Job Discussion Forums

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

I have a favour to ask.

A friend of mine wants to do a TEFL course, somewhere, anywhere.
The problem is that they don't have a degree.

Now when I did my TESOL 9 yrs ago there were a couple of people who didn't have degrees but got on because they were mature and had life experience.

Does anybody know if my friend....a female 25 yr old native speaker with A'levels and administrative work experience would get on a TEFL course anywhere?

mesmerod · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 106

since when does one need a degree to sign up for a TEFL certificate program? you just need to have a pulse and the course fees.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Now that's a wide paint brush!

Your friend would have to go through an interview during the application process. Having a degree isn't always the end-all and be-all of teaching abroad, though immigration and work visa problems are going to be the issue.

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

I did the TEFL course at the Boland School in Jiangsu a couple of years ago. Had a great time, and I reckon it's as good a course as any. They've got a TEFL training in the Czech Republic for a long time now, and opened another one in China a few years ago.

At the time, I didn't have a degree either. I called them up and they sent me a small test. Then on the phone they asked me some questions about my work experience.

It was a five week course, I learned a lot and the diploma is definitely worth it. Not just for yourself as a teacher, but it's accepted everywhere. Even in the university where I'm currently studying for a BA in education I got a number of exemptions in my curriculum because I already had that diploma.

If you've got more questions about my experiences there, you can PM or post them here.

Regards,
Dajiang

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Your friend should have no problem finding a quality TEFL course. Many CELTA centres say you have to have a degree to take their course, but reality is very different than policy.

thehairyhorse · Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chile

What is a degree?

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

I did my CELTA at IH London without a degree.

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

Cheers for the advice people....
Now all she needs to do is quit her deadend job in Canada....fly thru the clouds of love to be with me for a few months in SE Asia and then get her apps in to all the places who couldn't give a tinkers cuss about degrees et al...
Over and Out
BW