In certains parts of china its legal to work without a degree.
I have worked for many different public schools , all legal schools that sponsor z visa, work permit,and foreign expert certificate, without a degree in Hunanay away from province.

I should stress that all these schools were good paying three day a week public schools and not trainning mills.

Different provinces have different rules so double check everything first.

Just stay away from traininese centers

Most likely not legal, but a case of authorities turning a blind eye when teachers are desperately needed. Certain parts of Liaoning province and Xinjiang are said to show similar cases, although they might have clamped down; Inner Mongolia seems to have become a test bed for visa crackdowns now.