Job Discussion Forums

olive eyes · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Canada

Hello everyone! I'm a 38 year old Canadian female ESL/EFL teacher with about seven years of teaching experience. I taught in Japan about five years ago for a year and a half on Shikuko island at a conversation school. After returning to Canada I taught here for a few years and then returned to school to study and complete my degree in Social Work, because I wanted to change career. I'm planning to return to Japan this April to teach. Aside from missing Japan, I also intend to return to Japan in order to save money for my Master's degree in Social Work once I return to Canada. I have a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and a Certificate in TESL. I was wondering if 38 is too old to teach in Japan. Will employers discriminate against me on account of my age? Also, where do you suggest someone with my background teach? At a conversation school, as an ALT..? Thanks for all your advice everyone!! Have a nice day!!

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

You're never too old! Get yourself back there.

G Cthulhu

If you hadn't already missed the deadline for this years intake, I would have suggested you try applying for the JET programe. You could always apply for next year.

Aside from that, yeah, go on back! Yes, there will be employers that will shoot you down on the age front, but there are plenty that won't.

japancube · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Australia

Dear Olive, since you and I are the same age I hope that we are not too old to teach in Japan. Having said that I think some employers are looking for younger teachers. Considering you have teaching as do I we are more likely to get hired by an employer that understands the importance for "experience." I think that will lead to a better position then a younger applicant might find..
Have fun, cube

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

I started out teaching older than you are now. Come back anytime. Eikaiwa, ALT, direct hire. Whatever you want.

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

I was accepted by JET at 38, still here at 40. I feel quite lucky in my placement in that I love it, and I think part of this is actually due to my age. I also have a TESOL certificate, and I do not treat my job and life here as a vacation, and this seems to be greatly appreciated by my colleagues. I get the strong impression that my pred was lacking in....maturity.

Please come back! Whether they know it or not, Japan needs qualified (slightly) older ALTs!

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

I just turned 38 myself yesterday. I am currently on the JET Program as a Coordinator of International Relations, but my contract won't be renewed. Therefore, I will also be looking into eikaiwa jobs as one of many areas when I finish JET.

I think the key to remember is to be willing to start on the bottom rung and work one's way up. I will certainly be open.

Good luck on your job hunt! Very Happy

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

I hope not because I am well into my 40's and still teaching

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject:

I started around your age.
I returned after your age.

Age is the barrier you make it. So don't make it one :p

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

Didn't JET recently raise their maximum age limits? It was 35, now it is 40. Good case in point.
Eikaiwas hire a lot of young'uns (23-25), but that is not really an industry standard per se. At Nova, I can remember some teachers in their 50's. Some of them were educators on sabbatical or semi-retired. Older students often liked them, too.
Enough babbling. 38 is not too old. Damn, I am 36 myself, so I hope 38 is not too old.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Great to see so many in their 40's and 50's out there and teaching. Smile

olive eyes · Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Canada

Thanks for all the words of encouragement everyone!! I feel more positive about returning to Japan and have started job hunting. Hopefully, I'll be able to find something before April. If not, I will seek for employment as a Social Worker. Heavens knows they are needed, especially in there dire times.

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

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Wow, I didn't realise you lot were all so old...I'm feeling quite the whippersnapper at 33 now Wink

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

One thing that still bothers is what people plan to do in Japan when they are much older (past the point where they can return back to their origin and pick up another career).

Whenever I ask people I have come across I generally get answers like "Something will turn up" or "I will have enough money by then".

Hmmm