How To Become A Substitute Teacher Without A Degree

Yes, you can definitely teach English abroad even if you have an unrelated degree. Many countries and language schools only require that you have a bachelor's degree in any field to be eligible for teaching positions. While having a degree in English, Linguistics, or Education can be beneficial, it is not always a strict requirement. Having a degree in a different field can even be seen as an advantage in some cases as it shows diversity and a well-rounded skill set. Employers often look for qualities such as fluency in English, cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and teaching experience rather than a specific degree. When applying for English teaching positions abroad with an unrelated degree, it's essential to highlight any relevant experience you have, such as tutoring, teaching...  [Read more]

This is one of the most common questions asked by our TESOL course trainees and the answer is quite simple. Yes, you can teach ESL without a bachelor’s degree. Anyone who is TESOL qualified will have a wide array of destinations to choose from all over the world, regardless of their previous educational record. If you have a degree in any subject you will certainly have a few more options, but non-degree holders are in no way excluded from ESL teaching in many parts of the world. In recent years some countries have made it compulsory for foreign teachers to have a degree if they want to obtain a work visa that allows them to work legally as an ESL teacher. This is most noticeable in Asia where some of the biggest markets for teachers such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan...  [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]

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]

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]

To become an effective TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teacher, it typically takes a combination of education, training, and experience. The exact timeline can vary depending on individual circumstances, but generally, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to develop the necessary skills and expertise. First and foremost, obtaining a TESOL certification is essential for aspiring teachers. This can be achieved through a variety of programs, ranging from intensive courses that last a few weeks to more comprehensive programs that span several months. These programs cover essential topics such as language teaching methodology, classroom management, lesson planning, and assessment techniques. After completing a TESOL certification program, gaining...  [Read more]

Becoming a proficient TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teacher is a journey that requires time, dedication, and continuous learning. The length of time it takes to become proficient can vary depending on various factors such as prior experience, educational background, language proficiency, and the specific requirements of the teaching context. For individuals starting from scratch with no prior teaching experience or qualifications, the process typically involves completing a TESOL certification course. These courses can range in length from a few weeks to several months, depending on whether you choose an intensive in-person program or a more flexible online option. During the TESOL certification course, you will learn about language teaching methodologies,...  [Read more]

Becoming an expert TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teacher is a journey that requires dedication, time, and continuous learning. The time it takes to reach expert level can vary depending on various factors such as prior teaching experience, educational background, and the level of commitment to professional development. For most people, the process typically begins with obtaining a TESOL certification, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete, depending on whether you choose an intensive course or a part-time option. This initial step provides you with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to start teaching English as a foreign language. After completing the certification, many teachers gain experience by working in a classroom...  [Read more]

Becoming a certified TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teacher typically takes around 6 months to a year, depending on the program you choose and your level of commitment. There are various options available for obtaining TESOL certification, including online courses, in-person intensive programs, and university degree programs. Online TESOL courses are popular for their flexibility and accessibility. These courses can usually be completed in 3-6 months, depending on the pace at which you choose to study. Online programs often allow you to work at your own schedule, making them a great option for those who need to balance their studies with work or other commitments. In-person intensive TESOL programs, on the other hand, can be completed in a shorter timeframe,...  [Read more]

If you have done any research into teaching English in Europe it is likely that you have read something about the Schengen Area that is made up of 26 countries with a combined population of over 400 million people. Set up in 1985, the Schengen Area has essentially removed all border controls between member countries allowing the free movement of people within the whole area. Prior to this, anyone wanting to travel between any country in the area would need to go through full passport checks at every border they wanted to cross. Now TESOL teachers are free to travel at will across the Schengen Area without any restrictions. Please note that the Schengen Area should not be confused with the European Union which is a separate institution. Once you have entered any country that is a...  [Read more]

If you have a degree in engineering and are considering teaching English abroad, you may be pleased to know that many countries welcome individuals with diverse educational backgrounds to teach English as a foreign language. While a degree in English or education is often preferred, it is not always a strict requirement in many countries. In fact, having a degree in engineering can be seen as a valuable asset as it demonstrates your ability to think analytically, solve problems, and communicate complex ideas - skills that can be beneficial in the classroom. One of the first steps you will need to take is to obtain a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. This certification equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach English to non-native...  [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]

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]

  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]