Job Discussion Forums

[goiter]

I have been accepted into a celta course that starts in January. I originally wanted to work in Europe, but it looks like I have missed the boat on that one. When do employers look to recruit in Asia?

Also, does anyone know which countries I can work in, having a celta but no degree??

[PattyFlipper]

Cambodia
Laos
Indonesia (I believe)

Certain parts of (mainly) rural China which have difficulty attracting foreign teachers (for some very cogent reasons).

Government schools in rural Thailand can also sometimes get a work permit for a non-degree holder, however the same caveat as China applies; perhaps doubly so.

Depending on your age and nationality, there is a scheme in Japan which allows you to work there for a limited period without a degree. No doubt a poster called Glenski will be along shortly to appraise you of the details.

I think that is about it as far as Asia goes. A bit of a scam that these TEFL course providers are still selling their wares to non-degree holders and touting it as some kind of golden key to travel across the globe. Don't misunderstand me, as an employer I would take a CELTA graduate over the holder of a bachelor's degree in Toad Sexing any day of the week. The problem, as you are no doubt aware, arises with the requirements for obtaining legal working papers. Unfortunately, most Asian employers and those who formulate the immigration regulations have probably never even heard of the CELTA.

Don't dismiss Europe completely out of hand. I am presuming that you are either a US or Canadian citizen. It is still possible to work in Eastern and Central Europe and a degree is not always a requirement. The whole region is in a parlous economic state however. Russia is also a possibility. Have you considered Latin America?

Good luck.

[goiter]

I found out you don't need a degree in Indonesia, but I rather not go there. I got an email from one of the schools in Asia saying that you don't need a degree to work in Malaysia. I haven't heard about that scheme in Japan, sounds interesting, I always wanted to go to Tokyo or Kyoto.

I'm Irish, so the whole work permit thing wouldn't be a problem for Europe, just rather not wait till September (we are really badly hit by recession over here, very little chance of getting work till then). I gave a few Emails to schools in Latin America, hopefully I'll get some more info.

Thanks for the info, greatly appreciated.

[PattyFlipper]

[goiter]

I got an email from IH Malaysia saying that I wouldn't need a degree but I would need to secure a job before going over.

[parrothead]

[Glenski]

The "scheme" for Japan is called a working holiday visa. Irish are on it. Good for once in your life, and for a max of one year only. No qualifications needed other than being Irish (in your case). I don't know what parrothead meant.

The market here is flooded with teachers, but WHV holders have one edge over some: they can get PT jobs. People here looking for visa sponsorship their first year can't.

But, when were you planning to work? December is the deadest time of year.