Unlock A Fulfilling Career As An Older Teacher: Why Teaching TEFL After 40 Is The Best Decision You’ll Ever Make

“You’re too old to teach English abroad.” 

“TEFL is for fresh graduates.”

“Schools prefer younger teachers.”

And the list goes on. These are just some of the doubts faced by those who choose to pursue TEFL as older teacher. After all, do older teachers get hired?

Well, yes they do. In the TEFL world there is no upper age limit for teachers (at least not in most countries). 

That TEFL career you’re considering can absolutely become a reality. With global trends like age inclusivity, specialised certifications and virtual classrooms, 2025 is opening doors to mature teachers more than ever. 

It’s never too late to start

Yes, you can get TEFL certified after 40! There is no age limit to getting a TEFL qualification.

There are endless reasons a mature person may want to pursue a TEFL qualification. Whether you’re dealing with chronic unemployment, a recent retrenchment, the yearning for adventure or an unrealised goal, a TEFL qualification offers the chance to reinvent yourself and add a new and exciting chapter to your story.  

Perhaps you’ve been a career teacher for the past 30 years and don’t think a TEFL is necessary. After all, you’re experienced and overqualified! 

Well, even with decades of teaching experience, a TEFL certification can significantly boost your job prospects since the majority of TEFL jobs list it as a requirement. 

You may be questioning what you bring to the table—plenty!

Experience matters

Most jobs bring transferable skills that can lead to opportunities in the world of TEFL. Match your experience to a specific TEFL niche for maximum benefit for you, your students and your colleagues!

• If you have a corporate background, Business English could be just for you. 
• Experience in hospitality or retail means you know how to deal with diverse people and have fine-tuned your communication skills.
• What about a legal background? Well, you’ve got grit!

Any job you can think of can serve you in some way in your TEFL career. 

And what if you’ve never worked a day in your life? 

Not a problem!

• Running a household and raising kids builds up valuable skills like patience, organisation, time management and problem-solving. 

Many mature teachers have families and this support system makes a huge difference in unfamiliar territory.

There really is nothing holding you back from pursuing TEFL except yourself.

Read more: Teaching English Abroad With A Family

Take control of your future 

TEFL lets you take control of how you want to spend your time. 

Feel like freeing up your day and teaching part-time?

Ready to escape the prying eyes of the office manager and work remotely?

Tired of putting off your travel plans because of work getting in the way? 

TEFL is perfect for anyone seeking a better work-life balance and freedom to live on their terms. 

It fits different lifestyles and commitments. Yes, that’s right. You don’t have to abandon your pets, family or cosy home for a job you struggle to get out of bed for.

For retirees, TEFL offers a renewed sense of purpose.

Beat workplace ageism and build a new career abroad (or online) while leveraging your life experience for the benefit of others. 

Now, while the benefits of TEFL are amazing, we have to consider the challenges you may have to overcome as an older teacher entering the TEFL industry for the first time. 

Overcoming challenges: what to expect

Age-related gripes and restrictions

Although the world is mostly your oyster, there are some age-related restrictions related to work permits and visas. You cannot be older than the retirement age for the country you’re applying to work in. 

Another niggle is that employers may worry that mature teachers will have health-related issues. 

If you happen to have a chronic health condition, bring your medication with you and consider getting comprehensive health insurance for the duration of your stay. 

Technology

Teaching English online opens up a whole new can of worms: technology. 

Taking an online TEFL class or dealing with tech in the classroom are challenges you will have to overcome. Computer skills are a must whether you’re taking an online TEFL course or on your way to teach abroad. 

If you’re lacking in this department, a basic computer course is a good starting point. Knowing your way around Google, Zoom and social media will boost your confidence in the classroom and help you stay connected to your loved ones.

Success story

If you need some inspiration, look no further than Lucia Villani Breedt who made her TEFL dream a reality in Italy in her 50s! Having worked endless unhappy years as a car saleswoman, Lucia enrolled in one of The TEFL Academy’s courses in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since. 

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

My name is Lucia Villani Breedt. I am 56 years young and couldn’t miss this opportunity to tell you about my wonderful experience after completing my TEFL course in 2019 in South Africa.  

Before my teaching experience, I was selling motor cars and was very unhappy as it wasn’t my passion. My dream  was to teach English in Italy. I’m doing so after a great experience with The TEFL Academy, which was amazing. 

It didn’t take me long to find a job and I was accepted in a town in the Basilicata region of Italy called Potenza.  It so happened that I have family there and it was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss. In February 2020, just before the pandemic hit Italy, I started working at the Yes sShool where I was warmly accepted with open arms and to this day am very happy in my position here. 

My advice to anyone wanting to do a TEFL course is to “Just do it”. It was a great experience for me .  My motto in life is “If you can dream it you can do it”. Dreams do come true. Goals in life are reachable and with the help of  The TEFL Academy you can achieve your dreams.

So if you’re still wondering, are people my age teaching English abroad? The answer is a resounding yes!

Life is about continuous learning and growing and TEFL can help you do that. Don’t let doubt hold you back from a new and rewarding career path. Check out our TEFL courses  and take the first step toward a better future.