Job Discussion Forums

[logtail]

I've been lurking for a while, and now I have an account. I have just finished reading a post about teaching without a degree, so I expect some flak for what I will say next.

I plan on teaching EFL in Costa Rica without a degree.

Sorry.

I went to school with the full intent to major in English- two years at Curry College, two years at Boston College. And then, in a move of utter stupidity, I decided to become an auto mechanic. Eight years later, I hate what I do and feel frustrated that I work with my hands instead of with my mind.
I lived in Costa Rica in 1997 when I was eighteen, and I fell in love with it. My wife is enthralled with the idea of going there, and we have two little girls who we will of course bring with us. We will make enough from renting our house here to help us out with bills there, and because I have never taught in a formal setting before, I wish to take a TEFL course in CR before I attempt to teach. I will of course store most of my belongings in the US and bring some savings with me.

Sorry about the no degree thing, and I warmly welcome any criticism.

Thanks,
Matt

[Glenski]

If Costa Rica accepts people without degrees, then obviously that's one place suitable for you from that standpoint.

If you want to do TEFL long-term, reconsider the value of a degree, if only for the sake of what immigration wants.

[denise]

People without degrees generally get criticized if they refuse to accept that they will be at a disadvantage or if they clearly state that they have no interest in getting one. You don't seem to fit into either of those groups. If you realize that it will be a challenge and do your best to plan for it (including renting out your house--nice to see that you realize you'll need financial help with a family in tow!), then I personally can't see anything to criticize. Best of luck to you!

d

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Costa Rica: Man that sounds gorgeous!
No need to apologize about the degree thing. As has been stated ad nauseum on here, there are perfectly good teachers without degrees (I've seen them), and completely inept teachers with MAs (I've seen them).
You might want to consider--just for the sake of immigration and just to get the "paper", finishing your degree online if you get the chance. I know a number of people who completed part of their degree "way back" and then finished it online in short time.
By the way, might I ask how old your children are and what you'll do about schooling (home-school?)?
I'd be perhaps interested in making a move someday...

[tttompatz]

Not wanting to get into the old degree vs no degree - what makes a better teacher debate...


Fact of the matter is that more and more the immigration services in many countries are mandating that a degree is a requirement for issuance of a work visa as a teacher.

Not having a degree puts you at a great disadvantage in terms if finding legal work around the planet and every year will cut a few more countries out of your potential work list.

There will be no future for those without the degree in the not-to-distant future for no other reason than it will have become a visa/work permit requirement.

Oh, and as more and more grads are not finding work at home, you end up competing with them for those entry level jobs and guess who the employer is going to pick to look good for the "moms"?

.

[logtail]

Thank you to everyone for the kind words. My children are 3 and 1, so they won't care what we do or where we go. They've never seen TV or video games, and 99% of their time is spent outdoors, naked as jaybirds, so they won't mind living in less-than-American circumstances. As far as schooling goes, they won't need it for a little while, and when the time comes, hopefully I will be able to afford the private schools in Costa Rica if that's where I still am. I am working a high paid European auto repair job right now to gain the funds needed to make a smooth transition, as well as making some home improvements (central heat and air) so that someone will actually rent my 100 year old farm house. Right now they would have to chop wood like I do to heat the house in the winter, and you can forget about AC in the blistering summer- fans and windows are all we have.

As far as the degree goes, yes, I do plan on finishing. I just have to wait until my mother retires so that I can do so (my wife wants to return to school as well). She should be retiring soon. I regret often that I wasted a good education to turn around and work on cars, but I am trying my hardest to make that right now. I am always reminded of the vast limitations for someone with no college degree, especially when I look at jobs I could be doing had I not wasted my education.

[Guy Courchesne]

Some things to take into consideration in Costa Rica before you go...

You will not be obtaining working papers for the country, meaning you'll be working there illegally. Now, a lot of single folks do that and do border runs to renew their tourist visa. Are you willing to a) do those border runs with children and b) put your whole family at risk of fines and deportation for working illegally there?

You may want to ask your employer about this...

Schooling for your young girls won't cost a great deal because of their age. But, without a degree and only a TEFL cert, Costa Rican schools pay very little. Most find they are only barely able to cover their costs being there as individuals. If you have the funds to cover it, great. Just something to ponder.

Not trying to rain on your parade..just a mention of things you may or may not have anticipated.

[logtail]

I appreciate ANY sort of items I may or may not have thought of being mentioned- it really helps!
I had heard something to that effect, and no offense taken at all. I have spoken to the school down there and they are supposed to be getting back to me on the citizenship thing. They mentioned something about a work visa, so I am waiting to see what exactly that entails.
Money is obviously an object, but I will have some dough for a startup and will leave a fall back plan just in case. Hopefully my wife will be able to work in some capacity there as well- we will see...

[spanglish]

IH in Costa Rica will get you a work visa, but there's enough competition for jobs there that you'd probably need a year of post-CELTA experience to get on with them (unless they needed to fill a vacancy quick). I've heard generally excellent reviews about them from current and former teachers. Not much money, but apparently they treat you very well.

[Chancellor]

[Justin Trullinger]

I don't think that CR requires a degree for a visa, but you'll want to check with more knowledgeable sources, such as someone who is there.

I can vouch for the fact that it's a fairly hard market to make much of a living on an entry level teacher's wages.

YOu'll need to do careful research into expenses, versus wages, versus what you'll earn by renting your house...may be possible. Might not- depends a LOT on what your house might be worth.

I can recommend the SIT TESOL course in Costa Rica as one of the best in the world. (Very well reviewed, run by a good friend of mine.)

Best,
Justin

[jpvanderwerf2001]

There are many options for finishing your degree online. You can do it part-time, paying only for each course, until you're done. Then not having a degree will cease to be a future consideration. If you're close, I'd totally do it.

Private schools in countries such as Costa Rica are probably super expensive. I looked at some in China and Thailand, and the tuition was somewhere in the $40K/year range. Not sure that'll be an option for you. However, you might just choose to send your kids to Costa Rican public schools (they'd have great Spanish!).

Best of luck to you and yours.