International TEFL InstituteAge Limits – TEFL Opportunities for older Applicants
As with most jobs today, the older one gets – the more difficult it is to find a new job. With TEFL teaching, a certain level of maturity and experience is considered desirable and therefore there are often plenty of job opportunities for older applicants wishing to make a career change. However, ageism (age limits) can be a concern and an issue in some countries and with some employers.
The big question then – is ageism a problem in TEFL? Well, the issue is twofold – where on the one side, one is faced with the visa regulations of a country and on the other side – you will face some employers who discriminate on the basis of age. With regards to visa regulations, one only needs to check the visa regulations of the country where you intend to teach. Click here to visit a site that outlines the age limitations for hiring around the world. Often teachers reaching the age of 50/60 may experience ageism, but this will depend largely on the country. There will, of course, be exceptions as you will find many older teachers working in Thailand. Although there is legislation in place in Western countries against ageism – this, however, does not have much effect in the hiring process as this is often very difficult to prove or contest.
So, in conclusion – although some employers may well discriminate on the basis of age, this does not ring true for all TEFL employers. When searching for a job, it is advisable to check the visa regulations and contact some employers who may ignore these unfounded age prejudices. If possible, try applying for TEFL jobs in person as many employers like to hire applicants who are readily available to start work immediately. Remember that there are many schools and employers that will be willing to hire well qualified and mature TEFL teachers regardless of age.
Further articles regarding TEFL employment are listed below:
Requirements to teach English in different schools
Requirements to teach English in different countries
Before accepting a teaching position
Links:
TEFL Courses & TEFL Training Programmes
TEFL Jobs & English Teaching Positions