Job Discussion Forums

FloridaTEFL · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 66

Hi!!! New here and hoping to go abroad to teach in Asia at the end of this year... but I have a few questions...

1) What is the average age of TEFL teachers? I suppose its hard to pin down but I'm just curious as I'll be turning 30 this year.

2) Will many places, such as in China or Korea, provide you with an apartment/studio by yourself or do you usually have to share?? Sharing a place with a total stranger is a little offputting.

3) I absolutely want to be a Great teacher, but... my first year out I need to take financial matters as a real factor. Therefore, which country would you recommend to a newbie whose looking to have his cake and eat it too, so to speak? (sorry if that sounds selfish, I don't mean it to)
Please respond!!!! Thanks!!!!

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:33 pm Post subject:

My opinion is that PAULH is right on the money.

For a newbie in particular - it is hard to beat Korea for net income - money put in the bank back home. Even true first timers can find themselves saving US$1000+ per month - without great difficulty. This is due to low taxes, free housing and plane tickets. Some people save much more.

At 30 - you are still just a baby! I'm 53, didn't start in this field until I was 39. You'll find ages wildly varied -and that's good - it means there is opportunity for anyone willing to work hard and give it an honest effott.

If you look for packages - wherever you end up teaching - you can usually travel for a bargain rate. Just remember that because the package has you rising at 6am for a bus tour - you don't have to participate - and you can often extend the vacation for a low daily rate. So, sign up for those wacky tours that have people running from site to site from 6am to midnight - but don't participate.

Have a great time - and good luck!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:53 pm Post subject:

I'm in South America, so for money, don't come here.

But I wanted to respond to the age thing- I'm 31, with a few years experience, working in a midsize school. Our youngest teacher is 21, the oldest, 54. I'm not sure about average, but 30 should fit in fine in most places.

Justin

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Here, the ages range from 25 to 55, with the average being somewhere around 40.

FloridaTEFL · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 66

Thanks you guys (and anyone else who responds) You guys are THE BEST. I think I'll be making my first stop Korea.
I would like to clarify, however, that money is a concern only because I won't have a ton saved when I leave. I mean, I want to travel too, but I need to worry about survival first. Smile

FloridaTEFL · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 66

What do you all recommend, or what did you do, in regards to a TEFL Certificate?? There is a class here in FL this summer but the price is about $1200. It seems like a lot, yet I don't want to be clueless my first day of teaching either. Fortunately I do have a degree, albeit Political Science. And I haven't heard marvelous things about the online courses since they don't offer class-teaching time. What to do...??

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

Whew! Glad I found this thread. I don't feel so "old" anymore (I just turned 30 at the end of last year).

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

Regarding TEFL Certificates, you get what you pay for. Just beware of places that "guarantee" you a job after you graduate. If you have a degree in a non-teaching related field, consider getting the certificate (I did), no matter how good you think your own English is. Being a native English speaker does not mean you can teach the language. Also consider how long you plan to teach. If it's only for a year, the certificate may not be worth it.

For those planning to live in Korea, money isn't everything. The Korea forum here is in turmoil because of the problems the teachers have there, and you need special permission to join the forum. There are also many unscrupulous school managers, so I've heard, and your visa is tied directly to the school. Here in Japan, however, it is not, so if you lose your job, you still keep your visa and can remain in the country.

bhog · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 22 Location: KCMO

I wanted to bump this one back up as I've been curious about the average age question myself. I'm 29.

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

For the most accurate information on average age of teachers (there probably is no TRUE accurate figures available, so you will have to rely on people who have lived in countries a while), I think it is important to pin down what sort of teaching field you are pursuing and to cite a country.

Teaching field could be conversation schools, mainstream schools, international schools, or colleges & universities.

Here in Japan, the first 2 attract a lot of the "younger set", those in their 20s and 30s because they are easier to break into. As Paul wrote, you'll probably find people in these areas to be late 20s or early 30s (with exceptions like me). Most universities have their upper age limits set here at around 35, but some of us are a bit older. Since most universities want people with master's degrees and Ph.D. degrees, you know they are going to be slightly older than the people in conversation schools. International schools require that people have licenses to teach in their own country, plus some experience teaching there, so again, these are going to be a bit older than many conversation school teachers.

tedkarma · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:18 pm Post subject:

Fifty-four here. Started in '92 - never looked back.

Pinkpepper · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Ulsan, South Korea

umm...wow, now I feel young. I am 23 and have my first teaching job in July.

Is my age going to be a problem?