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.