Job Discussion Forums

[jstopa]

Hello all,

I will be completing my TEFL certificate program very soon and I hope to be sbroad soon after. The only hitch is that I do not have a university degree of any kind and was wondering if that will hinder my chances of finding a job at a reputable school. I know there are places that don't necessarily require a degree, Indonesia and China I believe, but I also don't want to be seen as someone who can be taken advantage of because I don't have the same qualifications as others.

I'm also pretty nervous at the thought of going to a foreign country alone and doing something I have never done before, but I am a stong willed person and have never failed at anything I have put my mind to so I believe I can succeed if I apply myself.

Thanks for your time in helping out this rook,

jstopa

[Glenski]

[PAULH]

[jstopa]

Thanks Paulh. You definetly are showing me the reality of going abroad without a degree. I know people who have done it and had an unbelievable time, but I have heard some horror stories as well. This is why I will be having some funds available in case things go pear shaped. I know is will not be all smiles and sunshine and I am prepared for that, but there will be some positives as well..... right?

Thanks again,

jstopa

[dajiang]

You'll be alright.
Just start out in a private language school somewhere.
Get the hang of teaching for real, and see if you like it anyway.

When you've been around for a while (and read this board a lot) you'll know what to expect from employers. Sure there are some horror stories, but if you keep your eyes open, and your wits about, you'll be fine.
It all depends on you, and how gullible you are. I really think that most of the people telling the horror stories have made the mistake themselves, and they could have foreseen the consequences. Anyways, if you're alive to tell a horror story, it had a good ending anyway, and then you've just had a valuable learning experience right?

Try China first. Just fly over there and have a look around.
You'll meet people on the streets who can fix a position for you.
Just find a place you like (like ehh, Chengdu for example) and stick around for a few days, and you'll see posts for English teachers here and there. You'll meet some FT's who work there, or you'll get picked up from the street by schools scouting for teachers.

Easy peasy man.
Have fun,

Dajiang

[Cdaniels]

[Gregor]

First, you need to get some experience.
China's good, and so is Indonesia. I've lived in both of those places, so far, for the same amount of time. Two and a half years each.
I don't have a degree either. BUT! China is cracking down on the no degree thing (it's always technically been illegal). I have had some indication that Indonesia is doing so as well.
The good news is that there are still schools in China - plenty of them - that will hire foreign teachers and get them a work permit. And the pay is NOT bad, either. You shouldn't accept less than 3500 RMB per month, and you should be able to get at least 5000 RMB. 3500 is plenty to live quite comfortably anywhere in China except Beijing or Shanghai.
Contact EF. They are a chain of schools world wide, and have a HUGE presence in China. They might be able to find a place for you, and you'd have a very safe, very secure and reasonably generous contract. There are still some "bad" schools in the EF chain - a**hole bosses, crap work environments, and so on. But others are really good. So get in touch with them. Here's a place to get started (they can help you get into Indonesia as well, but the way):
http://www.englishfirst.com/teacherinfo/recruitment/default.asp

Give it a go, and good luck.
Gregor

[jstopa]

Thanks a lot everyone who has posted relpies. You guys have all given me a great idea of where to start and what to expect.

Another question: How long does it usually take to secure a job from first applying to setting a start date?

Thanks again,

jstopa