Job Discussion Forums

[PaulineJudge]

I am going to register this summer for a CELTA course in Toronto and would eventually like to teach in Europe, either Italy or France. I would appreciate any information on whether you feel age is a major factor in the hiring process and would cause a problem for me. I am in my mid 50s. I have a Master's degree in Art History. I taught for 2years as a graduate teaching assistant to first year university students. So not English, another subject, but still some teaching experience. Right now I'm doing work as an Administrator in the not-for-profit world but I also have in excess of 10 years in the trust administration/banking field in the West Indies. I am English and have an EU passport so can work there.

To be frank, I think I have not been able to find work in my field because of my age. I went back to school as a mature student and earned two degrees while working full time. Because I found to my surprise that I enjoyed teaching and also love Italy and France I thought that this work might be interesting and place me in countries that I enjoy.

Sorry to be so long-winded. Have teachers currently working found other teachers of different ages out there teaching English? I imagine that some schools prefer younger teachers but older teachers can offer a lot as well. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[spiral78]

I think the issue with age is probably related (in most cases) more to pay levels than directly with age. The vast majority of teaching positions in Europe pay just enough to get by and have a little fun in terms of going out and limited travel. Security and benefits are very limited.

The impression may be that younger people can afford to live this way for a while, but older teachers will very likely want more in terms of security and income.

In the competitive European job market (it's a very attractive destination for teachers), the relatively few better positions offering higher pay and security go to those with significant related qualifications and experience (MA in TESL/TEFL or applied linguistics + years in the field), and who have good command of the local language + contacts and references locally.

That said, assuming that you are up for entry-level positions, I think you are certainly hireable. Another general rule for Europe is that hiring is very rarely done from abroad (because people don't show up, or, when they do, prove to have misrepresented themselves in some way), so if you are applying from the States, you're unlikely to get much in the way of responses.

I think, ideally, you should consider taking a CELTA course in either Italy or France. This would give you the beginnings of some local contacts, and you'll find it much easier to break into the job market when you are there on the ground. If you find that you love an area, and love teaching there, you'll likely be able to build some future there over time. But better positions don't fall into the laps of first-year teachers - it'll take time and commitment to the area and the profession.

[spiral78]

Sorry, I see that you're in Canada. Same issue, if you've been job seeking from there....

[ilaria]

Pauline, here in Italy, the schools which won't hire you because you're not in your twenties are the schools you wouldn't want to work for anyway.

[PaulineJudge]

[PaulineJudge]

[quote="ilaria"]Pauline, here in Italy, the schools which won't hire you because you're not in your twenties are the schools you wouldn't want to work for anyway.

[SueH]

[jonniboy]

[SueH]

Exactly! Mine is 2.

[silverlining]

I can totally identify with your reservations about teaching at a more mature age than most teachers. I am around the same age as you, and have only recently started teaching, I am currently in Santiago, Chile, having been born and recently been living in the UK. But dont despair! There are a few of us out here and I dont necessarily think its a problem. I agree that you would be much better off doing your CELTA in Europe, it would give you an advantage. Going back to the age issue, I dont put my date of birth on applications - its not compulsory these days as Age Equality Laws abound in the EU and the US. All becomes apparant at the interview. On one interview I had I asked the interviewer about being 'older' (she was about the same age as I) and she said that whilst there will always be some clients who would prefer a young teacher with good legs, many others, especially older business people, prefer not to be taught by someone fresh out of school and prefer someone older. The possibilities are there - good luck!