Job Discussion Forums

pmhlb · Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Ottawa, Canada

Hello,
I am a qualified English teacher (ESL/EFL & more), and want to apply to work where age is not a restriction. I have a Masters degree and am an energetic 61 -- looking especially to work with adults or college/university students, or as a teacher trainer.

SE Asia would be my preference. I had my heart set on Malaysia, but apparently age 60 is the upper limit for securing a work visa there. *Where* should I be looking? I would also be interested in part-time work.

Thanks!
Paulette

peripatetic_soul · Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 303

Hello, Paulette,
Below is a fairly accurate website listing countries and age restrictions. Not sure if this is applicable, but it is quite difficult for Americans to secure a contract position in EU countries for obvious reasons (large enough pool of qualified candidates among EU passport holders). Also, friends who have taught in SE Asia recently reported that students in Japan and Korea prefer younger teachers. I also have been told by a former Chinese director of a university in PRC-China that anyone over age 60 should know there is no medical insurance provided. I hope this website helps. You can google others as well.

http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/nonmembers/age-article.htm

peripatetic_soul · Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 303

Dear Paulette,
Apologies. I see that you are a Canadian citizen. Disregard the comment about American passport holders. Good luck in your search.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

For starters, take a look at these related threads:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1120001

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1120982

simon44 · Joined: 15 Mar 2013 Posts: 118

Hi Paulette, when I worked in Myanmar (Burma) last year, I met western teachers in their 50's, 60's and 70's. (I'm 54 years old).

I taught English at a vocational college - it would be worth your while to send your CV to them perhaps. Please send me a PM and I'll give you the details.

Simon

pmhlb · Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Ottawa, Canada

Hi
Thanks! I will check out the link you sent.

I hear you about the EU. It is the same for us Canadians. That is unfortunate, as I have family in Europe. Also -- I appreciate knowing the perspective of Japan/Korea students, and I am not surprised. We all liked young teachers when we were young. Smile

We 'boomers' usually have to set up our own medical insurance, as the risk increases with age. I accept that.

Much obliged!
Paulette

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

What kind of family? Could you obtain citizenship?

Gummy Bear · Joined: 11 Jun 2013 Posts: 36

In China they seem to want only young and attractive teachers who have the "entertainer" personality rather than sound teaching skills. One of the best teachers I know is almost 50 and nobody will hire the guy.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:45 am Post subject:

Age is rarely an issue in Mexico, and in the places where it is, well, you don't want to work in those places anyway.

Mr. English · Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 298 Location: Nakuru, Kenya

China is an excellent place to look for work if you are over 60. I have my own private tutoring business and also teach writing part-time at a high school for Chinese who are planning on going to college in the states or Brit-lands. The high school program is new, just fired up last September. Four foreigners were hired -- three of us are over age 60 (oldest 68); the other is 59. While there are certainly employers who think that youngsters must be the best, there are also employers who value people with experience and look to hire them.

jacob-vn · Joined: 25 Jan 2012 Posts: 2

I'm 59 and have had no problems finding work here in Viet Nam. Sure, I'm one of the older teachers every place I go, but it hasn't been a hindrance. I taught in China at age 55 and also had no problems. When I took over a class of 5-year olds, the DOS had to calm the parents down a bit (that I wasn't too old to teach their kids) but I think that was the only issue that ever arose.

Lack · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 252

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

It's a bad idea to speak in absolutes about China. I'm 60 and I've been teaching here since '76 (not straight through, of course; couple of years, split, return). I've never been an entertainer and it's never made a difference; in fact, last year when I renewed the school offered me a five year contract (I turned it down).

But, yes, if you come here and dance around like an idiot, make funny faces, sing, show movies and give the students cookies you'll do okay.

LongShiKong · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 1082 Location: China

Depends more on the employer and how desperate or discriminating they are than the country.

If face is all they care about (they don't even 'prefer' a TEFL qual.), you can bet they'll hire a 20-something female supermodel with no experience over an ageing CELTA, DELTA, MA TESOL candidate with extensive experience and references. The other factor is they may not expect an older or more experienced person to put up with their working conditions so will use the pretense of medical insurance.