Korean Job Discussion Forums

[R. S. Refugee]

I am 60 years old in the Western age counting system but 62 in the Korean system.

What I would like to find out is:

1. How old one can work in the public school system. My contract comes up for renewal in a couple of months so I'm trying to find out if age will restrict my school from offering me a new contract.

Of course, I could have my supervisors here at school research this question, but I'd rather not because I want to de-emphasize my age rather than drawing any unnecessary attention to it.

2. Beyond teaching in the public schools, does anyone know how old one can legally teach in private schools (hagwons)?

Thanks.

[Otherside]

I know of a teacher as old as 69 who was working with GEPIK.

Obviously, the schools can hire you even if you are a bit long in the tooth. Whether they want to is a different story.

[R. S. Refugee]

[bogey666]

there was a guy at the gepik july orientation who stood up and talked about ageism and age discrimination for whatever reason, and I think implied that he was in his sixties. (he sure as hell looked younger to me though).

from reading around here, I know there are at least several guys tattering on the edge of geezerdom (if not already there) teaching here.

(I'm saying "geezer" with affection ) Old guys need love too, in fact ESPECIALLY old guys.


if I were to find myself in such a situation, I'd say your best bet would be to work and become liked at a school while being a bit younger, then renewing, you will be seen as a good teacher and an asset instead of as a commodity with an age number attached to it.

In fact, establishing personal relationships with Koreans on track to be VP's and principals (if not there already) is a key to your success. This way, if someone you're on excellent terms with becomes a VP somewhere or best yet, a principal - you have a lead in, at worst, you have a contact, and remember Korean teachers within school systems move around constantly and they network.

So - once you have a good rep from someone high up in the food chain, they can recommend you to a friend, etc.

don't get me wrong, age is a barrier but not an insurmountable one.

btw.. it's equally important that your young students like you, because if they do not, and the hierarchy notices it, then no amount of ass kissing and networking etc will help much.

[ChinaBoy]

I think age might actually help with some of the higher-ups at schools.. probably have more in common with them if you're both in your fifties than some fresh face right out of college

[bogey666]

[seoulteacher]

[Viaje]

I know a teacher in Korea who is 61, just renewed at the same public school. I am 53 and considering going there. He told me 55 is the cutoff for new hires(not sure if that's true) but they renewed him because he has been there and is a good teacher.

[Otherside]

[refikaM]

I'm a PS school teacher in Gangwondo...I'm 54 and have had no problems; however, I look (and act!) much younger. But still, everyone knows my age since it seems to be an issue in Korea knowing one's age.. You'll get asked a lot... I heard that Gangwondo EPIK has "unofficially" lowered its age cutoff to the mid-forties... but don't know how well that's enforced... Nonetheless, you should have few problems securing a position in a public school in one of the provinces here...

[bogey666]

soulteacher, working much past 65 might be pushing it/expecting too much.

but I wish you luck.

[fromtheuk]

I may stay at the same school for the next 30 years. It would amuse me.

[roadwork]

[fromtheuk]

I may be wrong but I think that is already the case with my school.

If we don't have 22 hrs in a week i.e. there were cancellations, any overtime worked would not be paid, unless I had done 22 hrs during the week.

I'm a bit lazy so I've realized wherever you go, you may have a nightmare co-teacher to work with.

If I stay put, I know what to expect. If I move, there's no guarantee I'll find a better school, I may even find something much worse than what I have now.

I never have to attend meetings, I am pretty much isolated, which is how I want things to be.

[mnhnhyouh]

I was not going to sign on with GEPIK again, as I am moving to China. But if I was staying in Korea, and I signed on again, I would not get a pay raise this year, despite the rock like nature of the won.

I am on 2.3, as I have a masters and have done 2 years of teaching in Australia, and another year in a Korean academy before this almost finished year at a GEPIK high school.

I need two consecutive years with GEPIK to get a pay raise under the new contracts....

h