a degree.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

What Wonder says is true. You will meet the legal requirements to obtain an ARC with your combination of qualifications, however, alot of schools will only accept degree holders. Some may not know about the possibility of certifying someone with your qualifications; for some it may be prestige. However, one major company accepts people with your qualifications readily. That company is Hess.

Hap Thorton · Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Posts: 17 Location: U.S.A.

What's the difference between a degree and a diploma? I thought the diploma was the document--the tangible evidence of a degree. Thanks in advance.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

You're right. Diploma literally describes the parchment form of a credential.

However, it can also describe a level of credential as well. For example, at my university, they had three levels of undergrad credentials. After 30 credits, you could get what is called a certificate; after 60, a dilpoma; after at least 120, you'd get a BA degree. Each individual course was worth approx. 3-4 credits each. So, what we are talking about here when one refers to 'diploma' is someone who has completed a two year post secondary program (about half of a BA degree). The credential they have is often refered to as diploma (or sometimes an Associates degree), whereas a four year credential is called a BA or a degree.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

You are better off coming to Taiwan and working it out from here.

Please read this,
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.