Job Discussion Forums

granny2345 · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 4

Are all EFL teachers under 30?
I'm leaving the UK to teach abroad in September, probably to Spain. I had hoped to make friends out there and have some sort of social life, but I get the impression from reading the messages that TEFL is just for the young.
Can anybody reassure me, please?

Thanks
Granny

MELEE · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject:

Okay, first of, before anyone acuses me of falsehood. I'm not over 50. I'm also no longer under 30 (but was when I started this gig). But I wanted to say I've worked with MANY older women. I think this is a great second career. I've worked with women over 50 who are married, husband retired and now the househusband, divorced, widowed, and never married. With grown children, with children in college, with grandchildren, and some who have never had children. Most of lease ladies were fabulous teachers, great coworkers and very adventurous. They didn't waste their time here on Dave's like us young uns! They're out enjoying the country they are living in. Don't worry you are not alone. You are embarking on an adventure of a life time. Go for it!

thelmadatter · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:42 pm Post subject: 42

Im 42... started teaching in Mexico at 39. Hope that is close enough.

Like everything else, there are pros and cons to starting this gig later in life --- but if you want to do it... go for it! Dont let age stop you.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

There are a lot of second career EFLers in their forties and fifties in China, Thailand, Korea, Cambodia, and no doubt elsewhere.

Long-standing EFLers in that age group are often in the Gulf, where they pay penance for their years of financial irresponsibility.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

At my last job in Japan, I was the youngest teacher in my particular program. I was 27 when I started there, and the other teachers ranged from a year or two older than me to early 50s. And, believe it or not, we all got along well and hung out together! It was a really great group.

Even if you are put off by the idea of spending your free time in bars with the other expat teachers, all of whom are in their early 20s (such scenes are really common), there are still plenty of opportunities. Good luck!

d

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

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

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

Turned 30 a few months ago and have been TEFling since the age of 23, a lot of people I have worked work with happen to be in their 40s and 50s; I have had great times working with them.

To the OP live your life and go for this opportunity- Life's too short ! Very Happy

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

My guess is that there are more than a few "over 50's" out there.

I'm not female, but I am over 50, and I am surprised by your lack of responses in that category. I suspect, you might find many in the Korea or China forms.

All that said, my wife is 47 - I am 54 - and we've both been teaching EFL overseas since 1992. Also worked with a lady 60+ in Korea for a while.

Social life - about as much as you want! I've just returned to Thailand (my home now) from Korea where I had an active life with friends - singing - Scrabble! - poker nights - etc.

I suspect though - because of the predominance of younger people you may have to do what my friends and I did in Korea - we planned our own activities and invited people rather than waiting to be invited. Also, we could plan activities that we wanted and enjoyed rather than the perpetual pub crawls that the younger folks enjoy.

Our small expat community also had a Yahoo community group - where anyone having an event would post - and everyone would hear about it. You might want to see if one exists in the area where you will be.

Also, just as an example - in Seoul there was a teacher's social club just for people OVER 40 - with many +50's in it. You might check for something similar in your region - or start one!

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I'm over 40 and find I work with quite a few people at the universities in the 35-55 plus range. Many of these people started ESL teaching earlier than you did, but that doesn't mean you can't start now (though some Japanese ESL/EFL companies frown on hiring 50 and over) as there are companies where age and experience is an asset (as well as the maturity that usually comes with it, somehow it seems to have escaped me at the moment Twisted Evil

).

As to activities, I can't add much to the good suggestions offered earlier, I might even try some of them if I can stop working long enough and posting on this forum Laughing

!

Dragonlady · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:05 am Post subject:

deleted...

out of date

k8tell · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

Hello Granny - Don't worry, you'll enjoy the teaching and travel. I'm a 44 year old woman, and just started TEFL a little over a year ago. I wasn't the only middle-aged person in my CELTA class. Good luck!

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

I have friends much older than you teaching in Spain and they love it. They are supposed to be retired......

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject:

I know three guys over 50 in South Korea.

And of one woman, desultude, on the Korean boards.