Job Discussion Forums

[burngirl]

Hi guys!

My mom is interested in teaching English, in the same city as me, when she retires in a year or two. I suppose she'll be in her late 50s.

We're open to trying out any country, but I know it could be harder for her to find work as an older teacher. She has absolutely no background in teaching, but of course she'd take a course in TESOL beforehand... she's not the person to jump into something unprepared hahaha

Incidentally, here are my qualifications, should they matter: at least a year or two of teaching experience with elementary/middle school kids, B.A. English, TEFL certificate. I'll be mid-to-late 20s by this point.

Thanks!

[Marcoregano]

China!

[Glenski]

Does she have a bachelor's degree?

[paddyroyal]

I started when I was 52 by volunteering for a year in an ESL class at our local El Centro Hispano. On the basis of that, I was hired a at community college part time and ended up working with many different classes. Last summer I spent volunteering as an English teacher in a Spanish school in Guatemala. Doing something like this in conjunction with getting a certificate would give your mother some expereince and a sense for whether teaching is a good fit for her.

She is free to contact me if she likes.

[LateStarter]

Hi guys.

I'm another 50+ newbie with bachelors degree in english language/communication + CELTA + workplace training (I'm fit, and I'm eager and enthusiastic). I've sent off at least 20 applications since January 2009, but so far I've had little to no response. Where should I be focussing my applications on - China, Thailand, Vietnam - or should I just land in a country and do some cold-calling on language schools.

Hope to hear from you.

Late Starter

[Glenski]

LateStarter,
Find out from foreigners working in those countries whether you are even applying properly. Have an expat look at your resume and cover letters to be sure they are the right format (and for errors).

[roadwalker]

Late Starter, as for China, I would say come to take a look, particularly if you have never been here. It's a little more complicated now than pre-Olympics however. You must arrange a visa first, but now, if you arrive on a tourist visa and find a job, you will probably have to return to Oz to arrange a work visa. In the old days, you could cross over into Hong Kong and get a visa for the mainland overnight. I say 'probably' have to return to Oz, since there have been some reported successes at getting visas in HK, but the official line is no visas in Hong Kong except for Hong Kong residents.

So that is the inconvenient part. Age wouldn't be a problem for you in the universities and public schools. Maybe yes for some private language schools that want more of an advertising model for their brochures and billboards, than a teacher.

The unis and public schools don't plan much in advance. To the extent that they are currently planning for the start of next term (academic year September to June/July), they are feeling out the current teachers to see if they are interested in renewing. More ads will appear in April, May and June. Your qualifications are fine for most instances, depending on how well you spin your corporate training to teaching experience. Business instruction (and experience) is very much in demand.

Bottom line, come visit on a tourist visa if you can afford a holiday and see if you like it here, visit some schools etc. If money is tight, it might backfire on you in that you would probably have to fly back to Australia to apply for a work visa (don't work without one).

From reading the Thailand and Vietnam forums, it definitely seems that you are much better off arriving in country and having a look. The schools don't expect most of the people offered a job over the phone, internet etc. to actually show up. (Arrange a visa to Vietnam before leaving.) Good luck, and go for it!

[SandyG20]

Well Babyboomers are the largest population in the world and we have alot to offer IMO.

That being said - I do have a Bachelor degree in Education and a teaching license and seem to be getting few responses either.

Now IF I had money I would be going to all the job fairs for International school jobs and or fly over to get a contract - but I don't have that sort of money - so I won't be doing that.

So far I am getting bait and switch tactics from recruiters and the fly over now without a work visa phone calls at a moments notice.

So I keep applying as well.

Seem like the youngsters get a more rapid response and better treatment when they apply.

I am looking for a paying job - not volunteer work.

To the OP - sounds like you and your mom would have alot of fun doing this together.

[burngirl]

Thanks for your replies!

Unfortunately my mom doesn't have a university degree. She's worked in an office for her entire life.

Are there any possibilities in pleasant, sunny (potentially beach-y) areas for us? Even if she must volunteer, I suppose! Though she'd feel better about at least covering her living expenses.

[JZer]

[paddyroyal]

I met a young brother and sister who were working in Ecuador at a private language school without degrees or experience, so it is do-able but not here any more.

[LateStarter]

Roadwalker, thanks for your very informative response. It will definitely be included in my next planning step. I am particularly grateful for your information re visas for China and Vietnam. It would be a grand idea to just turn up in China and have a look-see; however, I'll have to see how many spare dollars I have.

I very much hope to end up in the university system, that's my aim. I also appreciate your ideas about teaching business english. I've spent too many years in an office not to put that experience to work.

Again, many thanks for your response.
LateStarter

[rmcdougall]

China!

PUDONG!!!


But now they want a criminal check. I'm gone. So make sure you can clear this one.