Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

Aged 57 I have been thinking recently of doing a year or two teaching in China. I have never taught in China, having spent my teaching career in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

What do you think ? How easy would it be to get a reasonable job and how diffidult would it be to do the job well ?

I also have a colleague aged 70 who has thought about China ! Really !!!!

[Guest]

I was 56 when I arrived in China and am now 57. I find that age is not a problem at all in fact it can be an asset. The Chinese realise we are more stable and reliable than some of the younger people - less likely to "do a runner" when the going gets tough.

Before coming here I had the same job for 25 years (with the one employer the whole time) and therefore my track record speaks for itself.

I hope to teach at this School until I am 60 and then retire here.

I am from Australia

[fat_chris]

Wow! So now scot47 asks the newbie questions! To what is this crazy world coming?

Well, I'll play the role of the cranky ole codger in this situation:

Why don't you do a search on previous posts and see for yourself? That's why God invented the Internet.

Hee hee hee.

[kakapo]

Scot

There are several people your vintage or older teaching at our university so you and your colleague needn't despair.

Actually the university is recruiting now for next academic year (August to June). There must be thousands of similar opportunities throughout China.

[scot47]

But these are not the answers I wanted ! Why don't you give me the answers I want !

I'll scream and scream and scream until I'm sick !

[Conconcon]

Your age would have two impacts:

1. They'd want a physical. A d@mn thorough one. Terrified you might up and die on them.
2. They respect age here. They'd assume you wouldn't make much trouble, and the students would give you little guff.

I've only ever taught in China, but I love the place. For comparisons, seek wiser men.

[fat_chris]

[Roger]

Scot47k,
you would get a job in China, no problem, but it would be one that the rest of us have had for years, and I am not sure you would appreciate it.
You might stand a better chance than most of getting a reasonable and decent job from an international school; I suggest Incarnate in Guangdong or a Shanghai one. Dulwich are also investing in China right now and slated to open 6 schools in the next couple of years.

[naturegirl321]

[scot47]

Well if the security situation gets worse in Saudi maybe I will trade my big fat paycheck in the KofSA for a slimmer one in the PRofC.

Did you read about the attacks in Yanbu on May 1 ?

Hmmmmmm.

[oprah]

Hello:
I first came to china when I was 58, I am now 60. I have had no problem working in China. I was turned down by a private school (only teaches to kids after school hours) and I think it was due to age. Image is big when it comes to private schools... at least in the locations I have been at as competition and image are important to the school, due to demands of the parents of the kids???
I was told by a recruiter that if you get up into later than 65 or maybe 70 this age is getting too old to work in China, due to the challenges that we face when we are here. And yes, the medical would tell how fit you are although I do not know what the requirements of the government would be, is it just infectious diseases they worry about.??? I met a teacher in 60's that had a bad back with limited mobility. I personally would not have hired him, but he had a job..

[Jane51]

China is a great place for wrinklies for all the postive reasons mentioned above. I don't consider my self a wrinklie at all since I can afford to have a facial here once a week. I can get my medications(addictive and otherwise) from the local hospital at a fraction of the cost elsewhere in the world. The Chinese food is very kind to our bodies compared to the synthesised, fatty, junk food-ridden with hidden additives western diet. I feel great and look great in China. I am also forced to climb the stairs due to the building restrictions applied to lift installations( more than 5/6 floors are allowed to have lifts/escalators).
I believe that a mix of ages is very advantageous.

viva la differance

[peggiescott]

Hello Scot47,

I'll turn 60 in a few weeks and arrived in China 3 days ago. I didn't have a problem finding a job because of my age, sex, height or any other factor. I went through a recruiter and, because this is my first overseas teaching position, it was a good move for me. Because of your experience and contacts you may not need that crutch.

Good Luck,
Peggie

My most humble appologies if I have misread your question and answered another. If I have done so, I plead your forgiveness upfront so you will not need to flame me later.

[oprah]

I met a Chinese teacher from another school today and she said their first foreign teacher was 85 years old from America. She told me this 85 year old would come into the teachers' office early every morning and clear and clean , wash down all the teachers' desks. So when the teachers arrived for work their desks were ready for them. Most of been a wonder woman.

[kev7161]

I've seen some advertisments stating "up to 50 years" for applicants. One thing I would advise (to anyone really) is to find out what floor your living quarters will be on and whether or not there will be an elevator. I'm "only" 42, but I'm a big 'un and I climb 6 flights of stairs a couple of times a day (and my office in the Senior building is on the 3rd floor) so it can really get to me and my knees sometimes. These days my muscles don't hurt so much but I'm still fairly winded by the time I get to my apartment (and I still have this big stomach, what's up with that? Too much western food, I guess). My legs and buttocks are tight as a drum, though.