Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mike S.]

I'm 50. Am I too much of an old geezer to teach in Korea?

[YTMND]

Not impossible, but it will be harder to get a lot of offers. Recruiters are your worst enemy here, not the schools. They will think that marketing a fresh out of college grad to a school will be more secure.

If you really want a Seoul job, then I suggest flying to Seoul and meeting with hagwons in person. Make a good impression and you will have a greater chance. If you don't want to deal with all that, after a few tries online with no success, consider more rural areas. They will be happy just to see you show up.

[saram_]

No way, are you too old!!
All one needs is a sense of humour which I am sure you have..
Id say your best bet is a hagwon (private institute).

Workplaces in Seoul may be more difficult to nail down because of their hollow and vain nature.
Set yourself up in a nice city or town outside Seoul and you ll be fine.

Tell the kids and adults all kind of stories about your life..true or not.

You ll have a great time..

My first co - worker at a hagwon was in his fifties and was certainly popular and lived the life!
Bit of an alcoholic though which cost him his job and more in the end.

Best of luck on your brave and noble venture..

[Mike S.]

Thanks YTMND and Saram. I have a foreigner friend in Suwon, who I'd like to be not too far away from. Do you know of any rural towns near there?

[saram_]

Osan City is closeby..
Thats a good starting point..
There are lots of hagwons there

There is a subway/train to Suwon.. (20 mins or something)

Seoul is within an hour and its a nice place to be..
That's where I started with the other old geezer!!

PS- Even though it's a city, it has a countryside feel.
Most smaller cities in Korea are like countryside towns/cities elsewhere.

[YTMND]

[Mike S.]

Thanks again guys...it's funny that I'm experiencing "ageism" at 50. I'm quite athletic and am known for carrying huge suitcases around the world. My father just retired from teaching at 80 in the US, now there's an old geezer for ya!

[Mike S.]

Thanks again guys...it's funny that I'm experiencing "agaeism" at 50. I'm quite athletic and am known for carrying huge suitcases around the world. My father just retired from teaching at 80 in the US, now there's an old geezer for ya!

[bbunce]

You are just a child..haha...I am 51 and teaching in Korea near Suwon in Yongin. You won't have any issues with your age. If anything, I think the age factor is in your favor.

[Julius]

[Feloria]

I work with 2 people in their 50's, and they've more common sense and do a better job than many I've met here--give it a shot! We welcome you!!

[Zulethe]

Older teachers need apply!!

I've said this before and I'll say it again...I was here first at 25, then again at 40, and I'll be back again in my late 40's or early 50's.

My experience at 40 was infinitely better than when I was 25.



good luck

[sbp59]

I can't imagine being 50 and working in some elementary school hagwon.

But, there are some jobs that age wouldn't be a factor. International schools, Universities, public schools.

[The Floating World]

I have a friend in his mid fifties who teaches at an elementary school.

He loves it. Is involved in local sports teams etc.

All depends on you and what you're looking for out of the experience.

[simpleminds]

Nope. I've had friends in their sixties come here and do an excellent job.