Job Discussion Forums

[bradwelljackson]

What is the best age to be teaching English abroad, or does it matter? Do some countries discriminate based on age?

[Gordon]

It depends partly on the country and the postion you are applying for. On average, most entry level language schools prefer 20 and 30 yr olds. Partly because the pay is low and perhaps only young people would teach for such low wages.
However, people of all ages can and do enjoy teaching abroad. Older teachers can bring more life expereince into the classroom and get more respect from their students.

[tedkarma]

There is quite a bit of age discrimination - but as Gordon noted, it depends a bit on the country - and it also depends a bit on the job.

Business English programs - tend to not mind a bit of gray hair. Kindy jobs - well - they young folks can have them!

I was offered a hotel job once (as an English teacher) specifically as they were looking for someone older. Their existing very young teacher couldn't garner the respect needed to motivate the staff to learn.

So . . . depends a bit on what you are looking for too.

[TheLongWayHome]

In Mexico, teaching English is about the only job you can do where there isn't (much) age discrimination.

[Cleopatra]

In most of the Gulf countries, qualified teachers rarely face discrimination on account of their age (that said there are laws - not always enforced - which supposedly ban employers from taking on anyone over the age of 60). In fact, both students and employers tend to respect 'older' teachers more than younger ones, who are somethings seen as being lightweight.

[guangho]

There is all kinds of discrimination in EFL.

[JDYoung]

The door swings both ways as others have said. At virtually any age you can be offered jobs or refused jobs because of your age. It depends on the laws and culture of the country and the image of the employer.