Job Discussion Forums

Thomcat · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject: TOO OLD?

I have been considering going to Mexico or somewhere else in L.A. to teach English for years. I will be 43 in August! Am I getting to old to be marketable? I know that many of the people doing this tend to be just out of college. What do you think?

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

No. Many of us are older than you.

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

In some places they revere older people as they have experience. In LA, you might be able to get your foot in the door for uni jobs or international school jobs.

What are your qualifications?

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

Spiral78's right; most of my colleagues for the last several years have been your age or older, right now the youngest is 38. As Naturegirl said, depends on the geographical location and the particular variety of work you're goung to do, which in turn depends on your qualifications.

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

Just to let you know, us younger teachers have problems getting jobs as well. I was talking to a teacher at my school and he said that there are 25 year olds coming over with no experience and demanding high salaries. I told him I was 25, but a lot depends on experience and qualifications as well.

MO39 · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject:

I'm 62 and have had no problems finding work in Mexico City. Of course, I do have lots of teaching experience under my belt. What sort of qualifications and experience could you offer a prospective employer?

blystone95 · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 4 Location: texas

Here is one for you guys. I am 57 years of age and I have to use a walker. Am I still marketable within the international countries teaching?
I have always wanted to teach English in another country. I have a Master's Degree. Please everybody give me your honest opinion.
I really need to know the truth about all this for sure. Exclamation

Pattie

Extraordinary Rendition · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject:

You're not gonna believe this, but I swear it's true. One of my colleagues not so long ago was a western woman about 5 years younger than you, but she needed hip replacement surgery, insurance wouldn't pay for it (pre-existing condition), she had a terrible limp when hired, and had to use a walker after working with us for a short while. In some countries, if you're breathing, or can fake it, have some credentials, you're hired!

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

I'm 57 and still not having problems; in fact I'm getting job offers to change jobs fairly often here in China. I have met those in their seventies still teaching mostly at universities here and in South Korea.

Thomcat · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all your encouraging replies!

As far as qualifications and experience, I have little. I am planning on getting TEFL certified and I do have some experience volunteering as an ESL teacher/tutor. Also, I am currently employed by the public school system as a support professional in which I work with ELL students, grades 1 - 8, individually and in small groups. so I do have a little experience and a bachelor's degree in Spanish and History.

Hopefully, all that will add up to something. And, hopefully I can get up the cash to make it all happen.

Thanks again!

p.s. I am always open to any advice!

Dragonlady · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:07 am Post subject:

deleted

MO39 · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject:

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

57 and going strong. 7 private students in DF, Mexico and 3 corporate classes and just starting. I get calls from prospects every week.

zeke0606 · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject: what?

I am 61 and Russia is fine and I've been here since 1999.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:48 pm Post subject:

I'm thirty four- so over the hill hasn't come up as a concern quite yet- but sometimes I feel like it!

At least within Ecuador, as long as you're vigorous enough to do the job, age is, if anything, an advantage, as it makes you seem more serious and mature.

Teachers where I work range, at the moment, from several in their mid twenties to several in their early sixties. The majority of us are more 30s or forties, but we have a few at each "extreme." I'd rather hire over sixty than under 22 for sure! (Not knocking you youngsters- just pointing out that under 22, very few have the experience and quals we're looking for, whereas the over sixty crowd has them to spare!)

best,
Justin