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I Plan to take the plunge into teaching this fall!


I am almost 51 years old....been doing the "smart and safe" thing most of my life...and it has left me well miserable.


I have been flirting with teaching for years...been coming to this site for at least 10 years...the plan was to start TEFL'ng at age 55 in 2016 when I start drawing a pension....honestly I can't take my job anymore...I am miserable.

I enjoy teaching as a volunteer...spend most of my vacation time in SE Asia and that is where I want to be.

my background

JD and 3 unrelated masters

I work as an administrator now...did HR training for years...managed a career center..taught as an adjunct and volunteer as an ESL instructor for a local non profit organization.

My only real debt is $200/month student loan but repayment is based on income so it would be lowered. I have maybe $20,000 in the bank....I have a nice IRA when I turn 59 1/2 and when I turn 55 I will collect a pension around $1950 a month. I am single/no dependents

I live very simply...I don't even own a car

I do like american fast food other than that I won't be spurging unless it is for a trip somewhere in SE ASIA

I was thinking about getting either a TELF or CELTA is there a major difference between the two?

I would like to teach at an University and maybe pick up a few hours at a chain school on the weekends..

I would like to earn at least 40 K if possible

Does my plan sound doable??? Thanks for your advice. I have a great admiration for you all.

Tim

[tttompatz]

I only see a few small holes in your plan.

Universities in Thailand pay crap but there are options for additional work (on (legal) and off (illegal) campus).

Working legally at a 2nd job is an issue (work permit problems) but there is lots of work to be had, even for old guys.

Getting a job at your age is not an insurmountable task but it won't happen overnight. (again, ageism is a factor).

The majority of university positions for next academic year are either posted now (late) or already filled (last Dec/Jan).

There may be some last minute jobs come up in April/May as well.

There will be lots of language academy work as well as EP/MEP/bilingual high school work to be had from now till mid May. There are also jobs to be had in vocational schools (ages 16-20). Most of them will pay in the mid 30's to start but again there is the option of additional work on and off campus to fill your time and your wallet.

As to the TELF (TEFL??) or CELTA. CELTA (a brand of TEFL/TESOL cert) is always the preferred choice (good marketing) in Thailand but employers will accept any TEFL cert that is 120 hours and has 6 hours of observed practicum.

It is NOT a requirement for employment in most jobs nor is it needed for your visa or work permit. It will give you an understanding of teaching EFL (English in a non-English environment) as compared to ESL (English in an English immersion environment) at home.

American style FAST food (burgers) is always available in BKK or other tourist centers but harder to find out in the provinces. The MAJOR exception to the dearth of western fast food is pizza (The pizza company - 1112) and KFC. They are all over the place. 7-11 is also ubiquitous.

There is lots more and you can just look back through here for a page or 3 and find out everything you need to know.

Bottom line:
Yes you can find work.
Best time is to be here from now till mid May.
Yes, you can earn 40k+ but it will take time to get there or time to get established.
Yes you can find a uni job but timing is important. If those "unrelated master's degrees" are in business there are also jobs teaching business undergrad programs (pays better than EFL).

.

[bobpen]

I lived in Bangkok for over a year in 09~10, and I certainly would not say there are "lots" of jobs available. Most of what is online are ads put up by semi-scam recruiters, and most of them are Philippinos (aka better than you because they are Asian AND speak English, too!)

[MaiPenRai]