Job Discussion Forums

[Ramble]

Hello.
I am an English teacher with a degree (non-education) and a TEFL certificate.
I have been teaching English to adults for most of the past 8 years.
I am considering relocating to Vietnam to teach.
I am 54 years old.
I paid a visit to Hanoi last week, with a batch of CVs, hoping to make contact with some language schools and take part in interviews.
I contacted some schools by 'phone, but they asked me to e-mail my CV to them, even though I was in Hanoi.
I went for an interview at one school, but the HR manager appeared to be shocked at Old Father Time standing there and, after a cursory glance at my CV, said they would be in touch. Nothing so far.
I wont give up on the Vietnam idea just yet. I will try HCMC, as it is a bigger city with, apparently, more language schools.
I am making a list of language schools I have found on the internet. I will go to HCMC and contact/visit these with my CV in hand.
I have been told that being over 50 will not be a problem. Does anybody have any thoughts on this?
Any tips on getting a teaching job in HCMC will be gratefully received.
Any suggestions for language schools you think I should visit will also be gratefully received.

[nomad soul]

[ExpatLuke]

Being over 40 definitely reduces your chances to teach ESL. Most EFL teachers are young, wide-eyed, and fully energetic. By the time people hit 40, they've usually managed to take their career passed just teaching in the classrooms at language mills.

That is to say, it's definitely possible to find work here up to 65 legally. But you're considered a less desirable candidate. I think most people would wonder what's wrong with you if you're pushing 60 and applying for work at language centers.

[Ramble]

Oh dear.
Thanks for the reality of the situation...

[sigmoid]

Well, it's still a bit soon after Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays, especially for the EFL market in Ha Noi. Enrolments are just starting to increase, so demand will pick up within the next couple months.

Yes, HCMC is a much larger market and some of the schools are a bit more organized. Look for "teaching jobs vietnam" and you will find a couple sites listing current openings from around the country.

You can search for "vietnam" here:

http://eslcafe.com/joblist/


As for your age, as ExpatLuke says, it "...reduces your chances...", but "...it's definitely possible to find work here up to 65".

So, don't start thinking negatively about that. Actually, the important thing is your personality. If you can be a happy, shiny person, that will help to offset reluctance toward hiring a grumpy old man who's going to complain about everything. Being well-groomed, fit and nicely dressed will help, too.

It is true though that a lot of schools like to hire the completely inexperienced applicants, people who have never had a job much less taught. The manager that glanced at your CV probably saw the 8 years of experience and lost interest because of that.

As for the job market, the biggest chunk is kids classes, mostly on weekends. If you can do that, and there are a number of old guys doing it, then you really don't need to worry.

If you can't, then you better start becoming an IELTS guru because that's the other big market. Overseas education is popular and everybody needs that band 6 or 7. There's also TOEFL and TOEIC but there's more demand for IELTS.

Also, look at some smaller cities (network on the internet, yes, via e-mail, skype, chat apps, facebook, etc) where they have some trouble recruiting people, especially the young ones, due to lack of excitement/western comforts/English-speaking people, etc.

[nomad soul]

By the way, 54 is not "old."

[RustyShackleford]

I've known and worked with a few people well over their 50s in Vietnam.

One was happy and getting apparently consistent work with a language mill. Never saw him teach but he came off as a well-spoken, fun and overall happy guy.

Another was happily hired on the basis of his degrees and experience only to be summarily fired for not being up to par. I did see him teach and he was the exact opposite of "well-spoken, fun and overall happy."

Both had a "Father Time" look to them, but one embodied it while the the other did not.

[ExpatLuke]

[Mattingly]

[Ramble]

[skarper]

Possible but harder in mid fifties.

If you would be a good candidate apart from your age you will get something but after a delay. You can build on that.

If you are a marginal or substandard applicant then being over 50 will ruin your chances.

OP has basic qualifications and some experience so should be OK unless he is a grumpy old man who is unwilling to put the effort in.

You get some younger people who are at least as useless and they find work but struggle to keep it.

It is still early post TET. By mid-April things will be better in general. Long term I'd try to specialist in IELTS. It is hard work but less of a song and dance routine than young learners.

I'd be leery of teenagers at 50+ because you are going to remind them of their fathers/uncles and they will rebel all the more.

20 somethings who can play the 'cool big brother or hot older sister' seem to get less hassle.

[ExpatLuke]

[Prof.Gringo]