Job Discussion Forums

[Alan Batalanto]

Hi Everyone,

It is possible that this question has been asked before, but I have searched through these forums quite a few times and still have not found an answer.

Like other people who started to teach English, I initially worked in a different line of work (book selling), one that did not require many formal qualifications. I made a change a few years ago, and love teaching. My only real problem now is a lack of a BA.

I have resolved to get one at some stage in the next few years, but before I commit the time and money, I have one simple, but very important, question:

Is a degree from a non-English speaking country accepted to get a work visa in (most) Asian countries? More specifically, a degree from Spain or Germany?

I read that Korea requires a degree from an Anglophone country, but what about Japan and Taiwan? Thailand? China?

The reason that I am considering getting a degree in a non-English speaking country is because I am already in Europe, I can speak several European languages almost fluently, and education is cheap here. The only other options for me would be the UK's Open University (not cheap for me because I'm not a UK citizen), The University of London International Programme (not too expensive but self-taught, have to pay them just to take exams), and UNISA (which has a lot of interesting-looking courses, but I've heard bad things about it, and not sure if it's respected/accepted throughout the world).

Any advice you could give me would be a great help!

Thanks.

[nomad soul]

[suphanburi]

As you have noted, Korea requires your undergrad (as well as your passport) to be from one of the 7 major anglophone countries AND from a legitimate university (ie: not in the lists of diploma mills).

The other countries on your list do NOT require your BA from a major anglophone country but some require that it be education or "English" related (Indonesia, Thailand for long term work).

For short term options (a year or 4 before you have to change countries), any bachelors degree from a European country would work.

If you plan to make teaching a career option (rather than a gap year exercise) then a B.Ed, BA.Ed, BS.Ed would probably be your best option (it will open a lot more doors than a simple BA). It will also pay better in the long term as well (trained, licensed teachers earn about 2-5 times more than those with an unrelated BA).

If you go down the B.Ed route then the best options for teachable subjects (highest demand and best pay) are STEM and of course English/EFL is always an option.

.

[Alan Batalanto]

Hi guys, thanks for the answers.

Preferably,I would like to major in something language-related, but I would also consider something else in the humanities. A B.Ed is also a good idea.

Nationality = Rep. of Ireland, so I have a passport from an English-speaking country.

I have 3 years of teaching experience, and excellent references.

It will be a year or two before I have the money to start this, so in the meantime I want to research it more and get some ideas before I take the plunge. Thanks for the advice!

Incidentally, has anyone here earned a BA whilst teaching? If so, what was it like? It seems like a difficult thing to do, but many people are in a similar position to me, I'm sure that someone on this forum has done it before.

Thanks again for the advice.

[nomad soul]

[Alan Batalanto]

Thanks, nomad soul.

I know that many students work to fund their studies, I was just wondering if anyone managed to do it while teaching abroad, maybe through distance education or at a local school. I once worked with an American TEFL teacher (with Spanish citizenship) who got her BA in Spain, but is only interested in working in Europe, where she has no red-tape issues using her Spanish passport.

"A steady job that won't disrupt your class schedule" - I have that at the moment, just trying to save some cash and do more research before I commit. In any event, distance education might be an option if I don't study at a local school here.

[santi84]

[Alan Batalanto]

Hi santi84,

"I work five days a week, and I have two very young children." - Wow, that's great that you can still study and work, and take care of the children. Well done!

I'm currently in Spain, and I'm trying to decide between studying at a local school, or else distance education with a university in the English - speaking world (which would cost a lot more). Education is cheap here - people I know here pay about 500Euros a semester - but I don't know if a BA from a Spanish uni would be accepted to get a work visa in most Asian countries, which is my ultimate goal. I would hate to put in the time and work only to later find out that my degree wouldn't open the doors to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand etc.

Good luck with your studies, and thanks for the advice.

[santi84]

[nomad soul]

[Alan Batalanto]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Having taken your advice into consideration,right now I'm thinking that distance education from a university in an Anglophone country might be the safest option, despite the higher costs. I'd rather pay more now than pay less for something that I won't be able to use later.

Now I have to start saving and research some programmes...wish me luck!

Thanks for the useful advice, I appreciate it. Best wishes.

[VietCanada]

[Sashadroogie]

Google is you're friend...

[Sashadroogie]

Where's Scotland? Or Wales, for that matter?

[nomad soul]