Job Discussion Forums

[mspxlation]

I'm thinking of going to Asia to teach in a couple of years as a midlife career change. However, by that time, I'll be nearly 60.

I've lived in Japan, which I love, and have traveled in Taiwan and China, which I didn't love quite so much but could probably tolerate.

In a past life, I taught on the college level, although I left academia 13 years ago.

What countries offer the best opportunities for older teachers?

[william wallace]

nil

[eslstudies]

I'd second the China option. A friend in his sixties has been at the same university in Hebei for several years now. PM me if you want to contact him.
I have an ongoing offer to return to China which I may do in a few years, by which time I'll be sixty.
Chinese universities offer short hours and secure on campus housing. Just make sure you pick a good one. Some are dumps.

[Glenski]

[No Moss]

Well, as a guy a little bit your senior, I'd say you don't really have to worry too much in China, Taiwan, or Vietnam, all places I have taught. It really depends on you. Do you have energy? Are you a decent teacher? Are you positive? Do you look presentable? If you can answer yes, you'll probably be able to get a job and be competitive in any of the Asian countries where there's high demand.

Frankly, I'm the first choice as a part-time teacher in one school here (China) because I do a good job and don't create any problems, and I get to work sober, well-dressed, and on time. That's not too much to ask, is it?

[mspxlation]

To answer Glenski's questions, I did graduate research in Japan and taught Japanese language and culture on the college level. My Japanese is good enough that I can read popular novels and magazines for pleasure and watch and follow contemporary TV dramas and newscasts (but not talk shows or samurai dramas), as well as carry on conversations on anything that's not too technical or slangy. (I've tested at FSI Level 3.)

I've done volunteer ESL tutoring for refugees (none of them Japanese, of course) since leaving academia, and on two trips back to Japan, I "guest taught" for an American who teaches part time at a small private eikaiwa in the outer burbs of Tokyo. I enjoyed it a lot, which is what gave me the idea of returning to Asia to teach some day.

For the time being, family concerns prevent me from taking off, but eventually, I hope to spend a couple of years overseas.

From what I've seen on these boards, my Japanese may be too good for the eikaiwas, but I may be too old and too deficient in recent academic publications or experience for a university position.

[Galileo]

There are a lot of older teachers in Vietnam. I know a few teachers in their seventies.