Job Discussion Forums

scottnla · Joined: 16 Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Los Angeles

Hi all,

Lets say I am very old...actually Im 47 but pretty much still 25-28ish at heart. I will try to retire early and would like to consdier just traveling all over and teaching...whatever. I'm an attorney as well so what are my options for teaching/positions...Im mostly living in Asia.

I know this is a young game as my brother lived in Tokyo for 5 years teaching but are there any older people in it?

Scott

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

No option in the poll for over 40? That would be a large group.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

There are about 15 teachers currently teaching in the EFL department at the university where I work. Your poll excludes all but three!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

I just turned 40. Many of the people I work with are older. Teaching kids is a young man's game. Older folks with work experience and qualifications like yourself are mostly doing university gigs and tutoring adults.

schwa · Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap

52 here. I started in at 46 & I love this work.

My age has only worked in my favor -- I'm accorded automatic respect but I also do my best to warrant it. This is a young person's game in the sense that you need resilience & energy, which would rule out some fossils, but not all of us!

I teach in middle schools as well as teaching teachers. Contrary to the poster's notion above, I especially enjoy working with young'uns. I set up an extra class this year with elementary kids & I'd like to do more work with younger age groups. I spent my first couple years working largely with primary elementary kids -- so open & impressionable. I found the experience personally rejuvenating too.

Its not all about language. Its also a chance to convey life experience & a broader worldview.

I have no idea what age I feel at heart anymore. This gig is helping me on my quest towards agelessness.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I currently teach a lawyer(1-1) and sometimes feel I am in deep water. The op could make a career out of teaching legal English.
btw, the student is doing a general English program but asks alot of work related questions

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm 45, and most of my work colleagues are older.....Adapt your poll, please! We still exist after 40...

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

I'm 31, so I fit in your poll categories, but I'd like to know if "Ben Round" voted in this one. Very Happy

In my 6 years in EFL, I have worked with several teachers over 60, and so many between 40 and 60 that I would really be unable to count. I know some retirees who are still EFLing for an additional, part time income past 70. And they're d@mn good at it, too.

Regards,
Justin

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

ZIA! · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 40

Sott,

I think you did not realize how many of us are older than 40.

I started this at 40 and still going strong six years later. I teach the littlest students and I find it keeps me quite energetic. (What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, eh?)

Cheers

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I just turned 49 and am puzzled why there is no category for over 40. I could be more rude about it, but I think the creator of the poll gets the point.