Job Discussion Forums

[SaratheSlytherin]

I'm getting my EFL certification and would like to teach English abroad, but I'm concerned. I just had my 30th birthday and I am concerned that in the EFL field, my age would be an obstacle for my success.

I wish that I had taught EFL when I was 21 or 22, and I'm at the point where I should be settled down and have all this out of my system. I have an interest in teaching and living abroad.

I don't know if I could do EFL as a permanent career, but I'm at a point where I still don't know what to do. I'm a bit scared because I should have settled down and figured it out a long time ago. I would like to live abroad permanently but I'm not sure what else I would do.

None of this means that I'm not interested in teaching. I really am... and feel like I have a lot to offer in the teaching field.

in Latin America, would my age be a barrier to getting EFL jobs? I can accept an honest answer (NOT a mean one, an honest one!!). Thanks!

[Atlan Training]

Your age will not be an obstacle in the least! We have many trainees on our CELTA courses in Ecuador who are older than you, up to 65 years old in fact, and no one has had any difficuty at all finding work. In fact, your age will be a benefit to you. You will be a much more attractive prospect for hire for schools that have professional clients, as well as for universities.

If you want to live and teach abroad, the best advice I can give you is to really prioritise getting proper certification: only Cambridge CELTA, Trinity TESOL, and SIT TESOL have the kind of international acceptance you need to do what you want to do, and among them, the CELTA is by far the most widely recognised.

Good luck!

[naturegirl321]

IUt's not as big as an obstacle as in ASia. And you're only 30. YOu don't have to worry about your age until you're in your 50s.

[just_a_mirage]

I entered the ESL field in my 40s, after a long career in journalism. I have had no problems finding jobs, in fact, my age has never been a problem for me here. 30 is very young, and you shouldnt have any problems finding work here.

[SaratheSlytherin]

Thanks!!

Yeah, I read in Susan Griffith's book (Teaching English Abroad) that the Cambridge CELTA and the Trinity Tesol are the premier EFL certifications to have.

I have been doing a lot of research on international jobs and I am falling more and more in love with Costa Rica. I've read books and talked to people and I'm at the point where I'm dying to go there.

�Gracias, muy pero muy amable!

[naturegirl321]

About certs, I think it depends on where you are. Here in Peru, most employers haven't even heard of the CELTA. And after five years, no one has even asked to see mine.

[Justin Trullinger]

There's an excellent SIT TESOL course in Costa Rica. Let me know if you'd like info.

About age- I'm 35 and my wife is 30. We're about as "in demand" as teachers in Ecuador can be.

I'm also a teacher trainer, and on our TESOL course, we've had starting out teachers in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and even occasionally 60s. All who have looked for work have found it- in the local market, being 30s or 40s seems to be an advantage, as it makes you look a little more serious and professional, separate from the backpacker market.


Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

As they say, with age, comes experience

[geaaronson]

I am 59 and have been here in Mexico for 4 years. I have not experienced any age discrimination to speak of, although occasionally I sensed I was not hired on account of my overage, but on the other hand, I have been hired at other places on account of my age, so the age issue has been a wash. I have met teachers in their 70`s who are still going at it, but perhaps they have been here for so long they have such a wonderful reputation that the age factor is never an issue.
If anything, there is a gender factor and the advantage is totally yours. In fact there is so much bias that it is disconcerting for us males. I lived in Merida for 16 months and newspaper ad after ad, specified women only. There is something of that in Mexico City as well, but to a much lesser extent.
The bias towards women in the field is several fold. There are some language schools that are reluctant to hire men on account of mothers of teenage students who are afraid their offspring will develop crushes on the dashing, handsome foreigner, only to succumb to his seductive charm. Then there is the bias that women are the better nurturers. (I wonder where that came from). Thirdly, male students, especially adult males, prefer a pretty, peppy foreign woman over a male teacher(feeds the fantasy life)

[MrWright]

I am a new esl teacher in Arizona and plan on making a career out of the overseas thing. I am currently 37, but wonder if the age issue will catch up with me and how long I can do it. I know several people have posted that they know teachers who are much older, but are there many career esl teachers who continue into their elderly years? How do they retire? I guess once you get social security, if your American, you could retire in most South American countries on that income. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[naturegirl321]

[SeHablaIngles]

Hello all,

I have met teachers of all ages here in Santiago.

In my experience it's younger teachers that have problems. They cannot command enough respect in the class and students are uncooperative when some 'jumped up' 21 year old asks him to stand up for an activity.

Chileans equate age with experience.

Come one, come all.
El Profe