Overcoming Lack of College Degree in Landing GOOD Teaching English as Foreign Language Position?

January 13, 2005 2:54 PM

Teaching English as a Foreign Language question inside, sort of a follow-up to this post.

In the linked post, geekyguy mentioned that despite lacking a college degree he's teaching English in China. Wackybrit asked for more info, but didn't get it. Hence, my question.

My friend is 40 years old, no college degree, TEFL certificate, very well traveled, particularly in Spain and Central America. He did some English teaching a few years back when he was in Ecuador, just enough to get by for a while. He's interested in doing it again, but wants to hook up with a good service and make a bit more cash. His understanding, echoed by tefl.com and wackybrit, is that without a college degree he's unlikely to land a good position. He's not about to go to college just for this. Is there anything else he might do to overcome this limitation? Additional TEFL coursework? Or will he just have to convince the school/service to overlook the lack of a degree?

posted by schoolgirl report to education (4 comments total)

I answered wackybrit via email since I didn't think it was directly useful to anonymous unless asked. Sorry if I appeared dismissive, my email is in my profile.

A vist to Dave's ESL Cafe Job List or Bogglesworld Job List, (where I found my current position), will show many many opportunities for your friend in this experience often trumps 'formal' education world we live in. In fact, with his TEFL certification and experience he should be golden. Can he obtain letters of recommendation from his previous teaching gigs? This might also help. Many schools that teach the TEFL/TESOL certifications do student job placement so maybe a check with them is in order.

It is certainly more experience enriching than wallet enriching career choice. Let me add that my experience has completely been beyond my expectations.
posted by geekyguy at 5:41 PM on January 13, 2005

Thanks, geekyguy, great stuff. I didn't mean to imply you ignored wackybrit, just that you didn't get around to answering. I figured you lost track of the thread.

I will definitely pass along your comments and have him check your blog. He'll be very encouraged by your success.
posted by schoolgirl report at 6:47 PM on January 13, 2005

No problem. Glad to help and if you or him would like to contact me I'll be glad to offer any advice I can. There are many mefi's in my situation and a search for some other 'teach overseas' threads will reveal them but I think stavrosthewonderchicken is Mr. Longterm and has a ton of practical experience. Good luck.
posted by geekyguy at 8:05 PM on January 13, 2005

This lengthy post from my site should tell you much of what you need to know about teaching in Korea.

Short answer : you need a degree in Korea, to teach legally. There are scads of cowboys on tourist visas doing private lessons, though, and making good money doing it. I do not advocate this, merely mention it.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:49 PM on January 13, 2005