Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jordanleslie]

I would like some feedback regarding age. I thought it would be a great idea to teach for a year or two in Korea AFTER I retired. One recruiting agency has told me that I am too old for the Korean public school system - they want young teachers, just fresh out of university people. I have noticed on the forum that the bulk of people successfully landing a teaching job in Korea are under 40. Well, here, it comes.... I just turned 58. I happen to think I am quite energetic and adventurous - not in the same ways someone who is 25 would be but it's all relative!! My husband is two years older and he, too, would like to teach in Korea.

Will some of you fill us in on the 'real' story about being too old for teaching in Korea? Maybe any other hurdles we might encounter as well. Thanks.

[lowpo]

[Otherside]

I knew a teacher who worked for GEPIK last year.
He was 68.

[oldfatfarang]

Expect ageism in Korean school hiring. However, there are quite a few of us 'oldies' teaching here - in both public and private schools.

Private (profit making) schools definitely want younger teachers (and also USA /bonde/females preferred). In many (not all) schools, good looks are preferred over teaching experience.

Basically, Korean schools worry about:

(1) Parents'/students'/schools' expectations: it sounds silly, but many Koreans believe English is a 'fun' activity - and they prefer the Sesame Street approach - undertaken by young/fun/lively teachers.

(2) Your health: can you survive what is, sometimes, a gruelling schedule? (and teaching/ living in a FOREIGN language environment/culture).

(3) Your energy: see (1).

(4) Your 'face': do you look 'young'? Do you look like a stereotypical 'English Teacher"?

All that ageism and beauty nonsense aside, you can teach here if you're patient. Just expect recruiters to pass you over for good looking younger graduates.

You'll find many jobs for newbie oldies are in 'undesirable' country locations/provincial capitals. I started in an undesirable town - and, eventually, there was a waiting list for my classes (because the parents realised the value of having an older teacher).

Good luck. I'm sure both you and your husband have lots to offer Korean students. I promise you - teaching here is very rewarding (unfortunately, not money-wise, these days). Korean students are great kids.

[the foystein]

I am 52 and have been here for almost 4 years. I have never had a problem getting a job here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

[SandyG21]

The perception in Korea and even here in the USA that people who are in their 50s or 60s are all frail and sickly and non energetic is just wrong - I am the one who has the best attendance record and get called in for the young teachers and employees who call off.

Really what do the 20 somethings think they will be doing when they are 50 or 60 plus - living off the millions of dollars they have saved up and just sleeping?

[Rteacher]

The government policy in Korea - according to written guidelines shown to me by a recruiter (enacted I think within the last year) are that no governmental agencies like EPIC or GEPIC will hire new teachers for public school positions who are over 54 years old.

If "new teachers" is interpreted to mean new applicants then that explains why there are still some teachers in the system who are in their 60s.

I'm about to turn 60 myself, and I've been at the same high school (under a GEPIC contract) for over four years, but it's understood that this will be my final year because of the government's policy (which includes hiring certified teachers from third-world countries who would be paid less)

I know that Japan and Thailand have even lower age limits for public school teachers (I think it's 45 in Thailand and even lower in Japan.)

One can still get hired by private language institutes (hakwons) in rural areas, but many of them are struggling financially and there's more risk of not getting paid regularly.

Aside from that, I'll really miss the greater vacation time offered by public schools (and private high schools with government subsidies for English) so I may just go for a six-month contract at a hakwon, take a break for a while, then try to find another six-month gig.

When I finally "retire" to the U.S. (for a couple years anyway) I'll probably just do some substitute teaching - along with any available extra work in films and commercials (though I hear that even in L.A. there are more people competing for fewer jobs.)

[Geckoman]

You will get an English teaching job here in Korea, regardless of your age. Guaranteed.

Yes, agism (discrimination based on age) is a real problem here in Korea.
So is sexism, racism, lookism (discrimination based on appearance) and discrimination based on martial status.

But the demand for ESL teachers is so great that all one has to do is keep on applying until one lands a job. And they will land a job. Guaranteed.

I've had a number of teachers here in Korea who were over 40, 50 or 60 as co-workers. Yes, the vast majority were in their 20s and 30s, but still I've had older ones as well.

So don't let the possibility of being a victim of agism affect your desire to teach in Korea.

You will get a job. Guaranteed. The demand is that great. They will accept anyone who can get an English teaching visa to teach English here.