Job Discussion Forums

overhere · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 86

Good Day All!

I will turn 50 this year and I am ready to take the plunge and teach.

I have many years experience as a corporate trainer and have taught college courses as an adjunct instructor. I have also taught ESL as a volunteer. I have J.D. and three unrelated masters. Plan to take a CELTA course this spring.

I realize I am getting into the game a bit late and I won't have the same opportunities as the younger folks, but are there countries more open to hiring someone my age?

From what I have been able to gather China may be the easiest route but are there others?

I am divorced with no children and few obligations...I hope to work about 10 more years before calling it a career and settling somewhere in the Philippines.

Thanks for your help!

tttompatz

overhere · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 86

Thanks tttompatz

I am a U.S. Citizen, native speaker from the mid west United States (no accent that I am aware of) ...white..I am prepared to start at the bottom as long as I am not destitute. I live a pretty simple life now...work, home, work, home.

I realize my CV doesn't mean a lot in this field. I have thought of pursuing another masters in TESOL or Education but at my age I am not sure I would see a return on investment...not that its the only reason to pursue a masters. I want to be good at what I do and have a degree of expertise...I mean if I could land a decent gig I would do it..but don't want to invest 20 K in a masters to earn $700 a month in rural China (not that there is anything wrong with that)

I will have a fair pension (about $2500/mo) when I turn 60..just want to survive until then...wanted to do this when I was younger but didn't have the guts..I admire all of you..takes a lotof courage to move to the otherside of the world and start over.

Thanks again for your response.

tttompatz · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:59 am Post subject:

Are you determined to get out of your fields of expertise?

There ARE opportunities abroad for foreign experts (and a CV like yours) to stay within their respective fields. It may take a bit of hunting around but if you are interested in China then Google "SAFEA" and they have links to jobs other than just ESL teachers.

If you are convinced that you want to do the full-on shift away from your fields then ESL is certainly do-able.

A CELTA (or other recognized cert (Trinity, SIT to name 2 more widely respected ones)) added to your resume will certainly get you into a classroom and give you some coping skills to deal with it.
(They won't, as a rule be needed or necessary to get a work visa, work permits and/or a job but a TESOL cert. won't hurt you either).

Beyond that it will be all about how you are in the classroom as a teacher (having knowledge doesn't necessarily give the ability to teach it).

Beyond that further, it will also depend on who you want to teach.
Are you looking at the tertiary sector (college/university) or primary/secondary school levels or yet another option, language academies?

.

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

overhere,

Best place for what? To teach or to live? Have you ever been to Asia?

You describe your life as "work, home, work, home", but you may find life in Asia completely different. There are so many more temptations and opportunities here for a single, 50 year old than in the USA.

Just wanting to survive seems like a desperate measure.

If you are up for the adventure, then apply to any country and see what job offers you get. Do some research, then take a CELTA in that country and then look for work. Maybe the school where you get the training will hire you.

With a JD and multiple degrees, taking a CELTA should be easy for you.

BTW, I'm an American living in Indonesia (Central Java) and transitioned from finance into teaching. I need some of my savings to maintain my lifestyle, but overall the cost of living is cheap.

Good luck on your big move!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

overhere · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 86

Thank you both!

tttompatz - thanks for the advice and suggestion..I have checked out SAFEA and have added it to my favorites! I would like to teach at the university level.

Jaybet3 - Thanks as well...I have travelled extensively in Asia (Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Maylasia) have not made it to Indo or China yet however...I am aware of the temptations Smile

I guess my "surviving" statement did sound a bit desperate..if I am desperate for anything it is change..I mean I could (maybe) stay in my safe little cubicle here for the next 5 or 6 years before I can retire outright ..but I guess I am getting at a point in my life where time is more valuable than money. But this is more than just a (post) mid life crisis..this is something I have thought of doing as long as I can remember. I do not plan to return to the U.S. to live...visit maybe..but not to live.

overhere · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 86

Sorry Glenski! didn't mean to leave you out! Thank you very much!

Yes you are right I suppose I do have some sort of accent Smile

As a trainer I taught a bit of everything...including new worker orientation, workplace safety, employement law for managers, management development courses, technical training (in house databases and such) and soft skills training (stress management, time management, problem solving etc.) I am also a certified zenger miller facilitator. I also managed a small training department for years.

tttompatz · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:50 am Post subject:

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

Now about Malaysia, I would recommend it above the Philippines, even for retirement. Malaysia is a higher-income country so there aren't a bunch of people walking around with their hands open. I spent a week in the Philippines once, and it put me off that place. Trips to Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia showed me that those places were probably better for a retiree than the Philippines.

Other than the larger, higher-cost cities of Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Baru, there are several smaller cities that have most amenities without the traffic congestion and increasing prices of those three. I can recommend Kuantan (my home), Kuala Terengganu, Seremban, Melaka, Sungai Petani, Alor Setar, Ipoh, and Taiping, as places that are decent for western retirees. If you could get work in one of those places BEFORE retirement, so much the better.

Malaysia has a retirement program: Malaysia My Second Home (mm2h), which has websites dedicated towards providing information about it. Under mm2h, a "retiree" can still work up to 20 hours per week in a part-time capacity. The school would have to register you but NOT provide a work permit since the retirement visa replaces the work permit. This is what I am aiming for. Going from 40 hours per week to 20 hours is a better step than going from 40 hours to nothing.

PM me if you want more info. Also, query Wailing_imam regarding Malaysia because he has some experience also.

overhere · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 86

Thanks Kayujati!

I will definitely consider Malaysia! I only spent a short time there a few years ago (KL and Genting Highlands) but was really impressed with the country. I didn't realize there was a TEFL market there..that is good to know!

The Phils is just one of the countries I am considering for retirement..My goal is to teach until I am 60 then retire. It is good to hear I still have some options.

So you teach other subjects in English? Do you work in an university setting? That would be my dream job.

Thanks again for your help! So glad everyone is so helpful! much appreciated!

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:59 pm Post subject:

This is an interesting, informative and helpful thread. Members that contribute inappropriate comments potentially causing its derailment will be sanctioned. Two postings have just been edited for this reason. Members observing inappropriate comments are requested to alert the Mod Team by Post Report mode or PM.

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

jsteventon · Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 191

Hi

Anyone out there who is pushing 50 still has time to apply to work in Brunei - a great destination in SE Asia (Check out the thread 'Thumbs Up for Brunei')

However, the Ministry do not accept applications from US qualified teachers at present - and you do have to have QTS. If you do have these, I can highly recommend it!

JS