Job Discussion Forums

[Lohanfran]

Hi. I'm 43, male, and looking at an in-person course to get training and certification. I have the BA and and drive to travel and begin a career as a teacher.

I was looking into CELTA but for $1,000 less, there appears to be other good programs I can attend and they offer 100+ hours of training.

At this point, I'd like see if anyone else has made the transition (starting from the ground up) in their 40's and how they fared. I am feeling doubtful because of my age all of a sudden but I look like I'm in my mid 30's.

I'd be prepared to give it a go for the next 2-4 years and I wondered if anyone else has a similar situation. Thanks in advance and any response would be welcome. Thanks, everyone!

[spiral78]

Quite a lot depends on what part/s of the world you would like to go to, and where you are from.

[nomad soul]

"Where is AGE not an issue for teaching positions?" http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1138054
"Age of teachers" http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=104812
"Would being 45 make me too old to be hired abroad?" http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1098835

[mzuri]

I started late into teaching myself.

When I decided this was the career I wanted to switch to, I did some careful research into how to invest my finite resources of money and time to get the biggest ROI down the road.

Ruled out getting a master's or a degree in education - either of which would have been the ideal if I had: 1) more time, 2) more money, and 3) longer post-graduation career time.

So decided to do a TEFL course. More research. There were only two TEFL certificates that were accepted anywhere in the world: CELTA or Trinity.

The fact that other TEFL courses are "just as good" was completely irrelevant. What was relevant was which TEFL course would be most accepted anywhere in the world.

Part of my research was looking at the job ads - hands down, prospective employers cited the CELTA more often than any other course, including the Trinity.

For me, it was eventually a no-brainer - the CELTA.

Next step was to locate the least expensive CELTA, taking into account: course tuition, accommodation for a month, and transportation costs between the course site and my base. In the U.S., the most economical CELTA was at a community college outside of Houston. Unfortunately, it wasn't offered when I wanted, so 2nd best choice economically was Playa del Carmen. And that's where I went.

[Lohanfran]

Yes, yes, great responses!

[MuscatGary]

You're ONLY 43 so invest in a qualification that will serve you well for the next 20+ years. Only CELTA and Trinity TESOL are recognised everywhere. Buying a qualification cheaper will get you jobs in some places but not in the good places so bite the bullet.

[Lohanfran]

You are right, MuscatGary. I am this close to signing up for training and qualification so at this point..... what's an extra grand when it comes to the future.

Also, MuscatGary, what is your experience? Are you also in you 40's? and thanks for the advice

[Lohanfran]

and I will most likely sign up with CELTA because that seems to be the most desirable qualification

[Hod]

I'm not going to be so positive sounding, but I hope this helps.

You've said you'd give it a go for two to four years, and this is great. Go for it and get a CELTA or similar so you have a useful and widely-recognised qualification. You’re certainly not unique to start teaching in your forties.

I have to ask, though, about your previous experience and finances. I started TEFL at 30, and whilst my financial situation wasn’t great, I’d worked as an engineer and made sure I’d be able to return to that industry later if need be, even though at the time I couldn’t imagine a return ever.

Sure enough, five years of TEFL later, I really really really (strong emphasis) needed to move on for financial and professional reasons, and whilst it wasn’t an automatic return to engineering, it was nevertheless a return which later worked out better than before. The point is, firstly go for it as I never regretted my five TEFL years, but recognise that you may want to move on from teaching and return to your previous career or similar. I’ve since changed careers again, and whilst I’d not go back to permanent TEFLing, although I may do summer schools or the like, the people I work with now can only dream of what I experienced.

I have to say it’s harder in your forties (as opposed to me at 30). Despite what people say on here, you will want to retire in about twenty years’ time. Don’t forget about that before making a decision. Oh and good luck.

[MuscatGary]

[suphanburi]

4 posts and still no basic information from the OP.

All the fluff is nice but....

A LOT of the "where on the planet you can work" depends on the color/flavor of your passport. (North Americans are not likely to get legal work in western Europe - Europeans (other than Brits) will have issues finding work in Asia.)

The "where" you can work will also impact your ability to find work given your age and lack of experience. (Korea prefers young grads, China will take anybody with a degree, TEFL cert and is a native speaker, etc.)

Whether or not your degree is related to English or teaching will also impact the process. (In many EFL markets an older applicant with a degree in English will often fare better than a youngster with a degree in liberal arts. )

.

[coledavis]

The one thing I would not worry about is being in your forties. I started in my late forties and lots of people start when they are considerably older.

[Hod]

I'm not sure about that. Teaching, especially TEFLing, is likely to be very different from a previous career. There is the possibility that it may not work out. A person may be unsuited to teaching or not enjoy it at all. It will almost certainly pay less than a previous career. All these will, of course, be applicable for any age group, but returning to a previous career, which must never be ruled out, will be more difficult the older you get. That's all a bit pessimistic, but I already wished the opening poster well. The point is think carefully about it and consider future options.

[Alien abductee]

[The_Big_White_Elephant]