Job Discussion Forums

[bleek]

I'm planning to fly to China this September to teach Enlgish and I was wondering if I need a degree. I have heard of a lot of people that don't have a degree and taught just fine. I'm not looking for a high paying job, just a bit of experience.

Any tips?

[therock]

You are probably going to be told to look through the archives.

In theory you need a degree, in practice its not always the case. If you want to work in Beijing, Shanghai etc then you will almost certainly need the degree. If you are planning on working in the less well off provinces, then chances are you probably will not need one.

[eslstudies]

White, warm and vertical works for some, unfortunately.
And, whenever one of us points out the bleeding obvious ,ie how will you teach English when you struggle to write it, we get called a grammar Nazi. So be it. I'm one.

[james s]

...

[eslstudies]

It's true that the 2007 Complete Guide for Foreigners Working in China [SAEFA Certified] does not state any educational pre-requisites on a national basis. Institutions, provinces and municipalities have their own, however. The degree to which they lower the bar will depend on a number of factors, such as desperation and money offered as in bribes to the certificate issuing authorities.

I am interested in how james s knows bleek is a native speaker.
As for

[jamesmollo]

I worked with a lady in changchun with a degree in forensic science. She was working in a morgue before coming to china. Did that qualify her to teach english?
What you need to understand is if you are applying for a job from overseas a degree (in any field) shows academic competence. It shows that (in their view) they are not hiring a corpse.

If you come to china, in person, then it's a whole different ball-game. Yes, you are supposed to have a degree, that is a guidline for the S.A.F.E.A
but, few places actually inforce this requirement. In fact, the schools that insist don't have very good connections. There are no ultimatums in china, some would say 'not this province!' not true. if you arrive and meet with the right people no problem. You need to have at least a TEFL certificate (more relevant in my opinion).
Do you have any teaching experience? this is most important.
Don't accept a lower salary because you don't have a degree. As mentioned above there are hundreds of teachers working here with a degree in an unrelated field. Many I have met terrible teachers. The other FT at my school has a fake one. The idiot made himself a degree in hotel and restaurant management If you're going to make a degree make it education based: TESOL, MA linguistics/education.
Anyway good luck to you.

[eslstudies]

[jamesmollo]

So let me get this straight, you are not working in china, right? So why waffle on about what is law and what isn't? Yes, I mentioned that having relevant qualifications and experience can land one a job in china. My point is a degree in an unrelated field is of no use. Another gentleman I worked with had a degree in evolutionary science (not completed) so the language school made a fake one. Does this have any relevance to teaching english as a second language? I think not. I have a variety of qualifications including grade 8 trinity college of music in classical guitar performance. Do I include this in my CV? of course not. This has nothing to do with teaching.I studied at a polytechtnic for 2 years and completed a 4 year apprentiship in austraila. That qualifies me as a chef (after 10 years) I then went on to study esl and am qualified enough. Especially after 3 years experience I know what I'm doing.
So what about you? mr esl studies.

[Shan-Shan]

[william wallace]

Nope,and nope to being a native English speaker,and nope again to being a good foreign speaker of English. However, you must exhibit a pulse...it can be faint,though.

[eslstudies]

jamesmollo [mr], I don't think I said anything to contradict you. You are very quick to get your knickers in a knot. I was merely quoting SAEFA guidelines. Does it matter if I am on Mars, provided I am correct?
As for my qualifications and experience, you'd best stick to cooking. I'm a reasonable self taught cook, but would never claim to be capable of serving up restaurant quality food for 50 people. Why don't you accept the same argument for ESL teaching?

[dave_merk]

Seriously, someone needs to make a "do you need a degree to teach in china?" sticky. I think they have one in the Korean job forum and we need one, too.

According to the letter of the law: yes, you need a degree.
According to actual reality on the ground: no, you don't always need one.

I don't have a degree and I'm working legally and have been for four years. I've got a few TEFL certs but they never even asked for those. Mostly the FAO or SAFEA branches say, "You've been here so long, so, whatever. Here's your new FEC."

It'll vary from place to place, though.

Man, this topic is getting old.

[eslstudies]

[jamesmollo]

I was not comparing my cooking qualifications and experience to you my friend. that was not the point. With a name as grandiose as 'esl studies' you must be a veteran of esl studies.As a member of this forum do you 'teach in china?' are your comments valid? I think not. So I politely advise you to keep your opinions to yourself. The OP asked for the advice of experienced teachers IN CHINA. Not mars! as you put it.

[u24tc]

Regardless of degree I know in many places where it is simply the case of 'white face, american accent, ah.. perfect!'