What are my prospects to teach English as a foreign language with no uni/college degree?

Question

I have taken a weekend TEFL course and may take the Trinity Cert.TESOL in the summer but I'm not sure if it'll be worth it without a degree.
Some countries (esp. Asia) require a uni/college degree to get a work Visa. And even when its not required, often job ads specify degree required. So what are my prospects without a degree if I don't want to lie and don't want to work illegally?

Answer 1

If you have a teaching certificate then it is still reasonably easy.

Try www.tefl.com for info.

I work in Poland and it is certainly possible to get good, well paid work without a degree if you have a certificate. As you seem to be a UK citizen you'd be able to work as an EU citizen.

A friend of mine is working in China with no higher education or degree. No problem. It might depend on how good your EFL cetificate is, if you have one.

In some places they'll accept you just for being a native speaker.

Answer 2

Hi,
I've done this work and now live in China and have lived in China for over a year now. I can help you in particular with Asia.

Firstly your perception is wrong - However many advertisements do state the need for a degree. Let me tell you this, apply anyway and ensure you emphasize you have a TESOL/TEFL qualification, scan it and send to them. Once they have it they will change their mind about you.

In China at least, the requirement is actually TESOL qualification OR degree. Many of the more fussy institutions now preference on the TESOL/TEFL since apart from teaching specific qualifications degrees don't actually qualify you as a teacher. The only institutions that are really serious about wanting University Education are Universities, Colleges and some high powered institutions.

Take a look at the links below or mail me [e-mail] for more advice. ;)

Answer 3

Am just about to complete my Trinity Cert TESOl which took me a year, after graduating last year - I plan to work in Hong Kong next year. Asia is the only place that your opportunites are better with a degree.

Some places in Asia infact quite a lot of them dont need you to have TESOL but do want you to have a degree. I was offered a job last year with just my degree and so wish I had taken it but NNNNOOOOOO I wanted to put myself through what has been the worst course in all my life - dont get me wrong, it is very labour intensive and I was working full time also so didnt make my life easier.

Looking back it has been a valuable course and am now confident to go and teach anywhere in the world. In fact am going to Oxford to teach a two week summer school and was offered the job in within three days of applying.

There are loads of good websites out there with jobs and I would suggest that you get your CV online and also tick for job alerts with your criteria, try www.tefljobs.com or www.learn4good.com

If your wanting to cut your teeth as they say then taking jobs in the UK over the summer would give you an insight and then do europe to build up your experience to make yourself more attractive to the asian job market.

Good luck

P.S if you want any info/detals about Trinity TESOL then drop me a line

Answer 4

Your answer is Yes and No. Some countries need to provide the skill of speaking English to their people that sometimes they are only looking for a "Native speaker". Then some countries want the "native speaker" to have accredited education because often the audience may be well educated in their country and just need to learn English for international commerce. Go on the Internet search engine and search for TEFL (teaching English as a Foreign Language). I know the pay is terrific and maybe a 3 year college education is a worthwhile investment in the long run. I know several friends who went this career route and never returned to the USA. They found their niche, loved it and three even married locally.

Answer 5

Every country I've ever looked into requires a degree. I taught ESL for eight years. The only teachers I met who didn't have degrees were on marriage visas.

If you can somehow get a visa, you can probably get a job (although I think that Turkey and Greece like to hire only Master's degrees).

Answer 6

You can't get a job in Korea or Japan where the pay is relatively higher. But if you are willing to work for less money you could try China. A friend of mine is teaching there without a degree legally, and he gets about $500 a month

Answer 7

If this is a basic requirement that will assure selection and if you are young enough persue your studies and obtain a degree. This will not only boost your ego, but also as someone qualified to meet required standards for selection. So go ahead and make goals of your dreams.Let not the lack of a higher qualification prevent you from reaching out for that star and plum prize. Study for your degree and the Best of Luck

Answer 8

You need a degree of some sort to teach a class. I'd stick out your education, then look to those jobs once you found a degree. Lying will cause you serious trouble, from deportation to being denied a visa and entry into that country.

Answer 9

In Poland all you need to teach English is to speak correct American English. They can make more money if they speak American English. People will pay you to teach them on an informal basis. I do not know what the story is with getting work visas or if they are required, but my youngest daughter (still in high school) was offered money by lots of people to teach them English when she was there on vacation. She didn't bother, but she had lots of requests. Contact the Polish consulate.

Answer 10

It's a bugger, isn't it. You can get round it in some places - you won't find the answers you're looking for here, though. You need to go to your chosen country on a tourist visa, work out the lay of the land. You'll find work... but then, you did specify legally so maybe not...
Also - don't do TESOL, do CELTA (way better IMO)