Korean Job Discussion Forums

Viaje · Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Location: Indebted, USA

I have a college degree, American, excellent communication skills, but have never taught anything formally. I look every bit of my 53 years, perhaps older, and am wondering if I can do well in Korea. Would I be disliked for my age, or treated badly? Would it be harder to get a good job, and how would it be making friends? I have more questions but will post them in other threads. Thanks for any opinions.

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

As an older person myself, I'd say you'd probably not have a problem, unless you went in with an attitude that exuded hostility towards others who are younger. I get along with everyone I work with, but there are times you're going to find yourself really frustrated because things here aren't always done as efficiently as possible, and change suggested by outsiders doesn't always go over so well.

Will you make friends? I don't see why not. I make a lot of friends here, and they're mostly much younger than me. It helps to have a younger mindset, even though you're older. The important thing is you're going to be dealing with a lot of young kids, regardless of what level you end up teaching (even if it is college), so patience is one of those skills you need to make sure you have a lot of.

As for getting jobs, I don't think that would be a problem, but I'm not sure. I was recruited here for a very specific purpose, so I didn't have to go through the usual process of looking for a job. But I know there are always jobs that go unfilled.

If you have the opportunity, I'd suggest avoiding the Hagwon route and seeing about getting into an established school, like a public school or college. It's harder to get into a college if you're not already here to interview, but it's not impossible. Just be careful of dealing with the thought of any college being a good place because there are a lot of crappy colleges here that are worse than Hagwons, as well as a number of Hagwons that are far better than other Hagwons (private prep schools).

One thing I would do is read through the boards meticulously. There is a lot of good information here from the people who live this place on a daily basis. You can start to filter through the constant complainers and actually find the information of people who are presenting information that is more relevant to the questions you may have.

Good luck with whatever you do.

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

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

Worry not pop; there's plenty here in your age group.

Making friends? I wish I could say that the FTs over here were one big happy family, but I'm not sure that would be entirely accurate. Sure, you'll buddy up with one or two but for the most part, existence out here, for me at least, is smoother within a bubble of isolation.

If you land yourself a half decent gig, life out here rolls along pretty smoothly for the most part. You'll have days of frustration for sure, but you'll also have days when you'll be glad you took the gamble and left whatever is compelling you to leave your current life behind.

Others will be along shortly to disagree I'm sure.

*edit* Do what you can to get some teaching experience before you get here. It'll help as you'll be expected to hit the ground running.

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

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Apply to GEPIK. There are plenty of teachers in the "older" category. Last year we had 1 guy who was 69.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Depending on where you may wind up working, the question may very well boil down to 'will you teach rather than 'can' you teach!

See this recently posted thread: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=146787

Good luck with your efforts.

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

I wouldn't sweat it. There is an at least 60 year old and a late 40s guy in my neighbourhood. The 40 year old teaches adults, not sure about the other guy. I'm guessing public school. You won't have a problem going PS.

Don't give up just because you have a little more experience. You will definitely find a job. And how you do will depend on your attitude. Good luck!

Viaje · Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Location: Indebted, USA

Wow, thanks so much for the generous replies. I feel much better to know that I might have a chance to go to Korea. To the question as to whether I will teach, I'm assuming you mean would I do what your coworker did, goofing off, etc.--I definitely would apply myself to the work. I consider teaching a noble profession because there are few things more important than giving young people the chance of an education and to be influenced in a way that will benefit them in life.

The one drawback someone mentioned is in the area of actually getting hired, the application process. Two or three of you suggested public schools, and someone else said GEPIK which I will have to read about. My goal would be to go to Korea around May, is this doable or what month is recommended being I would like to go sooner than later? Should I get a recruiter or is it better to do it in another way? My main concern would be getting turned away or fired soon after arriving(see the new post about age discrimination--someone was let go immediately because he is 55 and the recruiter told the school he was 40). Of course my second concern would simply ending up in a difficult situation, meaning a bad school or boss, etc. Is that mostly preventable by working at a reputable public school? Again, is a recruiter necessary or best for gaining this job?
Thanks again for all replies.

megandadam · Joined: 28 Dec 2008 Location: toronto, canada

TheChickenLover · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: The Chicken Coop

As long as you qualify, you'll be fine. I'm 37 & the youngest in my school by at least 15 years.

You'll have no problems in the PS school system

Chicken

Zulethe · Joined: 04 Jul 2008

As has been mentioned, you won't have any problem, just stick with the public school system.

People on here assume that the most sought after people are the ones straight out of college. On the contrary, many schools have realized that it's much better to hire a more mature person than someone younger whose sole person is to come to Korea and get totally wasted every night.

Trust me....I've been both places....came here straight out of college.

Would I hire me straight out of college? HELLL NOO!

Would I hire me now? Maybe.

postfundie · Joined: 28 May 2004

why not work at places that teach adults? Many professional business women and men would probably love to speak with you.

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

My gig will be available at the end of August if you can wait that long.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I wasn't questioning your work ethic in any way, just throwing in a bit of levity. I second the gist of the post about many employers wanting a bit more maturity than the average new grad can bring to the job. I don't think you'll have a problem getting or holding a job here at all.

Good luck to you, OP, and let us know how things pan out.