Job Discussion Forums

miettesbrainchild · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

Hi.

I'm an experienced (and pretty good) TEFL teacher and have been teaching for the best part of two years.

I'm dedicated to my job, full of beans and have a decent work ethic

but.... I didn't go to university.

Is it true that the governments requires a degree as a neccesity to work in Taiwan as a teacher?
Are there any (legal) jobs I can get there without having been to university (not including the university of life of course)?

I really want to move there with my wife and kid as it seems like a great place to live but is it possible for me or should I start looking elsewhere?

Thanks

Gabriel

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Single and without a degree - Yeah, for sure, you could get something going here teaching EFL in Taiwan, or any Asian country.

But I don't think you can work it with a wife and kids and no degree. Too many bodies without being able to get them legit visa status.

When a foreign EFL'er without a degree is married to a local girl, they have no problem finding a teaching jobs in Asia because the schools aren't involved with getting their visas.

In 90% of EFL jobs in Asia, you do not need a degree to get a full time teaching position; however, you need a degree to get the work visa.

S hit, you don't even need a high schoool education to get a job teaching EFL in most parts of the world, you just need to be able to get a some kind of visa to stay in the country.

You'd be better off trying to get your wife and kids into China, Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam where following laws seems to be more of a 'suggestion' than a strong obligation. Ha, aha!! Good luck to you. Try Forumosa.com for more detailed info.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

What Miya said, basically.

The degree requirement exists to satisfy the work permit regulations. You could get a job without one if you had some other way of obtaining legit residency priviledges. If you were married to a Taiwanese, it wouldn't be an issue. It would be difficult to make a go of it here in your circumstances, and quite likely not worth the effort. You need some means of obtaining a resident visa. For teachers, that means four year degree from a recognized institution or a two year college credential in conjunction with a tesl cert.

I heard somewhere that Japan will accept degree-less teachers with a certain number of years accumulated experience. They view teaching to be your occupation after you've been in it long enough and will accept this experience in lieu of a degree. This is something I haven't confirmed, however.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:20 am Post subject:

The government does not require you to have a degree. They require a minimum of a college diploma from a two year programme AND a TESOL certificate.

JohnConnor · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Crystal Peak

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:21 am Post subject:

A degree is NOT NEEDED to get a work permit. Some schools demand a degree and will tell you it's needed to get a work permit, but this is not so. The government requires a minimum of a college diploma from a two year programme and a TESOL certificate.

If you don't meet the minimum educational requirements set out by the government, then the only way is to work without a permit (ie: illegally). I do not endorse that.

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

I think you don't even need that if you can get a working holiday visa. But you probably have to be a 20 something Australian.

What if your wife works and you get a visa through marriage? Or is she degree/diploma-less as well? The only other route open to you is to become a "student".

AQUA MARINA · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:58 am Post subject:

HI Dr. Zoidberg,

Do I need to worry about finding a good contract If I have a 2-year diploma and TESOL certificate? One recruiter from Hess turned me down. I have a few others I've emailed my qualifications too. That 1st rejection was a suprise. I know you mentioned that the government does not require us to have a degree. They require a minimum of a college diploma from a two year programme AND a TESOL certificate. I this still accurate?

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

TravellingAround · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 423

AQUA MARINA · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject:

I hear it is easier to find work when you are IN the country for contracts that aren't advertised vs. the internet. It's still a teachers market am I right?

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

I'll elaborate a little on what I said earlier for the benefit of those who responded to my post.

I said four year degree. What I meant is four year degree or its equivalent in your country. Sometimes that means four; sometimes it means three. So, your choices are: BA degree (3 or 4 year depending) OR two year diploma with a tesl.

I am aware, miya, that non-native speakers obtain employment in the tefl industry in Taiwan. These people, however, are not legitimate foreign teachers. A few people (French Canadians and few others) may take advantage of a loophole because their country is listed as an English speaking country, even if they themselves are not.

However, I don't advise anyone who is not a native speaker, or who lacks proper credentials, to go to Taiwan. You will not get jobs easily and those that you do get will be for less than reputable schools, usually in out of the way places.

AQUA MARINA · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:59 pm Post subject:

My native tongue is English and I am a Canadian Asian.

I think I will be fine when I go down. I may need a bit more time to search for the right school, since it is a reverse -racist industry.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan