Job Discussion Forums

Eyrick3 · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 161 Location: Beijing, China

Hello all,

I have been teaching English in China for several years. I have a TESOL Diploma and am considering taking a Masters of TESOL program, which will take approximately 12 months to complete.

Has anyone been accepted to posts in Japan with considerable credentials and experience without an official Bachelor of Arts?

If so, could you please state which school hired you and what your own credentials were at that time. Thanks in advance!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The MOFA regulations don't specifically state bachelor's degree, only that you have graduated from college. The usual rule of thumb is that you need a BA or BS degree (3- or 4-year variety, depending on your country), but it might be possible to do what you want just with the 12-month master's. Would be interesting to see if anyone has done it. I don't recall reading about such a situation.

Are you planning on getting the degree online or back in your home country or in China? That might also make a difference to immigration. Hard to say.

Eyrick3 · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 161 Location: Beijing, China

Glenski, thanks for your reply.

I'm considering doing the diploma program here in China with the same guys that I did my TESOL with. It's with an institute that's certified by the Chinese government.

Anyone with any luck or experience in this area shedding insight is appreciated!

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Are you aware that Japan does not even technically require a university degree to obtain a working visa? Either most schools are ignorant of the fact or choose to set the bar at a college diploma, but it is not a requirement of the Japanese government.

If you can prove 3 years of work related experience you can be sponsored for a working visa. Finding an employer aware of this rule or willing to use it is another matter however.

From the sounds of it you may have the required experience. Make of note of this during the interview process or in your letter of introduction and it just may pay off for you. It did for me. All the best of luck.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Yawarakaijin,

Yes, the government technically does require a bachelor's degree (or equivalent). Most people satisfy that requirement because it's the easiest route.

Yes, there is another way in, as you described -- possessing and proving 3 years (minimum) of related work experience. You make it sound like some big secret, when it's not.

It's an either/or thing.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

Careful, Yawarakaijin, careful...just slowly back away lest the all-knowing Yabanjin loosens his mighty tongue! Rolling Eyes

NCTBA

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

It also depends on what immigration considers "equivalent experience."

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Not interested in getting into a debate over this again, which seems to happen whenever it comes up. Semantics isn't it? One method of getting a work visa is by having a degree. Another is by proving 3 years of relevant experience. Does the government REQUIRE a degree for a work visa? Depends on how you look at it I guess.

susurrus · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 6

Are you sure that your prospective Master's degree doesn't require a Bachelor's Degree for admission? I've never heard of any school (in the United States, at least) that let you skip straight to graduate study, without completing an undergraduate degree first.

G Cthulhu

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I thought he wrote that he's going to do it in China, where he is now.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:46 am Post subject:

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

By the sounds of it he also has a TESOL Diploma before he got the TESOL cert. I didnt think this was possible either.

Mind you whats an advanced diploma?

Eyrick3 · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 161 Location: Beijing, China

Hello all,

thank you for the feedback and suggestions.

I have a TESOL Diploma, which is not a certificate. The Diploma program was a 7-month study and work-term program. Upon graduation, we had completed all of the fundamentals learned in a normal certification course, as well as over 70 hours of Mandarin lessons, case-study on how to specifically adjust to life in China, feedback with experienced teachers, and over 500 hours of teaching experience. This diploma program is accredited by the Chinese government, specifically the HeiLongJiang bureau of education.

The Master of TESOL is a 12-month long program that studies a number of advanced topics such as theoretical linguistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, multiculturalism in the classroom, second language acquisition, etc. This program is also accredited by the Chinese government and is done in partnership with a professor from the Harbin University of Science and Technology. It also involves a thesis component.

I haven't filed my application for the Masters yet, but think I will soon. It looks like a good program, and I can do a correspondence option and meet the advisors via Skype for support and tutorials.