Job Discussion Forums

[MPG]

Being a newbie searching for my first job, I was dismayed when I recieved a response stating that a Bachelor degree was a requirement to teach in Beijing. I only have an Ass Dip (Bus) & TESOL although I do volunteer work in ESL and adult literacy (for which I have certificates). Is this a recruiters attempt to steer me in the direction they want or is the need for a degree to teach in Beijing a requirement.

[Songbird]

Yes you need a degree to teach anywhere in China, either that or TEFL/ TESOL and lots of experience. It's very rare to get a job in Beijing and you're chances are ziltch without a degree and experience.

[saint57]

I knew a 17 year old high school dropout who taught in China. Don't even bother saying you need a degree.

[Gorm]

A degree Which China are we talking about here

[Bayden]

[Gorm]

[bdawg]

Kind of depends on what kind of job you happen to be in the market for. With regards to the best jobs with the best compensation and benefits (visa) you would probably be at the bottom of the hiring list without somesort of credibility.

[saint57]

[Shan-Shan]

In Tianjin, there's an American who has not graduated from university who earns a minimum of 1000RMB per "lecture" he gives to university students on how to study English. Granted, this American has been in Tianjin for some time, but the absence of a degree does little to impinge upon his job prospects.
Mind you, Tianjin is not the first choice for many ESL job seekers (and it's obvious why) so a lot of institutions have to make do with what they can get, namely overseas students, peculiar globe-trotting doctors and Russians!

[nolefan]

Indeed, Beijing is tough to crack without a degree or guanxi. That American in Tianjin has probabaly paid his dues many times over before he was able to get the right connections that bring such a handsome payoff.