Hi everyone,

Just wanted to pick your brains. I have been teaching abroad now for 9 years and have experience in various institutions ranging from kindergarten up to high school with a few years teaching adults as well.

My question is, how important do you believe it is to have a TEFL certificate to work at higher education institutions in China? I do currently work and live in Kunming but I wonder if in the adsence of having a TEFL certificate, can teaching experience carry you through? I have a degree but it is not in a "related" field (education for example).

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. I have an interview for a position next week and wonder if the topic of having a TEFL certificate will come up.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

If you have proof of your experience, it should be enough. They usually ask for at least two years’ experience or a TEFL certificate.

You need a minimum of a bachelor's degree. I think a specific English language

teaching qualification is optional.

Ok, thanks for the advice. Fingers crossed for next week.

My understanding is slightly different to that given previously.
If you are not going to be teaching English, then a tefl certificate is not mandatory, but employers like it if you have it.
If you are going to be teaching English a recognised tefl certificate (e.g. TESOL/CELTA etc.) is mandatory. This is required for your work visa application, in addition to meeting the other mandatory requirements. .
If you going teach subjects other than English language in higher education, then usually a bachelors or masters degree in a relevant field is looked for. If you are going to teach in further education (non-university tertiary colleges), or at secondary level, then not always.
If you applied with a resume/CV, then you should be qualified, otherwise they would not have asked you to interview.

Yes, I have a lot of experience teaching but I dont not have a TEFL certificate. My worry is they may have overlooked that so if it is not mentioned in the interview I wonder wether it is worth bringing up? I dont want it to get to the stage of applying for visas before it comes up.

Assuming from your post that you are applying for a job as an English teacher. I would bring it up before interview. This will save you a trip, and time. If they don't need a TEFL cert, they will not be employing you legally. It will probably be a part time gig, with no work visa.

Thanks for the advice tigertiger. I'll definitely take that onboard.

miealex, I think experience counts for more than a TEFL, but if you've been teaching for nine years already, why not get a TEFL/CELTA and be done with it?

I have to agree with otobersky, on getting certified, as that is what I did. I had been teaching English for 6 years when I chose to do a CELTA, as it is one of the certificates recognised world wide. Some institutions and governments (e.g. China) do not recognise online or some distance learning courses.