Job Discussion Forums

AndrewNZ · Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 7 Location: Auckland

Hi all

In March I am planning on doing a 4 week long course in teaching english as a second language , and I will be looking for work after that , most of the jobs I see require a degree which I don't have.

Does anyone have any advice on where the best places (websites or other)are to look for a Job without a degree, I am not to fussed where in the world , maybe Asia

Thanks

Andrew

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

Your profile says you are from Auckland, so you will be eligible to get a working holiday visa. It does not require a degree, but that limits you to a year or year and a half max. A work visa can be renewed endlessly but in Japan it requires a bachelor's degree. Competition is pretty high anyway, so coming without a degree (even though you may have a TEFL certificate) still puts you on the lower rung of the hiring ladder.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Celeste · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 7:10 am Post subject:

I know people who have taught in China without degrees. I have a friend who is currently teaching in Taiwan without a degree. I would stay away from Korea. You will not be legal there without a degree, and you will be rather exploitable because of it. I am in Japan, and as Glenski said, even though you can get a working holiday visa, you may find the competition here to be a bit stiff.

Guest · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 9:41 pm Post subject:

Hi

I am teaching "conversational English" here in China and I have no Degree and no Qualifications. I do not however recommend this for young people. I would encourage them to get the qualifications first.

I do not know so much about the Degree, as I think in most cases it is not much help having a Degree in a subject that has nothing at all do with teaching English.

There are a lot of other qualities that are welcomed by the Chinese people and go a long way to ensuring that you have a rewarding and fulfilling time here. They are : honesty, loyalty, reliability, punctuality, dependability, a love of children and a genuine interest in helping them with their pronunciation of the English language.

nik_knack0828 · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Chengde, PRC

Hello,
I'm currently in Chengde, China. I also have no degree, but took a TESL course in May/June. I had a blast and started looking for work. I have completed a few courses at my local university, but nothing particularly impressive. I started searching the net and found Yakup Int. that promised it could get me an amazing job with no degree. I contacted them, and started to research a bit. I found out that they are a little less than they seem to be, so I moved on. I started contacting school's directly through ads I found on websites from the sticky at the China job board. I had a few write back and found a recruiting agency in Shijiazhuang I liked the sound of. I made a chart of pros and cons and decided to go with the recruiting agency.
I start teaching on Monday and so far everything seems good. I have a nice apartment, good hours and friendly locals.
I only have 2 complaints.
1. The contract I arranged through the agency was for 6 months, but since I'm only teaching for 5 the school is only paying me for 5. Kinda crappy, but hey, not that big of a deal.
2. The course materials mentioned in my contract - that I was supposed to be supplimenting - are no where to be seen and I've been told that I can teach whatever I want. "The students' interests."
Lucky for me my TESL course was very practical and I have enough in those materials combined with two Penny Ur books and anything I can pull off the net to make this course fly.
But anyways... I would suggest China as a good place to work without a degree. Either directly with the schools via ads on the net or through a recruiter. Mine has been great and has called me twice to check on me since I arrived. If you want to work in Hebei Province you can PM me and I'll find their web address and let you know... actually I know what it is off the top of my head.
teachinchina.cn
good advertisment for them.
So try it China if you like. My first week and a bit has been pretty good so far.

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

In all the countries I have worked, I have worked alongside people without degrees, some of whom were incredibly professional and excellent teachers. They all said not having that bit of paper made the job hunt harder, but by no means impossible.

Check out Thailand, Hong Kong and China. If you're from New Zealand then Asia is probably your best bet, as they seem to revere your accent!

Just be careful you're not exploited, and if a contract looks iffy, don't sign it.

Louis · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 275 Location: Beautiful Taiyuan

China is definitely doable without a degree. This is what I'm doing now. Check out job ads, if they require a degree, send your resume anyway. Recruitment agencies will always promise you the world. This is not to say that you should avoid them completely, just take everything they say with a big grain of salt. I came here through Yakup. I have nothing good to say about this agency, except the fact that it (perhaps inadvertently)put me in a good school.
Finding a job will be harder without a degree, but the quality of your experience will mostly depend on the people you deal with at the school. Bargaining is key with your contract: if the school is pleased with you, they will cough up the cash if you make it clear that the alternative is you on the next train. Good luck!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Joachim wrote:
"Check out Thailand, Hong Kong..."

You can delete HONG KONG definitely.
They are not going to hire anyone without relevant credentials!
Now even less than before!

bayabule · Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 82 Location: East Java Indonesia

IS650 wrote

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

There doesn't seem to be much correlation between academic qualifications and abilty in my experience. Believe it or not I even know I guy here in Japan without a degree that's getting $80 dollars an hour teaching at a college. Of course contacts are everything.

khmerhit · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 1:54 am Post subject:

cambodia!!!! Cool

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

Roger,

Although it is difficult to find work in hong Kong without a degree it is by no means impossible. I work with two people who don't have degrees, and both have all the neccesary documentation and permits. One has been here nearly three years and is the highest earner in the company.

icollin · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 39

I worked in Japan for a year without a degree, and it was really easy to find a job. It wasn't the best job, but it paid ok, and it was easy. (20h. a week) I worked for Peppy Kids Club if you are interested. Japan is awesome Wink

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

icollin,

Considering that you need a bachelor's degree to get a work visa in Japan, how did you manage that?

Were you on a working holiday visa?