Job Discussion Forums

rodjones44 · Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 5

I get the impression from some of the replies that I am getting to job applications that there is a major age barrier.
I am 59 and just starting out with a brand new TESOL Cert.
Any tips?

woza17 · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 602 Location: china

Hi Rod,
where are you thinking of teaching? I have met teachers older than you teaching here in China with no major problems in finding work. Have you any experience teaching apart from your certificate?
Cheers carol

rodjones44 · Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 5

No formal teaching experience except that gained during the course.
I am happy to go (almost) anywhere!!

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

rod,

What other qualifications/credentials do you have? Some countries require a bachelor's degree to issue a work visa.

rodjones44 · Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 5

B.Sc. (Geology) and 35 years working in the International Mining Industry. The only specific knock-back has been age.

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

Rod,

With that BSc and certificate, you are as qualified as most eikaiwa (Japanese language school) teachers, in spite of your age. Some places will balk at it, but some won't. Luck of the draw. Present a good resume and cover letter, and interview well.

donfan · Joined: 31 Aug 2003 Posts: 217

rule out Taiwan - I am 35 and already getting the "too old" feeling from a lot of schools

MindTraveller · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 89 Location: Oman

A colleague in Korea was about your age, and she's now been there for going on 5 years and is very, very happy. Works at a good university. Got her first job at a university..... Not a language school!

Guest · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 7:43 am Post subject:

Dear Rod

I was also worried about age as I was 56 when I arrived in China. I have now been teaching here for 5 months and plan to stay for 2 years at this School. I turned 57 this month and as far as I can tell, even though the women teachers here retire at 55, I am welcome to stay as long as I like.
GO FOR IT.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

rodjones44, I was your age with your qualifications except a BA not a BSc. I didn't have a problem getting a university position in China.

In a week, I'm going back. Same school, same apartment.

JDYoung · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 157 Location: Dongbei

I've been teaching in Shenyang China for 5 months and just turned 56. I have a B.Sc. and a TEFL certificate. The oldest teacher at this school is 68 and doing just fine. I had age-related rejections from Japan, Korea and Russia but there was no problem here in China even if some ads give a maximum age. What you do here will be more dependent on your health and energy level than your age. A kiddie class learning body parts using "Head and Shoulders" and "The Hokey Pokey" for 40 minutes will challenge the stamina of anyone but an aerobics instructor.

Hey, Shenyangerry, what uni? I'm at SIE.

ChadwickKent · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 55

Rod:

Write immediately to Mr. Teng Hai at Xinyang Agricultural College and you will start work February 16 in China

Mr. Tenghai ([email protected], Tel: +86-376-6695201-3715)
Mr. Wanglei ([email protected], Tel: +86-13503761679)

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

mb2086 · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 19 Location: london

Age shouldn't really be a problem anywhere in Asia because, unlike the west, age is respected far more and you have more life experience and skills to offer.

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 3:45 am Post subject:

i'd like to fully agree with mb2086. Nothing else to add except support. Where do I sign?

LA