Job Discussion Forums

Beau · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 2

I am turning 50 this month (Sept) am working on a BA ED in EFL am single need a change for at least the next ten years Have 3 months ESL teaching experience in western Canadian College.(conversational English)
What would be my chances of teaching English at a reasonable paying job in China,Korea,Tailand etc.
Would i be considered to old ?Maybe some of you would be so kind and give me a few pointers before i strike off and make a old fool out of my self.
Or maybe you know of a few place that gives us old timeres a chance at a jobto see some of this old world before get to old and creeky thanks a bunch----Beau Laughing

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

This bird is turning 60. I don't feel old; why should you?

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:20 pm Post subject:

I was 56 when I came to China, and I will turn 58 next January. I was worried that I was too old also, because, as you may be aware, it is impossible to find work in Australia when you are over 40, let alone over 50!

The difference here in China is simply amazing to say the least. Here you are treated with respect and you do not feel that you are ready for the scrap heap. I am now at my School for the second year and despite the fact that Female Chinese Teachers retire at 55 years of age, I have been told by my School that I can stay here as long as I like, so I am hoping to last until I am 64, which is just over 6 years from now.

Seeing I only teach just over 10 hours per week, I do not see why I cannot do it for a few years, as it is not very demanding work - compared with the very stressful job I was doing in Australia for the 25 years prior to coming to China.

GO FOR IT

Beau · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 2

Thanks for the replies: I am feeling better about going now,round here for some reason i feel like a old man.
I think now a new Country with some new challanges might just perk this fellow up. it ain'tover till it is over,and on ward and up ward.
Thanks again----Beau

ChrisP · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 29 Location: Shenzhen

Your best bet is China as age discrimination is not as prevalent here. I am 59 and just turned down a dozen or so job offers.
Koreans really prefer younger teachers although 50 is not out of the question. Thailand is possible, but in general the students, living conditions, and working hours are better in China.

yodetta · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 68 Location: California, USA

As a prospective ESL/EFL teacher, I am also interested in this question, since I will be 43 when I apply. I've never been married, and have no children...look early 30's, and am a little concerned about ageism (especially for women teachers) in this blossoming job market.

It's clear to me from reading these posts that some countries, like Japan and Korea, have strong preferences for new college grads. But what about Eastern Europe and SouthEast Asia, and other places in China like Hong Kong?

Do any of you feel that older women are treated differently than older male teachers?

Y

Ellsbells · Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Ball of confusion

I can't tell how comforted I am to hear(?) such positive reports of china for the more mature woman! I am 47 and just getting my first job in china sorted out. I was worried that I might be considered a bit long in the tooth, but it sounds very encouraging. Surely it can't be worse than this excuse for an English summer!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Hello beau,
interesting name! I can tell you that you don't need to worry about age discrimination in China - far from it.
In fact, I have come across many westerners in their 50s and 60s who are still going strong here, and enjoying it (most of the time). A comfortable retirement stipend from home gives them a head start on the survival front.
You might need it. COme holidays, you might be out of work and out of income. Also, jobs are not stable. You get a job easily, but you can lose it easily too. And, in the mid-term futurwe it is no doubt going to be tougher finding a new position.
This is why I advise you not to bank all your hopes on teaching here. Or if you do, don't bank your hopes on a LONG career path in China!

Sometimes, this job wears you down more than you realised before. When you discover that you have only been used because of your exotic looks... talk about "respect"... Well, you might feel a tad humiliated!
But that is not to say you shouldn't try and enjoy it as long as the going is nice!
Just don't expect to pocket much more than you will need to live here.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

What I've generally seen is that older (45+) people always enjoy China. Younger people USUALLY enjoy China. I wouldn't worry about age.