Is it possible to work in Japan as an English teacher with a TEFAL or TESOL certificate but no undergraduate degree?

Answer 1

Teaching in any developed country without a degree is doubtful. A bachelor's from a recognized university is usually a minimum requirement, along with tesol or equivalent certification. Experience can help a lot, but will require teaching in a third world, or developing country if you don't have that university degree. I'm 35 years old and have been researching this topic for years, trying to save up enough money to finish a bachelor's degree. I sometimes have to work two jobs to make it on my own in the u.s. and would love to teach English as a foreign language. I am 2 years away from a bachelor's in liberal arts/philosophy and will simultaneously earn my tesol/equivalent. There are some certification schools which cost a big chunk of change ($4,000usd+) and advertise job placement. However, Japan has much higher requirements than most countries where you'd be needed. Good luck.

Answer 2

No, you don't.

TEFL is an acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Another, similar, certification is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). People obtain certification so that they can teach English overseas. Most companies are looking for native English speakers.

Typically, you should expect at least a hundred hours of class time as well as some live practice teaching. Courses can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the company.

If you already have a college degree, or have 3 years or more of English teaching experience, you may not need more than a one or two day workshop to get the classroom information and experience you need to teach overseas.

Before signing up for the classes and spending tuition dollars, check with prospective employers to see what certification they prefer and if they additionally have a preference for a particular company's graduates.