How many over 50's are there teaching TEFL

I started teaching at 48. formally, that is. And it was hard. Of course, I live in a country where teaching positions are frozen into a rigid state system, and where for some odd reason, private teaching is not well seen!  But I have hung in there now, for over 12 years [of hard work and heart ache],  until I decided that I'd had it with trying to get into the formal state system. So I started looking around for teaching positions abroad. I have an interesting cv, with 30 years and more working experience. Well, apparently, it wasn't interesting to whoever read it, because of all the positions I applied for, not one, not one, even bothered to answer.  

I suspect it was because of the age--almost 58.  Which is ridiculous. I have now my own school, taken over about 6 months ago-and am more enthused than a 30 year-old.  So, I like to think--their loss.

So my answer is a definite YES to the question if there are more difficulties in finding a job if you're over 50.

But don't give up! 

b

Hi, Rod.  I am over 50 and almost done with a master's degree program.  A fellow classmate from Saudi Arabia has encouraged me to seek a teaching posiiton overseas after graduation (May 2012), so I will need to spend next year getting my TESOL certification here at the school where I currently work.  After that, I hope I won't be too old to go!  I have seen from some websites that there are age limits (60) to going to any middle eastern countries to teach, for instance, but I'm not sure if that applies to other countries, such as Japan.  I hope that maturity is a positive factor, however, because I believe I really have a lot to offer.  Thanks for your comment.  I hope I've contributed something useful.  You've definitely provided some food for thought.

Hi

I don't know if there are many jobs in schools for over 50's but I've seen many ads for private tutors which use the persons maturity as a selling point.  Many students have had enough of immature teachers who are just out there for the fun/travel aspect and don't care enough about the students.  They think the students are only there to provide them with beer money and airmiles.  Sorry but this is true - I've met teachers like this.  The students know exactly what is going on and so maturity, for them, is a good sign.  

To my annoyance there are many schools and internships that have an age limit which is frankly offensive.

I've heard people ask (behind other teachers' backs of course!) 'why is he single at his age? why doesn't she settle down now she's older? why does he want such an unstable lifestyle?  That is partly because young people think that older people's lives are irrelevant and that any fun we have is somehow pointless.  (Ha!  You just wait until they're 50 and see what they think!)  It's also because a lot of countries are socially very conservative.  They have a bit of fun in their youth and then they get married, have kids, get a safe job and that's it - game over!  BORING!!!!!

This doesn't mean there's no work for you!

This doesn't mean you can't use your age to your advantage, it just means that you have to find the right way to present yourself depending on the culture in which you find yourself.  remember you have life experience - you can command a level of respect and authority in the class that young teachers simply will not achieve.  You will have more to talk about and can more easliy give advice.  You can (presumably) cope more easily with difficult situations and cast a more experienced eye over difficulties your students face.  I think if you can give this type of impression when looking for jobs you should be ok.

The oldest teacher I've known is 59 and had coped with some extrememly difficult schools and events in the US including being assaulted by students.  At 44 I think I'm the oldest teacher in my current job but in the previous job there was a lady who is 50 and she is a very respected and talented teacher - she got all the one to one classes with the high up executives.  

Why don't you send an email and CV to a few schools and see what they say?  I think you might be better off with academies teaching adults either in a school or in-office, or private students.  Try Ecuador as they do seem to respect older people there.  also try Europe - many countries seem to be tiring of gap year students breezing through in a cloud of alcohol and are starting to prefer responsible and mature teachers.

Hi,

I am Jen from Dewey International Education Consultant Ltd, we recruit teachers for regular and language schools around Taiwan.

Based on experience, the only reason a 50+ old teacher still gets to teach is when they have been in the school for a long time. If you are thinking of starting to teach, you can, most language schools accepts teachers around 50+, but not the regular schools ( private and public )

Yes, THERE (note the spelling!) are jobs for the over 50s, although as with any sector there will always be some employers who prefer younger teachers. You haven't said where you want to work but at your age your best bet would be somewhere in Asia - perhaps Vietnam if you have a degree or China if you don't.

Have a look at the mature TEFLers group (http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/groups/183-Mature-aged-TEFLers) through which you will find many over 50s who are teaching (or are proposing to teach) English. I'd definitely recommend having a chat with Katie (http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/katieloudreaming) who has been following her dream in China. Very inspiring.

Hope that helps.

Briona