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Is this really true?
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Rooster_2006



Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:22 am    Post subject: Is this really true? Reply with quote
I've read on a number of job postings by Hess that you can teach in Taiwan with an associate's degree and a TEFL certificate. Is this true? It seems to run counter to what I read the other day about needing a formal teaching qualification in your own country to teach in Taiwan...
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773



Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 213
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
To get an ARC and legally teach in Taiwan, you need an Associates plus a TEFL cert, or a Bachelors. So yes, it is true.

Taiwan has never required formal teaching qualifications, unless one were to teach at the American or European schools in Kaohsiung / Taipei. A degree in any subject and a pulse is about all that is required for buxibans and kindies in Taiwan. Very Happy
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Rooster_2006



Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
773 wrote:
To get an ARC and legally teach in Taiwan, you need an Associates plus a TEFL cert, or a Bachelors. So yes, it is true.
Good news, since I will have my associate's this summer, but still be 1.5 years away from my bachelor's. I have my CELTA already.

Quote:
Taiwan has never required formal teaching qualifications, unless one were to teach at the American or European schools in Kaohsiung / Taipei. A degree in any subject and a pulse is about all that is required for buxibans and kindies in Taiwan. Very Happy
Yeah, but the degree is usually the sticking point. I'm only 21, and I'm working on it, but I wish it were closer...

Thanks for the help.
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773



Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 213
PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you come over with an Associates, you could always finish the Bachelors by distance...but if I were you at 1.5 years away from my Bachelors, I would stick it out and come once that is completed. It will look much better for you and may open more doors (like IELTS Examining).
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stunnershades



Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 32
PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can always visit Taiwan or any of the ESL hubs you've read about in Asia if you are really itchy.
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markholmes



Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 661
Location: Wengehua
PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
If you come over with an Associates, you could always finish the Bachelors by distance
I would be careful of that. Taiwan won't accept distance degrees, so you might actually end up with a degree, but make yourself ineligible for a work permit in the process!!
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LKJ



Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 57
PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
773 wrote:
To get an ARC and legally teach in Taiwan, you need an Associates plus a TEFL cert, or a Bachelors. So yes, it is true.


And I would be careful about that. 733, you may know more about this, but as far as I am aware the government in Taiwan does not state that the combination of a TEFL and Associates degree is guaranteed to be accepted.

I know cases where it has worked, but where did you get your information from? You sound very sure.

LKJ
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773



Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 213
PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
A teacher at the school I used to work for got an ARC with an Associates and a CELTA. The MOE stated that either the combination of these or else a Bachelors is what is needed.

A couple of years ago, I knew a South African couple who had 3-year bachelor degrees and the MOE was giving them a hard time, saying that they could not get an ARC because they did not have 4-year bachelor degrees and that a 3-year degree was considered the same as an Associates. They told them that they needed to go and do a TEFL cert to get the ARC.

It has been that way for years from my understanding. I remember hearing / reading about that rule about 6 years ago and as far as I know, it is still the case. But, knowing the way that things operate in Taiwan, it would be best to check it out from the source (i.e. directly from a bug chain school that is abreast of these rules, or he MOE itself). Things could have changed recently, who knows.
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SanChong



Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Posts: 335
PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
I've read on a number of job postings by Hess that you can teach in Taiwan with an associate's degree and a TEFL certificate. Is this true? It seems to run counter to what I read the other day about needing a formal teaching qualification in your own country to teach in Taiwan...


It's true and you should be fine. HOWEVER, the Taiwanese government doesn't accept all associates degrees, so it's not definite until you have your ARC in hand. It should be fine though. Just keep the worst case scenario in mind...

Quote:
A couple of years ago, I knew a South African couple who had 3-year bachelor degrees and the MOE was giving them a hard time, saying that they could not get an ARC because they did not have 4-year bachelor degrees and that a 3-year degree was considered the same as an Associates. They told them that they needed to go and do a TEFL cert to get the ARC.


The example of South Africans isn't necessarily relevant. The Taiwanese government is EXTREMELY selective in giving work permits to S. Africans (for a lot of political reasons.... and for mysterious reasons which probably don't make much sense). Anyway, it's much easier for citizens of all other native English speaking countries to get work permits.

Quote:
But, knowing the way that things operate in Taiwan, it would be best to check it out from the source (i.e. directly from a bug chain school that is abreast of these rules, or he MOE itself


Checking directly with the MOE is likely a bad idea, because one hand doesn't know what the other is doing! They won't be able to tell you 100% either way.... frustrating, but just the way things work. Even if they DO tell you 100% yes or no, you won't know for sure until you actually try.

Checking directly with a good recruiter or school is a good idea. This is because, if your school is relatively well known, they may have a current or past teacher who went to your school. If that person was able to get a work permit then you will almost definitely be fine as well!
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JZer



Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh