Job Discussion Forums

TitanicWreck · Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 21 Location: Boston

I'm curious, how many teachers here are over the age of 35? I suspect most ESL/TEFL teachers are in their 20s, but as a 38 year old chap, I am curious how many thirty/forty somethings are out there- Do you find that potential employers prefer to hire younger or older teachers?

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

I'm over 40 (but only just!) and don't have any problems getting teaching work. In fact, nobody every asks me how old I am.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ ditto Teacher in Rome.

I just turned 46, no problems at all.

If schools want pretty faces with no life experience,

they can have them, as far as I'm concerned.

billybuzz · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 219 Location: turkey

I'm over 50 ,don't have any difficulty getting hired ,maybe because the hirers understand that experience is still worth paying for . On the other hand a few youngsters have been taken on , I think because they are a lot cheaper . They still manage to end up at the top of the food chain though !

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

I'm over 40, too. I think that teachers who start when they're 'older' probably both need and want higher qualifications (at least, if they expect to teach for more than a year or two or need to make more money than just enough to supplement their retirement funds).
So, 'older' probably also often equals 'better qualifications.'
In any case, I've never had any problem finding good work.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

I will turn 40 Aug. 21, and my husbands just a wee bit older. We've been working steadily for many years.

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

I've been over the age of 35 since Monday and I'm earning as much this week as I did last week Smile

JonnyB61 · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 216 Location: Japan

46 and going strong.
15 years EFL experience.

I now work for myself in Japan and I am not cheap. I have several groups of senior managers / directors in well known companies. It's nice work and I enjoy it. I have a great relationship with them but I'm sure that I just couldn't have done this kind of work when I was a shiny-chinned 21 year old. I would have been unable to relate to my clients effectively.

Let's drink a toast to the Grey Grammar Busters. Razz

Cheers!

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

Well over 40 and got my first EFL job at 41. A lot may depend on the country you target, as well as the type of teaching.

thelmadatter · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject: yo

I turn 43 at the end of this month (you can PM me for present suggestions! Laughing

) and got my current (and first) EFL job here in Mexico at age 38. Never asked my age althought that is par for the course normally for here. I was told that since they dont expect foreigners to stay long enough to worry about pensions and stuff, it doesnt matter. I think older teachers have pros and cons and younger teachers have pros and cons. Need both.

EverReady · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 48 Location: Nobody Cares

I think that most of the people who post here are long term TEFLers so you are going to see more people with a few more years under their belt. In general though, most of the jobs are crap language school jobs and these type of places are dominated by 20 something teachers.

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

It depends on the school. At one franchise chain school I worked at, I was the oldest teacher by several years (I was 36). However, at my current university gig, at 40 I sit right in the middle of the pack.

The cheaper schools only pay enough to hire those who are young and inexperienced. Better schools pay more for teachers with more experience - and of course, that means more age.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:53 pm Post subject:

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:33 am Post subject:

Is650 mentioned that it depends on the school and I would say that it also very much depends on the country.

You will find that ME countries tend to hire much older and more experienced teachers. The school I taught at in the KSA has 35 native speakers with only a few under the age of 45 and most in their 50s.

That said I am 55 - and have not yet had a problem landing decent work, though I plan on "retiring" in the next month . . . though I'll just be working for myself.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

I was 57 when I took my first ESL job in 2002. I usually take the summer off and come back to the states to make some cash over the summers.

Nobody has ever mentioned a problem with my age, but some of the students used to call me Santa Claus. I would reply, "That's professor Santa Claus to you, fella!" In siberia in February your beard is almost as much of a friend as your hat and gloves.

Teaching ESL is quite a different experience when you are largely independent financially. I approach it in the manner which seems best to me and don't have to give a fig for what other people may care to remark. As long as the student is pleased and feels they are making progress then I am satisfied.