Another take on the Degree issue !

[soo]

I know this gets talked about often, but i feel like i have to say my piece.

I was informed by employment agencies and my TESOL training agency here in Australia, that whilst some jobs in China wish you to hold a degree in anything to teach in their country, it is not actually compulsory to do so. So for the last few months I have spent money and time gaining my TESOL certification, working on Specialisation subjects such as teaching kindergarten children etc and generally working hard to make sure that i will do a great job at teaching English. Now don't get me wrong, I have loved this and I feel that I have learned a lot. I have lots of lesson plans I've designed and are ready to use, I have researched China over and over again to find out what area I wish to settle in and I have been putting everything in to place to start my new career in English teaching. I really want to do this as i feel I would be making a difference, my passion is languages(I know some Mandarin and speak Russian also) so i thought what better thing to do than teach the language I know best of all,my native language, ENGLISH!

NOW
I see contradictions everywhere about "you need a degree to legally teach in China", "you don't need a degree to legally teach in China". SO..will someone PLEASE tell me YES or NO..

I studied at University for two years full time and 1 year part time. I gained an "Advanced Certificate" It was called this instead of a "Advanced Diploma" because of funding issues. The very year after i finished the course, it was renamed an "Advanced Diploma", but i missed this and so I am left with an "Advanced Certificate". I taught music (which is what my university course was in) for 3 years at different colleges, schools and privately here in Australia. I was even employed casually to help at the University I graduated from. I have qualifications in "Small Business Management" and I have run my own business for the last 6 years.

So, am i now being told that this is not enough to let me teach in China?

I can see that China may want to crack down on the appointments of "dodgy" teachers, who are just visiting to travel and drink etc, but in my reasoning, why would you study Architecture, Veterinary Science, Law (and the list goes on) for 5 years and then say "OK, now I'm going to China to earn $500.00 a month". I think that China will get an influx of University students who are taking a year out to travel after all the studying they have done, which correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this what they want to stop???

I am a honest, hard working, moral person and i don't want to be working in China illegally. So, if the piece of paper saying that i have a degree is what is needed, i guess my dream and hard work of the last year has just gone out the window

Please tell me it isn't so

[gfell]

I have seen job ads direct from schools saying that a degree is NOT necessary to teach in China. The only guys mentioning that a degree is necessary are teachers in China. So, looks like it's best to clear this up once and for all.

You do NOT need a degree to teach in China. Those who say you do just haven't tried enough or are wrong.

Just checkout the visa application form itself. No-where are they asking for your education background. For further reference see Visas to China.

[soo]

Thanks for your info
I think the confusion may be aided by the fact that SAFEA pretty much imply that you need a degree and China seem to advise that you don't take any job that is not approved by them for teaching ??? Being new to this and not having been to China to teach yet it's all very confusing
How does that work, ?? Does the school have to go through SAFEA to issue you with legal working Z visa ?
Thanks for your advice, It's reassuring

[waixingren]

Definitely don't need a degree to teach in China. However, many schools do require it. I recall seeing news about some restrictions in certain cities (probably Shanghai and Beijing). I'm fairly certain that you need a copy of a degree in order to obtain a Foreign Experts Certificate. Of course, if your school's guanxi is paid up, there will be no problems.

[exported_kiwi]

Hiya wax! I agree, a degree isn't absolutely required but it does make life easier when you want to get the "good' jobs as well as attaining a foreign experts certification. I guess, as you said, it depends on "guangxi and who the school knows in the PSB.