Job Discussion Forums

[leeroy]

Hi there fellow esteemed Dave's ESL Cafe-ers...

A question with regards to my own path towards professional development...

In short,

I have no degree, 2 years experience, and a CELTA.

(I can see the vultures frothing at the mouth, ready to rain fire from the depths of hell, let me beat you to it: )

"There is no chance an unqualified sack of shit like yourself will ever get a job where I am. Get yourself an education, grow up, and then maybe you can be a "real" teacher!"

As it happens, I'm starting a DELTA next week. I am also studying for a BA in Language Studies with the Open University. It's not easy teaching 6-9 hour days and doing a degree at the same time - it's lucky I enjoy my job because for �10 an hour, I'd be screwed if I didn't. And the �2K I'm forking out for the DELTA won't be paid back in a hurry, either. There! Have I proved that I'm taking this seriously?

I have no desire to teach in Asia, my backpacking days are over, and God Help Me I will be in this for (I expect) the next 10 years. Call me a weirdo, but hell I like teaching - and I'm even half good at it!

I have my focus at the moment on Europe (esp. Spain), and later Latin America once my degree is finished. But for now, let me hit you with an example...

A job is advertised for Madrid, stating that applicants should have

"A relevant first degree, a CELTA (or equivalent) and 1 years experience."

If my own stats weigh up to (by December)

"An unfinished degree, a DELTA and 2 and a half years experience"

then should I even bother applying? I would think: yes. I would guess that a DELTA would weigh up more highly, than, say, a degree in English Lit. But I'm not an employer.

As we all know, most of the jobs available to non-degree-ers aren't that good. Even armed with a DELTA, good references, a few years experience and a degree in progress, are there no rungs up the ladder that I can climb?

I am well aware that some countries have visa requirements stating a degree is necessary. These are not the countries I am interested in for now. From an employer's perspective, how flexible are they with the "must have a first degree" thing, when taking into account other factors?

And please, please, let's not get started on the degree/no degree debate - I'm sure we're all very tired of it!

Thanks

Leeroy

[Celeste]

The only thing I can think of that might give you a better idea of the employer's flexibility on the degree issue is to check out their advertising and find out what they are promising their students. I know that there are some schools that promise certain qualifications, or that belong to professional organisations that insist upon certain qualifications. In cases where the degree rule can be bent, then you would have to be either much more experienced than the other candidates, or have an "in" with the employer.

[PanamaTeacher]

Why would you womder if you should apply; of course apply, what can it hurt? The question of success is as Celeste puts it, up to the employer. I would suggest a strong cover letter with your resume where you distinguish yourself from the field of applicants.

One last thought; I suspect (sheer speculation) that Latin America is probabky more flexible than Europe, so you may have more succeess trying Lat Am first. Do expect to be poor at first if you head this way, however. Good Luck.

[Marcoregano]

Hi Leeroy,

I have to say that I am highly cynical of the relevance of generic degrees when it comes to TEFL, and if I was an employer I'd be much more interested in the applicant's hands-on experience and PRACTICAL tefl quals..... I'd rate the dip highly on that score. But unfortunately I'm not an employer and can't really answer your Q. I suspect that a lot of dimwit employers will bin your application however, unless, as PT intimates, you can get in their face and show them you have cojones. BTW, b4 someone gets on my back about degrees and such, I have a BA hons, an MSc and will soon have an MEd TESOL. Oh and a Cert TESOL. All have been useless to me, so far as practical teaching goes, but employers do like 'em. The Cert TESOL can be good, but the one I took was crap.

[PanamaTeacher]

Wow Marco!!