Hi, and Assalamu Alaikum! (Peace be Upon You) My name is Ais...

Aisha,

I taught in China for many years and hope to be back there this Spring. Unfortunately, your age will prohibit you from teaching there. If you are already working in China, you can remain until age 65, but immigration will not issue a first employment visa to anyone over the age of 60. If you really want to remain in the EFL workforce, your best bet may be Africa.

Good luck,
Leslie

Hi Aisha,
My name is Ed Hodder. I tried getting a ESL job in Saudia Arabia for several months. I have an M Ed in Curriculum andInstruction Design and ESL, and have been published on various education topics. I have taught both vocational subjcets and tutored all levels of ESL, ESP, writing and math primarily for young adults. I am 63 years old. I was informed more than once that I was to old to teach in Saudi Arabia. I do not know how it will be for a woman, who is more mature, but I would certainly wnat to have the age issues cleared up at the front end. It is unfortunated that HR departments and recruiters seem to string applicants along regarding the age issue.
It is terribly unfortunate that age is such a significant issue.

Dear Aisha,
I am unsure of many of your questions, but I can speak directly about Oman. I have recently received overtures from a university there regarding a teaching position, and a caveat in bold-faced red letters stated, NO ONE OVER 60 YEARS OLD WILL BE CONSIDERED. As to China and the exchange, I believe that the exchange between the RMB and the US dollar is favorable to the holder of the Chinese currency, and the cost of living is an uncertainty depending on location. I wish you well. Peter

Leslie,
Thanks for the fact regarding China’s employment visa policy. I read all the post and most replies after posting my own. I laugh when I think of how I might now be received at the podium by many students. In time, more Chinese will study in the West and have chances to experience the diversity of its cultures.

Edwin,
I really appreciate your sympathies. Not so long ago, I and another much older EFL teacher was abruptly dismissed when the oversight of our ages was discovered. I have always indicated my age at the off-set, but to have relocated to Saudi Arabia, and then returning home within weeks changed me. Whenever I receive an HR telephone SKYPE reply, I remind the staff of my age.
Edwin, don’t give up on Saudi Arabia. Your qualifications should win you an excellent post in a private company, or in their government. You have needed skills. Networking here might be a start. I’m not a quitter and I will find where I belong, in sha allah.

One note. In the eyes of the Chinese gov’t and many employers you would not be considered a native speaker. Many US passport holders with backgrounds other than white Caucasian fall into this category. On a side note inflation on the RMB and working on a business visa when other than your age you qualify for a work permit are not relevant. 68 or not working without the proper visa will land you in jail and/or deported. The simple question you should be asking is where can a qualified teacher work legally when they are over 60? Unfortunately wearing a scarf will just fuel the argument of non native speaker status, sad but true!

Hi Peter,
There is so much to learn about working in places far from what is familiar. We are brave souls. I’m somewhat acquainted with the prevailing regional employment visa policy on age limits. It is possible to find an EFL teacher position in the country where one lives, however, a special provision must be in place. Leslie’s suggestion that I think of Africa is interesting. I had once thought of Ethiopia, but began fearing ethnic tensions. I’m probably limited to the Arabian Gulf, although I’m not Arab. Since I have no future in China, I will remember the exchange values for holidays. Peter, thanks a lot.

Hi Leslie I remember your face from your application to one of my jobs in China. I don’t recommend you go back at your age. With no z visa because of your age you will risk deportation if the school is inspected. Your Visa will for sure be F or L which is not legal. However some schools are able to issue Z visa but for a non teaching position. If you are caught teaching you can also be deported. Recently many seniors and non degree holders have been deported. It is not worth the risk. Plus you are applying for spring 4 to 6 months before you want to work. These reasons are why your application was not accepted. Hope this info is helpful for you and others. These days in China do not work without the proper visa!

Hi Peter,
Your thooughts on my concerns are very much appreciated. Maybe I can visit China during a holiday.
Aisha

Hi Peter,
Your points have helped me gain a broader view of how some parts of the EFL world sees me. I am hearing additional perspectives. Maybe where I should be teaching EFL is of lesser importance than what I should be teaching in EFL. As educators, we can’t ignore the innate messages we bring within the structure of the English language. Many of us are removed from our society where customs are not like where we are. We may be living in an environment so different we suffer in a state of perpetual culture shock. Our students may be experiencing the same. Peter, as I consider my career, I must keep in mind how different I must appear to others as well as their presumptions about what I’m like.

Hi again Aisha,
I do not know your nationality or whether you could teach in the United States, but I do see several jobs almost on a daily basis for ESL Teachers with backgrounds similar to yours and if you are a US citizen or hold a "green card" (permanent residency) the opportunites are much better and the pay is significantly better.
One of the many reasons I was originally attracted to the Middle East was I saw a need that my skill set could fill and I could afford to go having retired from my original profession and recently entered the teaching profession.
Ed

Wa alaykum Salam,
Yes, teachers can be hired on a Business Visa.

Yes Adam you are correct that they can be hired. But what you need to know is that it is no legal to work on business visa. The school can hire you on L travel visa as well. In fact if you have overstayed your visa you can get a job. As long as the police dont find you. Recently many teachers working on F visa have been deported from China. Take the risk and see what may or may not happen.

Hi I am 57 years old and whilst I have brought up two children and worked for most of my life,reasonable hours generaly and reasonable pay, the thought of working till I drop fills me with horror. Surley you have grandchildren or hobbies you would like to persue.Why anyone should wish to slave away to make someone else rich is beyond me.The job shortages for young people with morgages etc to pay is criminal.
If anything we should all retire sooner not later so that there are jobs for the new generation.You could do voluntary work or with three degrees under your belt why not start your own lang school and employ people if you are so hungry for work.I am hard working but I am proud of the fact that I work to live and not the other way around.Enjoy what time you have left on this earth and be thankful for all you wonderful achivements. There are so many productive things one can do by choosing to help others or following a hobby or helping family. Life is short and I do not see the merit of doing paid work for almost all of one’s life.

Start your own business, now that’s good advice. I forgot to mention that idea. I am thinking that her religion in the past has stopped her from doing a lot of work. Maybe her financial situation 401k is not good. Teaching private students is a great way to earn money!

Hi Aisha, Salamu Alekum

I have just recently arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on a 90 day business visa to work at King Saud University. Practially everyone who works with me, men and the women who are at another campus, arrived on the same visa. The plan is for us to leave the country every 90 days to get a renewal until our year’s contract is up.

Previously I was on an iqama, work and residence permit. The advantages of an iqama are that you can open a bank account, hire a car and have more freedom to leave the country. The main advantage of the business visa are that you dont need to do a medical in your own country before coming to Saudi.

There are many employers willing to employ you on the business visa.

I have also worked in China. The cost of living varies greatly from rural to urban areas and from north to south and east to west. Generally you can live comfortably on your salary and if you have a decent rate you can save a little. I havent seen any women teachers wearing hijabs in China, although, in some Western Muslim Provinces you will see many locals in a head scarf.

Dave B

To Ms. Yvonne Thomas: Please return to primary school and freshen up on your language skills.

Aisha. You are missing my point. Again you are correct. You can gain employment no problem with a business visa in most countries. But is is not legal, visa runs every 90 days or not. If you get caught you can and will be deported. School gets a slap on the wrist and maybe a small fine. You get fined, deported and back listed. In China this is a common thing.
I ma a recruiter in China and have heard this story many times! Don’t take the risk! You can be fine for many years and then all of a sudden bam! Inspection and you are done!!!

To the other Peter Petzold. Only internet trolls comment in threads with no useful information putting down others

Adam,
Shukran (Thank-you).

David,
Hi, and Wa laikum Salam!
(And Peace Be Upon You Too)
Thank-you for your very informative reply.
I wish you much success
Aisha

Well at least you can spell correctly-grammar school standout?

Hi Peter,
Your information on China’s employment policies, enforcements, and consequences has been exceedingly helpful.
Peter Petzoid, nor I approved of Yvonne’s off-topic remarks. Nothing of what Yvonne said related to my forum inquiries.
Aisha

Why do you wanna leave Kuwait?

Yes Peter I did make errors as I was tired, but you are simply rude and cras. It appears that on this forum you cannot handle an opposing point of view, simply because I was honest enough to express my true opinion. You need to get a life.
regards Y Thomas
Ps spelling errors can be corrected but attidues sadly take much longer.Please return to the human race and freshen up on your manners.

Go take a hike! All but one of my students from a class of 15 obtained either level 6 or seven at IELTS
and those who decided to take C.F.C all passed.I am proud of all my hard work, and yes teachers do make mistakes,and a great many relish showing off by putting others down, something I would never do to any student ever.I have never been great at spelling but fortunately, my determination and hard work despite being slightly dyslexic got me through. However had I listened to the likes of you I would not have made it, Peter. Regards Y Thomas

Peter Morris Thank you for your comments to the other Peter.

regards. Yvonne thomas

My understanding of this age restriction is based upon a policy to keep their health care systems from being burdened. Many countries don’t want to risk handling health problems and burdening their systems. While I, too, find it frustrating and limiting, I understand the reasoning.

Hi Aisha, the big problem for me with a business visa is getting my salary out of Saudi and into my bank account. It's not straightforward, and I'm uncomfortable having 10k+ USD sitting around my apartment. You could buy a lock box, but it's still problematic if you have monthly bills to maintain in your home country. There are ways around it. For example, you can wire it to a friend through a company and have a friend pick it up, fly to Bahrain once in a while and wire it from there, but if you're on your own getting it directly into your bank account seems to be somewhat complicated. Also, over a full year, the fees associated with moving your cash seem to add up...