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From: worthj1970@yahoo.com (John W.)
Newsgroups: fj.life.in-japan
Subject: Some good JT advice
Date: 16 Nov 2004 13:14:58 -0800
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In the Japan Times' Lifelines there's a bit of advice in response to a
question from an elderly lady seeking teaching employment in Japan.
The article says 'G.' is looking for a 1-3 year job teaching young
children. G. asks if age will be a problem.

Here's the response: "My immediate reaction is that it sounds like any
education facility would be lucky to have you on their staff." The
article goes on to say "Having said that, jobs are not as easy to find
as in the past, and schools in general tend to employ younger teachers
simply because they can pay them less.

"If any readers -- teachers especially -- have experienced direct
ageism, in terms of being turned down at an interview for being too
old, we'd like to hear from you."

Is this for real? For starters this isn't why I thought schools only
hired younger teachers; if not, then I'm a real catch for any school
out there, and I've applied to plenty. In addition, if they want
examples of ageism all they need to do is peruse Ohayo Sensei, ESL
Cafe, ELT News, etc. and read the job descriptions that say teachers
under 30 (etc.) preferred, or similar statements. Besides, Japan is a
country where prejudice against elderly job seekers is
institionalized.

Not that I expect JT to be in touch with things, but the person giving
advice was either trying to be too nice or just has no clue.

John W.