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Q: Teaching English without a degree
I have completed a TEFL Teaching Qualification and I am looking to work in China but i do not have a degree, can anyone offer some advice?
10 years 12 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
Need more info, are you a native speaker? Where are you looking? I know that in Beijing schools will take just about anyone. The real question is whether you can get a work visa, but your school will probably "arrange" that.
Thanks for the reply. I am a native speaker with a TEFL qualification. I am looking anywhere in China, i obviously want a working visa but will schools offer that without a degree?
Like Brendan says, if you a native-speaker, white (gives extra points), decent looking (again extra points), you won't find it too difficult. It is kind of a formula here that means the more marketable you are, the better chance you have.
Your TEFL actually kind of means more than the degree to some people's eyes as it is proof you can teach English to some degree (or at least understand the methods). So, yes you can find a job without a degree... but you won't get the top paying jobs until after you get a few years experience at least.
Great, thanks for your help.
I dont suppose you could suggest job sites other than this that may be useful to me?
royceH:
Dave's ESL Cafe would be my first stop. Look for vacancies posted by schools themselves, rather than recruiting firms.
Working for a primary/middle/high school or university would mean a Mon/Fri job and a private language school will mean lots of free time during the week but your weekends will be shared with a thousand students.
Not having a degree won't necessarily stop you and right now is a good time to apply.
If at all possible, try to get the visa before you make a change to another city and start working. You may not have a choice if funds are an issue but try. The most common problem teachers without degrees have is that school will hire you and say its not a problem, and once your settled you find out it is in fact an issue , and ur not getting a work visa and its either change job or monthly trips to hk. Most dont like paying for flights so jts countless hours on trains, and constant feeling of unsettlenss as you dont really know what will happen from month to month. So again, do everything in your power to make sure you get that work visa.
royceH:
Mike's right. Have the Z visa in your hand before you book the plane ticket.
ScotsAlan:
Yup. Monthly trips to HK are not a sensible option at the moment. Lost of people being rejected.
I have a Z visa without a degree. I am not a teacher though. But if I can get a Z in a first tier city without a degree I see no reason why you can't get a Z . Think about applying for jobs in the countryside and work your way towards where you want to be. There are no shortcuts in life unfortunately, no matter what country you are in.
The thing to do is promote your experience and skill.
Good luck.
Brilliant, thanks all for your help, i'll make sure I get confirmation of my work visa first
