Job Discussion Forums

[jefft]

I am a semi-retired Software Engineer considering a new career as a TEFL teacher.
I was recently laid off and have little hope of finding another job in my field.
I am 61 and have a BS in Electrical Engineering and 30 years experience with computers.
I and my wife love to travel and have visited 37 countries. We lived and worked 12
years in Germany. I was a tutor for Literacy Volunteers of America for about a year.
I was a substitute teacher for over a year in the local school district.
We have considerable savings so the money from teaching will be needed but not
critical.

Before I take a TEFL course in Denver, I have some questions?
What are the realistic job prospects for my age and lack of experience?
Are there short term assignments (3 to 6 months)?
What are the problems with an accompanied spouse?
How much can I expect to earn?
What about health insurance?
If a position turns out to be intolerable, can you just walk away?

[Glenski]

Where are you thinking of looking for work? In Japan, don't expect such short term jobs.

Insurance. If you don't have any at this point, consider an outfit that provides international insurance (like Global), or in cases like Japan, you could consider the national health insurance plan. It's cheap the first year.

Bringing your wife along is usually not much of a problem. She can get a dependent visa, which allows her to stay longer than a tourist, and with some additional paperwork, she can even get permission to work PT.

Sadly, how much you can earn will be a problem with so little experience. Probably the standard rate of 250,000 yen/month. Not really much for two to live on, so either you get supplemental work or she finds a job, too.

[Guest]

I think China is your best bet. I was 56 when I arrived here and I will turn 58 in January.

I arrivied with No Degree, No Qualifications and No esperience. I do not suggest that everyone (including you) should do that, but I just wish to point out that it is possible.

I teach 2 hours Northwest of Shanghai and to me it is heaven here. I have no intention of leaving.

I only actually teach just over 10 hours per week, when I think the norm is around 20 hours per week.

For these short hours I receive a modern furnished apartment (on the School grounds) with a computer, air conditioning, western style bathroom, and computer with 24 hour Internet access. I can also have free meals in the School Canteen.

I receive 3,500 r.m.b. per month, which goes a long way in this small community - but would not be enough if I were living in Shanghai or one of the other big Cities.

So, age does not seem to be a problem in China - in fact it demands respect, whereas if I were still in Australia (where I had the same job and Boss for 25 years) and I wanted to change jobs, I would be considered on the scrap heap at about 45 years of age.

Go for it!

[JDYoung]

I taught in China from mid August 2003 to mid August 2004 in Shenyang in the north east. I was 55 when I arrived there. The oldest teacher at our school was 68. Age is not a particular problem. You would need to check out health insurance in your country of origin. Health care in China is quite inexpensive if you have to pay for it yourself and I found it quite competent.

I had a bachelor's degree in applied science and had a little experience in teaching computers to adults in night school. I prepared with a 120 hour TEFL course that involved practice teaching to real non-English speakers. I would recommend a similar course to anyone, experienced teachers included.

Short-term contracts, shorter than 6 months, can be difficult to find except for summer schools. I don't recommend simply walking away if you don't like it although it can be done. Most contracts include a penalty clause though they are difficult to enforce. It gives all of us a bad name when teachers do this. It places the school in a very difficult position of having made promises and taken money to provide their students with a foreign teacher. It also ticks off the other foreign teachers who may be stuck with picking up the slack. You may consider this a way to fund travel, I certainly do, but it is also a job with the associated responsibilities. You should be as professional about leaving these jobs as you would be about leaving a job in your home country, if not, more so.

You won't make a lot of money in China but I found it easy enough to live on and have enough to do a fair amount of in-country travel and to buy artwork, souvenirs, etc.

As soon as I finish up some personal business and family responsibilities in Canada I'm heading back to China. I will be 57 then and see no problems. Send me a private message if you want more details.