Job Discussion Forums

[judefa]

I am considering a switch to TEFL at the possibly-over-the-hill age of 51 and, to make matters worse, have no uni degree; just a near lifetime in newspaper journalism - stretching back to 1970. I may have committed career suicide, having chucked in my job at the top of the heap in Oz/NZ, but I also have a spirit of adventure and have always been a compulsive traveller and explorer of other cultures.

My plan is to do the CELTA course with International House in Sydney in March; my question is what reasonable expectation can I have of employment somewhere that at least won't leave me out of pocket (I don't expect to get rich from this)?

Since most reputable schools require "experience", where do I get my start?

I am a NZ citizen and Oz resident, not eligible for an EU passport and, damn it, female.

Would love to hear from anyone who has faced similar obstacles - especially anyone who has succeeded. Would also love to know whether you find the work rewarding or wish you were doing something else.

Any advice for or against this path would be much appreciated. I thrive on a challenge and have visited many strange places but am nervous about "being taken advantage of" by unscrupulous employers.

Thanks, Jude

[Guy Courchesne]

You are on the right path simply by posting here my friend.

I too come from a journalism background...mind you, I chucked it early on. I must say that the links between that brief career (well, I still freelance a small bit) and teaching abroad have served me well. You will find ample opportunity to make use of your skills.

IH will offer you some inhouse opportunities aborad. That might be a good start. Otherwise, why not check into Korea, Japan, or Taiwan for teaching assignments or consultant work? With your experience, I would suggest skipping the straight language school work and seek out chances to work directly through larger companies (reach them through Korean, Japanese, or Taiwanese publications).

Go over to the Asian country forums on this site and ask some questions...see who else is doing similar work.

[judefa]

Guy, I really appreciate this. Have come across many
postings by you in my ramblings at Dave's and thought
what a generous soul you must be, as well as a fund of
information. Have read some horror stories but suspect
a lot of people just did stupid things to get
themselves into those in the first place. What is most
alarming is the standard of English of some of those
correspondents - and they purport to be TEACHING it.
Then there are those who seem to be in it just to
screw Asian girls ... yukko, another hideous style of
colonialism.
I have already heard from a school in China, so that's
promising. Could be a very interesting adventure.

Thanks again, Guy - you're great!

Jude

[Gordon]

Jude,
I think you have the right attitude, are not expecting too much and are getting the best training for TEFL (the CELTA), at least the most recognized anyways. Certainly, you will find a job in China, almost anyone can. Unfortunately in Japan, you need a degree to get a work visa and you are too old for a WHV, as are many of us here. Korea and taiwan also require a degree for work visas. Still there are many other countries that do not require a degree that others here can help you with better.
Sense of adventure in TEFL? Certainly this is the right job.

[carnac]

tDear Judefa:
After a long time doing other things, went back to school and finished a BA and got MSc. Now am quite older than you. Had 2 employers fighting over who would hire me, two years ago. Age does not have to be a big thing. My bargaining/selling point: I'm good, really good. I can do (this/this/this) Not negatives, positives. (Almost zero experience in my case) Learn to sell yourself, what you can do, never mind experience. Learn to walk away from a deal. Learn it's not the end if someone says no. Carry yourself above it all and tell them "If you want me, you have to pay X!" and walk away if you need to. Set your own goals for what you want and refuse lesser deals.
It's all very much like buying a car, in revese. They want you at the cheapest price, and there are thousands who want you, but they want to pay the least possible, not unreasonable.
You will be fine. Just be a little tough, and don't undersell yourself.
Especially try Middle East.
As always, IMHO.
Carnac

[carnac]

And I forgot to answer that this is the single most rewarding thing I have done in my life, after being a business manager, a professional musician, a pipe-organ tuner, a guitar teacher, a shoe salesman, an airline director, a bookseller (comes close), and a chocolate-maker. Plus a few others.
Teaching EFL is the best thing I have ever done.

[Guy Courchesne]

[Gordon]

[XXX]

It can be done. I have this Kiwi friend who started a few years ago teaching in a hogwon in Kimpo. He is now teaching at an university in Seoul, making much more than he would in NZ. Do it up! Good Luck!!

[tom selleck]

The question is 51 too late to start, should be reversed to....Is 21 too early?

No offence to early 20 somethings, but if I had a choice, as an employer, to choose someone still barely a teen, or someone with a virtual lifetime of experience, I know who I would choose.

With broad experience in journalism, your English skills handily beats most with ease. There's probably a higher probability you wouldn't be a pain in the a ss to work with!

I started at 39, and now 3 years later, wouldn't have a clue what else to do. It's a good and bad thing.

But mostly good.

[judefa]

But, guys, suddenly the thought of stashing away practically everything I own, saying goodbye to my beloved garden, working for a pittance and having nothing saved for old age does seem crazy. Since posting here I have had an unexpected job offer at home, which rather changes things. At the same time I've had an idea for a business I'd like to set up using another area of expertise I have, astrology (don't laugh me out of the room!).
My interview at IH is tomorrow so now I'm thinking: get the info and keep all this up my sleeve for if I don't like the Sydney job, because you've all by now made it clear I don't need to worry about age in ESL: I can do it later.
I must say I really click with the ESL people in these forums and want to know them, so now I'm wondering if there might be some work (and dollars) in visiting and WRITING about brave souls like yourselves. Do you think there's a market for that? And if I opted for a job back here as a wage slave would you still consider me worth chatting to from time to time, or having a drink with if I drop into Timbuktu or wherever you are?

As a counsellor I saw last week said, I should be using the knowledge I already have ... so: stay in journalism (since there's a new job on the table), build up a portable, Net-based business as well, using my 25 years of astrological research and skills in counselling and therapy, and if THAT takes off I could maintain it from anywhere.

Maybe I WILL see you on the road somewhere when I'm hitting 60. I'll be less attractive then, javascript:emoticon('')
Rolling Eyes but, hey, I'll make up for that in sheer uniqueness: how many other ESL teacher-astrologers do YOU know?

Thanks for all your replies. They have been a huge help, and an inspiration.

Jude

[vre]

Congrats on the job offer. What Mr.Fate is doing behind our backs we will never know. I'm not sure if writing about us is that marketable but there are more travel books to be written. A new Lonely Planet series with a difference would be marketable (and competitive) and if you do that, please give me a job because I would love to do that and I know I would be good at it and I also have a degree in journalism and I would like a career change too and I have travelled to more than 30 countries and ...

Sorry! Back to reality. Well, your options are still open and TEFL is definitely always available (sigh )

You're the lucky one!

P.S what does it say about Capricorns today?