Do I Need a Degree to Teach English Overseas?


Is a Degree Needed to Land a Good Job Teaching English?

No, you don’t always need a degree to land a good job.

There are excellent job markets in much of Latin America. In Southeast Asia, both Cambodia and Indonesia are good markets for people without degrees.

Without a degree you’ll not be saving large amounts of money, but you can still land a good job and live well on the local economy. You can expect the very best jobs to go to people with degrees and lots of experience, but lots of opportunity still exists and there just aren’t enough teachers to meet the demand.

Focus your Job Search

If you don’t have the advantage of a degree, try to use your work history to your advantage instead. If you have work experience in a hotel or restaurant for example, seek out those kinds of settings. Large resorts overseas often hire teachers of English to help their staff deal with their guests. If you have experience in the industry, exploit it. You are needed!

The same thing applies if you have a good work history in business. Look for jobs teaching Business English where you will have an advantage. Large corporations often hire teachers and many language schools devote a good part of their business to servicing international corporations. They are looking for YOU.

For both these specialties consider getting ESP Certifications. Or at least study teaching material related to those industries, so you will have lots of good ideas when you interview and you will create an advantage over your competitors.

Great Resources: ESP Certification in Resort and Hotel English and
ESP Certification in Business English

Check these eBooks as well: Hotel and Resort English and Business English Lessons

TED’s Tips™ #1: If you don’t have a degree, grab every advantage you can. There are good jobs out there, make sure you are in the hunt!

The BEST EFL Teaching Jobs in China: Government Colleges, Universities and Secondary Schools offer the most reliable and worry-free jobs in China. Click on the Link if you would like to Teach English in China

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categories Uncategorized | | datetime July 6, 2010 4:36 PM

20 Comments

  • By Andrew, July 18, 2010 @ 9:18 AM

    This is good information to know. I am often asked about opportunities to teach English abroad without a degree. I haven’t always had a good answer, but now I will start directing people back to this page for more information.

    Anyway, I included this post in our weekly roundup of blogs I enjoyed reading: http://www.gooverseas.com/go-abroad-blog/week-overseas-july-16th/3683. Feel free to share this back to your users!

    Cheers,
    Andrew

    –
    Andrew Dunkle
    Senior Editor
    http://www.gooverseas.com
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    twitter.com/GoOverseas

    Email: andrew@gooverseas.com
    Phone: +1 (510) 917 2982
    Skype: andrewdunkle

  • By Cassie, September 23, 2010 @ 5:29 AM

    Hi, Ted, thank you for your advice. I can’t turn back the clock, so I guess I’ll have to turn up the creativity! I think your idea of a post on the age issue is very relevant.

    All the best,
    Cassie

  • By David Wilson, April 26, 2011 @ 6:02 AM

    As someone new looking into TESL, I do not have a bachelor degree, and I understand a degree is pretty much required in most countries now. My question is: With the issues going on in Japan right now, would the requirement to hold a degree get relaxed? I have 2 years at a college and many years of experience in hospitality and business and am looking at a career change. I will have a TESL certificate by Aug but am really wondering if it may not be the right direction for now. Get a degree and then try again, although that is at least 2 years away.

  • By Ted, April 26, 2011 @ 10:11 AM

    Hi David,
    There are some cases where you could probably get hired in Japan these days and probably the closer to Sendai you get, the better the offers. Most likely though you would need to be on the scene to do that though. If getting a degree is any sort of option for you – DO THAT FIRST. It opens up pretty much the whole world for you.
    I hope that helps.
    Ted

  • By Nicia, June 22, 2011 @ 7:29 AM

    Hi Ted,

    I would really like to teach ESL in either Belize or Costa Rica, do you know if it is easy to get placement there? Do they typically require a degree? I only have an Associates Degree right now, but was thinking about going for my Bachelor’s if its needed.
    Thank you

  • By Ted, June 22, 2011 @ 9:06 AM

    Hello Nicia,
    Get your bachelor’s degree. Even in countries where they are not currently required the trend is to begin requiring them. Get your degree now and you won’t have to worry about getting caught out in the future. Just my opinion! I’ve been in Asia for 20 years – so I am not an expert on the jobs market in Latin America.
    Ted

  • By Kelly Sparks, June 25, 2011 @ 4:00 AM

    Ted,
    I am preparing to go to Thailand in October. I have a degree not in teaching but still… I am wondering should i sign up for a TEFL certification while I am there in Oct and then look for work? Or should I be securing employment before I leave and then work on TEFL when I get there? Also, do you think Bangkok or Phuket is more ideal?

  • By Ted, June 25, 2011 @ 6:38 AM

    Hello Kelly,
    Thailand doesn’t tend to hire from abroad, so you will need to go there for your job search. Bangkok is a huge jobs market and you should be able to find a decent job within only a few days. Phuket is a more competitive market – not so good for newbies. To obtain legal working papers as a teacher in Thailand you’ll need a degree AND a TEFL certificate. It is probably best to get your cert done in Thailand so you can do your practice teaching with Thai students. That would give you a head start in the classroom.
    I hope that helps.
    Ted

  • By Jay, October 7, 2011 @ 9:07 PM

    Hi Ted,
    My name is Jay I am an Australian citizen and currently an active volunteer English Tutor for the Australian Government Migrant English program assigned with both private migrant students and I also teach group classes at the Tafe International Learning Centre. I don’t have a bachelor degree but I am in the process of completing an 100hr Tesol cert. & advanced Tesol Diploma.I will soon receive an statement of attainment from the A.M.E.P for my min 50hrs volunteer Teaching.will this be sufficient qualification & experience along with 3yrs or so as a reputable business manager to seek quality paid teaching positions overseas and attain necessary visas? I am really passionate about starting a new career abroad and teaching my language to those in need. I’m interested in Asia and South America possible Nepal. How do I get a foot in the door and where can I seek more information to access if this is going to be viable. Any help would be great!

    Yours sincerely,
    Jay

  • By Ted, October 8, 2011 @ 5:34 AM

    Hi Jay,
    You’ll need to research each country individually, but for Asia you will be fine for China, Cambodia, Indonesia. Nepal – I don’t know the requirements for, but you don’t see many advertisements for teachers there. Latin America – lots of jobs, but again the requirements will vary by country.. Tesall.com and ESLcafe.com forums are good places to ask about requirements in specific countries.
    I hope that helps.
    Ted

  • By Chris, November 14, 2011 @ 12:11 PM

    I am 19 (almost 20, scary) and I am currently In college for degrees in nursing and communications. I know that a lot of times people say a degree is needed, but when they say that does it mean that you have to have a degree in anything or in education? I have always like the field of education and I feel that English as a second language is right for me.

  • By Ted, November 14, 2011 @ 1:07 PM

    Hello Chris,
    Good question! In about 95% of the cases when a degree is required for a teaching position usually any major is fine. Only rarely is specifically an English or Education major required. BTW, Medical English would be a great ESP area for you. International hospitals in many countries have English teachers on staff to help the staff learn to communicate better with their patients and customers. I hope that helps.
    Ted

  • By Whittney Wise, January 9, 2012 @ 5:21 AM

    Hi Ted,
    My best friend and I both want to teach English in Japan but the road block is that I have a degree but she does not. She’s the head chef of a restaurant, meaning she has a lot of management experience. Would this help her chances at all? Also, I’ve been told so many different things about the certificate I will be needing…should I be TEFL certified or TESL certified?

  • By Ted, January 9, 2012 @ 6:25 AM

    Hello Whittney,
    A bachelor’s degree is usually required to obtain legal working papers in Japan, regardless of previous work experience. A TEFL certificate will help. TEFL vs TESL – TEFL is Teaching English as a Foreign Language – TESL = Teaching English as a Second Language – either one is just fine. The differences in what they teach you will be minimal if any at all. I could go into long detail about the theoretical differences, but the practical differences are almost none. The differences in helping you obtain employment – both will help equally.
    I hope that helps.
    Ted

  • By Adam, February 6, 2012 @ 3:20 AM

    Ted,

    I have been investigating teaching English in either Beijing, Seoul, or Shanghai. I have a friend in Beijing rightw and a friend in Seoul right now and each one tell me tons of great things about each, and from what I have read about Shanghai it seems to be a pretty awesome city but kind of pricey. I am 23 and will be getting my bachelors degree in history in June. I was hoping to get on the August bandwagon to head over seas…does that seem reasonable? Also, could you possibly rate/give me some pros and cons on working in Beijing vs. Seoul vs. Shanghai or if there is another Asian city that you highly recommend, please, feel free to give me your input! Thanks. Oh, and would my bachelors degree alone without any other certification assure me a teaching spot? Now I will end with thanks!

  • By Ted, February 6, 2012 @ 9:07 AM

    Hello Adam,
    You’ll need a TEFL certification to teach legally in China, but not for Korea. Every city is different and you’ll find that you will have different preferences from the people who are recommending these places to you. So it is a bit of a shot in the dark. But, try the one that sounds most interesting to you and put the others on a list to go to next. No need to stay in one place forever. Shanghai is pricey compared to the wages you’ll earn there, but so is Beijing. The tertiary cities in China are a much better deal, even if only on the edge of the big cities. Seoul, you’ll be able to save serious money right away, assuming a reasonable lifestyle.
    I hope that helps.
    Ted

  • By Adam, February 7, 2012 @ 3:53 AM

    Thanks Ted I really appreciate it. Well in that case it looks like I will be sticking with Korea because I will not have my TEFL certification any time soon. Are there any countries that have the perks of Korea (free airfare and lodging) that only require me to have a bachelors degree? I need to get rolling on the registration process…are there any legitimate companies that you know of that I should go through? Thanks a bunch.

  • By Ted, February 7, 2012 @ 3:01 PM

    Hello Adam,
    Korea is one of the best bets around. That’s why so many teachers head there. Most of the schools there hire through recruiters, just ask for a reference to make sure they are okay. Most are fine.
    Good luck!
    Ted

  • By Adam, February 7, 2012 @ 11:47 PM

    Thanks again for the info Ted. However, i guess I am a little confused. I am not sure what you mean when you say Most of the schools there hire through recruiters, just ask for a reference to make sure they are okay.” So I need to find a recruiter or a school first? Also, what sort of reference are you referring to? Sorry about my confusion. Once again, thanks a bunch!

  • By Ted, February 8, 2012 @ 10:01 AM

    When you look at job advertisements for Korea, probaly 95% of them will be from recruiters. Apply to the recruiter. Ask them for a reference from a teacher they placed. They will connect you with a school.
    I hope that helps.
    Ted

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