Job Discussion Forums

[linvestor]

I am thinking of getting a teaching job in Taiwan and I wonder if you need to have a university degree. I have a TESOL/TOEFL certificate as well as several college diplomas (incluing Business English) but the "biggie" is what I don't have. Do I have any chances without it, and if so what can I expect private language schools only?

[clark.w.griswald]

It's Ground Hog Day!!!! Does this topic sound familiar?

linvestor, as has been discussed at length on this board just recently you can qualify for legal employment as a foreign teacher in Taiwan if you have either:

a) a bachelors degree or above; or

b) a diploma plus TESOL certification

There are two problems with b) however.

1. Nobody knows and therefore nobody is able to tell you what kinds of diplomas from what kinds of institutions are accepted by the government. Equally unclear is which TESOL certifications are accepted by the government as there are so many companies out there offering these and not all of them are accepted by the government.

2. Not all schools either know, or will accept, that a teacher with anything less than a full university degree can qualify for legal employment here and therefore you may find yourself passed over for other applicants who have a degree.

Obviously there is very little that you can do about this, short of getting yourself a degree. I would advise that you contact the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) in Taiwan directly as they are the ones who make the decision and they may be able to verify whether your documentation is acceptable or not. Do not contact your local TECO office in the country in which you live as you will likely get a lot of misinformation from them.

[Miyazaki]