Vernacular wrote:
> Cut off point at most international schools (in Thailand) is sixty. Only
> exceptions are if you're already 'in' and teaching a subject where it's
> very difficult to find staff. Suggest subbing if you're really keen.
> Otherwise, it's EFL work in Thai institutions - and probably outside Bkk.

Thanks for the age info. It was not a problem for me making a living in BKK, except that the best uni jobs were closed. "Best" doesn't mean pay, but rather 15 hours of teaching and a few hours of office presence a week. Private unis tend to have ridiculously bad conditions (we're still talking ESL). An over-60 teacher can easily find employment with a language school and get work all year long. It still means a lot of work-hours (at ~300/h) average, to pull in 50-60K baht.

F.

Hi Suzie and PsyGuy.

Suzie, yes, I looked at the blog. Thanks for the suggestion. When dealing with top IB schools in Bangkok, lower standards are not a problem; I was tutoring students from some of these schools, and the standards (and accompanying punishing workloads in some cases) are very high. I know it's a common complaint for Thailand, but my experience is that often, there, the standards are what the teacher makes them. In many places, in the uni circuit at least, they give you freedom to teach as you please, and even to design your own courses; I liked it there.

Regarding qualifications (PsyGuy), it's another matter, of course, and so the question should be read as "everything else being equal", i.e. would a well-qualified teacher over 60 get a job? My question is very narrow insofar as I'd like to hear from people on the ground. My experience in Thailand is that nothing is universal in the way rules are applied. In the government university circuit, you can work in a large provincial uni--as I did--with many teachers well over into their sixties, and nobody minds: work permits are not a problem either, notwithstanding abundant erroneous information to the contrary.

In Bangkok, things are different; some private unis have 55 or even 45 age limits for foreign teachers (35 is not rare for Thai teachers). When it comes to large unis and rajabhats (tech universities), some have a 60 no-hire policy because it is Thai retirement age and they stick to it; they could bend it if they wanted, but they mostly don't want to deal with the paperwork. One thing that is different in Thailand is that age restrictions are not illegal, and therefore are not secret within a department or an institution, and are often mentioned in job ads. I haven't seen these in Intnl school ads though.

S.

Hi all. I hope to hear about hiring age limits (if and when any) from teachers who worked or are working for international schools in Thailand. I did a 3-years TESOL teaching stint there, but this was mostly in university settings. I was, however, privately tutoring several students (in French) from one of top BKK schools (IB system), so I'm familiar with some of the curriculum and methods they use.

I turned 60 while in Thailand, and this closed doors with some of the top government unis, especially in Bangkok. I didn't have sufficient qualifications for top international schools at the time, so I didn't test the waters there. I'm back teaching in the US currently, getting K12-certified and so on...

Everything else being equal (i.e. acceptable qualifications), would age be a deal-killer with schools such as The Bangkok Patana School or the American International School?

Thanks in advance for any accurate info,

S.

"No it doesnt. The requirements are:"

Actually, I was agreeing with you, as the ad specifies "either/or" when it comes to the license; my point was that if I'm going to go through the Praxis, I might as well get licensed. I'm well in the clear regarding education and teaching hours requirements.

S.

"Even though "technically" you dont need to be certified to qualify for a DoDDS certification, outside of veterans it just doesnt happen."

Yes, I think so. The job ad calls for Praxis exams anyhow. I'll give it a shot anyway. What are the odds that they'd be looking for French teachers in Japan? :)

S.

PsyGuy wrote:
> @Seattle75


> I would submit and complete the application now, and you may get lucky, but
> many teachers wait years to get an offer if they ever do. DoDDS has to be
> your plan C. Recruiting starts in June'ish, and ends around October'ish.
> If your name makes a principals referral list you will receive an automated
> email from EAS. It doesnt mean you will get interviewed, but its a good
> indicator that you may.

Hi. Thanks for the detailed reply. I wasn't aware of the underlying reason for some of the opened positions, and indeed this is not my plan A, as I understand the low odds of selection. The job closes in June, so I still have time to apply; getting my state cert first is a must for me, because Praxis exams are mandatory, BS a state cert will wave the requirement. The license remains useful and marketable whatever happens.

Thanks for the help!

S.

PsyGuy wrote:
> @kellysensei
>
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> Lastly, if you meet the DODEA requirements and you really want to go to JP,
> ESOL is a marketable field in DoDDS especially if you can combine it with
> Ed. Tech. The benefit is that your family logistical issues vanish and
> basically are no longer issues in DoDDS.

Hi. How marketable is ESOL, alone or in combination with other requirements? I haven't seen any DODEA position specifically advertised for ESOL. However, I intend to apply for a French DODEA teaching position(s) being currently advertised (location and number of positions are not clear, as it's a blanket ad for several languages). I'm qualified and experienced in both areas: French-FRA native speaker, taught it at uni level, and I teach English to foreign students in US intensive 10-week English university programs. I have a M.Ed. in TESOL. I also taught English in Asia for a few years, one year of that in a university.

I have scant K12-level experience, aside for private French tutoring of a few IB international school students while working abroad, and while there also one year teaching English to all ages in a language school. I'm currently in the process of getting a K12 state certification for ESOL/French/Social Science.

Any info/evaluation would be very welcome from anyone already working in the system.

S.

teacherguy wrote:
> Great. Thanks for the information.

I (belatedly) second that, as it answers one of the questions I've been asking myself about the DODEA hiring process.

S.