Job Discussion Forums

[Ming]

I am a fit, healthy, younger than 50, 50 yr old. I have my Business Admin. dipolma, varied work experience in that field and banking and of course 20 yrs raising my kids. I'm taking TESL Oxford Seminars...Do I stand a change getting a TESL job in Jiangsu Province, China ? Am I just too old ?

[Chris_Crossley]

Hi, Ming, welcome to the forum!

Age is absolutely no barrier whatsoever to getting a job teaching English in China. I have known sixty-somethings teaching, and they really like what they do. You'll find them teaching adults and children, either at the same institution or else adults in some and children in others. In China, the senior citizenry is supposedly respected by the younger generations, and that extends to us expat types as well.

I note that you want to teach in Jiangsu province in particular. Any reason why that province only? What kind of student body do you want to teach? Just adults, just children or both? Are you looking for kindergarten work? I have been teaching adults and children (some as young as three!) in Hubei province's capital city, Wuhan, for about 3 1/2 years now, but I do not have any experience of teaching in Jiangsu, I'm afraid.

Nevertheless, I'm sure that there are plenty of fellow Dave's posters working in Jiangsu who will also say that it doesn't matter how old you are - just make sure that you have the right attitude and, above all, a sense of humour! Whatever school you look for, make sure that it's a reputable one, as there are both good and bad schools in this vast country of 1.3 billion people, yet the opportunities are, as you might guess, vast.

Good luck!

[EnglishBrian]

I don't know the differences between the different provinces or issues about needing university degrees for China, but I do know 2 people teaching in China (one a newly qualified CELTA). Both are at least 10 years your senior young fella'.

[Ming]

Oh thank you so much for replying. How encouraging ! (and its all a bit scary actually) This is such a strange path He is leading me to.
Jiangsu Province and Nanjing inparticular because I have a friend who has an branch office there and visits 2-3 times/yr. and he has friends and business contacts there. (My bro goes to Beijing but less frequently.) I thought that way I would not feel quite so disconnected. I am open to all ages of children as I have been involved in my kids schooling K-12. Teens dont intimidate me ! Now adults ? dunno. I'll see how my TESL skills develop. I am planning on July/Aug '06 departure. Get my ducks lined up - so to speak.

Thanks Dave for this web site, I'll be here alot ! Hope you don't tire of my endless questions.

[coming soon]

I have only been here for a little while but i have already met a fellow in my neck of the woods who is 63 years young and he is teaching at a local university. He mentioned that he had been teaching there for just over two years and that he was treated extremely well compared to the other foreign teachers.

[expatben]

I knew an older gentlemen who taught ESL. Yeah age is really no barrier sometimes it can be an advantage

[Babala]

Hey I have been living in Jiangsu for 3 1/2 years now. I live about an hour away from Nanjing. Your age will not be problem, in fact I think you'll find it may work for you. I am younger and it is harder to get people to take you seriously. The Chinese respect age. If you need any info on Jiangsu or teaching jobs, just PM me.

[tedkarma]

53 here and doing fine.

You'll like Asia - they actually respect older folks!

Been in EFL since 1992 - still going strong - don't intend to quit.

[moonraven]

I was 50 when I started in TEFL.

I am 60 now--and have never had any problems because of my age.