Job Discussion Forums

[laing88]

Im relatively new to TEFL, and have just completed my CELTA. I have no teaching experience, and I would like to travel within the next 3 months. I have not been able to get a straight answer whether I need a degree or not. I know different countries require different things, but without any teaching experience, is it at all likely that I would be able to support myself overseas? I havn't got many preferences about countries, but preferably

Vietnam
Japan
China
Malaysia.

Does anybody have any information about degree requirements in these countries? Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks

Laing

[Glenski]

Japan.

CELTA is practically irrelevant, especially for entry-level work.

Work visas require either a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any major, or a minimum of 3 years of work experience. Nothing more.

Don't have either of these? No work visa.

Those are the immigration requirements, your first hurdle. Beyond that are the employer requirements, which may be different.

You can get other types of visas that permit work under certain conditions, though.

1. student visa
2. cultural visa
3. dependent visa
4. spouse visa
5. working holiday visa

Look here to see if you qualify.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

[Anda]

Here is one example of paid teaching in some places such as China without a degree:

http://www.ifrevolunteers.org/destinations.php



Paid Teaching China $699
ifrevolunteers.org Native English Speakers Make Money In China. No Qualification Required

[naturegirl321]

I thnk you could teach in CHina, some employers might be willing to fudge your quals. in order to get you a visa.

[mcsam]

Hi

You can teach in China without a degree but you are more likely to end up being in the north of the country, for some reason (unknown to me but probably because less people want to go there) they are less stringent.

Vietnam is a different story. You cannot legally get a visa without a degree and most companies won't take the risk because I believe that there has been a crack down in recent months. However, if you are in country and your face fits and you don't mind working for less than most other people you can get under the table work in Vietnam.

Malaysia, from what I've heard not from personal experience, is very strict about the degree rule.

[laing88]

Thanks for your replies everyone I have checked out the websites they were awsome!! It sounds like China is a good place to start out, espescially with the Games on.
Peace all..
P.s. Any more info would be appreciated as I am new to the world of ESL.

[arioch36]

Actually, the Beijing Olympics makes it a poor time to look for a job there. Having no degree .. yes u can still find jobs, but you'll be getting the worst. beijing is filling up with laowai who think they can just get a job there with no degree or esperience ... but who knows