Job Discussion Forums

aliw · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 1

I am 58...ok, I'm 58 and a half, and I am wondering if I am too old to get hired in Asia. I am a teacher in the states, and would absolutely love to teach in Korea, China or Taiwan.

Can anyone tell me if I would be considered a geezer?

Ahchoo · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Earth

No problem. I have a good friend here who's 70. (And having the time of his life I might add.)

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

No, I know quite a few retired people working in China.

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

JDYoung · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 157 Location: Dongbei

In some places you may be an old geezer, especially if the school hires you for your face in their advertising. They want Barbie and Ken. But I taught in China from ages 55 to 58. I was one of the younger teachers. The oldest was 72 and still going strong. For most positions its a matter of stamina, not age. Go for it. It's better to try than to mutter "I should have" in your prune juice when you're eighty.

tedkarma · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:38 am Post subject:

Older people have much higher value in Asian countries - really just about everywhere except in "Western" countries.

I am just short of 56 and just wrapped up three years in Korea (last year).

A few places are looking for very young teachers - but I don't think you want to teach kindergarten - which is where they are usually headed!

As an experienced teacher beware anyone who DOESN'T want you! Schools should be excited to get you. Be proud of your experience and present yourself as the super catch that you will/would be.

As an experienced teacher, I am guessing that you have a master's degree?

If so - look around for some of the better university positions in Korea. Nice four-day work weeks - long paid vacations (20 weeks on my last job), low classroom hours. Nice schedule for us old "geezers"!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject:

Hey Ted-
Where do I sign up to be a geezer? It sounds like a pretty nice life! I'm only 33, but willing to stop chasing skirt if it gets me 20 weeks vacation...

(MA soon!)

Best,
Justin

tedkarma · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 12:07 am Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 1:15 am Post subject:

momworld · Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 7 Location: soon to be Korea

YUP, I got hired by a relatively new school (an American but Korean born owner) and have had the time of my life --been in the same hagwon(private afterschool lessons) for over two years in KOREA YES! I am over-qualified, but it is easy even at 50plus ....My boss would rather hire older people...which is not common...and I don't do kindergarten/pre-k classes......and yes, I have taught in the U.S. before and I expend about 1/3 the energy working here PLUS save quite a bit of money.

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:09 am Post subject: