Job Discussion Forums

[SydGirl2]

I am an Australian primary teacher with a 3 year teaching diploma and a Graduate Diploma in Teacher Librarianship. These two qualifications give me degree status-4 years training (and pay) in Australia. I have taught for more than 20 years in Australia, as well as at an International School in China. My dilemma is that I don't have a Bachelor's Degree which is now a legal requirement for a work visa in many countries. I have often read on these discussion forums that a degree isn't necessary to work in some countries, but when I look at the academic requirement for the job, it invariably says"Bachelor's Degree". I am also thinking of doing the CELTA but if the stumbling block is the degree, then the CELTA is probably of little use. I know I could probably work in China again but I would prefer to try somewhere else like Vietnam, Thailand or Malaysia. Can anyone suggest where my qualifications would be recognised? Thanks.

[773]

I am not sure if your 3-year teaching diploma is the equivalent to an American Associates Degree, but if it is, you should be able to get legal employment in Taiwan with that and a TEFL cert.

An Associates Degree takes two years, by the way, so what you have may be seen as its equivalent or better and you should be able to get work if that's the case (assuming you get a CELTA along with it).

[Waldorf Salad]

Here in Vietnam you can work. It doesn't matter if you work legally or not. Anyone can buy a business visa. Technically it's not legal, but it doesn't matter, everybody is doing it. I have an MA, but I haven't even tried to get a work permit, it's too much trouble. Schools will be impressed with your qualifications, that's the only thing that matters here.

[Glenski]

Check with the immigration regulations in the countries you choose. In Japan, for example, a work visa can be issued if you have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, for one thing. BA degrees can come from 3- or 4-year institutions. I'd say you have the right combination.

The fact that you have a teaching license makes you eligible for international schools. If you have 2 or more years of experience at home, you should consider Japan.

Aside from the degree, you can use work experience as a substitute. Japan's immigration guidelines says 3 years minimum, but the fine print also says that can be combined with your study time. You easily qualify there, too.

[Prof.Gringo]

Just wondering... I have been living and teaching ESL in Mexico for almost four years. I have a 120 TEFL from a school in Mexico and no degree.

Which countries in Asia would I be able to teach in? Should I get another teachers cert. like a CELTA or take another TEFL in the target country? Or does it not matter?

Thanks!

[Glenski]

Prof. Gringo,

If you can prove 3 or more years of full-time teaching experience, Japan can offer you a work visa without a degree. Anything else you can show (certification, for example) would only make you more appealing to employers (and Japan is flooded with teachers right now, so boosting your qualifications is always a good idea), but your first hurdle is immigration's requirement for the work visa.

Show proof of work for that time, and you qualify.

[Prof.Gringo]