I am getting certified in TESOL, and I am hoping to finish out my college here in Taiwan. I already missed the deadline for applying to the school, so I have to wait till next year to start. So I thought while I was in Taiwan(Preferably Taipei/Taoyuan/Hsin-Chu locations) I could make some money for college next year. Is it easy to find an English teaching job with just being certified in TESOL? Because I was browsing through some postings and I’ve noticed most of the posting require a BA of some sort. I’ve only had two years of college and I had to drop out due to finical reasons. Any input on the matter would help. Thanks !
To do it legally you need as a minimum a bachelor’s degree.
Doesn’t the law also say you can get a work permit for teaching if you have an Associates degree + TESOL? Most employers I know of, though, still say a Bachelors is required.
Doesn’t the law also say you can get a work permit for teaching if you have an Associates degree + TESOL? Most employers I know of, though, still say a Bachelors is required.[/quote]
I’m not sure. I think the rule of thumb is no bachelor’s no arc, there may be some exceptions. As you say, it’s what all the employers believe so the OP won’t get a job from an employer who wants to employ him legally.
There are always other employers, of course, but I wouldn’t comment on those.
kindy
I’m pretty sure.
There have been other threads here discussing this topic and information provided that clearly indicated that the education requirement for a work visa teaching English in cram schools is 1) Bachelors (any field) or 2) Associates + TESOL certification.
Cheers Craig, I didn’t know that. Convincing the bushiban owner, or the civil servant, may be another matter.
I think the absolute minimum requirement to teach English in Taiwan should be a bachelor’s degree plus a post grad. teaching qualification (or a BEd on its own), but that’s another topic altogether.
Thanks for all the input everyone 
…So what’s a guy without a degree do to earn a buck around here…haha I guess one of my options is just to do private maybe? But even that would still be illegal. Ah…If only there was another way.
It looks like I was wrong Digital_Al. With an Associate’s degree (completed two years of a Bachelor’s degree in the US, equivalent to a foundation degree in the UK) combined with a TESOL qualification, you are able to get an ARC work visa. You’ve completed two years of your degree, and I’m assuming you’re north American, so combined with your TESOL you should in theory be OK. Except you haven’t completed that yet…
If only there were another way to get round the problem, but I don’t think there is. Good luck.
It looks like I was wrong Digital_Al. With an Associate’s degree (completed two years of a Bachelor’s degree in the US, equivalent to a foundation degree in the UK) combined with a TESOL qualification, you are able to get an ARC work visa. You’ve completed two years of your degree, and I’m assuming you’re north American, so combined with your TESOL you should in theory be OK. Except you haven’t completed that yet…
If only there were another way to get round the problem, but I don’t think there is. Good luck.[/quote]
Where did you hear that?
Ive contacted around a dozen schools and placement companies. I asked all of them if a associates degree and TESL was enough. They all said taiwan requires a BA.
I guess they all could have been lying or assuming. 
An associates degree and TESOL is acceptable. A few teachers at my school had no problem getting their work permits. Generally, schools amd placement companies have no idea what the laws really are.
[quote]Current employment qualifications for foreign teachers:
According to the regulation No.0950501673 revised by the CLA on 5/2/2006, Article 42 of “The Reviewing Standards and Employment Qualifications for Foreigners Engaging in the Jobs Specified in Items 1 to 6, Paragraph 1 to Article 46 of the Employment Service Act”, foreign workers who hired as foreign language teachers based on the “Item 4, Paragraph 1 to Article 46 Employment Service Act” should have the qualifications bellow:
- 20 year old and above.
- Graduated from college or above.
- The language of the course you teach should be the same as the official language on you passport. Some countries have one and above official languages like Europe.
Those without a bachelor’s degree should have certified language teacher training certificates.[/quote]