Korean Job Discussion Forums

Chuggiya55 · Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Canada

I understand that the mandatory retirement age for Korean teachers is 55. Unfortunately, I am 54....

Fortunately, I am married to a wonderful Korean lady. When I'm 55, I'll have a B.Ed. with a Specialization in English, CELTA, and a start on my MA in TESOL. Is there any hope for someone like me in Korea? I could probably get on at a hagwan, but I'd rather do a corporate or university gig, if at all possible. Or should I start looking in Europe or elsewhere.

Any insight or ideas will be much appreciated.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

poet13 · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject:

I have a foreigner buddy here who is 57. Another foreigner person at his uni is at least as old.

We have teachers at my middle school who are older than dirt. One lady is at least 60. We had a teacher retire last year and he was 72. One of the male teachers here now is 57.

aarontendo · Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Location: Daegu-ish

Yeah I've met many a teacher here in their 50's, I think one is 55 in fact. Great guys too. To be honest seems I met more older teachers out here in the province than I did when I worked in Seoul.

As to the mandatory retirement age, isn't it 60 or something like that in Korea? And it's supposed to go up like one year for every five years or something like that.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Mandatory retirement is different for different sectors of the Korean workforce. mandatory retirement for teachers is 63 (I just asked my Korean co-teacher) and mandatory retirement for the professional sector (White collar workers) is more in line with US retirement guidelines. Many older instructors are coming to Korea these days, but many of the public and private schools are showing a bit more age discrimination because they are interested in younger people that can serve as edutainers rather than educators. It is too bad, because I know of many people who have been working in education for many years and are exceptional teachers in various subjects of study, but turned away by people who have a greater desire to intimidate the people they employ.

Chuggiya55 · Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Canada

Chuggiya55 · Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Canada

Chuggiya55 · Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Canada

Chuggiya55 · Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Canada

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

I'm 62, got my first hogwon job at 51, was offered (and declined) a public school job at 62 (these are western ages by the way.)

I don't know if I'm one of the ones who another poster said "claimed" to be over 60, but I'd be happy to prove it should you so desire.

I think wanderingsalsero is over 60 and there are a couple of others too.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

Sorry, I got my first hogwon job at 61, not 51...

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'm 58.

It is doable, but the farther you are from the 'ideal' (20's blonde female), the more difficult it is to land a job. The problem is getting them to read the application past the part where you state your age.

It's the reality.

elliemk · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Sparkling Korea!

Including me, there are eight teachers over 55 who go to my church. It's very possible to get a job here. However, you will have to apply for more positions because of your age, because there is age discrimination at many schools.

bejarano-korea · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

All you old timers out there flying the flag - much respect!