Want to teach abroad and have question

[Danielles]

I have heard rumors (for lack of a better word) that non-college graduates can teach abroad. Is there a test one can take to qualify? I would love to teach in Japan. Thank you in advance!!

[mycolumbus]

Non-college graduates can teach in Japan on a working holiday visa. But a working holiday visa is not available for all nationalities.

The working holiday visa is only available for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

See http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/ for more information.

[doogie]

There are many teachers in both Taiwan and China without a college education. Just because you don't have a degree, don't let it stop you.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by doogie

There are many teachers in both Taiwan and China without a college education. Just because you don't have a degree, don't let it stop you.

You forgot to mention that those teachers are teaching illegally and under the table. I am sure that you could really do any job in any country of the world if this were the criteria.

I don't anything about the Japan situation, but in Taiwan and China you would need a degree to teach legally.

[doogie]

Yeh, sorry. Brian is right. The majority of these teachers are teaching illegally in China and Taiwan. But it seems the authorities aren't so strict with it.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by doogie

The majority of these teachers are teaching illegally in China and Taiwan. But it seems the authorities aren't so strict with it.

It is true that some of these teachers teach for years without even a hiccup as far as legal trouble, and in all honesty I cannot suggest that teachers teaching without certification should expect trouble on this front. Trouble could however come at any time.

Generally speaking the authorities don't seem too concerned about the situation, but they do have campaigns every now and again.

The biggest problem IMHO of working illegally is that it places you in contact with employers who are willing to hire illegally (i.e. possibly not the most honest of employers). Additionally one should consider that they would have few rights here in Taiwan work wise if they were working illegally. If the employer just decided not to pay you then there would be very little that you could do about it.

I think it comes down to personal choice. Personally, I don't see many advantages to choosing to work illegally, but I certainly can understand someone without a degree working illegally so that they can remain in the country to be with their girlfriend etc.

If you are serious about working in Asia as a teacher then maybe you could consider going to university and studying.