Do You Need A Degree To Become A Substitute Teacher

  Strictly speaking the answer is no, you do not have to possess a TEFL certificate in order to find work as an English language teacher. In some countries around the world it is still possible to secure employment simply by being a native English speaker. However, there are several reasons why we would strongly recommend that you complete a TEFL training course before you set off to teach English abroad. In recent years many popular destinations for EFL teachers have begun to tighten the requirements necessary for teaching English in schools and language centers. A recognized TEFL certificate is now required in order to secure a work permit in many countries, whilst the ever growing number of teachers with a TEFL qualification means that employers in the majority of countries...  [Read more]

The simple and straightforward answer to this question is: No, you do not need a degree to take a TESOL course or to land a teaching position abroad. While it is true that having a degree means you will have a wider choice of job options, those without one still have plenty of great options available in a wide range of countries across the world. Whatever your academic background, teaching English in your home country, overseas, or online is still a very realistic option. Whether a degree is required to teach English is usually determined by the authorities of each individual country. Some countries where ESL teaching is very popular have imposed restrictions on foreign teachers that insist they have a degree in order to qualify for an official work permit. In these situations,...  [Read more]

If you are TESOL qualified and you have a university degree you will have a huge choice of options for teaching English all over the world. For those without a degree, the options are more limited but still plentiful. Recently, some of the more popular countries for teaching English abroad have begun to demand that teachers have a degree in order to qualify for a work visa. In particular, some of the big Asian markets for teachers such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan now require a degree to obtain the necessary paperwork to stay and work long-term. Most of the high-salary Middle East countries are also difficult to crack without a certain level of formal qualifications. Despite these examples, there are still many options open for non-degree holders if you are flexible in where you...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad can be a rewarding experience for individuals with a teaching degree from another country. While requirements vary depending on the country and institution, having a teaching degree can certainly open up opportunities for teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) abroad. In many cases, a teaching degree from another country is recognized and accepted by schools and language institutions around the world. However, some countries may have specific requirements for teaching English, such as a TEFL certification or a certain number of hours of training in TEFL methodology. It's important to research the specific requirements of the country where you wish to teach to ensure that your qualifications meet the standards. Obtaining a TEFL certification can also enhance...  [Read more]

For many ESL teachers a standard-level course such as the 120-hour TESOL certification course from ITTT is the only official teaching qualification they ever take. This level of certification will allow you to apply for a wide range of teaching jobs in countries worldwide. Some teachers also add one or more specialized TESOL qualifications to their portfolio in order to further their own understanding and to add more options to their job search. The next step up is an advanced-level certificate such as the Diploma in TESOL that takes an in-depth look at the theory side of teaching. Finally, teachers who want to rise to the very top of the ESL industry often sign up for university-level courses such as a Degree or even a Master’s in TESOL. Depending on the country you are in, there...  [Read more]

Spain is popular with foreign ESL teachers for many reasons including the consistently booming job market, the easy going culture, the warm climate, and the great food. Jobs can be found all year-round in many areas, but are you eligible to work there legally? The simple answer is no, you do not require a degree in order to legally teach English in Spain. There are no government requirements for teachers to have any kind of academic background and the demand is so high in many areas that employers are equally unconcerned about your degree status. Generally speaking, schools in Spain prefer native English speakers in their classrooms as this is what most local students are looking for. However, they will not simply hire you on that basis without having completed some form of teacher...  [Read more]

Anyone who wants to teach English to non-native speakers at home, online, or abroad will typically need a TESOL certification in order to meet the job criteria. If you want to move up the ladder and apply for higher positions, you will often be expected to possess an advanced-level TESOL qualification such as a Diploma in TESOL. However, if your ambitions are to reach the very top of the ESL teaching profession, whether in the classroom, in management, or in other high-end roles, you might want to consider completing a Bachelor's Degree in TESOL. Although we do not provide our own Bachelor’s Degree in TESOL, we are happy to recommend a course through our own website. The Bachelor of Education in TESOL (B.Ed TESOL) from the Paris College of International Education is a very...  [Read more]

With a population of 1.4 billion people spread throughout a huge geographic area, China always has a vast amount of opportunities for foreign ESL teachers. However, there is one question that teachers continue to ask: The answer to this question would have been yes until quite recently. Although individual schools are still not concerned with whether their teachers have a degree or not, it is government restrictions that have made the difference. It is now an official requirement for teachers to have a degree in order to be eligible for a Z (work) visa. As every teacher needs this visa to work legally, the answer is no, you cannot teach legally in China without a degree. If you don?t qualify for a Z (work) visa, you can visit China on another type of visa such as an L (tourist) visa...  [Read more]

Although there are several countries around the world that require teachers to have a degree in order to qualify for a work permit or visa, there are still many other great destinations where employers are happy to take on teachers without one. Often the key is to be flexible about your destination and to go where the demand for your services is high. Whether you have a degree or not, completing an internationally accredited TESOL certification course before you start applying for jobs will undoubtedly help you in your job search. The vast majority of employers worldwide now expect their potential teachers to have undergone some form of formal teacher training before they set foot in the classroom. Unfortunately, the regulations have been tightened in China in recent times,...  [Read more]

Becoming a successful TESOL teacher is a rewarding journey that requires time, dedication, and ongoing professional development. The timeline to achieve success in this field can vary depending on various factors such as prior teaching experience, educational background, language proficiency, and commitment to continuous improvement. Here is a general guideline on the stages of becoming a successful TESOL teacher: The first step towards becoming a TESOL teacher is to obtain the necessary education and certification. This typically involves completing a TESOL or TEFL course, which can range from a few weeks to several months in duration. These courses provide essential training in teaching methodologies, lesson planning, classroom management, and language assessment. After completing a...  [Read more]

To teach English in Taiwan, there are several requirements that you need to meet. These requirements are set by the Taiwanese government to ensure that English teachers are qualified and capable of effectively teaching the language to students. First and foremost, you need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. This is a basic requirement for obtaining a work visa in Taiwan. Your degree does not necessarily have to be in English or education, but having a degree in one of these fields can be beneficial. Additionally, you will need to be a native English speaker or demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English. Some schools may require you to provide proof of your English language proficiency through tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS. Having a TEFL (Teaching...  [Read more]

Most English language teaching jobs that come up, whether online or overseas, will require a TESOL certification on the part of the applicants. More responsibility and a higher salary can often be gained by completing a more advanced qualification such as a Diploma in TESOL. However, if you want unlimited opportunities in the job market and access to all the very best positions in the most lucrative countries for ESL teachers, then a Master’s Degree in TESOL will certainly make it happen. Although we do not provide our own Master’s Degree in TESOL, we are happy to recommend a course through our own website. The Master of Education in TESOL (MEd in TESOL) from the Paris College of International Education is a highly practical, affordable, and internationally recognized...  [Read more]

The Southeast Asia region continues to boom in terms of demand for foreign ESL teachers and Vietnam is no exception. In recent times the salaries being offered have begun to improve as schools look to attract more teachers to the country. Within just a few years, Vietnam is likely to become one of the most popular teaching destinations in the region. Official work permits for teachers in Vietnam are restricted to native English speakers who have a bachelor?s degree. It is also common for individual employers to insist on teachers having a TESOL certificate of at least 120-hours duration. Classroom experience might also be required when applying for jobs at the very top end of the pay scale, although these are small in number. Often you can bypass this requirement if you conduct a...  [Read more]

We understand how difficult it can be to sort through the various TESOL certification courses on the market. That is why we are here to explain the various TESOL course levels. The general characteristics of the frameworks are frequently linked to a variety of elements, such as the total number of study hours, the type of certification, whether or not the program includes a practical component, and the study technique used (full-time or part-time study). A level 6 TESOL course is near the pinnacle of the framework, making it one of the most advanced TESOL credentials available. An undergraduate or bachelor's degree is equivalent to a level 6 TESOL qualification. Better-paying teaching jobs, whether online or abroad, are easier to find with this level of TESOL certification. A level 6...  [Read more]

To teach English in Indonesia, there are several requirements that you need to meet. First and foremost, having a bachelor's degree is essential. This degree doesn't necessarily have to be in English or education, but having a degree is a basic requirement for obtaining a work visa to teach in Indonesia. Additionally, most schools and language centers in Indonesia will require you to have a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. These certifications demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach English to non-native speakers. There are many options for obtaining these certifications, including online courses and in-person training programs. Another important requirement for...  [Read more]

The bottom line is that it is not necessary to have knowledge of any language other than English when taking a TESOL course or when teaching English abroad. In the modern age, the majority of English classes around the world are based on the communicative approach to English teaching that simply means that English is the only language used in the classroom by the teacher and the students. You may find yourself in a situation where you have a multilingual classroom that contains speakers of a dozen or more different languages. In these scenarios being able to speak one or two of them would be unlikely to help anyone. In contrast, teachers in monolingual classrooms often find that their students are more likely to revert to their common language during a lesson if they know that the...  [Read more]

Teaching English in Japan is a popular choice for many individuals looking to live and work abroad. However, there are specific requirements that need to be met in order to secure a teaching position in Japan. Understanding these requirements is crucial for anyone considering this career path. First and foremost, one of the primary requirements for teaching English in Japan is a bachelor's degree. This degree does not necessarily have to be in English or education, but having a degree is typically a non-negotiable requirement for obtaining a work visa. Additionally, having a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is highly recommended and can make you a more competitive candidate in the job market. Another important requirement is a valid work visa. In order to teach...  [Read more]

There is a very strong market for TESOL qualified teachers right across Europe and there is never a shortage of people looking to fill any vacant positions that come up. Many people from all over the world like the idea of heading to the UK to work as an ESL teacher, however, there are several things to consider before you book your plane ticket to London. The UK is known to have relatively high levels of immigration and a significant refugee population, which in itself creates plenty of work for English language teachers. In many parts of the country teachers are employed to help newcomers get their language proficiency up to a level that is necessary to get by on a day to day basis. However, the vast majority of these positions are snapped up by local teachers, either newly...  [Read more]

Online English teaching is a very popular way to earn a living, either full time from home, or part time while traveling the world. The qualifications for becoming an ESL teacher online vary from one platform to the next, but will often include things like a TESOL certification, a university degree, prior teaching experience, and certain technical equipment. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know to land the ideal online teaching job! To become an online English teacher you will typically need a 120-hour TESOL certification from an internationally recognized and accredited institution. If you want potential employers to take your qualifications seriously and consider you for an online teaching position, you must ensure that your certificate comes from a reputable...  [Read more]

During our own school days we probably all encountered more than one teacher who didn’t appear to be in the right job. Some might have been keen to dish out heavy punishments for minor offenses, some were probably extremely dull and uninteresting, while others simply failed to listen to the feedback of their students. Despite these negative influences, most of us will also have better memories of teachers who actually had a positive impact on our learning. So what actually made these teachers stand out? We think there are several skills and traits that can be combined to ensure a teacher is remembered for positive and not negative reasons. If you can manage to develop most if not all of these yourself, you should find your future students will remember you as a great ESL teacher....  [Read more]