Only have Associate's Degree at the moment, but have other experience/qualifications

[TheGreatAdventurer]

Greetings everybody,

I have decided to embark on the journey of TEFL and have set my sights on Indonesia as a place I would like to be. I've had quite a few experiences and adventures over the years, but at the moment I only have an Associate's Degree (2-year college degree). I want to find out if this, combined with my other qualifications, would still allow me to find good teaching opportunities in the country. I am 35 years old and the bulk of my life experience has revolved around being a pilot (including a few years as an Airline Pilot) and being a computer and network technician. This includes:

- Over a year experience as a Certified Flight Instructor, teaching people how to fly as well as training people during ground lessons
- Experience training people on the job as an IT guy (computer and network support) including Japanese people who know little English in my current job
- Various pilot and computer certifications

I plan to have completed a CELTA certification beforehand, probably a hybrid one that starts online and finishes with the hours of supervised teaching experience in a classroom.

Would I strictly have to work illegally and take risky contracts or would I be able to find something legit and legal before finishing the Bachelor's? I do plan to complete a BA of English over the next 4 or 5 years, but if I could teach abroad while finishing it I'd prefer to do that so I can get started and come to Indonesia sooner.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[TheGreatAdventurer]

Does anyone have an idea or any input? Please? :)

The more I think about it the more it looks like I won't be able to finish a 4-year degree before beginning this endeavor... it would simply take too long and I'd prefer to finish it while I'm teaching somewhere already so I can get started with this adventure all the sooner!

[nd_eric_77]

Would I strictly have to work illegally and take risky contracts or would I be able to find something legit and legal before finishing the Bachelor's? I do plan to complete a BA of English over the next 4 or 5 years, but if I could teach abroad while finishing it I'd prefer to do that so I can get started and come to Indonesia sooner.

Thanks in advance for your input!

To get a proper work visa to teach English in Indonesia, you are required to have a bachelor's degree in either education or English. Yes, the law is obsessed with the degree. It is possible to teach other subjects in some international schools with a degree in a different discipline, but the requirement is for a bachelor's degree regardless. In the past, it was relatively common for language schools to hire people without bachelor's degrees, but this is becoming more and more rare as the law is being enforced more effectively.

There are other countries in SE Asia and other parts of the world in which one can teach English without a BA; it would probably be much easier to get a job on one of the other countries.

[TheGreatAdventurer]

Thanks for your input Eric.

As far as Indonesia's law about the degree being in education... would a degree like a Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education be acceptable? After digging I found an accredited college called Ashworth that has this program -- http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/programs/bachelors-degree/early-childhood-education/program-outline/

It is very inexpensive and self-paced. Say I did something like that and then got my full-fledged CELTA certificate in a 4-week intensive face to face program... would I be good to go for Indonesia?

[dazzer]

Hi,Try my Language school. English First in Pekanbaru. Believe me Batchelors degree not needed ( Although the law states one is needed ) I have one but i know some teachers past and present who did not/do not have a degree. Here's the email and hiring now.. Bit of a comedown from being an airline pilot though. Good luck.



[email protected]

[TheGreatAdventurer]

Thanks, I'll check it out!