Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

If you are qualified and can offer PE Maths and IT, you are in with a shout at many British/International Scxhools. Start Googling !

Forget TEFL

[rayman]

Most international schools set a cap on the number of years experience they will pay for new employees. This is usually between 8-10 years. So you are really no more expensive than about half of international school teachers. Furthermore, if you are applying as single, then you are much cheaper than teachers with trailing spouses and children.

Given your qualifications, it's not really that difficult to find a job. Join www.tieonline.com or www.searchassociates.com and see what's out there.

[Perilla]

HK has plenty of high-paying international schools. Just Google international schools HK for their individual websites. Also take a look at the ESF (English Schools Foundation) which is a collection of 'semi-international' schools run along British lines. The ESF and most of the international schools pay very well.

BTW, the ESF schools have just been advertising for their September intake of new teachers - there may still be time to submit an application before the deadline.

[Jessiemiles]

I was 25 when I started teaching ESL in Canada, 26 when I went to Asia for my first TEFL job.

Many of my colleagues started in their 40s or later.

Good luck with whatever overseas teaching option you choose to pursue

[cmp45]

At the age of 30, (back in 1992), I started out as a volunteer teacher at a rural community school in Botswana, Africa. After an amazing 3 years in Africa I returned to Canada to upgrade my credentials. I chose the quickest route that would assure a global acceptance (1 year university program in TESL). By the age of 35, I got my first job teaching ESL in the UAE and currently teaching in KSA. During my time in KSA I managed to complete a masters degree on-line in Post Secondary Education. Unfortunately many places in the Kingdom still do not recognize on-line degrees even by reputable brick and morter accredited unis. No regrets though.

As others have stated MrJack, you appear to have all the credentials and experience to make that leap abroad right now. The only thing holding you back is determination to make it happen. Give yourself a kick and step out of your comfort zone Lots of amazing places to work.

[flossiebebe]

I started at age 60! Just decided i needed a lifestyle change, took a TEFL course and then,got my 1st job in a crappy private school in Mexico. Luckily it was only a 5 mo. contract. Now I have enough experience to do a combination of private tutoring, online teaching and still help out occasionally at a local language school.
Go for it!!

[sager]

I was 40. First went to Singapore and then came to Germany.

[Denim-Maniac]

I started at 36. Im now 43. I wouldnt say I have made a successful career out of it but I have had some wonderful experiences I would never have otherwise had ... and for me thats enough.

There is some sense in going the international school route, but I also think there is some sense in avoiding it. If you are bored in your job and want something different, the international school route is just doing exactly the same job but in a different country. Is that going to satisfy you or do you need a different job too? Obviously if you just teach English in a language school the money will be pants compared to what you have been earning, but it might provide a new and exciting challenge? Teaching English to a small class of adult learners will be markedly different to teaching PE to a class of 30 teenagers.

[Teacher in Rome]

If you're bored in rural Wales and your social life could do with a kick up the pants, then definitely go for HK. You'll have tons of social life, a well-paid enough job for you to pay for that social life, and lots of great travel conveniently on your doorstep. HK holidays aren't as generous as UK ones (though international schools may well be different) but with a bit of artful scheduling you can easily manage two or three decent sized breaks a year. (That was on a HK contract, btw.) Fantastic restaurants, too, plus lots of wonderful hiking if you ever feel the need to walk it all off.

[cheezsteakwit]

I was 40 when I moved to Korea last March. (I'm 41 now) & it was one of the best things I've ever done. I couldn't get out of the USA fast enough !!!

I'm about to start my second PS contract in a week or so (same school, same rural town, etc... ) & I got to check some cool things off my bucket list this past year (Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Thailand)

There's some really good info in this thread, so thanks! I realize I can make more money via the International school route, as I have an MA in Education w/ 2 years experience back home, BUT I'm comfortable here & I'll stay for one more year, then see what's what w/ the int'l schools.

I've got some serious wanderlust now & I don't see myself returning to the US anytime soon, though.

Best of Luck, OP

[isabel]

I was 54 when I started and will soon be 65. The opportunities do diminish after 50-60, but I have stayed well-employed at the university level. I hope to work for 4-5 more years.

[Glenski]

I started around age 40 as a career change.