Job Discussion Forums

[piglet]

Hi People
I am a Brit, 48, have taught EFL for the last 23 years in high school in Israel . Looking for a change and wondering if I can get a job in Asia.
I have an MA and a local teaching cert and an EFL cert from International house,London. Also what about my husband...??
What do you think folks?

[Will.]

Shalom Piglet,
Strange name for one in Israel.

Hi Piglet,
Try reading the job information journals and posting on the forums on specific countries of interest to you. There is no age limit far as I know. Some companies do seek "young, energetic" etc.
There should be no difficulty finding a job... money, accommodation, etc could prove a breaking point.
What about your husband?

[piglet]

I mean I don't think my husband could get a job (not an EFL one anyway) so would we be able to make a living?
Piglet is in honour of Winnie the Pooh of course

[scot47]

Two people on one EFL salary ? Not easy. I assume that you would not be looking in any of the Arab States.

With your qualifications you might think about teaching in one of the Inetrnational Schools that offer KG-12 classes. Salaries there tend to be okay, but EFL-ing ? I would say forget it.

[khmerhit]

Yes, check out the international schools, piglet--there are two in Cambodia, and a single salary suffices easily there. See joyjobs.com for more info.

good luck

[desultude]

There are good jobs in Korea. The best are at universities, but there are also good public school teaching jobs. Most jobs pay well, relatively, and come with housing. I know couples here who do well and save a good bit on one income.

I save a fair amount here (in the five figures in U.S. dollars) as a single person. Food is not expensive, ditto transportation. With housing provided, two can live almost as cheaply as one.

edit: P.S., I got my first, and current, job here at age 54.

[willy]

here in indo you can find a job at an international school and get 1,700-2,000US$+++ and that goes a long long way

[Glenski]

I'm the same age, and I work at a private high school in Japan. So, you could consider that, especially with your years of experience. School terms begin in April, so look for openings about six months in advance. You could support both of you on one salary.

As for your husband, what are his qualifications and goals? Can't help much without knowing them. About all I can say is that if you land a FT job, he can get a dependent visa and work PT somewhere. If he would rather work FT, he would need a work visa, and it would help to know his credentials.

[Guest]

Dear Piglet

I just replied to your email but I also wish to ad that I have found MATURITY to be definitely an asset here in China. The Chinese people are starting to realise the advantages of having someone who is more settled and less likely to do a runner at the first disappointment they encounter.

I know for a fact, that I can teach at this School for as long as I would like to, but as I will be 60 in two and a half years, I thought that may be a good time to retire (here in China though).

[Snoopy]

At 52, currently unemployed following a dishonest posting in Thailand, I have to state that, unfortunately, the Arab states are the best bet.

[gugelhupf]

[piglet]

Well I could go on my UK passport but don't think they would be pleased to see me in the aforementioned places. Thats why I favour Asia...

[Ludwig]

'Piglet', to echo 'Will', that is certainly a strange name for someone residing in Israel. I suppose the eating of pork, or, rather, the non-eating thereof, is the only issue on which the Arabs and Jews will ever agree.

(Although this is somewhat of a tangential transgression, let me nevertheless relate this story to you. When I was last in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia I saw a sign for a new offer on the fast food market, a 'BLT'. I am a strict vegetarian and so would of course never be all too overly interested in such an 'offer' as way of a potential consumer, but was, nevertheless, somewhat curious as to how, exactly, bacon could be sold in Saudi without the vendors themselves having their very own intestines removed. When I approached the (what shall remain the unnamed) fast food outlet, I saw that, in fact, the 'B' of 'BLT' stood for 'beef'!)

Anyway, I do not personally believe that there is any 'age limit' in the teaching of English in Asia (other than that potentially imposed by the mind). Indeed, my experiences of this pursuit in various states in Asian has shown me that the very reverse may be the case.

When I was in Singapore, for example, and the same holds for when I was on the NET scheme in HK, there were many teachers vastly older than yourself. In fact, I seem to recall that some were indeed semi-retired or even retired in their respective home states (invariably South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Canada).

At my current university department here in HK, over half of the instructors are over fifty.

What do you mean by "your husband"? Is he too seeking employment, or do you mean something else by this?

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

There is no "age limit" as per say, but I would say by and large schools will pick up a 25 year-old newly graduated over a 55 year-old seasoned teacher any day for many reasons.

- Financially
- Easier to control
- Parents demand younger students
- Energy level

Just four reasons of many...

[Snoopy]

I am better than any ignorant bubbly youngster, because I do something called well-trained and experienced teaching. Anyone going to offer me a job?