Teaching ESL in Japan- am I too old?

Question

Has anyone met an older person teaching English in Japan? I have heard that some employers can work you really hard. I have a lot of experience teaching art. I would love to go to Japan and teach, but I don't want to stick out as too old. I'm also not that strong.

Any suggestions, experiences? I always choose a best answer.

Answer 1

Yes. Canadian. He looked like 45+ ( I never asked his age but he told me he has teenage daughter). I also watch youtube English teacher in Japan. He looks like 50+ to me. If you really want to go to Japan, why don't you try it anyway. That way you will have no regret thinking "I wish I did......" stuff. Thinking won't open the door for you. You never know until you try! Good luck!

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

I have never heard of a visa having a "cut off age!"

And anyway, it's simply not true bc I was over 31 when I started working in Japan. So there.

So number one--the JET program is for ppl 35 and younger (unless things have changed). However, there are towns that are not on the JET program, but that hire their ALTs through the BOE (board of ed.) I have known several ALT's that were over 35 who were doing this. JET also has a limit of 3 years, but I think private ALTs can extend if employer and employee want to.
You could also look for a position at a university. I knew someone that was over 70 who worked at a university.

There are also many private jobs around--teaching classes at Japanese companies, teaching adults, etc. Everyone always gives conversation schools like NOVA a bad rap, but I never worked at a school like that, and maybe it is a good way to get your foot in the door--however, if you were to go that route do not rely on them as your sole source of info--I do think they play on people's naivete re Japan and I know of one case where a school WAS taking advantage of their teachers--namely, the school had the lease on the apt and had 3 teachers living there, and the sum total of the rent the 3 paid the school was HIGHER than the actual rent (so yes, the school was MAKING money off the employees' rent). True story.

I am not sure how old you are, but maybe you should steer clear of elementary and younger--that is tough, for various reasons. For example, lots of schools are still not air-conditioned so you will be sweating buckets in summer. The teachers also usually serve lunch to the kids, take the tiny kids to the toilet (as well as cleaning up "accidents") and have to clean their classrooms as well as rotating bathroom duty (there are no janitors). At one of my kindergartens they once had all the teachers out w shovels evening out the gravel parking lot after a big rainstorm! At another kindergarten the teachers had to erect and take down a tent every day. . .oh yeah, they also had to shovel snow and break up ice in the winter.
Most teachers at these schools are **quite** young--probably from 22-28 years old. Most of these teachers go to college for 2 years, work w young kids a little while, then quit when they get married (there are far more housewives in Japan). After all that work, you don't really blame them for quitting. But actually, it **IS** fun. . .believe it or not!

Answer 4

I'm wanting to do this as well. I don't know how old you are, but the JET program, which is sponsored by the gov't has a cut-off of I think 35... you can find the program's website with an easy google search. Another one I looked into is NOVA. I talked with people yesterday who had been through both & they both had good experiences. You get more time off and are "a little better taken care of" with JET, but NOVA accepts older people as well, I believe. Plus NOVA starts anytime and JET is once a year- leave in July. Both are one year commitments. There are other programs as well. I'd recommend finding people who've been through them & don't work for them anymore to see what the program is really like because I've heard some do require a lot of work. And be prepared to drink while you're there because apparently they drink often!

Answer 5

Some visa's have a cut-off age of 31, but if you can get a visa then go for it. In my experience teaching English was the easiest job I've ever had! It wasn't physically demanding, when working with kids I could adapt the lessons to suit my abilities. If you can find a job, then go for it, you'll enjoy it! And there are heaps of older foreigners working in Japan - most employers like a bit of variety with their teachers.

Answer 6

Hi, I can tell you that depends on your experience and ability. Some employers or companies set up some restrictions of age, but if you have good motivation they will hire you. One of the concerns would be a salary issue they need to pay for you because in general they pay more to senior persons than younger generations. That is why there are some tendency they prefer younger ones.

Answer 7

I know some people who taught English into their 40s and 50s. Yo are not too old. As long as you meet the requirements, you can get a job. For most places, a university degree is the minimum requirement.

Answer 8

The Japanese have a good reputation when it comes to treating" Older "people right .
If you are familiar with customs and the culture you should do fine .
Expectations for students are high. The younger generation are just 'crazy' for anything Americana.
Oh what an opportunity --GO FOR IT !
I taught in the Philippines and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. BUT I was younger then too. Research the culture it would make things easier.