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 will post this on a couple of specific locality forums - China, Mexico, Taiwan.

cheers
Jenny T

[go_ABs]

Hi Jenny,

I too did the Teach International course (in NZ). As a young person I found the course useful. It didn't contain anything that wasn't common sense - what I found useful was that it explicitly pointed out things that otherwise I might've not considered.

IMHO your qualifications will entitle you to work just about anywhere you like. Considering the small luxuries you like, places such as Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and HK are probably best. In poorer countries these luxuries are not always reliable.

Good luck in your search.

[Sinobear]

I think that you'll get a lot of offers. Many schools that are "testing the waters" for foreign teachers actually desire a more mature person. You'll certainly get more respect from the students and the staff (but be careful of being guilted into doing 200% for nothing in return).

Good luck!

[brsmith15]

Hey J,

I'm 66 and going strong......well, at least as my last BM proved.

Forget age. If you have enthusiasm and energy, they'll love u.

Old Fart

[deezy]

Ageism is alive in Australia... but not in China, so as brsmith15 says "forget age,". Just be sure that you have good health, and go go go.

[AWOL]

thanks you mob - you're keeping the dream alive!

jenny t