Job Discussion Forums

[philbert114]

I am very new and looking at teaching overseas. I am 56 yo male. I worked in corporate world for 32 yrs. I am too young to retire and am single and adventurous. I have an old college degree in business with lots of experience. English was always easy for me and I am a good communicator and speak the english language as it is to be spoken.

I guess I have no idea exactly where to start or if I am too old(I don't think so) Could someone point me in the right direction?

[stillnosheep]

You are not too old although you may be considered so by some e.g. the big Japanese language school chains, that is a good thing as their insane and inane corporate culture would probably have driven you crazy.

Many less well-paying but interesting countries e.g. China are crying out for EFL teachers and your age would not count necessarily count against you there if you had a qualification. Once you have experience the world is your oyster.

A qualification would help counterbalance any age prejudice amongst prospective employers as well as demonstrate your seriousness and give you the techniques, and a modicum of experience, to help you in your first job. Ideally you want a CELTA or Trinity Certificate (CTESOL) as they have widest international recognition. Both take 4 weeks full time and cost around $2000 US, depending on where they are taken. At a pinch any other 120 hour course with at least 6 hours of observed teaching practice would help but the CELTA and CTESOL are the gold standard at entry level.

Good luck and ...

enjoy!

ps Nature girl will come on soon and tell you that as well as age being respected in China as a sign of experience (and, hopefully, wisdom) it is may also be seen as a plus in Mexico. Hi naturegirl!

[naturegirl321]

Age is respected in a large part of the world, In addition to China, I've heard that Mexico is good for mature teachers.

[Serious_Fun]

[nickpellatt]

As already suggested, some kind of TEFL course would be a good starting point, and you might want to do a google search to find some course providers in your local area. Im sure just searching 'Trinity CELTA course' will deliver some results for you to browse.

From my experience, China would be a suitable destination as mature teachers are valued. The possibly disadvantage to age will depend on you, as lifestyle, food, comforts can be lacking in China, so if age has left you very entrenched in your ways adjusting could be difficult.

Whilst you have probably had lots of corporate experience in public speaking and addressing groups of people in meetings and the like, this isnt always an advantage when teaching IMO, and your language skills may hinder you. Teaching English requires a grading of speech to a suitable level for your students, and a very formal and correct form of English may not be a common or accessible version of English that students need to learn/speak/hear.

The reason I say this is I have just finished a course with a gentleman the same age as you, who had previously worked in Estate Agency and had held a number of training seminars in that field. His previous experience meant he was frequently using language that the students didnt understand, especially at lower levels....and this was a real problem throughout his course experience. We all have to alter our speech patterns to suit classes, but his speech pattern was firmly entrenched due to his experience.

Some simple examples to illustrate this...this may sound stupid, but you would be suprised how easy it is to make these mistakes..

During an introduction - "I hail from London".......whilst this may sound educated, using the word 'hail' is not appropriate for a EFL class.

During a 'lets go shopping' lesson with low grade students...he was frequently asking the question, 'In the chemist, what are you looking to purchase?'. Again, a nice use of English for native speakers. Useless for his class. The language he used in everyday life, was not suitable.
'Looking to purchase' should have been 'want to buy'.

The good news is a year in China, you will be talking like the rest of us, 'I like to play computer la'. 'Smoking is bad for your healthy', 'you go to shopping and want what ma?'.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[philbert114]

Thank Nick and all for the input. Simple question...Why would I not go where the money is, like korea or taiwan?

In terms of age it isn't a problem for me. I do well with young people as well as adults. I am very excited about this prospect of teaching english overseas. Thanks all!

[nickpellatt]

I havent been to Korea or Taiwan, so can only offer China as a destination Im familiar with.

[stillnosheep]

Those couintries 'where the money is' tend to attract most teachers, so you may have more competition, and in some of the better paying countries it is all about young, energetic attractive faces to attract the middle-aged businessmen and housewives.

Personally I find less developed, and thus lower paying, countries more fun to work in than their more developed, better paying neighbours and as EFL is such a low paying industry anyay it seems pointless sacrificing the experience of working in a developing country for the few dollars more on offer elsewhere. But everybody is different, It is just that for me as I'm never going to be saving any significant amount on an EFL teacher's wage, wherever I find myself, then I might as head for the interesting countries, which, as it happens, tend to be those that tend to associate age with wisdom and provide greater opportunities for mature teachers anyway. I also find that English teachers are appreciated more by strudents in less developed countries as learning th elanguage means more to them in terms of their future life-chances.

The Taiwanese still respect age, I'm not sure whether Korea tend to follow the Chinese example or that of Japan with their cult of youth. I found teaching more satisfying in China than in Japan, although I'd recommend a spell in Japan to anyone, and, given its relative expense, for most TEFLers that means a spell teaching there.

Once you have your certificate apply to Taiwan and Korea, both could be a great base to explore the rest of China and all of S E Asia, from. If you don't get the right sort of nibbles from, or get bored of, either, you can always cast your net (to swop fishing metaphors) towards some of their cheaper but lower paying neighbours.

[stillnosheep]

Those couintries 'where the money is' tend to attract most teachers, so you may have more competition, and in some of the better paying countries it is all about young, energetic attractive faces to attract the middle-aged businessmen and housewives.

Personally I find less developed, and thus lower paying, countries more fun to work in than their more developed, better paying neighbours and as EFL is such a low paying industry anyay it seems pointless sacrificing the experience of working in a developing country for the few dollars more on offer elsewhere. But everybody is different, It is just that for me as I'm never going to be saving any significant amount on an EFL teacher's wage, wherever I find myself, then I might as head for the interesting countries, which, as it happens, tend to be those that tend to associate age with wisdom and provide greater opportunities for mature teachers anyway. I also find that English teachers are appreciated more by students in less developed countries as learning the language means more to them in terms of their future life-chances.

The Taiwanese still respect age, I'm not sure whether Korea tend to follow the Chinese example or that of Japan with their cult of youth. I found teaching more satisfying in China than in Japan, although I'd recommend a spell in Japan to anyone, and, given its relative expense, for most TEFLers that means a spell teaching there.

Once you have your certificate apply to Taiwan and Korea, both could be a great base to explore the rest of China and all of S E Asia, from. If you don't get the right sort of nibbles from, or get bored of, either, you can always cast your net (to swop fishing metaphors) towards some of their cheaper but lower paying neighbours.