Job Discussion Forums

heatwave22 · Joined: 05 Jan 2011 Posts: 15

This thread has me worried. I'm very interested in teaching in Taipei.

I'm 47. I just got my CELTA certification. I've never taught English before. I have a BA and two graduate degrees (non-English degrees). I'm a caucasian male from the United States. I'm thin, in great shape, and people routinely assume i'm in my late 30's/no older than 40. My previously blond hair now has grey.

Will the fact of my age likely prevent me from finding a job in Taipei? Or will it be possible but more difficult? Or what? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

There's a lot of competition for teaching jobs in Taiwan at the moment, but if you're not put off by comments like this, and if you are prepared to keep applying, keep doing demo lessons, and then more again - you most likely will find work.

Just do it.

Pretentious Parrot · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 17

I think you would have a very difficult time finding a job in Taiwan. You may get lucky and find a school that doesn't care too much about age, but that is a slim chance and probably already filled with long-termers. To save your self time and money, I would suggest China, Vietnam, or Thailand.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

For once - and quite surprisingly - I find myself agreeing with JZ'er.
Free roundtrip airfare, free accommodations (and quite often utilities as well) are things you will rarely, if ever, find in Taiwan, but they are offered more often than not in China. You will work less and can supplement your income quite easily with privates if you wish.

Taiwan pays more, but you are really 'part of the machine' here. Less vacation, more hours, much less chance to teach adults (if that is your thing). That all being said, I'm 46 this year, have grey on the roof and in my whiskers and I've been steadily employed for the past 5 years in Taiwan at different schools (what can I say? - I get bored easily Laughing

).

So it's possible but probably very dependent on where you are willing to work and what you are willing to do. Markets with stiff competition for positions may prove frustrating - such as Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung.
Smaller cities or towns might be easier for you.

heatwave22 · Joined: 05 Jan 2011 Posts: 15

Thanks for the responses. I'll take more if anyone has things to add. I like Taipei a lot...was there for a month last year.

I know I could get a job quickly in China, but being a newbie, I'm thiking probably not in Shanghai or Beijing, where I'd want to be. I could be wrong about that.

Ikki · Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 58

Since my last post, I've gotten a gig in Taiwan. Three of us (NSTs) are over 50. That's the good news for the grey heads. Now the bad news...

It's not a great gig...to put it mildly...and teachers have many legit complaints.

More bad news if you're an older newbie: all the wrinklies at my workplace have teacher certification from their home countries & also have EFL experience in other E. Asian locales. We wouldn't have been hired otherwise(rightly or wrongly).

I DO think an older newbie with a CELTA or a TEFL will be in a bit better position. However, as others have pointed out ... buxibans as a rule want under 30 "pop idols" as their teachers. And as such, they get the results they deserve....

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Can you provide a bit more info on what makes it - not a great gig?

Ikki · Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 58

Funny you ask yamahuh...I've been meaning to start a thread about that very topic...hope to in near future....

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Look forward to reading it.