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Am I too old now? Unlucky? Saturation?

 
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brnrd



Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 53

PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 3:12 am    Post subject: Am I too old now? Unlucky? Saturation? Reply with quote

It's going on 5 months since I started looking for an ESL job. I previously had worked in ESL for 20 years,but due to my elderly father's flaring health problems,a few months home,has become 3.5 YEARS.
In this five month stretch, I was offered a job in Istanbul - No visa! shared accommodation with MORE than one other (so..how many?) I didn't take it. ESL,and world travel for that matter is not foot loose and fancy free anymore,and I'm too poor & too old to take risks like that.The same thing happened the year before for Saudi Arabia - A bloody 30 day tourist visa,after swishing papers here & there for 3 months.
The last job offer was for China,and I signed a contract,but was told I had to wait 3-5 weeks to receive my invitation letter -my assistant from my last job, which was in China,contacted the relevant person,who said they never received it.
There was a time in Beijing,before the internet,when I would be cold called,harassed walking down the street about working for this person,or that school.Obviously,those days are dead and seldom remembered,but is it that difficult to get a job now? I'm 53,and I know that there is some saturation and shrinking of markets,but this much?
Cheers,
W. W.
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suphanburi



Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is the wrong time of year to be looking for jobs in Asia.
In most countries the school year starts in the spring and ends in late winter.

March in Korea, April in Japan, May in SE Asia for the bulk of job starts.

Sept to February is pretty much the worst time to be looking and with the exception of Korea and China you pretty much have to be here to find work.

If you are not here it is all about who you know and who knows you (again, Korea and China being the exception).

Also, the competition for jobs in warm places is fierce during the winter months with backpackers and gap year travelers looking for work to tide them over till the weather warms up at home. Come the spring there is a dearth of applicants and an excess of jobs.

Timing is your issue (and perhaps your documentation).
NOW, unlike times past, for legal work you need to have your degree, university issued transcripts and a police clearance for "legal" work in most of Asia. As you pointed out in your post, it is not like it once was. The paperwork is necessary, experience is not.

IF you have your documents ready then enjoy the Christmas season at home then fly over n February. You should be working in short order.

If you do not have your documents ready then either get them ready or try another region like eastern Europe or Central/South America.

As to your age - ageism is alive and well but not insurmountable. I am pushing 60 and have no shortage of job offers or work.

.
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brnrd



Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 53

PostPosted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 4:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hear you,but if you noticed I said I was looking in August. I'm 20 yrs in this game,and I know the only thing open are the private schools,and public schools that likely have some serious management issues,and need to fill a quit/fire. I'm just dejected,and reaching out.
Cheers,
WW

P.S. And wondering if I'm too old.Technically I know I'm not,but this game is dictated not by logic but supply and demand.The employment options in The West,are getting fewer and fewer.When I first went to China,thinking that I could do ESL into my 70s was quite possible - Now, it's capped at 53-55.Japan I think I read years ago 35, Saudi Arabia is about 54-58

The amount of paper work is becoming ridiculous,but it's what you have to do,though Saudi's paper work is at the point where it hinders getting a job.

I was all ready(paper work) to go last March,when my father had another set back.Since then,I've only had to redo the health check.
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mitsui



Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 1562
Location: Kawasaki

PostPosted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 7:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, there are people in Japan who teach until 70,
but it is part-time.
Most places seem to have the retirement age before 70.
Nihon University lets teachers work until 75.


Last edited by mitsui on Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:40 am; edited 1 time in total
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simon44



Joined: 15 Mar 2013
Posts: 118

PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are fit and competent, there is no age restriction in Myanmar, (there is no visa age restriction because there is no work permit system yet in place).

I've met teachers who were teaching into their 70's.

I'm 57, teaching in Myanmar with no issues Smile
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had similar problems after a break in my TESOL "Career". Back in Scotland for a while to look after aged parents, it was difficult to get back. Only when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait did I get back into teaching. No one else wanted to go to Saudi then but I agreed. I think things are worse now than they were in the 1980s and 1990s.

Have you tried the Peace Corps ?
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Kowloon



Joined: 11 Jan 2016
Posts: 133

PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I still think if you kept trying for China and were willing to accept any location you would find a public school.

I saw on another discussion that you got your CELTA two years ago. What other qualifications do you have? You have extensive experience but I guess some places are put off by the gap. I sense the best case scenario would be a public high school somewhere in Asia. It would get TEFL work back on the top of the CV, it wouldn't 'demeaning' considering your age and background and would provide a decent enough living to survive.

Best of luck
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