Job Discussion Forums

[Sandlapper]

Hello, I am considering international teaching after having retired three years ago in the US. I have a masters and 28 years experience. I have taught in public and private schools. My experience is wide range. I have taught everything from4K to high school public speaking. I am a 57 year old female. Am I not very marketable, because the only country interested in me is China and a position in the Marshall Islands responded. Thanks

[suphanburi]

Your age is a significant factor.
In many countries you are near or over the mandatory retirement age and beyond the age for visa issuance for many.

Examples are:
Korea: 55 is the limit for visa issuance although visa extensions can go to 60. 60 is required retirement.
Thailand: 60 is mandatory retirement although foreigners who are working and qualified as teachers can stay working to 65 in private k-12 schools. 60 in government schools.
For international schools the majority of hiring was done last January/February for August start dates. For Thai calendar schools they are hiring NOW for the start of school on May 15. You need to be in the country.

For most of the rest of SE Asia you need to be "in country" to get hired for local school positions.

Taiwan: you are off season and too old (55) for public school jobs and significantly overqualified for buxibans (kiddy language centers).
Japan might be an option but school started a month ago.
Indonesia, Malaysia... age factor.
Brunei - age and citizenship issues.
Philippines: you MIGHT find work in a private, international school - They like US certified teachers. Otherwise, not an option. They export EFL teachers to the rest of Asia.
China may have options. It is a large country with rules that tend to be "flexible" depending on who is hiring and what their connections are.

Other options would include the US protectorates in the western Pacific (Micronesia, Guam, Marchalls, etc). Age and visa issues are not an issue for you.

.

[spiral78]

[CTravel32]

[Sandlapper]

I have a masters in early childhood education. I have taught language arts in 7th, 8th, 9th, and 9th Honors. I have taught 3rd , 5th, and 6th grades self-contained. I was afraid my age would be a hindrance. I do not have a TEFL.

[Sandlapper]

[twowheel]

Peace Corps?

Peace Corps can look favorably on older applicants. Furthermore, Peace Corps could enable you to get into countries that you may otherwise not be able to get into for employment.

After his retirement, my uncle completed Peace Corps service in Mali.

www.peacecorps.gov

twowheel

[spiral78]

Your Master's in early childhood education and language arts training might make you interesting for jobs with young kids. I wouldn't think you'd be very marketable at private language schools or universities where more students are adults.

I guess Asia is your best bet; I think that the ME will want a directly applicable MA. Others will be along with more direct ME experience.

[nomad soul]

[spiral78]

BTW, your age isn't all that uncommon in the field! Many of us here on Dave's are also 'older.' The difference is that most of us started earlier; it's tougher to get a foot in the door to get started at 'our' age;-) And laws are laws - you can't really get around those.

[twowheel]

[BadBeagleBad]

With your experience you would not have a problem getting a job at an international school in Mexico. You mentioned that pay was low in South America, but you didn't say you had looked into Mexico. Another thing that no one has mentioned, while pay may seem low when converted to dollars, that doesn't tell the whole story, in most places - even big cities - the cost of living is also MUCH lower. I live in a small town in cental Mexico and could live on 500 dollars a month - for two adults and 11 dogs - with no problem. Even in Mexico City, you can rent a nice apartment for 300 to 350 dollars, internet is usually around 20 dollars a month, cable TV is about the same, or less, depending on the options you choose, public transportation is a fraction of what it is in the US (ranges from 25 to 35 cents a ride, with some cheaper options as well), meat costs about the same but chicken and eggs are cheaper, fruits and vegetables are much cheaper, etc. So it is really not as simple as converting your pay into dollars without investigating how far that pay would take you in any given place. Another thing that no one has mentioned - have you considered teaching online? Outside of Asia, age will not likely be an issue, and you could continue an online job from anywhere, as a supplement to whatever other job you end up taking.

[Sandlapper]

Thanks for the information. I am not really interested in pursuing online teaching at this time. I will definitely give Mexico a look.

Another question: I have noticed that many ads ask you to email mountains of information or they will not consider your application. I am not comfortable doing that when I don't know who is receiving my documents. Am I wrong to feel that way?

[nomad soul]