Calling all English teachers and TESOL qualified

[MelH]

Hi All

I'm here on a UK visitors visa for 6 months as my other half (a HK permanent ID holder) has a one year contract here. Basically, I have two questions:

1. would a school sponsor me for a working visa to teach English? (I am not a qualified teacher but hold a degree from a UK university)

2. would doing the English for Asia TESOL make much of a difference to my employment prospects?

Many thanks!

Mel

[jmbf]

You would need to get some form of TEFL / TESOL certification in order to secure a job and a working visa. Sure, some dodgy language centres may offer you a position but it's highly doubtful that the visa department will grant you a visa without at least a basic teaching certificate.

[shri]

If you're married to your other half, you can get a dependant visa which will make it easier for you to look for jobs and move around if you don't like what you're doing.

[MandM!]

1. Yes
2. If it's accredited. Don't get an online one

[Enderman]

The English for Asia TESOL would make a lot of difference IMHO...in theory it would make you eligible for the EDB Net scheme, in practice, competition is too stiff...still, it would give you a lot more bargaining power...

A degree and a 'recognised TEFL (i.e. CELTA or Trinity-TESOL)' are the minimum requirements for most reputable centres, kindergartens, etc...of course there are exceptions...you take your luck!

[jmbf]

1. Yes

Have you really heard of people getting an approved working visa for a teaching job without any teaching certifications whatsoever? I've heard of the rare case when someone with teaching qualifications but no University degree has received a working visa (usually due to extensive experience) but not the other way round.

[MandM!]

@jmbf, Yes of course. With getting a visa, I think less is more. Actually have had jobs with 5 word explanation in the visa application get approved in 3 business days. And then others with an entire checklist, CV, letters, company letter, etc come back for more documents.

I think and I don't know but I think that the job title needs to be one up. Example if you work as a real estate agent, everyone is an agent so that won't fly, but upgrade the title to head/sales/marketing/BD manager and that works. For teaching you could be head teacher or something.

I think it is luck of the draw too who processes your application and the backlog at the time. I think immigration just doesn't want gweilos working at a mcdonalds cash register but with more gweilos getting PR, I am seeing more working in restaurants and bars.

[MandM!]

Companies know what needs to be done to get it approved. If everything is standard and salary is above 15k should be good. Seems there is some questionable salary between 15-20k but I've seen 15k accepted before. And must be basic, not commission.

[jmbf]

@jmbf, Yes of course. With getting a visa, I think less is more. Actually have had jobs with 5 word explanation in the visa application get approved in 3 business days. And then others with an entire checklist, CV, letters, company letter, etc come back for more documents.

I think and I don't know but I think that the job title needs to be one up. Example if you work as a real estate agent, everyone is an agent so that won't fly, but upgrade the title to head/sales/marketing/BD manager and that works. For teaching you could be head teacher or something.

That might work for those with a lot of experience and qualifications but I don't think it's going to work in the OP's case. Minimum salary aside, it's usually considered a minimum to have a degree and a TEFL in order to get visa sponsorship (apart from rare cases). And trying to 'upgrade the title' to head teacher isn't really going to help when the applicant has zero teaching experience or qualifications.

[MandM!]

I disagree because I know quite a few who got visas with no experience. But yes I am sure on the other side people without the experience get rejected and your guidelines improve chances.