Job Discussion Forums

[Ricky57]

I'd like the opinion of experienced Taiwan teachers, please. I'm 57 years old (can pass for 10 years less), considering relocating from Thailand, where I have 5 years teaching experience at all levels. Young kids here like me very much, even though I'm not particularly "active". I've learned some tricks and little kids and animals have always liked me. An intelligent and truthful assesment of my prospects is requested. Thanks in advance.

[clark.w.griswald]

You may encounter some difficulties finding work with kids at your age. Most buxibans here are pretty superficial in their hiring practices and the preferred teaching applicant would be white, 20-30 years old, with a North American accent. Of course those that don't fit the mould can get work relatively easily, but you will always be behind the eight ball when it comes to acceptance by employers.

As you have pointed out, age is really not that much of a barrier to young kids. Once you are over 30 you are 'old' in the kids eyes, so whether you are 30, 40, or 50 doesn't seem to make much difference.

I think that the reluctance to employ older teachers comes from pressure from the parents. Most of the kids buxibans are all about the kids having fun while they learn. In order to do this, it is considered that teachers must be very active in the class. The parents would be concerned that an older teacher may not be active or fun enough.

Having said that, there are an increasing number of English buxibans that are going back to the strict wrote methods of the past. These positions would more likely view older candidates as being more suitable than recent graduates as they would be seen by the students as being more serious teachers. These positions often pay quite well, but they require an ability in Chinese.

Other than that would be the adult teaching. Age and experience can be a big plus for these types of positions, and many of these institutions shy away from younger teachers as the students are older and want experience not just a white face.

I would suggest that you come over for a holiday for a couple of weeks. Look around the island and take in the sights. Do a bit job searching while you are here. If you find something then you could always come back to take the position, but if you find the going tough then you have little to lose.

[matchstick_man]

I know of a couple of guys around the 55 plus mark teaching in bushibans and kindergartens. What the above poster wrote is true. However almost anyone can get a job here.

[TaoyuanSteve]

I, too, know older people working here. You'll face some amount of discrimination from some places but, as the others said, you'll get work. There is an older guy working at my buxiban and he's quite popular with staff, kids and parents. I'm sure my place'd hire you. I'm sure it's not the only one. Also consider adult teaching; age does not matter with them.