Am I too old to teach English abroad? Isn’t teaching English overseas for people who just graduated from college? Aren’t people teaching overseas only stalling their real careers? Is someone a loser because they teach English abroad for more than two years? Are they losers because they teach overseas in their mid 30′s, 40′s, 50′s or beyond? Don’t people teach English abroad because they can’t handle a real job back home?
Answers that Fall Flat
These are all real questions and criticisms working adults encounter before becoming ESL instructors in foreign countries. They also have questions about sustainability, working conditions, pay and travel opportunities. Unfortunately, the web is devoid real answers to these questions. Instead, ESL companies promise their certifications will break people away from their mundane existence and enjoin them to a meaningful crusade of changing lives through teaching English.
On the other hand, post-college graduates spew resentment towards older teachers on ESL forums. They claim older teachers can’t succeed in the workforce back home or are in the process of committing career suicide. The naivety and delusions of these post-graduates, concerning their envisioned success and fulfillment in the work force back home, cannot be understated.
Finally, the common western skeptic, like my father, deduces teaching abroad to a poor economy. Oddly enough, job security and employment are not primary reasons for older individuals to teach overseas. While job opportunity and security influences younger teachers, the influence of job security wanes as an individual ages.
The Real Answers
First of all, do not worry about age. You are not alone. Working adults over 30 comprise the larger percentage of those earning TEFL certifications in English speaking countries.
If you are not a post-college graduate and you are considering teaching abroad, ignore the chatter and opinions of others. The decision rests solely with you. There are plenty of older teachers who are happy with their decisions to teach abroad. Those who were not happy returned home upon completing their initial contract. You simply need to ask yourself one question,
“Will I be happier teaching English abroad, or will I be happier to continuing my current path?”
If you are reading this, chances are you are not happy with your current path. Why else would you be considering such a crazy option:) The next question to ask yourself is if teaching abroad is the correct change you should make in your life? This question is complicated, but I think I can help.
The Over 30 and Teaching Abroad Project
Most online articles employ broad generalizations to explain the motivations of thousands of older expats teaching abroad. I reflected upon my own motivations for teaching abroad and concluded they were anything but simple. So, instead of writing why I thought working adults chose to leave their lives behind, I took a different approach. I asked several expats over 30 to write an essay explaining why they decided to teach abroad. In return, I promised to attempt to take portraits of them.
To their surprise, few who took place in this project could summarize their decisions with a few words. Their decisions to teach abroad were complicated and often fueled by an internal desire that was often difficult for them to pinpoint and explain. Most were already successful by some measurement- gainfully employed, master’s degrees, etc. Most also had plans to return to their careers, but a few decided to change careers. Some teachers, like myself, are still unsure about their futures, which I discovered is common at any age.
The motivations and eventual experiences of every expat differ; some people pursue careers teaching English as a second language, others savor the opportunity to live in a foreign country for a few years, while many people need a break from the monotony back home to gain perspective on their lives. Some expats fulfill their desires, but I’ve witnessed many realize they made a mistake and returned home.
Below are photographs and essays by real ESL instructors who teach in Korea and are at least thirty years old. I asked them one question, “Why did you decide to teach abroad?”
My hope is that people considering teaching abroad can find answers, comfort, hope, and reassurance in the thought processes, decisions, and experiences of real people who have gone before them. As this project continues, I will add more people to the list.
If you are considering teaching abroad, I wish you the best in your decision. Remember, whether you decide for or against teaching abroad, you are in good company. You are never too old to follow through with either option.
Meet The Teachers
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When do I get to read the Essays???
Click on the individual’s name below their photograph.
When I worked in South Korea most of the teachers I encountered, and certainly all of the ones I worked with, were in their early twenties. I’ve been in China for the past three years and that age group probably makes up less than half of the ESL world. Most of my co-workers are in their thirties and several of them in their fifties. It seems that experience and qualifications are valued here far more than in South Korea.
You sound like a pompous ESL instructor. Additionally, your comments don’t really coincide with the article. I hope your comments help you feel better about living in China as opposed to South Korea. ESL teachers should leave their snobbery in their home countries.
I’m pompous for pointing out that most most of the teachers I knew in Korea were my age, and most of the ones here are older than me? Or pompous for pointing out that the hagwon system in Korea feeds on young (and mostly caucasian) teachers, whereas in China they prefer experience?
Either way, your comment seems a little unfair, Brent.
I think this will be a really interesting series. As an over-30 English teacher heading back to the homeland after just a couple of years here in Korea, I’ve found it quite interesting how varied the story lines are that bring everyone to this one, specific place on the map. Kudos for a great concept.
Thanks- I’m editing some more as we speak!
Very interesting article. I came to Korea in 1990 when I was 32 and I’m still here. I spent two years at ELS and thirteen years at Yonsei teaching English. Now, I’m an assistant professor at SolBridge in Daejeon. Check out Waking Up in the Land of the Morning Calm.
Put a fat link on here so people can check it out!
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Very interesting. When I last worked in Korea, the majority of my coworkers were over 30. I hadn’t even considered it to be old! But when I think back to my first job at a hagwon, 30 really would have been seen as old. I kind of think of hagwons as a training pool – I learned a lot very quickly in two years at ELS, then did a CELTA which taught me that I kind of knew what I was doing after all. That opened up doors to a university job where I was given all sorts of opportunities that I would never have had outside of Korea. The key to making time in Korea a success is to have a plan and to work on self-development. It’s easy to drift aimlessly there, but just as easy to carve out a plan. I wish I’d realized that earlier in my time there.
That is great advice. Thank you for sharing!
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Hello and Good Morning from South Korea,
) Amy from Austin, Texas
After reading this link, I now feel I am in good company. I am an African-American woman, 39 yrs. of age, and I was very concerned about my age while applying to teach English abroad back in the states. I am very thankful that I continued to pursue the opportunity, and I accepted an offer back in March last month. I jumped for joy. Thanks for your website!!
Awesome – Thank you for sharing. It encourages me to continue this project.
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I wonder if recruiters are discriminating on age as often I dont get responses even though I’m qualified and experienced
As a TEFL trainer we have students ranging in age from 17 to – our current oldest – 79 years old. True that most jobs are for the under-60′s but there’s still a huge market there for older teachers who can bring a certain gravitas to the classroom.
In our experience helping teachers find work it is harder for older (that is, 40+) teachers to find work simply because schools are short-sighted, but often we find those teachers staying longer at a school and generally settling in much better.
By the way, I’d be interested to see which forums “spew resentment towards older teachers” as you say.Where do you read this?!
I am over 30 and have been working in Korea for the past 3 years. Going on my fourth now because my school renewed me.
So let’s take some pictures and tell your story!! Contact me at brent.sheffield@hotmail.com
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