Why does age matter

They say they want good experienced teachers and then they only hire the youngest. Older teachers are more dependable and much more responsible.They do not go out and drink every night or do they demonstrate the Ugly American. So why then do most schools not hire older teachers? Sure would like some good answers. Oh the health issue, not all older teachers have health issues.

I agree. I´ve been turned down because of age discrimination, yet
I am really young for my age, with great health, etc.

Hi Kennard,
For the past several months, and after my ´regular´ retirement from education I have applied for numerous jobs. Like you I feel that I have a vast amount of knowledge and experience and would like to share this with some younger people. As soon as they learn my age, however, they back off! I do not believe it has anything to do with our experience, but I feel it is because they think we are going to drop dead on the first occasion. Which we might! On the other hand, the interesting fact is that we are older precisely because we are survivors! -I wish you good luck with your applications. In the meantime I will swallow another handfull pills, and then make another appointment to see my medical practitioner!
I need another wheelchair.

Hello Kennard,
Age shouldn´t matter. Unfortunately,some people are too close-minded to see it that way..like some South Korean foreign language institute employer´s. I and many others speak from experience.

Kennard,
Regarding your "Ugly American" comment,thanks that´s really open-minded of you. One could also mention people from other nations with the term Ugly..okay?

I have sent out many resumes, I am qualified in every way, but have no replies. I am 60 years old, think that could be it? It´s very upsetting, I don´t even look my age, and I am certainly every bit as enthusiastic as a younger person.

LOOKS LIKE i AM NOT THE ONKY ONE, YES THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE UGLY, THE cANADIANS AND A FEW OF THE aUSSIES, ALL OF US SHOW AN UGLY SIDE AT TIMES TO PEOPLE..i WILL KEEP APPLYING

"Looks............one," Speak for yourself. Good luck.

hi
people look at age even if we don´t. They make us feel conscious and put us away from many things indirectly saying "Sorry, we can´t pay you according to your experience. We are looking for someone younger and with less experience so that it fits our pocket."

At 60 I have had no problem getting accepted at some schools.Try China or other countires like Latin America where you might not make great money but enough to live on.Put your suit and tie on and spif up that resume foto.

It seems that some employers, especially those running private schools to make it a business, want the following type of person:
- 23 years old with 30 years of professional experience.
I do not care, and even though I am 57 years of age, I think if someone does not want me because of my age he does NOT deserve me!
Very clear and very simple.

Hey, you old goats!

I am 47, and I get a fair amount of replies. However, signing away one year of your life at this age is very different than doing so at 24... I´m terrified, and wonder what the conditions at the "other end" will be.

Any thoughts on this from the elephants?

Sue

Hi my dear Kennard,

it is not just age also non natives we have same problem. Doors are closed for us as for you. It is just the matter of luck. And these limits are stupid and indicate on society which does not care for education but just reputation having young and beautiful tecahers with pure english.(WHAT IS A PURE ENGLISH THESE DAYS- go to Vancouver and you´ll see pure english)
So, mature and educated or experianced can crawl on edge and took crumbs if any left. Also as non natives we have a great chance to end up in sex industry or being sold all over China. Please do not give up fight as I do.
love and peace mirjana

Yes, and again please let me add to Mirjana`s wise comments:
It is not only a question of age, it is also a question of personality plus previous qualifications and work history. I can tell you frankly that although I am 57 yrs old, I have received emplyoment offers from Saudi Arabia, a foreign university in Cairo, and a university in South Africa - plus two or three offers from China (and there are more to come).
And in most non-Western countries abroad, a mature age even is a an asset rather than a problem to get a job - unless you want to work with very young people or with kids at kindergarten age. But you should be OK with 19-24 year old college/university students.
When you have been able to secure a job, please let us know. We will arrange then for another missile to send some "ugly mathematicians" up to Jupiter..smile.

Yes, age seems to be a huge problem in some countries. They have an idealistic view of what the "perfect" English teacher should look like. They want lots of experience, and lots of energy too. That is, most likely, the problem with all those foreign recruiters. They think that we will not be able to last until the end of our contract, and might drop dead from sheer exhaustion!! But, at least we don´t drink and party all night.
Like Susan, I´m also 47 and don´t look my age (I think), and have received a fair amount of offers, particularly from China where the demand is high. But with a teenager in tow, the idea of moving and teaching overseas is more than a little daunting. Nonetheless, it´s a dream that I am not ready to give up on yet.

Mr. Napier is correct. There is an abundance of age and racial discrimination in this field. I have read actual ads stating that is you were of the "Negro Race" do not apply.I have also read ads which clearly stated that only people under 30 need to apply. This is quite common in all businesses today. Hire a cheap blond! When I was a lawyer, I only employed people over the age of 40.They were always on time, no children or boyfriend problems and for the most part, they exercised good common sense and judgement. I have personally received rejection letters with the sole reason that I was from Ireland. I would offer a voice sample, but those Japanese and Koreans simply were not interested. Thank goodness I had enough common sense to freelance!

I am 57 and have no problem getting work in China. I am a Business English teacher. If you have talent/s you should have no problems...good luck!

Yes I would, as Mr.Kennard Napier says why does age matter? it is true if one is healthy and want to work why not? we are more experienced much more mature and take our task seriously, we are treaded like oh you guys are not required at all in the society, this is very hurting to all of us.