Job Discussion Forums

[Jandoraa]

I've read that the wording of the z visa regulations is what, in some cases, allows people to have a z visa with no degree. I read that the official wording says the applicant "should" hold a bachelors degree, not "must". This, so I read, allows some smaller places to use their own discretion when interpreting the regulations. Does this sound possible at all?

[Deats]

That makes sense as many people in China work without a degree.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

I don't think so. I've been shopping employers and I have read many employment proposals that say "No Degree Necessary." (I'm degreed and have several years experience in China). To get around the consulate's directives, the school will probably send the applicant an invitation letter for something other than a Z visa.

Out of curiosity, I responded to such an ad and received a cagey reply that didn't really answer my question about the Z visa requirement.

After all the hubub about the Chinese government's tightening of regulations for foreign teachers, it's no surprise that little has changed.

[Jandoraa]

Interesting that all the hubub has brought about little to no change. I've no desire to work illegally, so of course I'm hoping to find some sort of loophole that would allow me to work legally in China without holding a bachelors degree. If not, I think Columbia will be where I focus on.

I imagine there are many people who don't hold a bachelors degree that are excellent teachers and many who do hold a bachelors degree who are not excellent teachers. I understand the idea that if one has completed their undergrad they are likely more qualified, but I can think of several people I've met who were not any better at their job in spite of their degree. In today's market many people are unable to afford a degree. It seems to me making that a requirement cuts out a great many people who might have a talent for teaching.

Is someone who holds an unrelated degree, say in mathematics or science, anymore qualified to teach English to children than someone who has 5 years of university and 10 years experience working with children? I know this is a controversial topic and one that's been gone over again and again so I'll spare us all the agony and stop now. My original question was related to wording of the z visa requirements. If I find any more information related to that question I'll post it here for those interested.

[nomad soul]

[Jandoraa]

[Deats]

You must be careful on this forum as there is good information AND bad information. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the two. And just because someone has a lot of posts doesn't mean they know what they are talking about.

I have never heard of a person being deported from China for not having a degree. I personally knew first hand many many people teaching in China without a degree. The university I worked at hired two people without a degree. Plenty of people I knew worked in kindergartens and primary schools without degrees.

The logic that if your employer fakes you a degree etc to get you a work permit then you will end up in jail and the employer won't is utter nonsense. Keep a record of all your emails and then you can prove exactly what you did and didn't send them. You can prove you never faked anything but always keep hold of all your correspondence. People on here love scaremongering and giving worst possible case scenarios that never even happen.

It's surprising how many people currently not even living in China seem to somehow have a better understanding of the Chinese law than Chinese companies who are hiring people without degrees and having no problem in doing so. Whilst you should not blindly trust any company, you should also not blindly trust the word of someone on an internet forum. I have been told by people on davesesl how certain things are impossible, then found out that they are in fact totally possible. This has happened to me several times.

Quite a few people on the China forum or in general posts about China have opinions about certain issues regarding living and working in China and they have never even worked there themselves! So beware, just because someone seems knowledgeable about a subject doesn't necessarily make them so.

[spiral78]

Oh, Jandoraa should totally take the chance and relocate her family to China, because Deats knows people who have taught there without a degree and they didn't get deported

Of course!