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Tom Riggle
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Location: Jilin, China
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 Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Isla Guapa wrote: |
| Tom, I suggest you post a query on the Mexico board, where I think you'd be able to find work; your age shouldn't be a problem. You might even find work teaching German at the Goethe Institute in Mexico City! |
Thanks. Here is another possibility I hadn't thought of. But (embarrassing though it is) I think I will need to knock the rust off of my German. At any rate, whether or not I teach German, Mexico and CA are possibilities I am exploring. |
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Tom Riggle
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Location: Jilin, China
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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| rtm wrote: |
| Tom Riggle wrote: |
| But we have made several dozen trips to Mexico and Central America, a number of these extensive periods. We purposely went to out-of-the-way places. No liason or Gringo Trail. Speaking the language, immersed in the culture. My whole point is all of that experience counts for something. That is all I am saying. I am surprised that anyone should see this as totally irrelevant. |
Maybe you should play up this aspect of your experiences as a "close familiarity with the local culture and language" rather than "traveling extensively". After all, your familiarity is what you want to emphasize, not the fact you've traveled a lot. I know it's just a matter of wording, but it could make a lot of difference to a potential employer. |
Your point about the phrasing is well taken, rtm. "traveling extensively" sounds like pointless bragging, which was not at all my intention. There is a big difference between mere sightseeing and knowing people and culture.
Paraphrasing Twain, "The Difference between the right phrase and almost the right phrase is like the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." |
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Tom Riggle
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Location: Jilin, China
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
I asked about nationality because I think you cannot teach in Germany (and most parts of Europe) if you are American, except under extremely rare circumstances. Eastern Europe is an exception, but you haven't expressed a desire to teach there.
There have been quite a few posts on the Newbie or General forum regarding ageism and where to go when one passes a certain age. I suggest doing a search for them to learn more about the situation.
Having taught 8-10 years of junior high English should give you a leg up on some candidates, even for ESL jobs despite your teaching (probably) being solely to native English speakers. Emphasize it as best as you can. Obviously, international schools are out.
Visit the country-specific forums to learn about specific options. |
Time is running out here in the library. Thank you for this helpful response and the one by Zero (and any other I missed). I really appreciate all of these. |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 1186
Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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I have another idea for you. Have you looked into some of the alternate certification programs in the US? Teach America, for example. They hire people with a 4 year degree but no degree in teaching. You are mentored for a year while you do the classwork to make you certifiable. You are paid a normal teacher�s salary during that year. The rub is, you either need to be able and/or interested in teaching in high need areas, both subject wise and neighborhood wise. So that might take you into an inner city, or rural school.
But you won�t have problems with age, and you experience teaching might put you head and shoulders above other candidates. And if you speak at least some Spanish, that would be another plus. Just an idea. |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 1186
Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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I have another idea for you. Have you looked into some of the alternate certification programs in the US? Teach America, for example. They hire people with a 4 year degree but no degree in teaching. You are mentored for a year while you do the classwork to make you certifiable. You are paid a normal teacher�s salary during that year. The rub is, you either need to be able and/or interested in teaching in high need areas, both subject wise and neighborhood wise. So that might take you into an inner city, or rural school.
But you won�t have problems with age, and you experience teaching might put you head and shoulders above other candidates. And if you speak at least some Spanish, that would be another plus. Just an idea. |
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ancient_dweller
Joined: 12 Aug 2010
Posts: 415
Location: Woodland Bench
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| Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 6:54 am Post subject: |
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going for the double posting eh?
btw, your pic is massive! |
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Tom Riggle
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Location: Jilin, China
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Tom Riggle wrote: |
Yes, this is pretty depressing stuff, but it has the ring of truth to it. FYI I am a US citizen, as I clarified elsewhere today. I am already encountering ageism here in my job search in Florida. I wish now that I wouldn't have stuck it out in my low paying teaching job in Texas all these years to find myself suddenly doing the job search thing. I guess I am one of those who are too old to hire, too young to retire.
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For the sake of closure on this thread I should add that my earlier fears of being perceived as too old were unfounded, especially after posting my resume here. I now have had several offers. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 9:00 am Post subject: |
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| Tom Riggle wrote: |
| For the sake of closure on this thread I should add that my earlier fears of being perceived as too old were unfounded, especially after posting my resume here. I now have had several offers. |
Congrats! That's great. Hope you find your perfect job. |
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