Job Discussion Forums

[lucifer911]

I am 31 years old with a half complete university degree. Due to time constraints and costs I have not completed it.

I have taken studies in philosophy and science and intend to teach english in Russia and eastern europe (Ukraine, Czech Republic). How necessary is a university degree if I already have a CELTA certificate?

Does it amplify my job prospects to the extent it will be worth investing another year or 2 of my life to finish a university degree? also what university degree is considered most valuable?

Are online teaching degrees suitable? or bachelor of arts choosing your own majors?

Obviously if TEFL teachers with degrees are paid twice the amount as TEFL teachers without then I can see a degree would be a worthwhile investment but it doesn't seem necessary.

Is it reasonable to expect a substantial pay rise if I do decide to teach with a degree?

[spiral78]

The situation is a bit different than I interpret your thinking here - forgive me if I haven't understood clearly.

In the CEE region, most entry-level TEFL teaching is with adult professional students, often in their workplaces. These students almost all have university degrees themselves, and language schools rightly are concerned about hiring 'teachers' who lack what is seen as a basic education here.

By far most job candidates at entry level across the region have BOTH a degree and a CELTA or equivalent cert.

So, a degree will not earn anyone more money than entry level, but will simply put them on a par with the majority of candidates on the job market for the region.

That said, it's not a legal requirement to have a degree here, and I have known a few teachers who were able (by demonstrating high level of professional behavior) to overcome a lack of a degree.

[lucifer911]

thanks spiral

I asked this question because of your response on the Russia forum and wanted further clarification on the value of a university degree itself. I am still educated at university level with a half complete science degree and some liberal arts subjects on top of this. I lack the parchment but not the education itself.

I live in Australia - our university fees are not cheap so I have to be certain if the degree is worthwhile for my teaching career because it will cost me time and more money. I am opting to just complete the celta qualification and fly to Russia for a one year contract. I am a slavic man (Croatian) and naturally feel attached to all the slavic regions including Russia. I do wish to experience most of eastern europe - Slovakia, Czech, Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia. My father was born in Croatia so I could probably get an EU passport which would open up a lot of opportunities.

I still hope to finish a university degree one day.. just have to find a curriculum which fits in my schedule and isn't out of my budget.

[suphanburi]

And as an addendum here....

Depending on YOUR nationality and visa arrangements between your own country and the country you would like to work in an education to a first degree level (parchment in hand) is probably a visa requirement as much as it is an employer requirement.

In most cases now, if you do not have a degree, your chances of securing legal employment becomes largely non-existent. This is certainly the case in Asia as well as most of the developed world.

The days of backpackers funding their global excursion by teaching English with nothing more than a passport, high school diploma and a TEFL course are fast disappearing.

With all of that said, if you can obtain a passport that would negate the visa issue then you could probably find work without having actually graduated with a degree.

.

[lucifer911]

I think it also heavily depends on supply vs demand. China for instance is the easiest country to get a secure contract without a degree because of their very strong economy.

If eastern european countries struggle with supply meeting demand then it would make it easier for those without university degrees to obtain a teaching contract. Having an EU passport would probably negate the need to obtain a university degree for visa reasons.

At the end of the day I think its your ability to teach which ultimately gets you the jobs. The uni degree just helps your CV shine a little brighter.. doesn't mean you are a better teacher. That is how I see it... it does seem to be easier to get a job once you are inside the country seeing the schools in person and presenting yourself. That is why I'm considering studying for my CELTA in the target country of my choice.

[nomad soul]

[fat_chris]

[suphanburi]

[lucifer911]

how about if I get married to a korean resident? this eliminates the degree requirement I believe. I believe in TEFL certification but I object to incurring a bigger debt to study 2 more years just to get a degree to satisfy visa requirements.

Bill Gates built a multibillion dollar business without an MBA. Same story with Michael Dell. Why waste money on a parchment when there are other ways around it which will not waste your time and put you in a debt which you probably never pay back anyway (unless of course your parents paid for your university degree)

Also chinese are notorious when it comes to fraud. Sorry I just do not think honesty gets you anywhere these days. (not suggesting to commit fraud but there are ways around the uni degree)

/endrant

[jtea]

[nomad soul]

[rtm]

[HLJHLJ]

Unless, as was suggested above, they simply cannot get anyone else, why would any school choose to hire a teacher that thinks education is worthless? Exactly how are they going to market THAT to their paying students?

[suphanburi]

[Shroob]