Job Discussion Forums

[AWOL]

Dear all,

I have been grazing in these forums for a while and noticed how helpful most of you are to folk with a need for information. So here goes. I am 61 years old, female, healthy and single. I have a Masters of Social Sciences (International Development) and a Grad Dip in Development Studies. At present I am completing a TESOL Certificate course. My professional career has been based mainly in the administration of Indigenous development here in Oz, and I have also spent time working overseas. I am doing the TESOL course because of the unsatisfactory nature of the politics of Indigenous affairs here under the current government � and also because I think my experience would help me to be a reasonably effective teacher.
My question is � of course � where would I be most likely to get work? As a corollary to that, where would I absolutely not get work, ie, should not waste my time applying?
I realise that there are a lot of variables in this whole scenario, but it would be really helpful if I could get a clearer picture of the possibilities. I am doing the TESOL through Teachinternational, and naturally enough their sales pitch is inclined to be very positive about my chances, but I guess I am taking that with a grain of salt. I would really like to hear from any of you who have been in a similar situation. Ageism is alive and well in Oz, and I imagine that it is a very real issue elsewhere.
Geographically � my preferences would be Thailand (having lived in Laos), Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, Taiwan, Korea � in that order. And then again, I have family in the USA and am very interested in working in Mexico, central America or the western SA countries.
I need enough income to live comfortably wherever I am, and I�m very fond of 24-hour hot water, warm weather, and access to the internet. Living comfortably, for me, would be the ability to eat out locally, to have a few beers with friends, and not watch every cent. Apart from that, I have a preference for smaller towns rather than larger cities.
Thanks heaps for any advice/information any of you may have the time to give.
I have posted this on the China, Taiwan, general Latin America, and general discussion forums.

cheers
Jenny T

[ls650]

I don't think age will hold you back too much for finding one of the better teaching jobs in Mexico. You probably will have problems being offered a job teaching children at a private school or a language school - but then your qualifications are such that those jobs are really beneath you anyhow.

Do you want to teach children? What would you like to do? Is there any area of Mexico that you like?

[moonraven]

I am the OP's age, and I have not had problems being offered jobs teaching children at private schools nor jobs at language schools. I have enjoyed teaching in both of those venues, too.

The problem is that usually they expect you to teach more hours than I have available for teaching, as I always have 3 or 4 big writing projects going. Private schools usually expect you to be at the school close to 8 hours a day--and to teach between 25 and 30 classroom hours per week. Language schools are more flexible--but full time usually means being there 45 hours per week, and teaching around 35.