Job Discussion Forums

beezy · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

Hello-
I'm 30 and thinking about moving to Prague to teach next school year. I think I'm on the cusp of being one of the "older" ones to do this. I'm a little set in my ways at this point but still up for some adventure... Any thoughts? Can anybody clue me in on the average age of an expat teacher?
Thank you![/b]

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

Newbie teachers can be anywhere from early 20's to 60's. You won't stand out. Nor are you likely to be the oldest on your training course. My own course 10 years ago had 6 +30s on it. C'mon.

beezy · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

great, thanks for the reply...that helps!

comenius · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

While it's true you'll often find lots of folks in their 20's, you'll also always find a good range of ages and experience as well.

I think that's one of the great things about the ESL profession: you can get into it at any age, and always find you're not alone!

Smile

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You think 30 is OLD ? What a sad, youth-obsessed society !

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

Too true Scot47, hence why two old codgers like us are working in the Middle East Twighlight Home for the Senile TEFL Teacher.

I'm 41 and considered as a mere ankle biter where I'm working.... average age must be around 55.

So when you hit 35 you can leave Czech and collect your zimmer frame when you arrive in Riyadh.

I've known people in their 50s and even early 60s doing a CELTA course in Czech and finding work.

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

I'm 32. Must go and collect my pension then. Laughing

philbags · Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 149 Location: 1962-69

I was working in prague in my late 30's and found that most business English clients, whilst only really looking to improve their conversation skills, preferred someone closer to their own peergroup. the Language mills may like 22 year old backpackers but lots of the smaller scools handling one-to-one classes are happy to take older teachers.
Go for it.
P.

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

Hi!
Age definitely isn't a handicap when it comes to teaching.
Students definitely tend to respect maturer teachers more and also are aware (and sometimes in awe) of their life experience too - this is particularly important for those business English one-to-one classes where you might be teaching a manager who is in his or her forties or fifties.
Of course, younger teachers are also popular and schools do tend to try and suit students with teachers and this means that maturer teachers can expect the same workload as their younger teaching peers.
If you are worried about the age issue then I would suggest contacting a few schools and just asking them about it.
Good luck!

frauleinlinda · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Calgary, Canada

Hi! I too was worried about the age thing, after all I was 55 when I did the Celta in Prague a year ago, by far the oldest in my class. Here's the surprise: age turned out to be a definite bonus when it came to getting hired. The school that hired me was ecstatic to have landed a 'mature' teacher. Students also expressed satisfaction that for a change their teacher was not a 20 something, especially those managers, CEOs, etc that i ended up teaching. So - no worries about the age - it will benefit you immensely - you're 30?? that's nothing!! One of my good teacher friends is in his 60's, teaching in prague, and hugely popular with students, because of his maturity. We're not dead yet !!

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

there are some cultural issues. I have noticed several job ads which state age limits. These seem to be mostly in the Middle East and Asian-Pacific areas. Some ads even cite local laws and work regulations. On the other hand, maturity often works well for corporate accounts in Europe. I have private students who seem relieved not to have to worry that their teacher may be more worried about hitting on them and where to party than whether they are progressing at an acceptable rate.

Simply, some individuals and cultures will have problems with older people and other individuals will have issues with younger people. Your employer or your approach to business should address these points before they become a problem. If someone rejects your proposal because of your age, then you probably would be well-advised to pursue other accounts or move to a better market.

JanLS · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Kentucky, USA

Hello everyone!!

I have been lurking on Dave's Cafe for several months and this is my first post. The age issue is one that I have been wondering about and now it has been answered.

I am so glad to hear that the more "mature" of us out there are well received in the ESL world. I am currently 51 and hopefully will be attending a CELTA course in Prague in the coming year.

I really appreciate all of the wonderful information you all (Southern USA) give and enjoy just browsing. I do have other questions, but I'll post them in the appropriate categories.

Jan Smile

Beyond1984 · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 462

"I'm 41 and considered as a mere ankle biter..." -Arab Strap

The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I'm just now hitting my stride at 191.

-HDT

"How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answer that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it."
-Henry David Thoreau, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience," 1849