maximum age for teaching

[tinytot]

Just wondering what sort of maximum age would be accepted to get employment as teacher. I have just reached the 50 yr mark and nearly finished my tesol course. The teacher here said 50 yrs is a good age for teaching as children listen more than a younger teacher !mmmm well i don't know if that's true o am more on the idea if you are a friendly happy teacher i believe the children would like that. But that is my opinion. So my main question is about my chances of getting a teaching job at my age . Slim chance or no chance or good chance. Thanks and good positive replies appreciated. .

[welsh1]

It don't matter if your younger, older, or a happy friendly teacher, it want make the students listen any more,,,, some want to listen and learn, and then there're some who simply don't, and that's the way it goes.

Regarding, the age for teachers, then it all depends, where you're looking for work,, If you're looking for work in and around a big city, then schools tend to have far more choices of teachers to choose from, so they tend to advertise. 25 - 45. and they tend to get teachers in that age bracket.

If on the other hand you're looking for work, a little further out in the sticks, then they still advertise for teachers from 25- 45, but they want get many applicants, so they will end up getting a teacher,, from 25 - 65

And like you said,, Its best to be a friendly teacher. students love a friendly teacher

[Loaded]

Don't be too fussy initially. Once you are established, you can shop around near the end of your first contract. You'll then also have connections and more awareness of the schools in your area.

[samsensam]

having worked in academic management for many years i'd say age has little to do with your effectiveness as a teacher. i've worked with excellent and terrible young teachers and old teachers. it is really about you; your approach, your attitude, making sure you are sufficiently qualified, use your experience, be well organised and planned, calm, confident, friendly and of course professional at all times.

[casualbiker]

Thai Government school teachers HAVE to retire at 60, but this generally doesn't apply to foreign staff!

[jhwest]

Thai Government school teachers HAVE to retire at 60, but this generally doesn't apply to foreign staff!

It depends on the school and yes wanted to teach for at least one more year and was not my decision, but a so called High School Diirector in Danmakhamtia, decided to change things around.

In my experience and yes I am a very young 64 yar old, the older teacher is much more committed and also takes time to explain things.

Wheras some, not all 25 year old teachers think they know it all.

Also I found that the so called lol Head of Languages teaching English, well her and other students from other teachers, always used to come to me to explain what they have been taught.

In addition they can not string together one sentence or understand English (the teachers) and a crazy situation, when everyone passes and if you fail the exam just clean the classroom.

Honest have seen this and from Thais and Phillipinos, who lol know it all.

[KhnomKhnom]

Max age is mandatory retirement age of 65.

Older People I talk to in BKK get hired same day as applying indicating desperate need for English teachers of any age.

[Cornhack]

In the real world , teachers are employed for their knowledge, expertise and classroom approach - not for their age. But this is Thailand and many schools tell you straight, they prefer young teachers with the latest techniques. They overlook teachers who keep updating their qualifications. I am 82 and still teaching, so look around, someone, somewhere will recognize your talent.

[Tywais]

Max age is mandatory retirement age of 65.

Older People I talk to in BKK get hired same day as applying indicating desperate need for English teachers of any age.

Mandatory retirement age for government workers is 60 who are on permanent basis. However, they may be invited to continue on annual contracts if they are considered exceptional and have contributed significantly.

[lostinisaan]

Max age is mandatory retirement age of 65.

Older People I talk to in BKK get hired same day as applying indicating desperate need for English teachers of any age.

Mandatory retirement age for government workers is 60 who are on permanent basis. However, they may be invited to continue on annual contracts if they are considered exceptional and have contributed significantly.

And you won't be able to benefit from the SS insurance, once you're 60+.

[TerryLH]

"And you won't be able to benefit from the SS insurance, once you're 60+."

If you are already in the SS system when you reach 60, you can continue in the system.

You cannot join the SS system once you turn 60.

[culicine]

Max age is mandatory retirement age of 65.

Older People I talk to in BKK get hired same day as applying indicating desperate need for English teachers of any age.

Mandatory retirement age for government workers is 60 who are on permanent basis. However, they may be invited to continue on annual contracts if they are considered exceptional and have contributed significantly.

Many will retire at 60, then take on consulting work or become bosses in private colleges/universities. They still get to keep their full pension as extra income does not reduce it, unlike in Australia.

[donmuang37]

It depends on many factors, including geographical location, type of school, your ability, etc. I work for a private language school in the Bangkok suburbs. I've been here for 9 years and have enjoyed the opportunity to teach. I have been the Head Teacher for the past 5 years. I was 68 when I started teaching and I'm 77 now. They just renewed my work permit in October. So don't listen to the naysayers, just get out there and go for it!!

Best of luck.

[casualbiker]

It depends on many factors, including geographical location, type of school, your ability, etc. I work for a private language school in the Bangkok suburbs. I've been here for 9 years and have enjoyed the opportunity to teach. I have been the Head Teacher for the past 5 years. I was 68 when I started teaching and I'm 77 now. They just renewed my work permit in October. So don't listen to the naysayers, just get out there and go for it!!

Best of luck.

Funny, I didn't read any posts from naysayers!

I read facts concerning government requirements for schools under it's remit.

It's good that your language school consider you an asset and in the coming years hopefully many more will adjust their thinking as well. Oldest teacher at my school ( a catholic school) is also 77 but he is more librarian now.

[Suradit69]

In the real world , teachers are employed for their knowledge, expertise and classroom approach - not for their age. But this is Thailand and many schools tell you straight, they prefer young teachers with the latest techniques. They overlook teachers who keep updating their qualifications. I am 82 and still teaching, so look around, someone, somewhere will recognize your talent.

"In the real world , teachers are employed for their knowledge, expertise and classroom approach - not for their age."

You must be joking. Maybe you're confusing "the real world" with your fantasy ideal world. Personality, appearance and age will always be factors in hiring teachers or any other professional if there are more applicants than positions to be filled. People, even including students and selection committees, respond to those factors whether or not you want to believe that.

It's always amazing what sort of fantasies farang have about life back in Farang Land (erroneously aka "the real world).

Edited January 31, 2015 by Suradit69

[lostinisaan]

In the real world , teachers are employed for their knowledge, expertise and classroom approach - not for their age. But this is Thailand and many schools tell you straight, they prefer young teachers with the latest techniques. They overlook teachers who keep updating their qualifications. I am 82 and still teaching, so look around, someone, somewhere will recognize your talent.

"In the real world , teachers are employed for their knowledge, expertise and classroom approach - not for their age."

You must be joking. Maybe you're confusing "the real world" with your fantasy ideal world. Personality, appearance and age will always be factors in hiring teachers or any other professional if there are more applicants than positions to be filled. People, even including students and selection committees, respond to those factors whether or not you want to believe that.

It's always amazing what sort of fantasies farang have about life back in Farang Land (erroneously aka "the real world).

If there'd be such a thing as the "real world", I'd prefer to enjoy the rest of my days when I'm 82. I hope it wasn't a typo through bad eyesight.....

Thailand is in another world then? I apologize as I was always bad in geography.

Edited January 31, 2015 by lostinisaan

[lostinisaan]

It depends on many factors, including geographical location, type of school, your ability, etc. I work for a private language school in the Bangkok suburbs. I've been here for 9 years and have enjoyed the opportunity to teach. I have been the Head Teacher for the past 5 years. I was 68 when I started teaching and I'm 77 now. They just renewed my work permit in October. So don't listen to the naysayers, just get out there and go for it!!

Best of luck.

Congratulations for being "The Head Teacher.". A nice bloke who worked in Ubon for many years had to stop teaching, as the labor department thought he'd be too old.

The OP's post was, as far as I understood, not just about private language schools.

And he's two years younger than you are. I guess most teaching folks in Ubon know him.

But what would be if all guys would just continue to work until they're 80 all around the world?

Some European countries are heading in that direction, because there's no more cash to pay for all the pensions.

Would I still live in Europe and receive my pension when I'm 65.6 years old, I'd be more than happy to make place for the young folks.

Please do not see my post as any sort of old age discrimination. I'm 54 and I know that schools are usually looking for guys between 22 and 45.

Edited January 31, 2015 by lostinisaan

[crickets]

Health problems are the only thing that will stop u teaching english. Bad eye sight etc. Keep your body running well and u can go into your 70s i believe.

[lostinisaan]

Health problems are the only thing that will stop u teaching english. Bad eye sight etc. Keep your body running well and u can go into your 70s i believe.

Bad eyesight could be helpful to a certain extend when you don't see what others see......

[crickets]

Too true

[Stupooey]

Starting at the age of 59, I taught in Government Schools, a Language School and a University (all in Bangkok) before voluntarily retiring at the age of 64, All of them I believe would have (*) kept me on indefinitely provided that I maintained my standards.

On the other hand, most International Schools seem to put an upper age limit of 45 in their teaching vacancy lists.

(*) Sorry, just remembered this is a forum so I should have said "would of".

[lostinisaan]

Health problems are the only thing that will stop u teaching english. Bad eye sight etc. Keep your body running well and u can go into your 70s i believe.

Bad eyesight could be helpful to a certain extend when you don't see what others see......

Please send three baht per download of this photo to an organisation for homeless Thai teachers. Thanks a lot in advance.-

Edited January 31, 2015 by lostinisaan

[SheungWan]

In general it is a young person's sport. Younger staff are generally more flexible, have more energy and are more willing to learn new methods. Oh, and they're cheaper. Older staff with a teaching career in the West are a good exception and may have some managerial skills to throw in. Older guys kicking off for the first time can be slow and lumbering and inflexible. Back of the queue but maybe throw one into the shortlist just in case. The other exception is someone with subject specialism but for general TEFL? Its a stretch, but hey, the word is out that there's a shortage and some schools are just looking for glorified babysitters, so there might be a few vacancies there....

Edited February 1, 2015 by SheungWan

[Anthony5]

Health problems are the only thing that will stop u teaching english. Bad eye sight etc. Keep your body running well and u can go into your 70s i believe.

Bad eyesight could be helpful to a certain extend when you don't see what others see......

Can you upload a bigger photo please.

[Mencken]

Irony is there ate tons of overweight, lethargic 35-45 yo teachers.

Another pint?

[casualbiker]

Irony is there ate tons of overweight, lethargic 35-45 yo teachers.

Another pint?

Wouldn't you also be overweight if you ate the teacher!!!