Job Discussion Forums

[mungo]

I note that some CELTA trainers provide warnings that older trainees may find it more difficult than younger people, who have been studying more recently.
I will be 59 or so when I do the course and my BA is from 1971. Apart from some short courses and work courses, I have not studied since then.
Are there any fellow ancients, who have done the CELTA course after a long gap in studies, with any thoughts about the warning?

[Solar Strength]

I graduate from university at 25 and took CELTA at 35.

You do need a fair amouint of energy during the week.

Sleep well. Manage your time well.

I didn't always sleep well mostly because I stayed up until 1 or 2 am reading and writing and preparing for my classes.

But I also stopped off at the fruit stand near MBK mall every morning and had a couple of small bags of fruit for breakfast. I also drank lots of water. I also didn't drink alcohol duirng the week.

I couldn't imagine going into training with a hangover - but some of the younger people did party during the week and had problems (i.e., missing the first hour or so or being sick all day).

Take care of your health, is the main point, I guess.

The oldest people in my class were in thier mid 40s and several people were in their late 30s.

[Welshguy]

This is a generalisation and may not be specific to you.
When I was in law school there was a 78 year old guy there and he graduated ok.

You can do some pre-study stuff to get you back into the groove and take if from there. I wouldnt let those opinions put you off, its not like you are running a marathon. If you are interested and motivated then why not.

Lifelong learning keeps you young.

Best of luck with it.
W

[ron7086]

You can take the word of the CELTA trainers as a fair generalization. For older folks (I am the same age as you, Mungo), the energy level may come into play. There is also the consideration that some older folks just have a problem taking criticism. You do not want to go into a CELTA course with that type of problem.

Another age associated problem is employment possibilities. It is not as severe in Thailand as other places. Still, on the books, many places list 60 as a retirement age. Not a good time to apply at those places.

Having said all that.... go for it. At 60, I am going back to university for a Phd (Education-Curriculum and Instruction).

Like Welshguy said.. "Lifelong..

[mungo]

Thanks gentlemen for the advice. I will do some preparation, try and be fit and do my level best to drop the "grumpy old man" things.
Planning to do it later in the year.

[Bruce]

You may want to contact me. I can put you in touch with some people who were flat out rejected by CELTA because of their age. One was 64 and a lifelong corporate trainer. the guy was one of our best teachers on the course.

I can send you his Email if you want to contact him about his experiences.

[clock]

Bruce, why not add:

Now, if you come and do MY course, I'll give you a special deal. Were you a used car salesman before TEFL?

There is no age criteria in any TEFL course, when I did my certification half the class were over 50.

[guruengerish]

Well, if it's any consolation, I did my CELTA/TEFLA traning at age 59. I chose the course which ran over 6 months, and this gave me plenty of opportunity to study what was a new sphere. I didn't know the difference between a question tag and a compound noun - did I?

The course was fascinating, and I soon ended up with a job in SE Asia where I stayed for more than five years.

I'm itching to get back, but have a commitment at home for another year. I just hope they don't put a limit on age. It was hard work, but a lot of fun in a subject I really enjoy.

I'm on the Thai page instead of my usual Indonesian page, and wondering if there is ANY school in Thailand who pays a teacher their air fare, and will take on a teacher over 65. In Indonesia, every school pays air fares after 6 months or a year.

[Henry_Cowell]

Don't forget to pick up a basic English grammar review book to brush up your knowledge of terminology and fundamentals. Nothing heavy-duty. Even a simple intermediate-level ESL grammar text will do.

You were in school when I was in school. Our grammar instruction was so much better than the schooling of current 20-somethings and 30-somethings. So you're probably way ahead of them already. But the grammar review will definitely help you get back into the right frame of mind for the CELTA program.

[Fud]

[mungo]

You are all most encouraging. I have been known to have a second drink if asked, so I will be aware of that.
Hope to catch up with some of you later in the year.

Once again, thanks everyone.

[sethness]

Continuing on the slightly O/T theme... one post says that the Thai teachers will take you out and practically force whiskey down your throat.

How optional are drinking alcohol, and hanging out after work with co-workers ?

I've lived and taught in Japan the last 5 years, and am well aware of the immense social pressure here to "fit in" by joining in after-work drinking binges. To say "no" is to make onesself an office outcast, similar in effect to showing up at work every day in a ripped stinky T-shirt.

I don't, as a rule, enjoy drinking... it's expensive, tastes like cough medicine, and doesn't make one feel particularly good. Neither do I particularly want to hang out with co-workers ALL the time, where I have to obey a certain teacherly standard of behavior. All in all, I'd rather be eating pizza and drinking Pepsi with people who were strangers an hour ago.

Would that preference make me a social outcast in Thailand ?
How do the social pressures there compare to the social pressures in Japan ?