Job Discussion Forums

[OliverN]

I have a CELTA, but no BA, i'm very excited at the prospect of gaining experience ...but i'm concerned at the fact my lack of a degree may stop this happening..has any here gained a position without a degree?

[Zero]

It's hard to get the Z visa. Some companies might hire you on an F visa or other workarounds but it's not legal and not very secure for you. You should do a degree online. There are plenty of options that are legitimate, certified, and fairly quick. Some are also reasonably affordable. Nobody in China, or most of ESL, is going to care that it was done online or whether it's prestigious, as long as it's accredited and legitimate.

[OliverN]

Thanks for your feedback! I am going to do a distance learning based degree, but these take up 3 years. I'm not waiting 3 years to teach...So I guess china is off the cards.

[therock]

I don't think there is any country that will issue you a work permit without a degree.

[OliverN]

I've heard some provinces of China will still accept you. There are of course countries in South America that I can go to. My situation isn't ideal, it is what it is, and will be rectified when time permits. I need to find the places which will accept me for the beautiful person that I am...haha
I do intend to take a degree, I just want to do this on the job, so to speak.

[therock]

I doubt any province will allow you to work without a degree. Your only option to work in China is like the other poster said you will get a job, but will be working on a F visa.

I read in some expat magazine that only 40% of foreigners working in China have the correct working visa, so you'll have plenty of company if you choose this path.

[OliverN]

Thanks, thats somewhat reassuring! My main aim is gain ELT experience and develop my skills as much as I can!
Everything else is secondary..money etc etc.

I'm willing to work anywhere, I just need a break! Hopefully with more research, and CV sending...the break will come.

[Zero]

I don't doubt that some school, somewhere will accept you without a degree in China. I'd guess they would invent a degree for you, fake up the proof and submit it to the visa-issuing authorities. If the authorities are lax enough, or the employer has connections or puts up some money, you just might end up with a Z visa. You'd have to cast your net wide and be open to very far-flung parts of China in order to have a chance, though. You'd have to have other qualities that the school wants, such as being white and reasonably fresh-looking.

[OliverN]

Cool, thanks Zero. It's important to be realistic, perhaps The Peoples Republic is not for me right now.

[RyznFree]

Many training schools won't ask or care and could renew f visas for you.

Another option...enroll in a low-intensive mandarin course at a university for a residence permit and pickup as many side teaching gigs as you like.

[Non Sequitur]

I've worked at 3 state tertiary outfits and don't have a degree and am over 60.
A friend at age 72 has just had his contract renewed for 12/13 academic and he has about 12 years in China - all up.
He also doesn't have a degree.
Both of us have had Z visas and the cities we've worked in are regarded as 'desirable' in a Chinese sense.

[Mr.Engrish]

the answer is YES you can work in China without a 4 year degree. As mentioned above, some provinces will let you; also, if the school really needs you, they will pull the proper strings. With that being said, if you want to teach without a degree, be prepared to work with kiddies and kangaroo's.

You can also work in Russia, Mexico, Argentina also Costa Rica I think? There's a few others but I forget now.

Post your resume on this site, tell them what you have and see who will take you.

Be very very careful and you should be fine.

[therock]

[Non Sequitur]

While no degree, I do have post high school quals (2 year diploma and a basic level ESL Cert).
Therock may be right, but I recall I had a brand new passport the last time I applied, so my previous employment/visa/residence was only my say so.
The thing is not to be put off by what seems to be a bottom line issue in the ad.
Caucasian, presentable and motivated and you'll get a job. Sad but true.

[therock]