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Astro Anderson
Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Zero to Infinity
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Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:40 am Post subject: CELTA & no degree -- any advice? |
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For the last couple of months, I have been researching the information on this site, and though I've found a few clues, I'd like to see if anyone has any constructive advice on my particular situation.
I am a Japanese-American and a native-speaker of English. I am almost thirty years old. I have attended college, with a little over 100 credit hours towards an anthropology major, but have *not* finished my degree -- that was about seven years ago.
Since then I've pursued my passion in art, music, and literature -- but as can be imagined, making a living in the arts is very difficult. I've realized that I'm in it for the long haul, and I need to find a career that will support me, but also be meaningful and worthwhile. I've always had an interest in (and a love for) the English language, and I'm an avid reader and a writer. Also, I've enjoyed the few informal occasions I've had to teach Japanese to people I know, and I believe I will find teaching English a satisfying vocation. I would also love to travel to different countries, experience different lands and cultures, meet people, etc.
I am taking a CELTA course in March. I know from similar posts on this site, and looking through literally hundreds of job advertisements, that most countries require a degree for the purpose of work permit (and to ensure dedicated, quality teachers, I'm sure).
The countries I've found that offer some opportunities for a person in my situation were (by region):
Asia - China, Vietnam
Eastern Europe - Czech Rep., Poland, Hungary
Latin America - Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala
There were some posts in Russia, but frankly, I don't think I can survive the cold winters there.
I know that I want to return to the U.S. and finish my degree soon, but first I would like to experience teaching English for a few years. I believe taking the CELTA will prepare me to "get my feet wet", to get a basic idea of the field, methodology, etc.
It seems that for a newly trained teacher with no experience, China would be most suitable -- huge job market, employers often offer a return ticket, and I may be able to save some money.
In order to go back to college, I would need to have at least a couple thousand dollars when I return here. I would also need student loans and be working part-time.
Would anybody have any advice on how I should go about doing this (i.e., get some experience teaching, then work towards a degree)? Is there someone that has gone through a similar situation? Is there a way to work as an English teacher somewhere and at the same time study towards a degree?
I am interested in teaching in Eastern Europe too, as I have a brother in Germany. Sometime down the line I would like to work in Japan -- my mother is Japanese; I spent time there in my childhood; I'm able to speak the language; and I'm interested in the culture. I'm curious about the vibrant cultures of Thailand and Indonesia too. Later on, I think I would like to settle in Latin America...
Do you think staying in the U.S. after getting a CELTA, and working toward a degree first would be a better path?
Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Last edited by Astro Anderson on Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:44 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dmb

Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397
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Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:11 am Post subject: |
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Finish your degree, then EFL cert. More doors will open.
Good luck |
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Astro Anderson
Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Zero to Infinity
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Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:34 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the quick reply.
The thing is, I have to take the CELTA course in March because everything has already been arranged (tuition paid, etc.), and also, I've been offered free accommodation through a relative, and I don't know if a chance like that will come around again.
I agree, getting a degree first will open more doors...
How would employers see the fact that I got a CELTA, then worked on the degree? It'll probably take me at least a couple years to complete it. |
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Gregor

Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
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Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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The issue here is NOT with the employers. It's with the governments of the countries you'd be teaching in. Could you get a work permit without a degree?
I understand that Latin America is still a possibility, and so are various places in Asia. China actually requires a degree, legally speaking. Can you get work here without one? Yes. But it's not, strictly speaking, legal. It's probably not even a problem. Not a serious one, anyway. Different provinces have different interpretations of the law, and different employers have different levels of gunag xi - clout, basically - with the immigration people.
You can study for the degree online while you teach. That is totally doable. You need to find a reputable university that offers this, of course. But if you work as an ESL teacher and do the online degree, well, that sounds like what you want to do.
I agree with dmb that the degree opens doors. But I don't see any reason why you have to do one before the other. Do them concurrently. If you can get work, then go for it.
I know I'm going to get a LOT of flame for this (vikdk? englishgibson? get ready to have a go), but EF English First in China and, I believe, Indonesia hire teachers without degrees as long as they have the teaching certificate. Get in touch with them here:
http://www.englishfirst.com/teacherinfo/default.asp
They'll put you in a flat, they'll pay your air fare, and they TEND to be fairly supportive of the teachers. There's no guarentee about this, though - the quality of the school differs from place to place. It's a franchise operation, and the local franchisee has a lot of autonomy, so be careful and ask a lot of questions. It looks like one big happy family on the WEB site, but it's really a VERY loose confederation. Have you ever been in Europe? In Holland, you get great service, while in Italy service can be indifferent at BEST. EF is like this, in China. Just be aware.
Still, they have MANY locations around China, so there's bound to be a location that can still hire teachers with no degree. I'm sure there are plenty of other possible jobs for you in the world. But the world changes quickly these days, so this is the only one I can be sure of at the moment.
Be prepared to work technically illegally. I'm going to get flamed for this too, I know. But China offers a business class visa that's pretty easy to obtain. It's called an F visa, and it allows a foreigner to stay in China for up to a year, but it's not technically legal to work for a Chinese salary (I suppose it's for consultants and the like, who come to China for extended periods of time to help set up joint ventures and the like - your salary ostensibly comes from your own country).
I say it's not "technically" legal to work on that visa because in some cases, it's so difficult to get the Z (working) visa, and the demand for teachers is so high in China that many authorities look the other way and don't really care. Also, though it's not technically legal, it's not technically illegal in all areas, either. In some provinces, they TELL you to do this, and then you're fine.
If these distinctions don't bother you, then you'll be fine in China, and yes, you CAN save some money here. Even pay for the degree, if you're REALLY frugal.
Good luck!
Gregor |
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Astro Anderson
Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Zero to Infinity
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Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:32 am Post subject: |
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I see. I appreciate the honest feedback, Gregor. I feel better about going into this. I was getting a bit worried there that I may have to stay in the U.S. for several more years -- which I'm willing to do, if that's what it takes, but I'm glad to know that I can get out there and experience what being an English teacher is like.
I expect my first year or two to be rough sailing. With some experience, I'm sure more opportunities will open up.
Are online degrees from reputable universities really acceptable in the eyes of foreign governments? I suppose this ought to be another post, once I get my CELTA and situate myself in another country (most likely China)... |
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Gregor

Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
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Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:34 am Post subject: |
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Man,
At the moment, you can go to Box Free Concepts and make a really ultra-stupid fake degree for free. For a very low fee, you can order a program for making realistic looking ones, but then I discovered that the Chinese government at the moment will accept a BA degree in Anesthesiology from Keg College, so why pay more, even if it IS cheap? Can't get cheaper than free.
I've also heard that they're cracking down on that a bit, but they're not looking very closely and a school with the aforementionedguang xi won't have to worry about it, anyway - corruption is so rife and institutionalized that if you've got an employer with guang xi, that ain't likely to change in your lifetime. Not for a while, anyway.
Again, it's not legal, but it's fairly safe. |
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