Hi Matt, I did some training with a company based in Brisbane back in 2002. They ran their own program called "teach English in China", it was 2.5 weeks. We did some teaching stragies, culture and prac teaching (to our classmates). Then the company sent us to China for 16 weeks, they had the contacts. They have since gained the quals to teach TESOL and train many people. The first job was thru the company but I have sourced my own positions since then.

I found that the little bit of training that I did and now experience has been all that I needed to get work in China. I am not a teacher and nor do I hold a degree of any sort. Things have changed and at this school now they only want FT's with a degree, two years ago, they became a Uni. I hold my job because I have a proven track record but others coming need the piece of paper.

If you have a Bachelor's degree, I wouldn't spend too much money obtaining your TESOL certificate. The vast majority of schools in China aren't going to care where your TESOL certificate came from if you have a degree.

I have always had no problem with getting a job in China with a four year Bachelor's degree and a $100 TESOL certificate that I obtained online. And when I say obtained, I did have to do some coursework.

In fact, during my first year of teaching in China, I did not yet have a Bachelor's degree so the school basically hired me on the basis of my TESOL certificate.

But that was sometime ago...

Like Agatha said, it is harder and harder to get away with not having a degree these days in China. Just like Agatha, the people who I know who are working without a degree have a very good track record (reputation) with the school.

If you are planning on coming to China now with just a TESOL certificate you may want to go for something a little more quality. Something that you can 'brag' about.

I don't want to give you the specific names of any programs but if you find a couple that you're interested in, post their names out here and we can give you some insights. 

This is something I have been wondering about as well. I think I am going to do a TEFL course online. If necessary, there will always be the opportunity to improve my credentials otherwise I think the investment that I have made in my bachelor's degree is enough for right now ;)

Robert, I note your comments, but surely you wouldn't mind me 'advertising' an online institution with which I had a good experience with (nothing in it for me!)? Maybe I've just misunderstood you.

I've done my TEFL course online too, through ICAL (International College of Applied Linguistics - offices in the US and UK). You can complete it in 30 days, but it took me 10 months as I was also employed in another job at the time. They say this course is equal to a 100 hours full-time course (although I can't vouch for that). But what I can say, is that according to my experience this is an excellent course. The course materials appeared to be up to date stuff which really guided me into this new and exciting world of TEFL in a very simple but professional way. We had to hand in 5 assignments based on 5 modules and each student gets assigned a personal tutor. My tutor was from the US and he was wonderful; his understanding of where I came from and his personal support and encouragement motivated me so much more to make a success of this and I'm really of the opinion that he'd contributed  greatly to my success. So, if you want to go online, I can recommend ICAL with much confidence!  

Of course, it's debatable whether it would be not more advantageous to rather do a full-time course (which I would like to agree with as you then get practical teaching exposure which you don't get with the online course), but that's not what the question was about here. And to be honest, with my first job in China, the interviewer didn't care a dime whether my certificate was awarded through an online course or not; as long as I could produce that certificate!

You or any of our other members are welcome to share your experiences with specific companies. I just meant that I am not going to 'name any names' as it could be seen as a TACA endorsement. Thanks for sharing with us about ICAL. Sounds like a good program.

I have 2 associate degrees and my International TESOL diploma that I got thru a company called "Teach and Travel".  Unfortunately this company got bought out by International TESOL and they are based in Australia, if someone asks me where my degree came from my excuse sounds very flimsy.

I have also seen the need for bachelor degrees and I saw one course I'd like to take but it would mean going back to Canada for a time.  There is an International TESOL college in Toronto offering both the TESOL diploma and as a bachelor course. So if you don't have any qualms about studying in Canada then I would say that is the best one to go for.  As for me, I need to stay here in China so I'm doing an online course to get my bachelor's I'll start it in September.

I have not been able to find that website a second time, but I'll search for it and post it if anyone is interested.