andrew
- 2004-08-26
> I am in my late fifties currently working as a human resources
> consultant with the Queensland (Australia) Government but want to
> return to teaching English internationally. I am a native English
> speaker, have a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics (Australian
> uni) and the best part of a second Masters (US uni) in
> Linguistics/TESOL, and for the first 20 years (till 1989 when I came
> back to Australia) of my life taught multinational adult classes in
> EFL in England, Greece, the States, Malaysia in private institutions,
> universities, the British Council.
> What are my chances, do you advise getting (expensive) CELTA
> certification as a refresher before applying, will my lack of
> immediate prior experience (and therefore teaching referees) be an
> obstacle? Appreciate any advice, particularly from those making yet
> another career change as they get older (and wiser)!
I think you are quite qualified as you are to teach the ga-ga English needed by the vast number of jobs offered. Any school should bend over backwards to get you. Taking that CELTA to refresh-pahleez!
JackB
- 2004-08-07
I read your message in this forum and the one you posted in the ESL articles for teacher section over and over because I simply couldn't
believe what I was reading.
You say you have been teaching English for 13 years and are now 67, that means you began at age 54 and during that period you taught for a time in Japan (Nova or Geos I imagine, since no English language school other than
a handful of the large chain schools would EVER hire anyone that old.)
Have you not heard of the "over 40 rule?"
If you actually taught in Japan, I'm amazed at your innocence. I thought everyone in the ESL/EFL games was aware by now that it's a rare school anywhere in the world including the U.S. that gives a tinker's damn about whether its students learn anything -- just as long as they pay their fees up front and buy lots of expensive books. That's particularly true in Japan and Korea
As your article suggests, EFL students want young, good looking teachers they can relate to, not serious, experienced ones who can actually help them inprove their English. English Language Schools, with a few notable exceptions, give top priority to their bottom line -- just like any other business would. And that means giving the customer what he wants.
And your third point is perhaps the most insidious of all. Older, experienced teachers tend to be much less easy to exploit and might actually expect to be paid a wage that reflects the real value of their skill and experience. Perish the thought.
You want satisfaction from the teaching experience? Find a volunteer teaching job. I may not get paid for all my hard work in money but I have a class of highly motivated students who work very hard to improve their English - and succeed Students who demonstrate in totally unexpected ways that they recognize and appreciate the help their receiving. And I am willing to bet there are hundreds of volunteers out there who know exactly what I mean and who feel the same.
Jack
Bill Jacot
- 2004-07-23
> Having been "between jobs" on far too many occasions in the
> recent past has gotten me to wonder about things such as my
> presentation, my possible lack of concentration, job neglect, sudden
> change of personality ... or even bad breath! Following an intensive
> investigation, I can happily report that it's neither of the above.
> Quite to the contrary, my desire to teach has done nothing but
> increase over my 13+ years of participation in the ESL industry.
> Therefore, these temporary periods of inactivity seem attributable to
> my getting older (I am now 67). Yes, I am well aware of the fact that
> many of my fellow-veterans of teaching are gainfully employed, in
> many cases on jobs which they have managed to hold onto for many
> years. But, what I have learned from many other colleagues is that,
> during these times, it has been more and more difficult to get placed
> in new situations... particularly here in the USA. Ergo, many of us
> have had no other choice but to consider positions in Asia -- mainly
> in the People's Republic of China, where age and variety of
> experience are regarded as nothing less than valuable to any ESL
> operation. I have absolutely nothing against teaching abroad --
> having already lived and worked in Japan and Brazil -- but, as one
> grows older, he/she, as a senior citizen, has an increasing need for
> medical coverage, prescribed medications, etc. which are next to
> impossible to obtain in places such as the PRC. But even if it were
> possible, the cost of such "luxuries" would be much too
> inflated to be satisfied by a teacher's average monthly wage of
> $450-600. Therefore, the alternative of most "senior"
> instructors is to stay here in the USA to face the growing
> uncertainty of employment. One can only reach the conclusion that the
> powers that be in the US language business are more than somewhat
> apathetic in facing this problem, thereby making the ESL industry in
> the United States appear as nothing less than a young person's
> pursuit! Now, I don't wish to appear paranoid in my observation, but
> idly sitting here has created some mighty strange suspicions. In any
> event, I'd like to know if any of you out there have had the same
> feelings. In the interim, thanks for your attention.
Bill Jacot, been teaching English in Mexico for 3 years and enjoy it alot. Just wanted you to know that at 56 years of age I have the same concerns about the rising cost of health care as you. In my place of employment I am fully insured and my medical expense are 100% covered as long as I receive treatment at a public hospital. Prescription medicine is dirt cheap compared to the costs in the USA. Maybe you want to consdier teaching in Mexico. If so, drop me a line; billjacot@yahoo.com
Mary Denver
- 2004-07-22
> Having been "between jobs" on far too many occasions in the
> recent past has gotten me to wonder about things such as my
> presentation, my possible lack of concentration, job neglect, sudden
> change of personality ... or even bad breath! Following an intensive
> investigation, I can happily report that it's neither of the above.
> Quite to the contrary, my desire to teach has done nothing but
> increase over my 13+ years of participation in the ESL industry.
> Therefore, these temporary periods of inactivity seem attributable to
> my getting older (I am now 67). Yes, I am well aware of the fact that
> many of my fellow-veterans of teaching are gainfully employed, in
> many cases on jobs which they have managed to hold onto for many
> years. But, what I have learned from many other colleagues is that,
> during these times, it has been more and more difficult to get placed
> in new situations... particularly here in the USA. Ergo, many of us
> have had no other choice but to consider positions in Asia -- mainly
> in the People's Republic of China, where age and variety of
> experience are regarded as nothing less than valuable to any ESL
> operation. I have absolutely nothing against teaching abroad --
> having already lived and worked in Japan and Brazil -- but, as one
> grows older, he/she, as a senior citizen, has an increasing need for
> medical coverage, prescribed medications, etc. which are next to
> impossible to obtain in places such as the PRC. But even if it were
> possible, the cost of such "luxuries" would be much too
> inflated to be satisfied by a teacher's average monthly wage of
> $450-600. Therefore, the alternative of most "senior"
> instructors is to stay here in the USA to face the growing
> uncertainty of employment. One can only reach the conclusion that the
> powers that be in the US language business are more than somewhat
> apathetic in facing this problem, thereby making the ESL industry in
> the United States appear as nothing less than a young person's
> pursuit! Now, I don't wish to appear paranoid in my observation, but
> idly sitting here has created some mighty strange suspicions. In any
> event, I'd like to know if any of you out there have had the same
> feelings. In the interim, thanks for your attention.
I am in my late fifties currently working as a human resources consultant with the Queensland (Australia) Government but want to return to teaching English internationally. I am a native English speaker, have a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics (Australian uni) and the best part of a second Masters (US uni) in Linguistics/TESOL, and for the first 20 years (till 1989 when I came back to Australia) of my life taught multinational adult classes in EFL in England, Greece, the States, Malaysia in private institutions, universities, the British Council.
What are my chances, do you advise getting (expensive) CELTA certification as a refresher before applying, will my lack of immediate prior experience (and therefore teaching referees) be an obstacle? Appreciate any advice, particularly from those making yet another career change as they get older (and wiser)!
Having been "between jobs" on far too many occasions in the recent past has gotten me to wonder about things such as my presentation, my possible lack of concentration, job neglect, sudden change of personality ... or even bad breath! Following an intensive investigation, I can happily report that it's neither of the above. Quite to the contrary, my desire to teach has done nothing but increase over my 13+ years of participation in the ESL industry. Therefore, these temporary periods of inactivity seem attributable to my getting older (I am now 67). Yes, I am well aware of the fact that many of my fellow-veterans of teaching are gainfully employed, in many cases on jobs which they have managed to hold onto for many years. But, what I have learned from many other colleagues is that, during these times, it has been more and more difficult to get placed in new situations... particularly here in the USA. Ergo, many of us have had no other choice but to consider positions in Asia -- mainly in the People's Republic of China, where age and variety of experience are regarded as nothing less than valuable to any ESL operation. I have absolutely nothing against teaching abroad -- having already lived and worked in Japan and Brazil -- but, as one grows older, he/she, as a senior citizen, has an increasing need for medical coverage, prescribed medications, etc. which are next to impossible to obtain in places such as the PRC. But even if it were possible, the cost of such "luxuries" would be much too inflated to be satisfied by a teacher's average monthly wage of $450-600. Therefore, the alternative of most "senior" instructors is to stay here in the USA to face the growing uncertainty of employment. One can only reach the conclusion that the powers that be in the US language business are more than somewhat apathetic in facing this problem, thereby making the ESL industry in the United States appear as nothing less than a young person's pursuit! Now, I don't wish to appear paranoid in my observation, but idly sitting here has created some mighty strange suspicions. In any event, I'd like to know if any of you out there have had the same feelings. In the interim, thanks for your attention.