Teaching in Thailand over 60?

[John V]

Hi all,

Just joined and have a specific question related to teaching in Thailand that someone might have an answer to.

A little background; I’m UK NES, TEFL cert’, with a BA, B.Sc. and MA. I teach TEFL, plus social science using ABL and specialise in English grammar.

I’ve just come back from Northern China after a six-year stint in a government High School, which fizzled out when the company lost the contract with the local LEA. I previously taught in an international school in Ratchaburi and a government school in Sattahip.

Times change and I’m now six years older. I turn 63 in April, although all my previous medicals are A1 and I’m not on any medications – don’t drink either! So, I have the experience, education, references from Thailand and China and a decent enough resume. What are my chances of decent employment in Thai high schools or universities at 63?

Edited January 26, 2018 by John V

[tonray]

There is age discrimination here and your prospects will be limited by it. There are however many teachers here over the age of 60 but it will simply be more difficult to get the foot in the but can be done. I found Universities among the worst when it came to consideration (I was 59 when applying and they all cited the age of 60 being an issue).

 

Agency jobs are an option if you really have issues finding something. Oh...and if you teach in Thai high schools...you might want to reconsider your stance on drinking....*just a bit of humour*

[John V]

Thanks for your reply tonray.

Yes, I’m well versed in age discrimination, but found outside Thailand to be the most receptive and have a couple of ass’ Professorship applications going in S. Korea and Vietnam. I’m a bit fussy as well and won’t take the ‘backpacker burn out’ jobs. I’d prefer Thailand though to take me up to retirement age, even though the salaries here are way below most of Asia. I live 15 clicks outside Pattaya and I’ve met enough alcoholics, drug addicts and ex-secret service fantasists to last me the rest of my life (and that’s just amongst the ‘teachers’)!   

[Rhys]

Take your best shot.....some opportunities are available even at Uni..but not the main places.. BKK.  It would be more likely being employed at a uni over 60 at a provincial uni.... down south,  some up north...pay will be right at 24-30K... even with your background .. and all the TEFL and MA jazz.

 

However your visa and work permit will generally be taken care of and of course, you'll be given a dorm room.  

 

.....then there are the unis if you have an insider link, that will accept you as an outside expert, which that uni has a dire need for..... in the English program. ... and they can make you .. . I am told..an Adjunct prof... title only...  Good luck... Try about...

[John V]

Thanks Rhys,

I don’t really care about location, or salary, but not too many hours. I get a small UK state pension at 66 and with savings that has to last indefinitely. I don’t want to spend those savings now and go into retirement with a minimum pension. Thailand seems the ideal choice as I’m not chasing the dollar and my wife and I are retiring here.

The ‘TEFL and MA jazz’ paid for our house in only six years from working in China and it wasn’t earned by holding up flashcards and shouting ‘orange’ and ‘carrot’.  The winter Siberian snow blizzards didn’t suit the other half either.

There’s a huge crack down on fake teachers going on all over Asia and it’s decimated our backpacking fraternity, which leaves a huge shortage. I’m more a lecturer than a teacher, but if I can’t find anything in Thailand, I’ll do some serious searching next month and try Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam instead. Would be nice to stay here though, but …       

[simon43]

You should come over to Myanmar. Minimal age discrimination and salaries are well above that paid by Thai universities and government schools.

[John V]

Thanks for that Simon, I’ll certainly look into employment there.

[Slip]

There aren't any international schools in Ratchaburi.

[Rhys]

John V,

 

Well it is all about what you want... Not like China a 6 day work week? At some places.     A few pals are in the 70s teaching in unis...  However, they have the energy... and what something to do.... so they are busy about. 

 

Generally.... if you choose the Uni Route, you're going to teaching those Freshman General Education classes of overloaded classes and poorly motivated students that could care less about attending class, and who are so behind the curve...  That would be a major teaching responsibility...  It gets a bit old with these types of students... but it is deal .. and the % depends on what school.....

 

Thus not wanting to work not too many hours, does fit well for you.   Fake teachers even with degrees are just part of the landscape here... nothing new. 

 

Start applying to the unis... give it a shot.... make sure you have your TRANSCRIPTS.. yes.. from long ago.. They want those too... in  your application packet. 

 

Have you considered teaching on-line... you would have no problem as most of the programs are teaching Chinese students... more flexibility with this approach and you can avoid, keep a low profile, teach without a work permit..as this area is  so....unclear and unenforced.

 

Cheers Mate

[Slip]

Having named the school John, I think you have just crossed a rather important line by making some arguably defamatory comments about it.  Perhaps a mod can delete them for you before you end up in a worse position than being merely unemployed?

[John V]

15 hours ago, Rhys said:

John V,

 

Well it is all about what you want... Not like China a 6 day work week? At some places.     A few pals are in the 70s teaching in unis...  However, they have the energy... and what something to do.... so they are busy about. 

 

Generally.... if you choose the Uni Route, you're going to teaching those Freshman General Education classes of overloaded classes and poorly motivated students that could care less about attending class, and who are so behind the curve...  That would be a major teaching responsibility...  It gets a bit old with these types of students... but it is deal .. and the % depends on what school.....

 

Thus not wanting to work not too many hours, does fit well for you.   Fake teachers even with degrees are just part of the landscape here... nothing new. 

 

Start applying to the unis... give it a shot.... make sure you have your TRANSCRIPTS.. yes.. from long ago.. They want those too... in  your application packet. 

 

Have you considered teaching on-line... you would have no problem as most of the programs are teaching Chinese students... more flexibility with this approach and you can avoid, keep a low profile, teach without a work permit..as this area is  so....unclear and unenforced.

 

Cheers Mate

Perhaps I’ve been spoiled a bit, but my government teaching hours in China were 10 x 40 minutes a week, same as the Chinese staff. No exams, extra activities, or anything else. My average class size in China was a minimum of 60, so I learned class management very quickly. 

No thanks, I’m absolutely legal, always will be and it’s because my degrees and references are genuine. I spent ten years at various UK universities and even have my own prepared syllabus. I’ve no need to hide anything and have nothing to hide. Online teaching and back packing language centers isn’t my thing and if I can’t find anything in Thailand, I’ll try further afield. Myanmar, which as Simon suggests and I didn’t think of is another place I’ll try. 

[Scott]

The posts about naming and shaming have been reported and removed.   It's against the forum rules.  

[John V]

15 hours ago, Scott said:

The posts about naming and shaming have been reported and removed.   It's against the forum rules.  

OK, my apologies and I’ll revert to forum anonymity.

[jenny2017]

 

  OP, you won't be able to have social security, it stops when people turn 60. Would only be possible if somebody from the school knows somebody at the office...best of luck!!

[stubuzz]

On 1/27/2018 at 7:44 AM, John V said:

I’m more a lecturer than a teacher, but if I can’t find anything in Thailand

Teacher centered lectures are the most ineffective way of teaching of teaching a language.  You might want to update you teaching methodologies before you give any demo lessons.

[John V]

On ‎06‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 4:14 AM, stubuzz said:

Teacher centered lectures are the most ineffective way of teaching of teaching a language.  You might want to update you teaching methodologies before you give any demo lessons.

I use ABL, but combine TEFL with social science as a culture syllabus. The day I have to perform with flash cards is the day I stop teaching.

[John V]

On ‎06‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 2:16 AM, jenny2017 said:

 

  OP, you won't be able to have social security, it stops when people turn 60. Would only be possible if somebody from the school knows somebody at the office...best of luck!!

Why would I want social security? :)

[jenny2017]

1 hour ago, John V said:

Why would I want social security? :)

         

                    Why would anyone have a full coverage insurance that can be continued when employment ends for only 438 baht/month? (:- : -

[Rhys]

It is not the best situation for the over 60 teachers...., you have to be really lucky and know someone who can pull you through at the school as most will fall back on rules.

Edited February 7, 2018 by Rhys

[Colabamumbai]

Started at 59 taught until 65, could have continued, but met the right woman and was eligible for my pension. Taught in Isaan.

[ostyan]

Not impossible. I am 65 now and my school wants me to stay and others schools offer me better conditions. It is true, however, that the start is usually harder and adopting the Thai condition is not as easy as at the age of 25.

[natway09]

There is no law in Thailand about working over 60 nor do Immigration nor Labour Dept.

However Government departments have a compulsory 60 retirement & also some schools.

Good Luck.

 

[Rumpelstilskin]

From my experience the best opportunity would be at an international school in Mandalay Myanmar.  I worked almost 3 years at MCTA Mandalay International School and enjoyed the students and Singaporean curriculum.  ILBC hires and puts up teachers and many like it there.  Horizon International has a summer program for Thinguyt Festival (April) where they take in people on kind of a trial basis.  There is a strong Chinese influence in Mandalay and strong growth economically. More schools on offer in Yangon, but congested. Oldsters here don't fare particularly well with the type of jobs you want

[quandow]

On 1/28/2018 at 9:53 PM, John V said:

OK, my apologies and I’ll revert to forum anonymity.

Yes, the libel laws in Thailand are VERY severe. I have mentioned a school by name several times, but ONLY to compliment them, and I looked very carefully before hitting the "Submit reply" button to be sure my post couldn't be misconstrued! And about meeting the dregs of society in teaching positions - couldn't agree more!

[quandow]

Be aware health insurance stops somewhere in your 60's. I have a friend who was a proper teacher at a highly reputable international school who fell ill. He found out the hard way the health insurance dropped him when he turned 60-something. I believe that's just Thai law. Merely a heads up to check carefully.

[smotherb]

On 1/27/2018 at 7:44 AM, John V said:

Thanks Rhys,

I don’t really care about location, or salary, but not too many hours. I get a small UK state pension at 66 and with savings that has to last indefinitely. I don’t want to spend those savings now and go into retirement with a minimum pension. Thailand seems the ideal choice as I’m not chasing the dollar and my wife and I are retiring here.

The ‘TEFL and MA jazz’ paid for our house in only six years from working in China and it wasn’t earned by holding up flashcards and shouting ‘orange’ and ‘carrot’.  The winter Siberian snow blizzards didn’t suit the other half either.

There’s a huge crack down on fake teachers going on all over Asia and it’s decimated our backpacking fraternity, which leaves a huge shortage. I’m more a lecturer than a teacher, but if I can’t find anything in Thailand, I’ll do some serious searching next month and try Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam instead. Would be nice to stay here though, but …       

I wouldn't give up just yet. Although I tend to agree with the "TEFL jazz," your MA and experience may be the key. I know several over 60 NES teachers in the South of Thailand. I would not limit my search to public schools and universities or to teaching conversational English. Business English may be a better tack. Multinational firms, hospitals, hotel chains and others often have need for teachers to improve the English of their employees. Working conditions and pay are often much better than in the school systems and age is less of a problem.

[digger70]

One can have as many Titles that fill up a room,,,,, I say If one doesn't speak Thai Fluently shouldn't be allowed to Teach Any Language in Thailand ,,,How in the name of Satan is one going to explain  to the pupils Anything if one Can't speak Thai.I rest my Case.If you don't like it ,,,, Tough Titties,,,,,

[Denim]

 

I would say to the OP that if you want to teach because you have long nurtured a desire to impart knowledge to others ......that is one thing.

 

If on the other hand you want to start teaching for financial reasons ....that is something completely different.

 

Teaching English is not as easy as falling off a log. To do it well requires some effort and it can be very stressful.

 

If making money is the main objective I would forget teaching and look to making money online.

 

Before we moved to the boonies I was making a fairly respectable income of between 40,000 - 60,000 a month......more than I needed.

 

Even up country where I am cut off from my suppliers I can make an easy 7000 baht a month just working an hour a day . Not much compared to before but it doesn't require much effort and is done from home without any stress

 

My advice would be look at all options before teaching English since to do it legally and well can be a big effort.

[Moti24]

I retired 3 years ago, after 10 years teaching here in Thailand; I was 63 at the time.  Continuing teaching wouldn't have been a problem. 

 

However, you will probably find it difficult to find a new job at 63.  Most decent schools won't want the hassle of applying for a work permit for you at 63.

 

I also live about 12/15 kms outside Pattaya.  I can put you in touch with a school that may be willing to take you on; obviously, depends which side of Pattaya you live.

 

PM me if you require more info.

[Slip]

50 minutes ago, Moti24 said:

I retired 3 years ago, after 10 years teaching here in Thailand; I was 63 at the time.  Continuing teaching wouldn't have been a problem. 

 

However, you will probably find it difficult to find a new job at 63.  Most decent schools won't want the hassle of applying for a work permit for you at 63.

 

I also live about 12/15 kms outside Pattaya.  I can put you in touch with a school that may be willing to take you on; obviously, depends which side of Pattaya you live.

 

PM me if you require more info.

Quite so.  I have been at my place for 15 years, and as far off as I still am from retirement I know that as long as I keep my nose clean I won't have too many problems as I ease into old age.  It's a different situation for job hoppers however.