Is TESOL a substitute for a degree?

[chris-tee]

Ok here is my situation.

I'm 22 years old. I'm not a graduate, i've never been to Uni. I left high school after i graduated from year 10 and have worked in the IT industry ever since. I'm not an idiot - I earn $90,000 a year (AU) in a full-time, stable job with excellent references. I live alone and support myself completely. I come across in interviews as being mature and responsible, with a bubbly personality.
Not having graduated from high school or Uni has never stopped me doing something I wanted to do, and all this working i've done over the years has never left me time to go back for my education anyway.

Recently, I had a talk with the course provider for TESOL. I explained to him that I didn't have a degree, but desperately wanted to live overseas and teach english, it's always been my passion. He told me that without a degree, an Advanced Diploma in TESOL (sounded like a bit of a sales pitch, really), with lots of extra credit subjects would be just as good. He said without a degree, I could still find work if I had a high level of TESOL certification.

Does anyone with ESL teaching experience agree with this? I've read on a few other forums that I pretty much have no chance without a degree. Or if I did find a job I would be treated really poorly and taken advantage of. I don't want to have to give up my dream for something so stupid as a degree. Having a degree does NOT define a person. I'd appreciate some honest responses. What are my chances of finding work, with a high level of TESOL, but no degree...?

[Hypiereon]

"Depending on where you want to work" seems the safest answer. What country you want to work in will vary on their requirements; however, you will be at a disadvantage without a degree.

Nevermind all the "they'll take advantage of you" crap and just think logically about it. If they have someone applying who has a degree and you don't, you'll get passed up every time. Some schools "require" it, but if you send them a nice photo and explain your other "qualifications" whatever they might be (ie. TESL/TEFL Certificate and other teaching experience) they will probably be more flexible if they have no one else applying that meets their qualifications mandate.

Now, as for your contract, they will probably push this point to get your down on salary and other benefits. In China, I know several schools that demand a degree but have hired several foreigners who have no degree. Having a degree allows them to advertise you with one -- they probably will anyway, but having a degree speaks more to maturity and age than anything else which is what they're really after.

I think it also depends on what age group you want to teach. Go for a University and you'll probably get rejected. Offer to teach little children and no degree should be no problem at all. If, in fact you do choose to teach children, don't let them use the fact that you don't have a degree to bargain you down on salary and benefits.

Hope this helps!

[gfell]

A University degree in Australia is either 3 or 4 years. A TESOL certificate ranges from a few days to a few weeks depending on the TESOL provider. Hence, a university degree is definitely not a replacement or even equivalent for a TESOL certificate.

A TESOL certificate would not get you a visa when teaching abroad. An Advance Diploma however would suffice in some situations as would a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. However, "Graduate" level courses require a Bachelor degree as a prerequisite OR a few years equivalent work experience. A Graduate Certificate can be completed over 1 year part-time at an Australian University.

I do know of teachers in Japan that have a work visa and only an Advance Diploma. However, an Advance Diploma is usually 2 years full-time study in Australia. It seems you don't however have time to go back and complete these studies.

As you are Australian, less than 30 years of age, you can apply a Working Holiday visa to teach in Japan for a maximum of 18 months. You can also teach in China without the need for a University degree. Depends on which country you want to teach in. Places like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia etc. aren't really strict on requiring a University degree.

He told me that without a degree, an Advanced Diploma in TESOL (sounded like a bit of a sales pitch, really), with lots of extra credit subjects would be just as good.

Possible. But what is the duration of the Advanced Diploma he is selling? I would suggest asking him for referrals of past graduates that are teaching overseas and don't hold a University degree.

[chris-tee]

The Adv. Dip. is studied online via correspondence. It takes about 3 months to completely, apparently. Obviously depending on how much time you take (I couldn't recall the exact hours of the course).
I know that TESOL also offer a bachelor's degree you can study, also online, which takes a few months. I do plan on studying that later down the track but wanted to see what my chances were with just the Adv. Dip.

I really wanted to go to South Korea, actually, but the more I read about it the less likely it seems, as I hear they won't give a visa to anyone without a degree.

I'm happy to teach children, I love kids. hypiereon, why do you say I shouldn't accept less salary for teaching kids? Do schools usually pay less depending on which age group you teach?

[ESL Teacher]

Whether you teach children or teach adults, the salary should be the same.

The only time you would get higher than the average is if you teach University students or business classes.

[missxine]

I know that TESOL also offer a bachelor's degree you can study, also online, which takes a few months.

No... most bachelor degrees take 3 or 4 years!

[regisilustre]

I'm also in a similar situation, only I'm on a WHV and teaching in Japan for PKC (I know, no need to to tell me again). I want to be able to stay in this lovely country, however I don't have any academic recognitions that would give me an opportunity to change my status into a working visa.

My query is, if I were to try and find an online course provided by one of the universities or TAFE in Australia (VIC/NSW) then what type of course qualification should I be aiming for so that I can meet the minimum requirements of a working visa in Japan?

I've just extended my WHV for another 6 months, and I have another 6 after that (at least that's what I was told at the Japan Embassy in Melbourne) and I would really like to get qualified before May 2007 so that I can enjoy Japan or even teach in South Korea and not have to struggle so much with the WHV salary.

[Margy]

regisilustre, you really need to get qualified by enrolling in a 3 year university course before you can apply your working visa in Japan. If you don't have so much time up your sleeve, then I suggest applying to some online uni courses and applying credit for knowledge you already have.

I'm sure you can complete a Bachelor degree within 18 months if you dedicate yourself.

The University of Missouri-Columbia is just one of many type of universities that offer degree programs where you can study at your own pace. From their website, they state:

CDIS offers flexible learning options at a distance. Independent study allows you to complete your coursework without attending class. You can enroll anytime, anywhere, and work at your own pace.

So, what you need to do is enrol asap and dedicate yourself as much as possible.