Too old to teach?

travelgal · (#1 (**permalink**))

Am a young 67 (can pass easily for 45), worked in Japan 15 yrs with most recent 2 yrs ago. Do you think I could still get a job in Japan? Have good references working for major corp. Thanks

samurai007 · (#2 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelgal

Am a young 67 (can pass easily for 45), worked in Japan 15 yrs with most recent 2 yrs ago. Do you think I could still get a job in Japan? Have good references working for major corp. Thanks

You wouldn't be able to get a job as an ALT because the Japanese find it strange to have an assistant who is older than the teacher (seniority is very important in Japan, and there is specific language and prefixes/suffixes in Japanese for speaking with a subordinate/younger person and someone who is a superior/older person. It's thus confusing to have a subordinate who is older.) But I think you could find a job as a solo teacher at a private school or company.

MMM · (#3 (**permalink**))

The cut-off for JET is 35, I believe. Your best bet is probably a smaller private school with an foreign owner.

SSJup81 · (#4 (**permalink**))

I thought the cut off was 40.

samurai007 · (#5 (**permalink**))

Used to be 35, was recently raised to 40. Not many people 35-40 are accepted, though, as far as I know.

Also, used to be limited to 3 years as a JET, raised to max of 5 years.

MMM · (#6 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSJup81

I thought the cut off was 40.

They may have extended it as since Japanese
schools aren't hiring new teachers, it is unlikely the main teacher would be under 40.