Job Discussion Forums

Bini123 · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Posts: 4

I have no degree or teaching experience only a TEFL qualification. I am intersted in so many places - Asia, Africa and Latin America. Ideally, China would be a great place to start, but I dont have a degree?

Indonesia keeps popping up, but im not sure what the lifestyle would be like? Say if i did a year in indonesia, would I have more chance of getting a job in China or India after one years experience? And what about Africa and Latin America?

As you probably can tell im a bit lost as to where I want to go?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

You can do the majority of latin america for sure.

Most Southeast asian countries definitely too. If you have the experience and the charisma, a school will "take care" of you, apparently.

Im doing the TESOL in Guanajuato mexico as we speak and I havent finished my degree. Youre pretty much free to get a job teaching english anywhere in Mexico without a degree (Language institutes/business english/Colegios will ask for your tefl/tesol before they ask for your degree [if they even ask for it]) except for a Uni job. Even then, make some "connections" (thats all mexico ends up being anyway ..) and you may even end up in a Uni teaching English. That is a long shot though, but still, make some Mexican friends

I am fortunate enough to be Mexican American and my spanish is well above average, so this will benefit my forthcoming relationships in Meh'hee'co.

Old Surrender · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:40 am Post subject:

China is an option -- if you want to work illegally. It's fairly easy to walk in to a place and ask if they need a part-time teacher and get some hours. You could cobble together a bunch of small jobs if you don't mind spending a lot of time in transit.
The bad news is A) There's a big fine for working illegally. B) You could get screwed out of your pay if the boss suddenly doesn't want to pay you. C) In addition to the fine, you could be deported.

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

You would have a good chance of working in China. I had several co-workers there who had no qualifications whatsoever, not even a TEFL certificate, and they were all working legally. That was just a few years ago, although they might have tightened up a bit in the meantime.

A word of warning though: China isnt always the nicest place to live(although the students are really nice if you teach adults), and you will most likely be getting paid peanuts....

You can work illegally in Turkey too if you want to run the risk. It's a fairly small risk. I did that for about 7 months in my first job because of their incompetencies getting a work permit, then for around 4-5 months in my next job while they got round to processing my work permit. A shockingly large percentage of my co-workers in Turkey were working without work permisson. The headteacher in the language school I first worked in was a 21 yr old American kid with ZERO qualifications and no work permit!

You could try the Turco-British Association(TBA or 'Ingiliz Kultur') in Ankara, Turkey. You dont have to be British(although thats a plus obviously), the pay isnt great but they pay on time and pay for your accomodation and bills etc. Lovely students for the most part. They have an NGO status so they can get visas for people who otherwise would have problems at language schools.

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Where to go? No Degree?

ingrey · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 9

You might have some trouble landing a decent gig without a degree heh.

idiggs · Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 47 Location: Ecuador La Costa

Based on your qualifications:

Indonesia (you will have no problem finding work there)

China (about 50% chance finding work there)

Mexico (about 75% chance finding work there)

South America (most countries there will offer you work)

Central America (you will have no problem finding work there)

Don't feel alone. We are almost in the same boat but I'm quite the opposite. I have an associates degree and no TEFL. I am starting the TEFL course next week. However, even after completing the course, the only other country that I will be qualified to teach in is Taiwan. I heard about loopholes that may allow you to teach in other countries but I haven't heard much about them (so maybe someone can shed some light on that).

It seems like the bachelor's degree and the CELTA/Trinity is the best way to go.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

khmerhit · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 8:36 pm Post subject:

C A M B O D I A
try it and see Cool

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

NYCESOL11211 · Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 75

What's up with the "Cambodia Try It And See" dude?

johnslat · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject:

Dear NYCESOL11311,

Oh, don't mind khmerhit; he usually shows up and posts that whenever there's a "where should I go" discussion.

He's a big Cambodia fan, and, no - he doesn't get any kickbacks from the Chamber of Commerce. Very Happy

Regards,
John

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

What's up with it? Sounds like it might be a good place to teach!! Thanks for reminding me, I've been meaning to PM this individual for some specifics!

stug · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1

Is there anywhere in Europe or the Middle East where one can find work, with a CELTA, a university diploma in English Language Studies (no degree yet), an EU passport, and a couple of years experience in TEFL?

In particular, I'd like to work in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Spain or an Arabic-speaking country. At the end of the day though, I'm not too bothered really.