For quite some time, teaching English in China has been the go to for native English speakers that wish to live and work overseas. But the eligibility part, especially in terms of educational qualifications has definitely changed over time.
China English Teaching Legal Requirements
According to history, those who wanted an English job in China had the following conditions that they needed met: it was legal; addressed issues involving either government or local bureau of education in addition of ensuring one could do enough ESL teaching. Most of these requirements include:
Bachelor Degree-All teachers must hold a bachelor degree from an accredited university as required by the Ministry of Education in China
Here are the requirements for how to Teach English Abroad: A TEFL Certification - In addition to a degree, many countries require teachers have at least a TEFL or Teaching ELnglish as Foreign Language certificate (sometimes this can count towards 2 years of teaching experience).
Clean Criminal Record: You will need to submit a non-criminal record certificate from your home country or where you live.
A permitted work visa: Working legally requires a Z-visa designed for foreign workers in China.
Extralegal Exceptions/Indexing
The language of instruction is meddling, but other conditions make this final requirement harder to meet for Americans:
Cultural Exchange ProgramsSome cultural exchange programs may facilitate teaching opportunities that relax the strict need for a bachelor's degree. This is often to learn to teach under the supervision of competent instructors.
Consistent In private I teach and tutorial: Not officially sanctioned but you see people who make steady work as tutors without having the academic qualifications for it. The possibility involves considerable risk, and can result in legal problems including fines or deportation.
Impact of Regulations
Enforcement is therefore stringent, reflecting a higher commitment to education than in other countries. The article also reported those found in violation could face fines and have their licenses to hire foreign workers revoked.
Real-World Implications
To teach English in China, without any degree the journey is really very hard. Adhering to legal requirements is crucial. Not only will you face serious consequences for teaching without the necessary certifications and/or visa status, but it can also tarnish your reputation as an educator which would greatly affect taking career opportunities elsewhere.
Eligible Candidates Opportunities
Teaching English in China has lots of benefits for those who qualify. It is an opportunity to experience Chinese culture and it can end up helping people save significant money, as these jobs usually come with good salaries that often include housing, flight reimbursement and healthcare. The salaries can vary a lot, generally between 10,000 to 20,000 RMB per month depending on the school and city.
Studying in China
There are a plethora of options available to you as someone interested in taking up higher learning opportunities and Central South University of Forestry and Technology offers programs that can get your qualifications stacked in no time making the choice easier when selecting one for this position.
Final Thoughts
Teaching English in China without a degree is difficult because of their strict legal requirements, and you can potentially face risks by not complying with them. Failing that, not making sure you legally can teach is paramount to make a damage-free experience of teaching in China.