When it happened, it occurred at the speed of light. Having lost its contract with the local education authority, my company and I parted on amicable terms and moreover, in an uncharacteristic display of Chinese efficiency, within one week I found myself on a flight from Northern China back to Thailand.

‘Home’ at last, settle back in, count the saved pennies and realize that I have another two years before my UK pension. The more astute will realize what’s coming next and do I see a raised hand? Yes? ‘In the intervening years, someone had added six years to your age.’ That’s correct, I’m just turning 63 and able to design a complete semester syllabus, with related lesson plans and present them, although confess I’m unable to sum up my thoughts in 140 characters on twitter.

Sits down at computer, NES, Caucasian, genuine MA degree (becoming a rare collector’s item in an age of photo copiers), TEFL cert’ (the 250 hour one), Thai and Chinese experience and references, updated resume and appearance photos, check. Begin by lowering aspirations as its Thailand, city or rural, twenty hours, which includes all the unmentioned additions at interview stage, 35,000 and a place to rest a weary head. Send out twenty Thai government High School applications and … Silence.

A timeline reflection for age related teaching in Thailand and as it’s becoming a worn out subject, brief and slightly tongue-in-cheek.

1988 > Go for it. If you’re able to maintain the attention span of a goldfish, hold a flashcard and say ‘carrot’ in a neutral accent, you’re in.
1978 > Receive age respect from both your students and colleagues.
1968 > Can you hear me? Accept repetition and slightly raised voices, as a common belief is that deafness precedes senility.
1958 < Explore Thailand and perfect your tan whilst waiting for the magic to happen.

John V (Thailand)