Job Discussion Forums

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

It seems many places will not hire you to teach when you hit 60 years old. Likewise many places will not extend your contract once you hit 60 years old.

So where are the places in the world that teaching at 60 years old and beyond is still welcomed?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Mexico, China, Costa Rica, Indonesia. Are you a US citizen?

Mr. English · Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 298 Location: Nakuru, Kenya

And seconding the second post, China; I am 60 and working here.

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

Yes, I am a US citizen. I am currently teaching in China now.
Some teachers I know here old me that some employers don't care so I was just wondering about other countries as well.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I was going to mention Europe, but US citizens don't have much of a chance there.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

By which you mean Western Europe, especially the European Union. However, Eastern Europe is another kettle of fish. Employers in Russia, for example, are not generally all that worried about your age. I would imagine that Ukraine is similar in this respect. And as all non-CIS citizens require a visa, work permit etc, you are not disadvantaged by comparison with Brits and Irish.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Yes, I should have been more specific. EU.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

I was also wondering about this as I will be retiring in nine years at the age of 60 and might want to continue teaching overseas. Do you think China's salaries might be comparable to Korea's by then? Or, are they already?

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

In general China's salaries are not (yet?) up to par with Korea.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I'm not familiar with Korea's COL, but with a China uni position (housing provided) one can save quite a bit.

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 880

In general wherever you work in Korea it is rent free. With about a 2.2 or 2.3 million won a month salary (that's about 2000 US dollars) one can do well.
Some enjoy it there and some don't. So much of it depends on the school that you work for.

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

My uni here in Asia has a cutoff age of 45, no new hires if they're 45 or older. They're getting rid of the teachers over 50 this year. We can't really talk about Korea here, I will say that the days of not having to pay rent are pretty much over if you're at a uni.

I've heard about China.

Peru is also a possibility. The joke is that new jobs only open up when people die or retire.

EFLeducator

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

Thanks for the ideas. I just need to break even on salary since I will have a pension at that time. China, a nice way to go out!