Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bits]

Is there an age limit to teaching in Korea. Do the people in the Hogwans dislike people over 30? Is there an age cap?

Thanks,

bits

[kimcheeking]

It's tough to find a job if you are over 40 but not that difficult if you have experience. I personally know 4-5 people over 50 so don't worry.

[william beckerson]

Of course, most Hagwon have the McDonalds mentality of "Get em while they're you and dont know any better". So you may be hard pressed.

[Chillin]

If you are well qualified you can find work here. High quality schools regularily hire retired elementary school teachers and pay them a premium. Also, universities prefer to have teachers who are older. As the male students must perform military service they are 25 when they finish their undergaraduate studiies. Add to that graduate studies and one can see why older teachers are welcome in Universities. It takes 13 years to become a medical specialist. The students don't feel right when they are older than their teachers in the university setting, It's not the Korean norm.

[kangnamdragon]

I'd say most hagwons now look at you warily if you are over 30 if those particular hagwons have preschool students.

[sadsac]

I am 45 and in some instances age has been a problem. It depends on the attitude and age of the prospective employer. My wife and I have now secured new postions, but one high school stated I was too old.

[hellofaniceguy]

Age is not a problem. I know many teachers who are over 50 and are teaching in hokwons as I write this. The same with universities.

[ratslash]

it simply depends on the school and what the director thinks. if the director doesn't like people over 30 then he won't employ you. so go down the street, there will be another institute who does not mind teachers over thirty.

there was a post by someone who said he lied to a school about his age while he was not in korea. when he got to korea he was actually surprised that the school did not want to hire him. so, the moral of the story is, of course, don't lie about your age.

[Squid]

I just turned 40. I'm 3 years younger than the director. I had no problem finding work, though I agree with another poster that I'd feel uncomfortable applying for kindergarten jobs, never mind them.

Perhaps it's my boyish charm and good looks.


Squid

[The Marchioness]

I personally know more than twenty teachers who are in their 40s and fifties, a few in their 60s.

Many of them work at highschools, universities, and a few work in hagwons.

No problem, unless you are unlucky enough to get an ignorant blister for a boss who will tell you that you're too old. Too old for what??? In any case, you wouldn't want to work for anybody with crap for brains anyway, right?

Never let the bastar*s bring you down.

[princess]

And.some people 30 and above look younger than their age anyway. I have seen some 23 year olds who look 30 something and vice versa. And age has nothing to do with body type either. Some 40 year olds have a better body than some teens.

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

yes, you are too old..

don't come here...

[rapier]

It purely depends on who you are and the image you portray. Age has less of an influence than you might think. if you are a responsible, outgoing, and hard working person who takes care of your appearance, you should be fine.. If you're over 40 you shouldn't even be considering hagwons. Go for the Uni jobs.

[dumass]

What about being too young?

I graduated from Uni last year, and turn 20 in march, and will be looking for a job soon after.

Would Hagwons look at my young age as a problem?

[desultude]

I'm 55 and I got my first job, at a university, last year. Three other people hired at the same time were also over 55.