Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jvessio01]

New to the forum and the prospect of teaching in Korea. After reading some threads I am wondering if there is a bias against older male teachers by Korean schools. Is this occupation for the young or are some of these posts just old? Also can anyone recommend areas in south Korea that a 40 yr old would like to teach. Thanks for any thoughts

[litebear]

What are your qualifications? If you have the right background you would still be in with a good chance of teaching in certain places. Tell us more about yourself so we can give better advice.

[jvessio01]

I have a bs in human services, I have experience tutoring and counseling 18 yr. Through 60 yr olds. I am also ready to sign up for the 100 TEFL course. My last job was as an housing educator with a non profit.

[Bruce W Sims]

Well, here's a run-down on what I have found out so far.

a.) According to Korean legislation government positions are out for anyone over 50 y/o, so that leaves-out the Public Schools-- EPIK and GEPIK.

b.) You still have University and colleges but they are usually looking for people with Master's as well as teaching experience and some sort of TESOL ranking.

c.) There are private schools but I note an increasing preference for young females over equally qualified males.

d.) The people who have been doing this for a while know the ropes and have quite a head-start schmoozing and networking over newbies. They also have an understanding of which are the more attractive vacancies and which ones to avoid.

Summation?

Absent the Love of Gawd, you and I will probably wind up in some "entry-level Hagwon" and remain there until something more promising opens-up. In other words, its just like Education in the States.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[litebear]

Ok. Well without an MA you'll struggle to get a University job, which might have been the best fit for your age.

I think your best bet for finding work would be in a more rural/small town area for a public school or maybe look for a job teaching adults at a hawon (if you don't mind split shifts).

It'll be a lot more difficult for you than someone 15 years younger, but not impossible if you accept you wont be working 2pm-7pm at a kids Hagwon in central Seoul. All IMO of course!

[litebear]

[Bruce W Sims]

[litebear]

[jvessio01]

ok, thanks for all of your input. So i am not facing a total uphill battle. I should be able to land something. Litebear you mention a rural area, where do you suggest? and how much do you think I could land there a month with my qualifications. Also one more question is getting the 100hr tefl worth it.

[ibeattheborg]

The tefl course may be worth it as it gives you an insight into lesson planning and teaching methodologies. If you do the course in a language school where you actually do some teaching as opposed to via the internet then you will see how private language schools operate. The course will get you a step up the payscale for public schools and it can benefit you in interviews and contract negotiations.

As regards location, don't limit yourself to the countryside unless you really do want to immerse yourself in the language and culture; you may feel a little isolated in the countryside though it easier to get a public school job there.

I am just a few years younger than you and received plenty of offers though it did take me months to find a job because I was specific about
location. If you don't care where you work then you will land a job quickly.
Just test the waters by applying to a few recruiters( see the jobs board here). Just make sure to look as cute and young as possible in your application photo.( Disclaimer: I am not advocating the use of photoshop)

From my research I have found there are many 30 and 40 somethings teaching English in Korea but the majority of, ahem, teachers are in their twenties. It has to be said though that the bulk of English teaching jobs are in the hagwans where the starting pay is 2.1 to 2.3 million won.

[Bruce W Sims]

[ontheway]

jvessio01 and Bruce W Sims,

There are plenty of opportunities here for older teachers. Age is a factor, but you should both find positions, although your situations differ a great deal. Younger teachers are often preferred, especially in cases where a school has only one foreigner and that person is seen as a magic magnet to draw students. As to the attractiveness factor, I have seen and met hundreds of teachers here and none IMO who have any reason to claim to have been hired for that reason.

Teachers in their 40s should just apply to schools they like and wherever they like. There will be a few employers who will rule you out by age, but not enough to change your job search. There will be some who prefer a slightly more mature teacher as well, especially if you can bring some kind of experience and professionalism to the table. Since you will have no way of predicting which schools might discriminate for or against you based on your age, looks or whatever reason, you should just apply everywhere, use multiple recruiters for hogwan jobs, and do not limit yourself to any geographic location. Highlight your experiences that involve any kind of teaching, coaching and relating to children.

Once you hit 60 in Korea, you have a bigger problem. You will be seen as just too old by many. You could show up with health problems, lack of energy, declining abilities, poor eyesight or hearing - and if you do have any of these problems you will have real trouble here. If you are still young and able, however, you should include photos of yourself teaching or doing activities with children that will highlight your youth and vitality. Present yourself as experienced and capable, stress credentials and competence, but be modest and willing to be part of a team and learn the Korean way. Present yourself as mature and calm, but able to relate to and excite your students.

At age 60 you are a bigger risk to the school. They may want to offer you a lower salary. But, they will also save some money because after age 60 you are no longer eligible for the National Pension scheme, which means you and the school will both be exempt from paying that 4.5% retirement tax. Of course, you shouldn't use that as a bargaining point with the school, and the school may be unaware, but the recruiters can use that when presenting you as a candidate. You should be open to any location in order to maximize your opportunities.

[litebear]

[Julius]

[jvessio01]

Great stuff, thanks to all of you. Now the hard part, I just sent out my crc to the FBI and i forgot to request a seal, so I have to call or email the request and wait. Anymore info on places or opinions are welcome