Job Discussion Forums

[fraup]

I'm interested in teaching in the ME but have noticed that certain job ads specify "under 55". I'm female, over 55, married, with a MA and a CELTA plus 3 years of ESL teaching and 10 years of teaching business subjects. Since I've never been to any ME countries, other than a week at a resort in Sharm el Sheikh and another at a resort in Agadir, I'd like to have the experience of living and working in a Muslim country. I've worked in Asia, both Eastern and Western Europe, and am now in Mexico.

Although I understand employers who don't want older teachers, I'd like to avoid wasting my time applying to those places. I've eliminated Saudi as a possible site, but what about other countries? If there's a quick answer somewhere on this board, please point me there. Thanks.

[veiledsentiments]

This one doesn't have a quick answer... and hasn't come up very often.

Is money an issue? The reason that I ask is that if you went to a country like Morocco or Egypt, you could easily pick up work through places like AMIDEAST ... both your ESL and business experience would be you in a good position. You can support yourself, and eventually work up to being able to suppliment your income with private lessons. That is a great option if you're in a position to be a bit laid back - and enjoying the culture is as important as the pay check.

Now, if you are looking to pad the retirement account or have bills to pay, that leaves the Gulf. There I would apply to universities that didn't specifically give an age restriction. I think that there are possibilities in the UAE, Qatar, and maybe even Kuwait. Personally my preference is Oman because you are able to be more of a part of the culture.

Try reading about on the various county boards and see if anything appeals. The Middle East tends to prefer older mature teachers. Though you (same as me) is getting close to the upper limits.

VS

[younggeorge]

There doesn't seem to be much difficulty getting work permits for people your age (and mine!) in the UAE. I have heard it said that it's difficult to get a first employment visa from the age of 58 onwards, but there is evidence around me that it's not impossible and once you're in, as long as your performance is up to the mark, it's not hard to get renewals.

That said, this year's recruitment season is pretty much over: I think all the 'big three' employers in the UAE have taken down their advertisements for English language teachers. ZU certainly has no more vacancies, except in the primary and high school projects: if you have suitable school-teaching experience, go ahead and apply for those.

[stoth1972]

Young george is right-the employment permits get more difficult to obtain at 60+. Employers usually get permission if the position is really specialised and hard to fill. I know many women in their 40s working at unis in the UAE, but I don't know about women starting in their 50s.

I've been told by friends working at HCT that HCT prefers unmarried woman over 35 without dependents in the UAE. Has anyone else experienced this? Veiled Sentiments?

[veiledsentiments]

I'm not sure if they 'prefer' them, but they tend to be a dependable employee... and cheaper than a couple. Not that I haven't encountered a few that I expect that they regretted hiring.

It seemed to me that they also hired many women 35-55 who were there on their husband's visas. But, there is great variance within the system as to age, sex and nationality of the teachers.

VS

[Cleopatra]

EFL institutions in the Gulf certainly have their faults, but being obseed with youth in the manner of so many EFL employers is not among them. In fact, age and 'wisdom' are highly respected here, although it's true that you may be approaching the upper age limit for new recruits. Here in KSA, it was recently announced that the government would no longer issue visas or renew work permits for foreigners over the age of 60. Within days, however, they added that 'professionals' - among them teachers - would be exempt from the proposed new law.

I know quite a few teachers your age or older working here in KSA. However, since you said you will not consider a post in Saudi Arabia, this information is probably of limited relevance to your situation.

[scot47]

In Saudi some employers pay you off when you are sixty. Some interpret that as sixty by the Hegira calendar which works out at 58 years and 4 months Gregorian. Other employers will keep you on as long as you are not gaga.

PM if you want pointers about which emplopyers are which.

[fraup]

Thanks to all for the good information. I'll keep you posted.

[Serious]

[Stephen Jones]

[Bebsi]

I absolutely agree, Stephen. Not always the perils of Siddiqi, however; sometimes, downright laziness is to blame, at others, complete apathy and contempt for the students, and often BOTH.

On the other hand, some of the most professional, conscientious, energetic and committed teachers I met in KSA were in their late 50s or 60s. They were/are guys with a genuine concern for their charges, who put everything into doing a good job, and were/are universally liked and respected by their students.

Agism is something I despise. Sadly, in many parts of the World, a real "Logan's Run" mentality has taken hold.

[Cleopatra]

Actually, I find that Saudi students are, if anything, more likely to respect 'older' teachers than teenagers elsewhere would be. Obviously, if the teacher is incompetent and irresponsible, the students will not respect him or her, but this has nothing neccessarily to do with the age of the teacher. As I've said, in general Arabs respect age and in my experience 'older' teachers are much less discriminated against here than in many more youth-obsessed cultures.

[scot47]

The 19-year-old Saudi students that I teach are a lot easier to handle than their contemporaries in Britain !

[caliph]

Your age should not be a problem in the ME, good teachers over 60 continued to get renewed contracts as long as their health is good and they don't take a lot of "sickies".