John Bingham wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:15 am

Marty wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 5:03 am He successfully taught without a degree and said TEFL is just a joke and a scam (no joke). Happy teaching to you!

He taught for a few weeks in a 5th tier school and was fired for gross incompetence. How is that successful?

OK I'll adjust my statement about NJH. He successfully got a job. Being a goofball made him lose that job. There is no way that the OP could possibly be as goofy. NJH was sui generis. The OP will be just fine, he sounds conscientious and is asking the right questions.

Why did you postpone your degree? Did you realize you weren't interested in geography anymore, or was it something else? You can find a job, but it'll be a bit aimless in terms of pay and progression. It's fine if you set yourself a deadline (say, 6 months, one year), but the degree is what will open doors in your future. It's easy to get stuck in the degreeless tefl scene here, but I don't think it leads anywhere.

You can work your way up the ladder or teach A Level etc without a degree. It depends on your level of education, demeanour and knowledge of the subjects.

Throughout the world, TEFL is a profit-driven industry. So, most schools/institutes that are hiring foreigners aren't that concerned about qualifications. Their first concern is to fill all their teaching positions with somebody (as in anybody). In this case, 'availability' is your main credential.

Next, is 'reliability and responsibility'. If you can actually show up close to the appointed time on a regular basis, wow, that's great! Being sober/not hungover or high is another important characteristic to demonstrate.

Then, if you're 'not boring', you're basically the teacher that school directors dream about.

The main point about a degree is that you will have more work options ("international" schools, colleges, unis, etc.) and higher pay and be able to work legally with a proper work permit and visa. The importance of this varies with each country, with less developed places not really concerned with enforcement.

Khmu Nation wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:28 am You don't need a degree to teach in Cambodia or Laos. While some schools may ask for a degree it is simply a matter of presenting them with a piece of paper - no checks. So it could be fake.

The better places do check degrees and require transcripts.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:24 am

Khmu Nation wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:28 am You don't need a degree to teach in Cambodia or Laos. While some schools may ask for a degree it is simply a matter of presenting them with a piece of paper - no checks. So it could be fake.

The better places do check degrees and require transcripts.

They don't in Laos. In fact you don't even need a degree - you would need a CELTA and experience though if this is the case.

Doc67 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:30 am Experience 35 degrees heat and rain that is biblical when your first see it, traffic that terrifies you, language that baffles you, sights that haunt you, smells that nauseate you, garbage piles that disgust you, cheap beer that lures you and girls that make it all better again.

He's 27 not 67. I don't think he is going to be scared of anything.

Doc67 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:51 am

Khmu Nation wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:36 am

Doc67 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:30 am Experience 35 degrees heat and rain that is biblical when your first see it, traffic that terrifies you, language that baffles you, sights that haunt you, smells that nauseate you, garbage piles that disgust you, cheap beer that lures you and girls that make it all better again.

He's 27 not 67. I don't think he is going to be scared of anything.

Wanna bet?



(And if you don't have a strong sense of fear over the traffic conditions here then it is just a matter of time before one of them will get you...)

Yes he might be a snowflake. Although aren't they millenials? I don't think the traffic is so bad in PP - well not when compared to Saigon which, I agree, when the first time you have to cross a road is quite anxiety inducing.