Job Discussion Forums

monkee · Joined: 19 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Hi. I'm a 57 year old male, in pretty good health, and looking at TEFL as a serious way of semi-retiring abroad. I have no career, no property to sell, no savings or pension plan. I could actually up sticks and take my chances, but prefer to study part-time for an Open University degree and go in about 6 years when I'm 63 and saved a few thousand. More countries are demanding a degree so six years could be a good investment and better chances of success. Even though we're all living longer, I'm hoping age won't be too much of an issue for future employment.

I thought Modern Language Studies with both French, Spanish and one module of English. Or perhaps just one language with extra modules of English. Essay writing isn't something I love - I've struggled with them in the past - but my written English is pretty good and a working knowledge in two languages might be more useful in the long term. I want to give this a very real chance of working. It's probably my last chance really.

All comments welcome - and thanks for reading.

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

You have no savings, pension, or property, yet you want to retire abroad? Where? Any place you go will require money to live on.

Want a job overseas? You will usually need a bachelor's degree or enough experience for the work visa. Part-time work does not usually count as enough time to get such a visa; you'll have to look for full-time work.

tttompatz

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 4:04 am Post subject:

I agree with Spiral. Those six extra years could make a big difference in being able to get a job. Get a CELTA, then look for a job. You might even luck out and find an employer who will pay for you to get a DELTA down the road. After a year or two in the same place you can usually move into better jobs and/or teach private lessons to supplement your income. Instead of going back to school you could be working all those years. I hate to be blunt, but I think at your age the sooner you start working in the field the better.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

Plus there is nothing stopping you from studying with the OU as you go along.

monkee · Joined: 19 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Many thanks for the responses.

'Semi-retiring' was my way of saying that I intend to work full-time for as long as I can - health permitting of course. Sorry for any confusion Glenski. And I should have said I'm UK born and have the 'correct' EU passport. I appreciate not being called out on it. Lesson one - lose the ethnocentricity, if that's even possible!

I need a major rethink. This is clearly going to be a work-in-progress (the very nature of the business?) with the less popular places in Europe being the most likely first step. My original thoughts included places such as South America or Africa, especially if I had a working knowledge of Spanish and French. Of course it would mean more of an outlay, but I don't want to write it off.

The plan was to save between �10,000 and �15,000 over the six years studying for the OU. But if I did the CELTA, I could save �2500+ in a year or two and take my chances in Europe as suggested. Also, the first year of the OU course starts in November and, as I'm eligible for a fee grant, there's really nothing to lose if I started it. It's not like I'm going anywhere just yet. I'm skint. And I can also check out the possibilities of continuing OU study abroad. Thanks HLJHLJ.

I'm absolutely amazed at the advice I'm getting. And I really appreciate the honesty.

_smaug · Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 92

Monkee �

You should also consider housing. Unless you're willing to share a flat with two or three twenty-somethings, (and, maybe more importantly, they're willing to share a flat with you), you're going to be looking for some sort of private accommodation.

The odds of finding affordable, private accommodation on a TEFL salary and saving money are pretty slim, I'm afraid. Unless you're talking Vietnam.

But you might consider Vietnam. I was 53 when I taught there (ILA, Ho Chi Minh City) and didn't experience any age bias at all. And French might be a plus, too. Get a CELTA there (ILA) and they may put you on contract.

Couldn't hurt to contact them; tell them your situation; see what they say.

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Monkee,
Although I'm unsure it's the greatest place to retire, Russian might be an option for you. I've never witnessed age discrimination (for teachers) here, and qualifications might not be much of an issue. The hardest part will be actually finding the jobs, as many English schools in Russia don't advertise online.
Best of luck to you.

monkee · Joined: 19 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

_smaug - So, it's isn't the employers who may be biased but my house mates? Seriously though, thanks for your suggestions. Vietnam was on a list of possibles (Cambodia and Laos even). The ILA suggestion is a good one. Just ask. Like you say, it won't hurt and I might get lucky. Appreciated.

jpvanderwerf2001 - I read somewhere (probably here) that Russian students, along with many other nationalities, have a high regard for education and expect nothing less of their teachers. I'd have to feel very confident I could deliver the goods and I'd genuinely love to go. Huge country. Big enough to fall off the map if so inclined. Thanks.