Job Discussion Forums

[Babala]

In a previous thread, Roger made a comment that he wouldn't be upset if China set a age minimum of 45 for FT"S. Are all young teachers seen in the "backpacker" stereotype? Do you feel there should be an age restriction on FT's and if so, what age?

[expatben]

As a young teacher I say no there shouldn't. Just because one is young doesn't mean one can not teach English. I wonder though (not accusing anyone here of hypocracy)if older teachers who belive in an age limit were young when they started? If we had to have one I would say 18-19 (I was 20 when I started)

[brsmith15]

So, who's doing the counting? Looking at the downside for just a moment, youngsters (18-25) can be ingenuous, naive, immature and simply not worldly enough. Oldsters (45+) can be doddering over-the-hill fools with a bunch of ingrained beliefs that are useless at best and dangerous at worst. BUt, that's stereotyping, isn't it?

I don't think biological age matters at all. It's the emotional age and the spiritual age that count. I've seen young folks here in China with energy to burn who transmit that to their students and I've also encountered people in their 70s with that nicely weathered patina of a life of accomplishment and charm.

Me?? I'll be 66 in a few weeks. Yes, I don't have the verve I had at 35 so I take on a fairly light load. Still, I look on teaching not as a job, but as a sacred calling. Someday, I'll lay down my chalk and eraser; I only hope they don't lay me down first.

A final note: I never set out to teach. I've been a CEO, a consultant, a published author. Teaching to me is simply passing along some of the things I've picked up in my peripatetic journey.

[Girl Scout]

I don't think setting a minimum age would help any. There are plenty of immature 45 year olds. It's not age that make a teacher good or bad.

Personally, I was older when I started. Let's just say over thirty.(Way over thirty)

[No Moss]

[Roger]

45-year olds who have never set foot outside their own home country wouldn't probably want to come here to work in the first place. That rules out the immature oldsters. Not that I am saying youngsters cannot be mature; some can. And some oldsters shouldn't come here.

BUt no 45-year old comes here with a pile of college debts. Now I know this is a very personal opinion that few share, but I am not going to allow anyone to correct me: I find it totally wrong for people to flee their own home country to make money somewhere else in order to repay their loans.
Either you never accept a loan, and work so much harder; or you repay your loans with money generated back home.

Of course, some biologically older members here display behavioral traits similar to those typical of teenagers - and those should not be encouraged to move here either. But judging by my own experience - I toured much of the world in my younger years, and on funds I had earned previously so I didn't have to earn my way around the world; the truth is that if you are here for money then you are not going to last long. As for the cultural legacy you leave behind - ask yourself whether you would respect a foreign teacher who quit his job after 2 months due to his girl friend moving house... or his inability to submit to the benign dictatorship of a Chinese principal. !

[Sinobear]

[tofuman]

It is difficult to know positivelyabout the age issue from a Chinese perspective. I'm fairly certain, however, that it's about possible health care costs should the FT become ill and the school be responsible.

My FAO, the biggest liar I've ever known, told me that there is also concern about political repercussions in case of a death here. Chinese EMT services are a bit....slow?

I've heard the age related health problem issue raised twice by two different Chinese liasions.

That said, when I attended an FT meeting downtown, there were plenty Western FTs who were "older" and looked to be potential or actual diabetics, hypertensives, arthritics, etc.

My FAO told me to get Western medical insurance, after I arrived here. Of course I refused. They did sign me up for some life insurance that apparently made my employer the beneficiary. That was reassuring.

Exercise, proper diet, lack of stress are great "medicines."

[Austrian]

Roger, sorry on this one I do not agree with you. Such an age limit wouldn't solve the problem you are obviously referring to and it would keep young/er teachers who might contribute other things like sparkling enthusiasm or simply another attitude due to not having decades of experience.

But I see where you are coming from. How could China, but I guess this issue applies to any other country as well, make sure that it's not predominantely those people who couldn't land a similar job back home anylonger because of their behaviour, their manners, their habits, who come here more for living THEIR lifestyle in this "Wild East" and actually contribute little to the actually teaching idea. I'm afraid little can be done, but schools, headmasters and other reps will learn and mature and hopefully be able to read the warning signs in CVs, letters or interviews and not merely go for the white face, no matter where from and with whatever background.

On the other hand how can seriously interested and capable teachers of any age find decent schools and not run the risk of being taken for a ride? I've learnt a lot from this board and its members and so will others - whether already here or anticipating to come at some later stage. But having followed these posts by a certain Kia, I do wonder - if she or he is real and is really coming to China and if she/he is anything like her avatar in real life, yes, then I'm worried and I do understand Roger's concern. But it's not solved by an age limit. I remember Deezy writing in one of her posts that one of her best teachers is only 21 - and I saw and met her and despite her age she seemed enthusiastic and definitely conveyed a very positive attitude. I guess this is what China needs - teachers with a positive attitude and a certain warmth and concern towards their students. And it's those teachers who in exchange deserve decent employers who treat them with respect and make them feel at home here and now.

And if Roger's idea were executed, ok, I've passed the 45-line already, but how many of us would have to leave - Cheekygal, Nolefan, Anthyp, Babala and I don't know how many others, who I somehow feel are doing a great job out there? No, an age barrier will not do it.

Cu in G. Roger

[Babala]

I think Sinobear said it perfectly in his post. I highly doubt that many teachers are here trying to pay off school debts, that would be more a reason in a place like Korea where the salaries are much higher. Roger, I know there are some "backpackers" here simply teaching as a way to travel and party. What I hope is that you can realize that some of us are serious about teaching. I have been teaching here for 3 years now and I love it. I can't imagine doing anything else. As Austrian said, if there was an age limit, I for one would be out of a job.
P.S.
The one teacher who did a runner at my school was a 65 year old woman..and when she fled, she stole a laptop from the office

[Brian Caulfield]

I think Roger loves to spread bad news . What ever he says you can take the opposite and it will be true . I listened to him and stayed at a terrible job only to be burned at the end and five teachers went and came from the school I worked at . I should of bolted like the rest instead I listened to him and ended up having a miserable time . I am at a good school now and things are going well . Age has nothing to do with it here . Chinese have always respected age . To be called old is a compliment in China .

[Jolly]

[Brian Caulfield]

Jolly I did and always have . I am just saying that he told me that if I left I would have problems . I had problems because I stayed . I would have saved much money by leaving . Why does he always take the side of the Chinese? I question his ability as a teacher . Anyone who spends as much time posting on this forum as he does is not spending much time doing lesson plans .
I read his post and there is one contradiction after another . I'm sorry he is not my mentor.

[tofuman]

Brian,

I got the impression that you are not fond of Roger. Why are you sorry he is not your mentor? I would have thought that you would be glad that he is not your mentor.

So are you his protege or not?

[Jolly]