Age limit on teacher work permits?

[kfjvkjvk]

A friend has got in contact, she knows a woman aged 59 who has been teaching around Asia for years and wants to teach here also. but she thinks their might be an age restriction on work permits for teaching in Thailand as apparently there are in China, Vietnam and India.

I haven't got a clue, but I thought someone here at TD might know?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

[sadloser]

There isn't.

If she can 'get in' that is get a job she'll be OK. Also, where has she ben teaching? Unis or schools, private businesses and to whom.

If she's legit then she's good compared with much of what is employed here.

She'll be Ok - tell her to try Ajarn.com

[kfjvkjvk]

Also, where has she ben teaching? Unis or schools, private businesses and to whom.

No idea. I will ask my friend to ask her and pass on your info, thanks.

[Marmite the Dog]

There isn't.

Really?

The retirement age at a government school is 60.

[klongmaster]

Definitely 60. After that you can be 'invited' back on a year by year basis but not as permanent staff...

[sadloser]

That's why I ask WHERE ..... I know of a 67 year old lecturer.

[Credo]

Many over 60's get work, but it's not as easy.

[genghis61]

.... age restriction on work permits for teaching in Thailand as apparently there are in China, Vietnam and India.

re China: older brother is in his 7th year teaching English there, only change when he turned 60 last year was he had to be responsible for his own medical insurance which was previously covered in his contract.
Says there is no strict upper limit age-wise and intends to stay there for as long as he enjoys it.

[NokTang]

I met a guy(farang on year to year contracts) who was terminated at age 60, after seven years of service, at a University in Bangkok. It was actually stated in written form as the reason so there must be "something" to the issue.

[BobR]

Definitely 60. After that you can be 'invited' back on a year by year basis but not as permanent staff...

I think that is pretty much the status of all foreign teachers in Thailand; you are permanent as long as we still like you. I do know teachers over 60 and it's not an issue with immigration so long as your school is willing to employ you.

60 is just the retirement age at which Thai teachers are eligible to receive their pensions. Don't make an ass out of yourself (like I did) congratulating a Principal you like as she is being retired however, their pension is a whopping 900 baht a month.

[Camel Toe]

The key point is you can but the probability gets slimmer the older you become. In general universities are more accepting of the old ones. IMO the best place to be after 60-65 is home, where age discrimination might still exists but won't slip you across the face. I left Thailand because I was getting on and the quality of available jobs got skinny. I came back to America and the local school district snatched me up. They like teachers with foreign experience, they're rare.

[chitown]

I know several guys in their 60's and 70's that are teaching full time with WP's.

[barbaro]

The key point is you can but the probability gets slimmer the older you become. In general universities are more accepting of the old ones. IMO the best place to be after 60-65 is home, where age discrimination might still exists but won't slip you across the face. I left Thailand because I was getting on and the quality of available jobs got skinny. I came back to America and the local school district snatched me up. They like teachers with foreign experience, they're rare.

Cheers, to you, Camel.

Great move.

[Dicknoy]

The following is from Steve at Text and Talk a language school in Bangkok:

Hi Richard,

I can assure you that ANY native English speaker regardless of age, experience or qualifications can find employment as an English language instructor in Thailand.

Please visit our website at TextandTalk and click on "Graduation Day" and you will notice that the majority of my graduates are middle aged and older with the average age being 50-55. All are employed at schools in Thailand with the exception of two of my female graduates (Rachael and Beate) who are teaching in Laos and Turkey respectively. The third, Ali, is teaching with her husband, Ken (62 years old) here in Khon Kaen.

The conditions for employment that you have listed are in fact only recommendations set forth by the Thai Ministry of Education. Any school may hire whomever they wish and need only request 'special needs' from the Teacher's Council of Thailand.

I can provide you with numerous contact information from graduates of my course including those over the age of 50 and those without degrees or even non-native English speakers who have found employment teaching English in Thailand.

[aging one]

Definitely 60. After that you can be 'invited' back on a year by year basis but not as permanent staff...

As for universities the oldest serving prof for the regular programs is at Kaset I think. He is 69 now. He has gotten a special permit since he turned 60 which was easy for him and the uni. But at 70 which he is turning soon he will be let go at the end of the term he turns 70 in. He is fighting it but it does not look good. He has been there since 1977 I think.

[Camel Toe]

Yes, it's called an age waver. It's good for farang and Thai alike. Last year the MoE was begging older teachers to come back out of retirement. The year to year basis can't mean that much to us, just about all of us have always been year to year.

[hillbilly]

Any decent international school says 60 is the limit. I have known a few to extend that limit, but they are few and far between.

[Bettyboo]

The conditions for employment that you have listed are in fact only recommendations set forth by the Thai Ministry of Education. Any school may hire whomever they wish and need only request 'special needs' from the Teacher's Council of Thailand.

^ Spot on; takes my uni about 2 months to sort out.

[Deronda]

For older teachers, what are the chances of gaining 'fill in positions' ie positions lasting a few weeks while the school recruits a permanent teacher or until the permanent teacher recovers from sickness etc ?

[ChalkyDee]

There was a 79 year old lecturer at a Uni I taught at - he came to Thailand in 1958.

If you know the right people you can what the hell you want.

[Bettyboo]

Teachers with a solid background can be hiired permanently; 'filling in' is not a position that is worthwhile because the school/uni will often need to pay 3 months severence, so their risk is high... Older teachers should seek a full time position supported by their experience; they are welcomed and needed; not always known by the employers...