Job Discussion Forums

MyNewWork · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 6

I'm 58-year-old woman, with BA in History/Latin American Studies (double major), with a lot of science hours (changed majors after three years) and IT/business experience. Worked in IT for 15 years, last position was Project Manager for IBM. I have taught IT classes (software, mostly), but only short-term, small classes. I have no teaching credentials. Could teach technical and/or business English.

I've seen occasional references to problems people my age have in getting hired. Is it a big problem, that is, how likely am I to be able to get a job teaching with my current background?

Thanks for any info and/or advice. If there's another forum more appropriate for this question, please let me know.

Thanks.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Where are you thinking of working? It may make a difference.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

MyNewWork · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks for the feedback.

However, I fail to see how the two statements are mutually exclusive. I have taught. I don't have a teaching certificate. How is that opposite?

One other thing -- it seems to me the salient issue is whether or not one can teach, and is (hopefully) good at it. If you can teach, you can teach. I think. Am I wrong?

MyNewWork · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 6

I forgot to mention I'd like to work in the Middle East, if possible. Seems like my age might actually work in my favor, maybe?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

sojourner · Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 8:05 am Post subject:

MNW,

I agree with Gordon in that it would be a very good idea to enrol in a good quality ESL teaching course, such as CELTA.There are, of course, many other courses - some of them might be very good, but they would not be as well known, among prospective employers, as CELTA. Apart from CELTA, another widely respected credential is the Trinity College TESOL Certificate.

I am a qualified secondary school teacher; but without my CELTA training, I would have encountered many problems in my first ESL job. In my CELTA class, there were a couple of other 'chalkies'- all of us felt that we had learnt a lot from the programme. So, having had teaching experience in a completely unrelated field does not necessarily mean that you would be able to cope with an ESL situation.

You mentioned the Middle East. I have heard conflicting reports about that region, with regards to both gender AND age discrimination. I think a lot depends on the particular country. A couple of countries (KSA, Kuwait ?), I believe, will not issue work visas to those aged over 55. Also, many employers often require their teachers to possess Masters degrees in pertinent disciplines (eg Applied Linguistics, TESOL). Why not post a message to the Middle East Forum ? If you can get a job in the M.E. /Gulf region, it would be great - good salaries, low or nil taxation, free accommodation, airfares, etc !

Age discrimination appears to be prevalent in Sth Korea; although some exceptional 'oldies' have been known to find good jobs there.

I'm in your age group. If you can't find a job in the Middle East, come to China ! You'll probably encounter few problems, if any, in finding work here. If you decide to come here, you should focus on jobs in the college or university sector - forget about language schools ! In the college/uni sector, apart from the usual Oral English, you may also be required to teach other subjects, eg: Business English, Western Culture, International Business, etc. In some job ads, employers and recruiters may specify an age limit (60, occasionally even 50) - but don't worry too much about it - apply, in any case, if the job appeals to you ! If China interests you, but you do happen to experience problems in finding a suitable job, PM me and I'll provide you with the name and email address of my own recruiter - so far, I have found her to be most efficient and conscientious.

Welcome to the community !

Regards,

Peter

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

EnglishBrian · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 189

Sound advice all along this thread I'd say. If it's the 'culture' of the ME you find attractive then North Africa would be easier for a newly qualified teacher to find a job in than the Gulf - unless you want to put yourself at the mercy of an outfit like Berlitz, with pretty poor pay and conditions. However as was pointed out, most of these countries have a maximum age for issue of work permits (60 in Egypt I believe), so that could scupper things before you even get started.

I worked in Lithuania with a teacher of about 60, and she'd previously worked in China and Slovakia so obviously hadn't had a major problem finding work. I think that some schools are just more open to older people than others, perhaps down to their previous experiences with older staff members, or the dynamic of the existing staff set up.

A bit of advice. When I did my CELTA course we had 2 older people taking it and sadly both failed. One guy couldn't break out of the habit of 'lecturing' instead of letting the students speak, and the other just didn't have the sense of humour to get on with younger students (cynical 20 somethings). That said, the first of these already had a job in China lined up and had decided to do the CELTA course purely to better himself before flying out! One last thing - my dad took early retirement and did a CELTA (passed at second attempt) and he went straight to work for a university in China. They really do seem to like people with working 'backgrounds' there.

Keep positive about it , and good luck

nomadykaty · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 60

Are you looking at teaching EFL? With your qualifications in IT you could get a job at HCT in UAE teaching IT or computers. In the Middle East your age is not a problem. If you wanted to teach EFL, you would need additional cert (CELTA or DELTA).

MyNewWork · Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks so much to all of you for this wonderful advice and feedback.

Yes, I've thought of teaching computers for HCT, but when I looked at their online application, they want applicant to indicate salary desired (in fact, won't consider applicant without this info), but of course I have no idea how much they pay, so I'm kinda stuck -- do I just do a WAG (as we say in project management)? The job postings state that salary info will be provided to "short list" applicants. Sounds like Catch 22.

I am thinking of ME because I've traveled there quite a bit, 3x Turkey, 2x Israel, 3x Egypt.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I think that some schools do discriminate by age because they're looking for a happy young face to entertain the kids. I think someone who is a good teacher won't have any trouble finding decent work.

BTW I've taught computer usage in my previous career. I second the comments that teaching computer usage is nothing whatsoever like teaching language. I would strongly recommend getting some kind of TEFL certification if you plan to teach English.