Job Discussion Forums

gringojoe · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 26

Was on another teacher's forum based in Asia and read that if you are over the age of 35 you might as well forget about teaching in Mexico!
Thought I'd better come on over to this forum and check with the expats who are actually in the country.
Is there any truth to what I've read or not?

MO39 · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject:

No need to rely on inaccurate statements from teachers in Asia! While there are a few schools (possibly not the best ones) which have upper age limits for hiring teachers, this is not generally the case in Mexico, at least not in Mexico City. For example, as someone in her early 60s, I haven't experienced any ageism while looking for work.

notamiss · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

In short, no. There are several members of this forum who are considerably older than 35 and doing well in Mexico.

What you heard may be based on the fact that in general, Mexican job ads are allowed de facto (if not de jure) to specify age, marital status and/or sex, and the occasional school does so.

El Gallo · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 318

Age can be a problem for school owners who provide health insurance.

Policies for those over 55 are very expensive so owners avoid these older teachers.

Some schools, like Interlink in Tuxtla, are just snobby and like their image of having only young teachers.

MO39 · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

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

United English advertise regularly that they only want teachers under a certain age; 35, I think.

Most schools in Mexico do not exhibit such prejudice, and a good teacher who happens to be older will not have any difficulties finding work.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I hardly need to add to what has already been said, but I will add another no! Any school that has that policy is not worth working for. I was 39 when I first started looking for jobs. (Now 45).

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

No way. Have never seen anything of ageism in Mexico, across the country in my work. Notamiss's point about discriminatory job ads is correct, but that seems more local than for foreign teachers.

MO39 · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject:

Heck 35 year olds are spring chickens, right?

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject:

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

MO39 · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject:

What kind of chicken are you after spring is long past...? Smile

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

gringojoe · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 26

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I need not worry as I'm only 45 but thought I'd better find out before I decide to make the move south of the border!