Does anyone know of a country that hires ’older’ female teac...

Hi Maria I am 57 years old and was recently offered a position teaching in Bremen Germany,my age and experience( 14 years plus didn’t put them off, but sadly I could not take the post as my 85 year old mum is ill. I am an only child so she depends on me.However many private language schools want recent graduates, it’s cheaper, the other problem is that traditionaly TEFL teaching has been advertised as a way of seeing the world and the employers play up to this expecting long hours of work for not particularly high pay.The Eng Lang Service Bremen offered good rates so there are exceptions to the cynical picture I have painted.Look the service up, having been interviewed by Steve Caldicot a director, I was impressed,they are professional and he was a lovely helpful guy.Good Luck Maria! Regards Y Thomas

Korea is a very wonderful country to apply to. I am a little younger but I was treated so royally.
People who are older are so respected there.

Maria, I ran across this not long ago: http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/nonmembers/age-article.htm not sure how true it is but I can believe it. Today, I was told by a recruiter in China, that it’s just ’common sense’ that if you are over 35, you won’t get a job teaching in Asia. However, I have friends in Korea that are between 55-60, maybe over 60 that are still working. But I will say that the retirement age in Korea is mid 60s and at that point, I think they might cut you off. Korea is very understanding. I would say, go there on a Tourist Visa and walk the streets to meet with Hagwon Owners...then if you can get job with one, maybe you get them to talk to immigration. Honestly, I don’t think you’d have a problem in Korea. Just sayin’. Also, I saw on the list that I gave you, Russia. Different cultures honor different teachers and age is well-respected in some cultures. I think possibly some places in the Middle East might be a choice also. Check the list, then see if you can find testomonials from people who have actually been to those places. Universities are usually more lenient and like I said, Private Schools for children. Don’t give up! You are a beautiful woman and the key word here is ’woman’. Lots of schools, want women specifically! Failure is for people who don’t try. Keep trying!

why cant you come back to the US and teach? there’s not much out there for older teachers that pay well. Or you could use your MA and counsel, theres lots of need esp in drug and alcohol counseling (or teach counseling in the US).

Hello,
It is my understanding that many Asian countries such as South Korea and China welcome older teachers. I’m 54 and I also receive offers from Middle Eastern countries. Good Luck.
Tricia

In my opinion a Charter school or especially a Catholic school will be the best avenue. Try the Diocese of wherever you want to live and check out their HR for schools. They do not pay as much as public schools but people there are more open-minded about age...You might want to substitute in both public and private schools just to let them know you...a foot in the door. Have you heard of EdJoin.org (in California) and Teacher-Teachers.org (in Florida) are sites with openings for those states. Also the State Department...Good Luck as I need it too!

I am not as old as you are, but the school in Vietnam they have a few older teachers, and after talking with HR they also said they do not have a problem, also in Vietnam the cost of living is very cheap so you should be able to pay for everything here, back home and even save

This is a common situation. I was gainfully employed abroad until I was 70 - then - nothing. I am 75 - plenty of energy and a real desire to live, work and learn another culture. I have found nothing - even volunteer situations are not very welcoming. It’s absurd. I have a BA, an MA in Education, TESOL certificate, Teaching Business English certificate - more than 30 years living and working abroad. Experience in the public and private sectors, academia - and the Peace Corps.

Many people have asked me the same question, ’Why don’t you just stay in the U.S. and teach?’ Well, have you looked at the cost of living lately in the U.S.? Take for instance in Florida, where a teacher starts out at $45K annually, where I’d have been starting out, I am single, so oops...there goes 17% taxes..now, I will be living off of $37K annually (working from 7:30AM - 4:30PM, grading papers, student/teacher meetings at night, and all kinds of extra curricular activities to do with the school, supervising games at nights or on the weekends, teacher’s meetings, etc...) That’s roughly $3,000 a month for working 40 hours or more a week, figure in an apartment or mortgage and you’re easily looking at $1800 to buy food, pay your car note, insurance, etc...I might have about $1,000 left over, depending....now if I work in Korea or even Saudi Arabia, my housing is paid for, I don’t need a car, and for the first 2 years, I don’t have to pay tax in South Korea. If it’s Saudi, then it’s tax free. So then I am looking at approx. $2,500 - $4,400 per month (teaching maybe 20 hours a week, with no papers to grade, no meetings to attend, SIMPLE) to pay for what little bills I have back in the states and my food. Eating in Korea can be very cheap. And with those jobs come the perks of traveling, teacher’s trips that are paid for, medical paid for, pension, and so much more! And a month - two months off for winter vacation, paid, along with10 days off for summer, paid, and another week for re-contracting, paid...bonuses, roundtrip air tickets, not to mention 1/2 days off for

I think South Korea would be your best bet at 62. Just make sure you stay away form the hag-wans and with your background stick to the teacher’s colleges. I know of one in Jinju, South Korea that would love to have you. Just remember to get to Korea now you must have your college degree(s) apostiled by the US State Department and have a background check done by the FBI and then also apostiled by the US Dept. of State and this isn’t free. Check the South Korea Embassy homepage to get all of the details.

have you thought about applying for positions at international schools? they tend to be less discriminating than state run and private language institutes...never saw an age cap in regards to international schools

Yes Maria. I totally understand what you are experiencing. This age-ism is particularly true when applying for teaching positions in Korea. While I had assumed I was being discriminated against based on my age (I have three (3) degrees, a TESOL certificate, university teaching experience IN KOREA and specifically, ESL teaching experience). When schools see my age, everything changes. How do I know this for a fact? When I recently had a Skype interview with a Korean university (name withheld) the four interviewers thought they had hung up from the interview with me. They inadvertently left their Skype app on. I literally heard them say they liked my qualifications but because I was born in 1951that was a problem. This was very disheartening for me personally. In a more positive vein, I can tell you I was recently offered a teaching position in The Czech Republic as that position was teaching English for a Czech English School that was catering to business people there. I think you may have more luck with schools that focus on business people who would more likely trust and respect your experience. Maria another option is to consider putting your skills and wisdom to use in the U.S. Peace Corpsif you are a U.S. citizen. Regards.

Try Istanbul, Turkey. I worked with a couple of people in their 60’s.

Hi Maria,
I am teaching in San Luis Potosi, MX. There are a number of schools here that would be compatible. The one I currently teach at is okay, but the pat and benefits are low. The Berlitz school pays much better. Best of luck.

Hi, Maria. I too am 62 years old and have very recent experience teaching in South Korea. I recently learned that the Saudi gov’t has decided if you afre over 60, they don’t want to talk to you. How inconsiderate! You would think we died! Do you have your American teaching certificate? If so, you can get a job in the States, but it may take a while. Put your resume in EVERYWHERE. That will help.

I would agree with most Asia would be the place, check out China even Singapore where I am working now we have/had many teachers your age and the pay is good here. check out the international school . I am working at a place called I Can Read teaching children 4-8 how to read.

Dear Maria,
First of all I must say at sixty-two you look wonderful!!! In the the end it is their lost for not hiring you. The cold hard reality of the ESL industry globally is they hire like the porn industry,Blond Females are hired first,Non-Blonds second,White Males third and Non-White Male are last hired first fired. Also they do prefer people under 40. Please keep in mind especially in Asia this is "Edutainment" they are not really serious about learning English, They just want to learn some "cool English phrases" to impress their friends and appear to be well traveled. The English Learning Centers you can usually tell the phoniness from the Californian Vally Girl Accent they put on.
When I am feeling naughty I like to use a more sophisticated vocabulary with them just to throw them off and put them in their place. Always keep in mind there is going to be a certain level of envy towards you especially if you do not fit their idea of Native English Speaker. Many of these people spent many years and even more important to Asians a lot of money just to sound like your typical "Mid-Western American thirteen year old! Your chances are probably better if you focus on Universities and even there you will encounter some difficulty.

From what I have seen, with your experience and education, the best paying jobs for you would be working at Universities. Maybe looking into university jobs will widen your options.

You may want to try China or some places in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is currently looking for women (200 ) to teach at Princess Noura University as far as I understand - if you are properly qualified and have experience I am sure they would consider you. Other places I have heard of is Oman - despite the regulations tightening up there are a number of educational institutions here that are finding it difficult to source teachers due to a shortage of experienced and qualified teachers available - some are choosey, others are not.

Hi Maria,
Have you tried Oman? I think they are accepting to older teachers. It seems that Korea is changing their standards and they are hiring more seasoned teachers than before , also. As one of the responses noted, try the univeristy level, but to be considered you may have to have CELTA certification. That is easy enough to obtain and inexpensive also. I have a friend who just went through the course and was hired at one of the universities in Korea. Here’s a question for you.Are you certified to teach English Literature. I am currently in Dubai teaching at Nibras International school. They are in need of a upper grade English teacher. Shall I forward your name to the principal? Let me know.

Dear Maria,

I am 67 years old and have had good luck with jobs in South Korea as well as China. I like South Korea the best. The pay is usually better in South Korea,, too. I have taught all ages there and am hoping to get a new contract in a couple of months to return to teach there again. I have taught in several locations there, also. You do have to have all of your documents now which includes a Criminal Background Check done by the FBI and an Apostille from the US State Dept as well. Also you will need copies of your degrees which are notarized by a notary in the state where the school is located, then you will have to get an apostille for each of them from the State Dept in that state.

I usually try to post my resume with a cover letter telling my age on www.eslteachersboard.com and on www.daveseslcafe.com, plus I apply for jobs on www.seriousteachers.com. All three of these sites are good. I always get lots of inquiries and decide which ones I am interested in pursuing. You can also check each of these sites daily and apply for any jobs you see listed that interests you. Just do not apply for jobs with Korea’s public schools or national universities. They cannot consider a teacher who is already 60.

I will tell you that it usually takes a little longer to get a teaching job at an older age. Many schools want a younger teacher, but many prefer older teachers with experience. Also, since you are over 60, you cannot work for a public school in South Korea by Korean law you have to be under 60, but the private schools do not care. They just want a good teacher.

I have not taught in Malaysia, but I know you cannot teach there after you are 65 because I missed out on a job with the Malaysian government schools because I was over 65 just last year.

Good Luck.

Hunt Allen

Contact KING SAUD UNIVERSITY in RIYADH. Urgently. But the Saudi environment is completely different than any other Arab environment. But if you need the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ then apply.

MJE

Hello Maria
I can only share my experience to date and I agree with you. It is extremely difficult to secure a position teaching English in China. I have taught English summer camps the last 2 years and due to age (63)China will not even consider a long term assignment. Korea might be an option however, you can do a search on age limitations on working abroad and come up with a list by country.

Maria i think with your qualifications you can try South Korea.

Kuwait American School. Salmiya Kuwait.

If you are truly desperate and need the money. You would be hired very quickly upon applying to any Middle-Eastern country, especially Saudi Arabia, because they are in dire need of Female Native English Teachers. The pay is between 30k-60k US tax free.

Maria try South Africa. i think they need teachers

Have you thought of teaching in a ladies’ college in Saudi Arabia, Maria? The pay would be high if you could hack it...

Maria, I think that some of the Asian countries (or in the case China cities) have visa regulations that keep them from hiring anyone over the age of 55 as a teacher. This was the case in Guangzhou, China when I taught there. The regulations change at whim so it could be different now and I’m not sure about the others but that could be why you’re having some difficulty. I work in Istanbul, Turkey now and there are older teachers who work for my language school and the schools where some of my friends work. Not sure that they’re 62 but they’re definitely over 50. Maybe you can also think of going into management. That avenue may be more open to you as it doesn’t present the same age restrictions and you’ll make a lot more money as a DOS than you would as a teacher. Good luck and hope you find something soon.

I am 67 and was hired in Turkey.

I taught for 6 years in China but I aged out. The south of China has a 60yr age limit but you can get hired in the north easier. Also, each province in China has its own rules. I probably could have worked one more year where I was, but at a substantially lower salary.

My understanding is that South Korea does have an age limit. Also, I was told by a company that Oman has an age limit and even though my qualifications were great I couldn’t be hired. I also applied to every position listed in Saudi Arabia. I did not get one response.

You could try Turkey. Just apply for specific jobs not through a recruiter which unfortunately is what I did.

Egypt doesn’t care

Hi all friends, the best way to get job in Middle East is to recommend the prospect employers to apply a Bisiness work visa for you at the begining, then the business visa will be extended by your employer while you are working there for the period of the employment. Wish you all the best.

I have looked at the site and I would judge it to be accurate. Turkey is one that can be iffy, sometimes they accept older teachers and then other times they clearly state: Do not apply if you are over 45yrs.
UK is a joke..... if you are over the age of 30 they DON’T want to know!!!!! Despite the anti age discrimination laws, it is just pushed aside with: you are over experienced.

Maria

Egypt yes they only look at you experience and if you are compatible to their culture, i.e. if you can put up with their ways :-)
Just put your CV online, there many sites and see which employers come to you.
I am 48yrs (still young for some) and due to a family situation have actually had to turn down 6 jobs this year: Libya, Saudi, China (2), Turkey, France.
Don’t give up there are many schools out there that would love to have your experience :-)
And yes Ladies, it is extra hard now a days for us singletons :-) and it’s going to get even harder.... but as long as we can get that job in the sun.... with free rent etc we will be fine :-)

Hi Maria,
U might try Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia
Good luck,
Randy

Maria, I am a 53 year old teacher who is now teaching in Saudi Arabia for $3,600.00 a month tax free. I work for a private company that hires teachers to teach ESL/EFL at Saudi Universities. You would have to accept the Saudi way of women wearing the abayah the body length black covering when outside, but they hire older teachers and pay well no taxes and free housing. Other countries in the middle east do the same and they don’t have the restrictions on women you have here in Saudi Arabia such as Oman, Bahrain the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. You might also want to check out Egypt and Jordan as well. There are also jobs in International Schools in the Middle East which are not age retricted. Good Luck with your job search.

Hello there

I also found some people do discriminate but having read these articles it makes one realise thank goodness that there is still hope for people who look young but are older. The experience one has counts for a lot and that is something which comes with age.When I was much younger I do not feel I was as experienced in teaching as I am now as age comes with wisdom too.

Good luck and I hope you find a lovely job. We all deserve that in life.

Thanks all for your responses and leads. I am currently teaching in a Saudi university. However, we are all here on temporary visitor visas which expire in 3 weeks. We have not been told if and when our work visas will be issued. With the new age law in effect here, I may well be turned down for it. I’m just trying to stay one step ahead of the game just in case. I wish you all health, happiness, and some kind of job security.

Hi Maria

I once worked with a lady who was over 60 in Germany. She did start her job before she was 60, however, she was not forced to retire when she turned 60. The EU has strict laws protecting applicants for jobs against age discrimination, but, sadly, they are not always effective.

I would try applying to EU enployers and see what kind of response you get. One thing to be aware of, is that US citizens need a work permit to work in an EU country and so you would be up against people from UK who do not need a visa. Still, I think it is worth trying, if they like your skills and experience, they might just hire you.

Kurdistan seems to be very interested in elementary teachers if you have a professional certificate and are interested. They just opened an American School there.

Hi Maria

Thanks for your reply. I have just arrived in Riyadh today to work at King Saud University. Where are you working and who are you working for?

It is better to have an iqama - or work permit - which gives you more freedom regarding leaving the kingdom during holidays. I am also on a 90 business visa and hope to move onto an iquama.

I haven’t heard about the new age restrictions coming into force. I used to work with a guy in Al Khobar who was over 60 and he was given a new contract. That was last year, however, and things may have changed.

Good luck and let me know if you need any help.

Hi David and welcome to Riyadh. I teach at King Saud Prep Program. The age requirement came into effect a couple of weeks ago. We are all still on a temporary visitor visa which expires in 3 weeks. We still haven’t been through a physical, which is required for a business visa, which is needed before you apply for your iqama. Nothing is being said so we are playing the waiting game. It is very possible that I will be denied a visa because the law went into effect before I got ’legal’. You need an iqama for just about everything-open a bank account, send money out of the country, travel, get a PO Box and ... We shall see. Enjoy.

Hi Maria,
Private schools have more leeway than govt unis in your situation- with Eid kicking in now, getting new faculty into KSA is an iffy project, so I would think you have an upside so far. That said, hit the other local unis as many are needing to hire. PMU in Al Khobar has needs geared to your skills, Princess Noura too for starters.

I am a very fit, 66-year old woman who also looks younger. If you have Pre-K, K-12, or know how to seriously apply technology in the classroom, you can apply for HongKong positions and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi law cuts you out @ 58, Indonesia @ 55, and it seems Latin America wants young graduates, BUT laws were made to be broken and I am finding some agencies that work deals. That said, be careful to ask lots of questions and read between the lines because some arrangements seem awfully suspicious. Also, being paid enough to pay U.S. bills is highly doubtful. I have often rented my condo in my absence, which freed me to not depend on the foreign salary.

I would LOVE to work in Bremen or ANYwhere in western Europe. Do you have EU citizenship or are you already in residence in Europe with a spouse? I find those two points blocking my way.

Hi Maria,

I’m leaving for Riyadh in about three weeks to teach English at King Saud University. From 2005 until the end of 2009 I taught English in South Korea and it was brimming with Native English-Speakers, both male & female, of all ages. Have you ever taught in Asia? I know that China, Japan and South Korea are more interested in hiring good English Teachers than they are in discriminating against someone because of their age or their gender. You know what, Maria... just tell ’em you’re in your 30’s. You look good. Sometimes you just have to stick-up for yourself.

Regards,

P.G.P.

Varies from Country to country.
A lot is to do with the visa.
If you can get your own visa you CAN work in MANY countries.
Saudi Arabia (desperate for teachers) Tell them you will work on a BUSINESS VISA and supply your
own Health Insurance.
Thailand - Tell them you will provide your own visa.
China (little bit risky) buy a 6 month business visa.
Turkey (Not a nice country) Supply your own visa.

Hi Maria:

The Middle East is very picky about their age. The contracts are normally 2 years in length so they won’t take you if you are 59!! I actually worked with a teacher who turned 60 before the contract was ended and she was dismissed immediately. International schools are the same. Most of the countries the cutoff is 60. Although some people claim that working in Asia is okay, you do face some isolation. There is a company who is currently recruiting for ELPs and ELC in Malaysia. They are hiring people well over 60!! Check it out.

I have met many professional, experienced teachers working and living in both Mexico and Korea. Many of them had taught in other places such as Turkey, the Middle East, and Colombia. From my experience working in a middle school in Mexico, young age was working against me. They wanted somebody with more experience who was "more worthy of the children’s respect".

Good luck in KSA. It’s difficult but is an experience in itself. Unfortunately, as far as the age thing, I can say whatever I want but the passport speaks the truth, and visas come via passports.

Hi Christine. I am on my own and do have EU citizenship. Finding employment in Europe is very difficult. Many employers, if not most I have encountered, do not provide accomodations, want their teachers to have a basic working knowledge of their language, already live in the country or basically work for a very small salary. I would do it if I could afford it, as I definitely prefer to live in Europe, but unfortunately, this is my only means of survival, (no property to rent out) and I do have debts to pay off. Positions I have been offered in Europe would leave me maybe enough to go out for an occasional cup of coffee after taxes and basic living expenses.

Hi Maria, I am teaching in China to high school students will study in western universities in future,,at international school,, my salary same as in Saudi Arabia and UAE,,the best thing you can get free nice apartment on your own,, not like Arabian countries to stay in shared ones.food so cheap, life booming as All money here in China,,They need any age, my school needs more teachers, they try to get USA students to teach.

AS IT WAS STATED THAT NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN, THE SAME HERE IN CHINA, NEVER TOO OLD TO TEACH, CHINA IS THE BEST PLACE FOR YOU, IF ONLY YOU WILL BE AROUND

China is getting tough on anyone over 60 years old. Good luck

started with an ’L’ visa

started with an ’L’ visa

A note to everyone:
Thanks so much for your input on this ’age’ subject. I’m about to turn 63, have been in business for 40 odd years, have Celta and am presently in South Africa wher I have been teaching Business English for the last 18 months. Its terrific to have a little extra handle on the job hunting

Dear Maria
This is a common problem all over the world. It has to do with parents not wanting there kids taught by old ways of teaching even if your an experienced teacher. It’s not visa’s believe me. I don’t normally answer these blogs but you hit a spot that I’m trying to remedy here in Vietnam. As a teacher of 45 yrs old and the fact I still look young I see that I will have maybe 3 to 4 more yrs that this will start being a huge problem for me as well. I’m in the process of trying something new here where age or gender will not be an issue. I am married to a national and have started a new concept on schools. I will be sending info out to all the teacher forums and will be looking for investors for this new concept. Please keep your eyes out for this. The concept will be looking for young and old teachers with vast knowledge for teaching all levels and ages all subjects. It has never been done but can work and happen.

Korea is a fabulous country, someone mentioned the country. I lived there for 11 yrs. Unfortunately their age restriction is 58 yrs now...

I went down that lane. If you are IN the country and have been living there before you turned 58 yrs....you can stay on until 65 yrs of age. If it's a NEW application, the restriction is 58 yrs. Many countries operate like that....

Hi Maria, I am wondering where you are now and if you have found solid employ. Are you a secondary school teacher or are you an ESL teacher? I am looking for information about age restrictions for primary/secondary INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TEACHERS, in the better schools. Might you have experience or contacts with teachers like you who are very young in mind and body and working well through their 60's, 70's, 80's ? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

Are there International School Primary/Secondary School Teachers who are working without restriction through their 60's...70's.... early 80's in excellent K-12 schools ? Any and all information is greatly appreciated!

I have experinced the same at my age of 62. I also look 20 years younger. I got locked out of China during Covid and lost my Job. I heard S. Korea, Mexico and Thailand accept older teacher. Do not quote me on these. Please let me know if you have any luck. For me I have income but I misss the job! It sad that at this age with all that we bring to the table we are being locked out.