Letter from a reader- TEFL for oldsters
I’ve already replied by email (see below), but I’d be very interested to see what others had to say about it- as would he!
“I am interested in becoming a TEFL teacher but before training I would be interested to know if older people (I am 48) are welcome on a real life basis in the profession. I am a graduate in English. Is there a data base of TEFL teachers that gives an insight into this?
I would be grateful for your assistance and interested to learn what you have to say.Lawrence”
Dear Lawrence
Thanks for your email. This is a question that comes up on TEFL forums occasionally and the consensus, which I agree with, is that it is much the same as any other profession- more difficult for older people (both to get into and to adjust to the new life) but very possible. I have had many colleagues who started TEFL at around your age, and the problem was more often that they decided starting at the bottom and having a boss half their age was something they couldn’t cope with than not being able to find a job. If you do decide to go for it, just make sure you get a very well recognized TEFL qualification, e.g. the Cambridge CELTA, and that your CV doesn’t have any gaps in it.
Hope that helps
All the best
Alex
April 21st, 2009 at 11:03 am
Also, this isn’t exactly the career to get into to build up a nest egg before retirement, so coming into it with a bit of money behind you is probably preferable. I’ve known a few people who love the job after having had successful careers in, say, banking or the military for 20 years as they are already secure for their retirement.
April 21st, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I think there are quite a few ‘oldsters’ in TEFL, often people who burn out at their day job and want something different or semi-retirees who need some beer money.
All the same, in my opinion age shouldn’t really be a factor (other than some middle eastern countries whose visa process forbids people over 50something).
Alex may be right in that it can be a bit odd to have a boss half your age, but there are so many jobs available out there that you surely can find your way around that. He does offer some very good advice though, with a solid CELTA I can’t see you being turned down most anywhere.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:44 am
Age discrimination is alive and well in Thailand. You only have to read some of the ads on Ajarn to see that. If you are much over 40 forget it.
As an experienced teacher at an FE College in the UK I took a TEFL course in my 50′s but had no intention of using it to find mainstream work.
My experiences on the course with young fresh graduates who had no teaching experience made me think my decision not to apply for mainstream jobs was right.
May 19th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
What exactly did you mean by:
‘I took a TEFL course in my 50’s but had no intention of using it to find mainstream work’ and also by ‘My experiences on the course with young fresh graduates who had no teaching experience made me think my decision not to apply for mainstream jobs was right’.
What exactly do you mean by: ‘mainstream work’ and what did you eventually do?
May 19th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Thank you all for your comments.