Where are the best opportunities for a 40 year old ESL teacher to teach english in Asia?

Question

I'm 40, and tutor ESL to Chinese immigrants here in the US- I'd like to travel to Asia to teach English, but certianly don't have the $$$$ to fly out and rent an apartment- Any suggestions where in Asia a 40 year old with TEFL certification- but a rather light bank account might find employment as an English teacher?

Japan? S. Korea? China? Japan interests me the most, but they seem to be the most expensive..I've been told at 40, I'm too old..

Answer 1

I'm guessing that if you send resumes to different schools, they'll contact you and probably pay to have you fly out to be interviewed. I wouldn't go over there without a job, though.

Answer 2

If your certification is just in TEFL and you do not have a degree, you may find it difficult to get legal jobs in many Asian countries.  In terms of age, yes you are going to have some problems at first, but the the jobs are there.  I think you have to really stress your experience, but 40 is not that old.

If you have a degree S. Korea needs teachers in public schools, easy enough to find and they pay all the flights.  

Japan: you may find it difficult, because the 'JET program' age cutoff is 30 years.  Degree is also required for most jobs.

Taiwan: It is more difficult to find a job before you go, and not many places pay for the flight.

Thailand: Visa restrictions are getting tight, but there is always a demand for qualified teachers. No flights

China:  No problem, there is a huge demand right now and it is only getting bigger.  Some jobs do require degrees, but if you look hard enough you can get a job with a TEFL (a friend works at a Uni Now with just minimum education).

Good luck!  

Answer 3

You go to work for the government, there is a link of the department of education, for international teachng positions and they pay for your transportation as long as you fulfill your contract usually 1 year;  and believe me 40 is not too old most of us are in our 50's!!!!!!!

the contract is not a lot of money where you make  your money is tutoring - and I mean twice your contract salary!!!!!

Good luck