Job Discussion Forums

elliot_spencer · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 495

Hey guys, just wanting to know if there are any 45+ (50-60) yr olds teaching in Taiwan (Taipei) and if so what kind of establishment do you teach in?

Thanks

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

I work in Hsinchu, it's old-fogie land. A bunch of us are over 60. We all work with adults, although some of the long term folks have also established a solid clientele of privates.

tedkarma · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

I taught at about age 45-47 at a junior college in Nankang on the east side of Taipei.

Age didn't seem to be an issue - but this was about ten years ago.

StayingPower · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 252

I'm a forty-and-something year old teaching at a good ol' buxiban.

Tried a stint at a couple of elementary schools but it really didn't make any difference, seeing the expectations and teaching methods are pretty much formal all around.

Now, Korea. Professorships at universities await you there in abundance, with venues that accept ages 50+.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

The reality in Taiwan is that those over 35-40 will find it very difficult to find jobs in the Buxibans - at least those which specialize in kids.

You may carve a niche for yourself as a 'baby boomer' by teaching the older folks who take English classes as a hobby - and they are mostly middle aged Taiwanese ladies (less guys), and teaching those ladies can be quite rewarding because they are intrinsically motivated - and you do not have to be an 'edu-tainer' - you can concentrate on teaching.

Yes - in Korea there are possibilities in the over 45-50 age groups - especially if you have B.Ed., M.Ed., or M.A. type qualifications.

I work as a teacher trainer at a Teacher Training College in Korea, and the salary of about $3000 U.S. per month, allows me to save at least half my income. Housing is free as well, and they pay for the flights. 7-8 weeks vacation per year, plus Korean National holidays.

If interested please pm me. We always need new teachers with the quals. mentioned. The reason teachers don't stay is because of the rural setting. But it suits me, and others might also like it.

Ghost in Korea

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

I'm 42 this year my wife is 43 we're doing the Buxiban thing with some high school as well. Having said that there's a definite preference where we are for younger 'teachers'.

Jawnee · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Hsinchu

Well as I have just turned 50 today, I have to say that there are jobs in Taiwan for people over 35, since I have been here for 三年(3 years).

They may be few and far between, but if you do find them you will find that the schools admin and the people you work with are a nicer sort than you get in some buxibans.

If you want to teach English as a career as an over 35, 40, 45, 50 in Taiwan it can be done. This site or Fomumosa are good resources for you to learn about good jobs or good places to look.

My first job was at a private bilingual elementary school in the morth of Taiwan. This school even had a few teachers that were older than me. At my present school, while I am not the oldest, I am at about the average age.

So it can be done. Teaching in Taiwan if you are older than the buxiban sterotype; 20s, blue eyed, and blond hair.

Jawnee

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

I really hesitated about posting my message but finally decided that discretion was the better part of valour and seeing as I have to still work with these people I 'cut' my message and dropped a couple of you PM's instead.
Trust me when I tell you that age related bias is alive and well in Taiwan...and it's not just from employers...

mep3 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 212

It's sad to hear about the age bias thing. The mainland is so traditional in some ways. I don't see much negative age bias on the mainland, so it's an interesting contrast. Though, I need to qualify that: it's a big issue for work visas (over 60). But among people on the job, I've seen a lot of senior types and they get a lot of the old-school type respect. My general impression here is that westerners in general are respected and treated really great. Two sad exceptions are Blacks and, ironically, Asian Americans (mostly among administrators from what I've seen, not plebs).

Come to think of it I suspect that a main reason age may be less of a mainland issue is that such a huge percentage (and number) of the jobs here are university jobs.

Mep

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Ageism is a factor in all of these North-East Asian TEFL destinations.

Don't matter if it's Japan, Korea or China - you're faced with it and be prepared to deal with it.

Dye the white outta your hair, lose some of that extra weight, photo-shop your resume snap shot to make you look younger - whatever you gotta do.

Agaeism is alive and kicking in Asia.

Mysteriousdeltarays · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 27

Japan is the worst on the age thing clearly because of the working holiday visas, but Taiwan is right up there. They clearly want 20 year old disposables. Bangkok shorts, Bangkok polo shirt, Bangkok sandals, a few tats and a motorbike are the only qualifications.

Game, Game, Game also known in the jargon as "activities" don't leave dodge ball or relay race out of your lesson plan!

Taiwan often the first step to a major Laotian heroin problem.

A toast: Here is to The Island. The only place in the world where a resume is a curse!