Job Discussion Forums

napoleonspidgin · Joined: 28 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

From viewing this forum it is my understanding that those with AA degrees (2 year) need a TEFL cert of some kind to satisfy immigration requirements.

Which certs are acceptable? I'd love to do CELTA but I just can't afford it.

Mr. White · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 36

Kasa, that's an interesting reply.

I strongly suggest you check your facts before providing such information.

You appear to be out of your depth. For a start a BA degree is often taken in 3 years, oh and yes, Taiwan does allow an Associate Degrees with a TEFL. This has been covered countless times on this very forum.

napoleonspidgin · Joined: 28 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

bellygod · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

I am also thinking about whether to get the CELTA or an alternative for a job in Taiwan.

bump

LKJ · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 57

There is no official policy regarding the combination of an Associates and TEFL. It usually works fine but this is a backdoor method to getting a work permit and ARC and it comes down the the discretion of the official that processes the application.

My advice is that you get the best type of TEFL qualification you can afford. That will give you the best chance when they assess your qualifications.

The best TEFL's are CELTA and Trinity TESOL (120 hours in class courses) however I do know people that have got in with much less (for example, online TEFL's, which are cheap and easy - although much less valued than those mentioned above).

If I were a betting man I'd say you will be fine with any TEFL providing it is well known. A good compromise would be to get the Oxford Seminars 60 hour course (done in class over several weekends).

I hope this helps
LKJ

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

I'm teaching in Taiwan right now with an AA+CELTA, and I've gotten work permits for two different buxiban since I've been here.

Now, some of you are going to say "but you're having such a hard time finding a decent job! It must be because you only have an AA!"

It has nothing to do with my degree. My resume says "AA degree" and potential employers never ask what the AA stands for. They don't care.

When I'm rejected from a job, the reason given is never that I have an AA degree. It's basically always something to the effect of "someone bested you on your teaching demo," "we really wanted a female teacher," or something like that.

I wish I could be more competitive in this market in terms of my teaching demo, my Chinese skills, etc., but having an AA instead of a BA/BS is the least of my problems. Most employers probably don't know the difference. The AA degree is not very well-known in Taiwan.

I wouldn't discourage an AA+TEFL holder to come here any more than I'd discourage a BA/BS holder to come here.

Now, I strongly recommend bringing your transcript. I don't think a transcript is required from BA/BS holders, but it is required from AA/AS holders!

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

In Hess Initial Teacher Training, they told us that you need a university-accredited TEFL certificate to teach here with an AA. Of course, I learned so many things at HITT that just aren't so...

And I just want to reiterate the good news for AA holders that most employers SIMPLY DO NOT CARE whether you have an AA or a BA. I've done a total of 11 job interviews in this country, now, and although I've failed over half of those, the reason has always been my teaching demo or another factor, not my AA.

And today, I finally gave a dynamite teaching demo, the principal loved it, she said it was a "really good demo" and that "[she] will probably hire [me]," and it looks like finally, I'm going to get a nice fat 64,000 NTD paycheck from March onward including somewhat paid vacations and teacher attendance bonuses! Sweeeeet!

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Congrats Rooster and yeah - you're right you don't need to have a Uni accredited TESL to be employed without a B.A, you just need to have something from an ESL 'educator' / course provider with your name on it.
Hell, you could probably pick one up on Khao San Road that would pass muster if you did a visa run to Bangkok...

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

zipper · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 237

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

zipper, it would be nice if school owners thought the way you did. They couldn't give a shiess and only ask for TEFL/TESL to make it easier to weed out the weak from the thousands of applications they are getting in this economic down turn we are in Smile

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

@zipper and creztor

AMEN!

And thank you Taiwan, for allowing myself the CHANCE to beat out people with bachelor's degrees in basket weaving.

zipper · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 237