Job Discussion Forums

[Dr Peter J Shield]

I am 79 years young and having difficulty finding positions that do NOT have age restrictions - can anyone suggest possible markets please?

[artemisia]

This topic has come up from time to time � usually from people in their 50s and 60s. If you haven�t already done a search then have a look at these threads. If you are already an English language teacher with years of experience and have a good internet connection, online teaching might be an option:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91669&highlight=age+restrictions
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=92084&highlight=age+restrictions
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=79371&highlight=age+restrictions

On online teaching:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=90303
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=83761&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[tttompatz]

[scot47]

No employer in the Middle East will offer a job to someone aged 79.

[coledavis]

Depending on your health and what you can offer, eastern Europe is worth considering. I don't think that there is any age restriction. In fact, I have just consulted my colleagues in Russia who tell me that there is no compulsory retirement age here. (I'm not saying that you won't meet prejudice or insurance-related problems here, but at least you've a chance with those employers who recognise potential, or who want a native speaker at all costs.)

[nomad soul]

[coledavis]

That last question is important.
Also, what other experience and/or qualifications have you got?

[spiral78]

I can sorta second the idea of Central/Eastern Europe as technically there are no age limits. I had a friend who did a year here in Prague at 78.

I'm only lukewarmly seconding the idea, though, because I agree with others that we need to know something about your qualifications. Also, I can say that teaching here can be pretty physically demanding, given that most work is in corporations with businesspeople and there's quite a lot of travelling around a city involved. If you have the qualifications to do some more specialized jobs, that would change the picture a bit.

Your financial aspirations are also a factor; Central Europe really carries some start-up costs as employers do not typically pay airfare and not all will housing.

(edited in light of coledavis' reasonable post below; sorry that I over-generalised!)

[coledavis]

In Russia and sometimes Poland, the employer often does provide accommodation; sometimes air fare too, but don't bank on it.