Job Discussion Forums

kathi · Joined: 11 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

Can anyone offer me advice on securing an ESL job in any country if you have committed the unpardonable sin of bein over 60? I have a strong background in teaching and some experience with ESL here in the states. I see that many job announcements here rule out people over 50 or 60, and others don't say so, but when you apply they turn you down for that reason.
In what countries have people found a good experience with the age issue? Question

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Some international schools would work, and they're all over the world.
www.tes.co.uk
www.ibo.org
www.internationalschoolreview.com

China is another option. Check the China boards.

kathi · Joined: 11 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

thanks for those tips. I was just turned down for a job in China due to age. How prevalent is this?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Some times job adverts specify a age limit, but check ont he China forum, I know there are some teachers over 60 there.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

I don�t think it is a huge problem for most employers in Mexico. There are a few that specify an age limit, but most don�t. I work with a group of teachers that range in age from 30 to 58, and am interviewing a man tomorrow who I think is in his upper 50�s/lower 60�s, judging my how many years of work experience he has. I would prefer to hire a 60 year old over a 25 year old any day. I have talked to several other people who are in hiring positions about this, and they all say they try not to hire people under 30, and don�t really put an age limit on teachers. There are some chain schools that I have seen that will specify in their ads that they want a certain age, but many more than don�t, and I know of at least two chain schools who will hire anyone who meets their objective criteria for hiring. At one of them, I worked with plenty of people in their upper 50�s or more.

bulgogiboy · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 803

kathi · Joined: 11 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

Thanks again, you have restored my motivation. Mexico and China are the two places I am most attracted to. Very Happy

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:19 am Post subject:

Hi Kathi, and welcome to the discussion forum!

Being over sixty is NOT an unpardonable sin- I have worked with several over-sixty individuals in Ecuador, and several more in Korea. I know many more in that category in this field.

Don't worry about the one who turned you down- the reason they didnt' hire you isn't clear anyway. Even if they say that it was your age...maybe they hired their cousins, and your age was a convenient excuse for not hiring you?

The thing about this field is it's HUGE, and spans many countries, languages, and cultures. Don't assume that, just because one employer tells you one thing, that it must be general world wide. (Generalizing about the whole world probably IS an unpardonable sin, amongst internationals.)

Best,
Justin

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Remember that in CHina, guanxi, favours and connections, can help a LOT!

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Whenever I talk to any place anywhere about a position I mention my age (I'll be 58 in April). Only one place (in China) mentioned age. Quote: "As long as you're under 60."

I usually ask prospectives if they're going to hold my experience and wisdom against me.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:33 pm Post subject:

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home