Job Discussion Forums

[chris-tee]

I know this question has been asked a hundred times by people like me, but i'd like to put together a list for myself.

Which countries are more likely to accept teachers with no degree, but some form of TESOL/TEFL diploma (as well as a positive attitude)?

So far I only have China... any others?

Also, should I be wary of any jobs I am offered in countries where a degree is essential (I don't have one)? Such as Japan or South Korea...? Or is it the school's decision in the end who they decide to hire?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

It would be really hard to make up a list. For example, in Japan, you definately need a degree to get hired for any English conversation school from outside of Japan. From within Japan, if you already have a working visa, then that would be a different thing.

So just for Japan, people would need to know

1. will you be 'in-country' (actually there to interview etc)?
2. if this is the case, then it would mean that you had a visa to be in that country, and without a degree that means you would have to have a working holiday visa. That means that you would have to be under 30 (I think it is) and only from certain countries (the US is not one of them, though Canada is).
3. Do you speak Japanese (if so, can you also read it)?

[PAULH]

[erinyes]

Even in China - it's very difficult to get a Z visa without a degree. That's pretty common knowledge to many people around here now.

My BF and I were offered degree reproduction services (as in they take my degree scan and alter it to make one for my BF too. Well - my BF didn't like that idea, so they are applying for another kind of visa - like the dependant�s visa or something. If he was here my himself he couldn�t work in a reputable government school in a big city.

No degree in China means F visa, private school or Guangdong where there are no rules.

Because we really want to teach all over the world there really is no other choice for us. After next year we are going back to Oz so he can finish his degree.

I'm sorry to say that if you want a good job, found outside the country and if you want to abide by the law then you'll need that bit of paper. However reports of people getting jobs while in the country with nothing more than their smile can be found anywhere where TESOL demand is high.

I personally know a girl who worked in Taiwan for a few years with a fake degree.

[Glenski]

Don't know about other countries, but in Japan you don't need a degree for the following types of visas, all of which permit work.

working holiday visa (Canadians, Brits, Aussies, New Zealanders, French, Germans, and Koreans from 18 to 30 years old are eligible; full or part-time work allowed, but no bar work)

student visa (if you are enrolled in a Japanese school; part-time work only)

cultural visa (if you are being sponsored by a craftsman to study a craft like ikebana, martial arts, or pottery; part-time work only)

dependent visa (if you are married to a fellow foreigner who has a FT job here; part-time work only)

spouse visa (if you are married to a Japanese citizen; full-time or part-time work is allowed)

NOTE: For all of the above, even though you are permitted to work, it all boils down to whether the employer thinks you are qualified. That could mean needing a degree to get hired even though you have one of these visas.

By the way, an exception to the regular work visa rule of needing a bachelor's degree is that you can get it if you have at least 3 years of work experience (sometimes 10 years, depending on the type of work you want).

[chris-tee]

hmm.. Thanks a lot for the replies guys. I realise they might sound like dumb questions, but i'm fairly new to the whole teaching thing.

[ls650]