Job Discussion Forums

parnett · Joined: 29 Jun 2012 Posts: 179 Location: China

I recently started a thread here at Dave's on age limits for teachers in China. Thanks to everyone for their elucidative replies.
I am 59 and on the verge of signing a contract in Zhejiang Province. Apparently, the age limit in this province is sixty. Will I be able to extend my residency visa after this year if I continue to work for the same school? Or is this going to be my last year teaching in China?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

You can get a teaching position somewhere after you reach sixty. Especially since you'll already be here.

lemak · Joined: 19 Nov 2011 Posts: 368

If the school likes you (even if they don't in many cases) in spite of supposed limits and laws they can go to bat for you and get those pesky rules and regulations moved around or extended.
In Indonesia there's an expression "Rubber Time" that the locals use as justification for the fact they are always an hour late for everything. In China there could just as easily be comparably named "Rubber Laws".
As long as the school has the right connections (likely) they'll find ways to get you a few more years in the province.
Worst comes to worst and you have to move to neighboring Jiangsu.

GreatApe · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:37 am Post subject:

Yeah, I agree with lemak ... I've met a lot of "older" (late 50s, early-to-mid 60s) ESL teachers in my 3 years working here, and I have yet to meet a foreign teacher who was literally "forced" out. I'm not saying it's never happened, but I've not met anyone who it's happened to.

We had an 80 year old Malaysian man teaching at our school the semester before I came here and from what I've heard from colleagues he was "encouraged" to retire, first, by his friends and family, and second by the school administrators. But honestly, teaching at 80!? Shocked

If push comes to shove, and you're looking for a gig in Guangdong ... PM me. My school and boss are always looking to hire another foreign teacher and a couple teachers on our staff are in their late 50s (one is in his late 60s).

--GA

southerngirl · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 53 Location: Sunny beaches

If you go in and do your job well, the school-from what I have heard from a few friends working in China-can and will make a way to extend your contract. I know this forum forbids posting about "Korea", but Korea has laws that are more "established" and I have seen 3 occasions where the "65" years old was bypassed, albeit only for one year....Good luck in your new job!! I am currently looking at possibilities in China, the southern area....I am an athletic, yoga practicing and cycling 51 year old and wondering about a few adds I have seen where the age limit is "50"

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Being re engaged, is a lot easier than getting your first job.
If it really doesn't work out apply to other nearby schools by cold call - preferably ones that are higher up the food chain, as they have more clout.
I think some of the age issue, is that the school doesn't know what they are getting.
If you 'front' in person, that issue goes away and it is the new school that has to go into bat for you with the authorities.
I hope though that you do continue with the initial employer and enjoy a long and satisfying 2nd career as an FT in China.
Go for it!
PS If anyone is re engaged for another year, make sure you are paid for all or part of the summer.

MESL · Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 291

Give me the link to the original post about age limits.

nellychess · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 187 Location: USA

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

Sgirl,

Go for it. I am a few years older than you and had no trouble getting a job. There are lots of jobs that will take people our age so stop stressing and apply.

Good luck.

DirtGuy