Job Discussion Forums

HoPie · Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

Hey, I was wondering if any of you have taught abroad without a degree? From what I heard if you try and find work overseas without a degree you will get paid less and be hired at much more beat down places. Is this completely true? I am definitely going to get my CELTA certificate, I was just wondering if it's worth it when I don't have a degree.

Advice is greatly appreciated!

(This is also posted in the newbie forum, sorry for the double post!)

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Depends quite a bit on what regions of the world you're interested in.

Basically, if it's somewhere they really need teachers and where most people don't want to go - you have a better chance.

In competitive job markets, not having a degree is obviously more of a problem

That said, there are countries that do NOT legally require a degree, and if you can make a highly professional and responsible appearance, you may have a decent chance.

So, where do you think you might like to go?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

A second thought.....

I am a language teacher after all, and I have a highly sensitive nose for implications, even though this is clearly 'just' an online forum.

And I probably don't actually want to know

What's the origin of your 'name,' HoPie?

No, I am sure I DON'T want to know.

But if I knew who you are and you applied to teach at 'my' university, I probably wouldn't hire you, I must admit Embarassed

Bad impression, right or wrong.

HoPie · Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

Whaaattt??

HoPie is my nickname! My full name is Holly Pilot! I don't even know what you are talking about! I am offended that you would judge me so quickly. This is a forum, not a formal interview.

johnslat · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 9:19 pm Post subject:

Dear Hopie,

Ah, I thought you might be Hopi. But good thing your name isn't Sharon Ito.

Very Happy

Regards,
John

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Schools generally require some level of higher education for their instructors - abroad or at home (assuming "home" is the US, Canada, UK, etc).

There aren't many good jobs available for those who do not have the basic industry standard qualifications to teach EFL (degree + certificate with observed teaching practice). There are two places to teach without a degree.

1. Anywhere illegally (which is certainly less pay and a beat down place, as they can pull all sorts of stunts on you - I would never recommend this)
2. Countries where a degree is not required for a visa (legal work). These are generally the countries where the pay is not good (that being said, a lot of people enjoy the lifestyle).

Whether or not it is worth it is entirely up to you. Some people will endure a good job with a bad lifestyle for the money, others will accept a low wage but enjoy the culture and life.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

A number of 'teachers' see ESL/EFL as a way to travel the world chasing pretty young girl students...The username 'could' be mistaken for the 'humourous' name of a young guy wanting to spread more looove than English around the world... Embarassed

Anyway...I taught in China without a degree, as did a friend of mine. It is possible although you are less likely to land the plum jobs. Since my first job I have finished my degree which will open more doors in more places.

HoPie · Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

Ah! You guys have all been very helpful, thank you.

And Sharon Ito?.. I am so confused.

I am also very lost at how you can think my name means something inappropriate.. ah well no worries guys I'm not changing my name to it any time soon.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

I gave you a more detailed response in the newbie thread which might interest you...

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 7:44 am Post subject:

I think that Spiral thought, as did I, that your username implied some type of 'gangsta rap' reference to, erm, loose morals. An unfair assumption, perhaps, but we are prone to thinking like this because this 'industry' is riddled with all sorts dirty old men who enter EFL with only the intention to get legless and then to leer, lech, and lust over young foreign females. I think Spiral meant he would be put off hiring someone like that.

Apologies for any offence caused. However, good luck to you in your EFL career. At least now you know what sort of specimens may be your colleagues if you venture abroad. Forewarned is forearmed and all that.

All the best.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

HoPie is my nickname! My full name is Holly Pilot! I don't even know what you are talking about! I am offended that you would judge me so quickly. This is a forum, not a formal interview >>>>>>

I thought exactly the same thing. Ho Pie??? While it might be an abbreviation of your name, it is also vulgar sounding to almost anyone with even a slightly dirty mind. And even though it is "only" a forum, lots of employers are now doing searches on job candidates in places like Facebook, Twitter, etc. and using the information they find there to give them an idea of what a person is like. I have also seen several articles that mention that having a silly email address is not a good idea for a resume, so it isn't a totally off base post.

Teresa

HoPie · Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Canada

Dear Lord...

I have been called this for the last 2 years and none of my friends have made any sort of connection like you guys have. I also have asked a couple people if they thought it sounded dirty and they said they would have to dive very deep into their dirty side of their brain. Please stop notifying me of this! I am only 19 and am not planning on teaching overseas for quite sometime I was only trying to get an idea of what to expect and that's apparently a bunch of people who jump to dirty conclusions! Obviously I'll have to change my user name when I do plan on seriously looking for a job but right now it's not that big of a deal. I'm really beginning to feel attacked and embarrassed for something that I wasn't aware of. So please stop.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

We teach language. Sensitivity to possible meanings is part of our jobs.
Many of my students follow the American rap music scene very closely, for example - and would certainly notice this as well.

Awareness of language use and errors is a part of teaching - it will help you if you decide to do this in future if you become more aware!

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I think you guys have blown a discussion group avatar way out of proportion here. BOEs are likely not going to know what a person wrote on an internet board, and I think the attention HoPie's avatar name has drawn has only shown some of the seedier thoughts in some people.

I saw the name, I wondered what it meant, and then moved on. People look at my name and think I'm Russian or Polish or something, but I chose that because it's been a nickname of mine for as long as HoPie has been alive. Longer actually.

Let's leave this one rest and just deal with answering questions.