Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cheetah]

I have looked thru many of the postings about job requirments & restrictiions, but I wanted to know if it is common to be rejected for being over 50? I have recieved contract letters iin the past, but I just recieved an Email from a reruiter saying that the public schools were not hiring first-timers over 50! Can this be true? I have been teaching in Thailand for over 2 years and am looking for a change. I turned down 2 contracts, 2 years ago, because I wanted to get more experience in Thailand and I was over 50 then and now I'm 54. Is this something new? Any info would be appreciated.

[Theo]

Yeah, what you say/ask doesn't surprise me. I worked in Korea last year at the age of 54, but that's because I was teaching adults, and had lots of ESL experience and two post-grad degrees (not boasting, but I think that helped a lot).

Due the poor economy and high unemployment rate in most expat's home countries, there is an increase in the number of applicants these days, and therefore Korean employers can shrink the applicant pool.

I think the primary reason for this age squeeze in public schools is because Korean children tend to fear older adults. We are like grandparents to them (well, because we ARE the age of their grandparents).

I'm lucky the age thing never kept me from being hired, but again, that's because I never sought teaching positions (in any country) that involved teachiing children.

However, I think if I had tried to remain in Korea or China much longer (I was in China for 5 years prior to Korea) I would have faced an employment problem.

The other factor against older FTs, is that Korean employers tend to believe that older, more experienced expats tend to be more opinionated, less flexible, and much more difficult to bully and manipulate -- and they're right!

The younger employee, with less (or no) teaching or general employment experience, fresh out of college (and coming to Korea for the first time) is far more maliable, and easily controlled -- or at least, THEY think they are.

It is my understanding (but can't say for certain) that with the EPIK program, the cut-off age for teachers is 55; but again in this competitive ESL employment market, I think 50 could be the reality.

(By the way, I hated working in Korea -- much preferred China, and it's full of problems as well.)

[romano812]

I am 40 and recruiters have told me I am on the border of being unemployable, at least for decent positions and those in the major cities. I know some people here in Korea in their 60's and they are still teaching, but it is all small town and country-side work.

[cruisemonkey]

[different]

[Kwangjuchicken]

[Kwangjuchicken]

[quote="Theo"]

I think the primary reason for this age squeeze in public schools is because Korean children tend to fear older adults. We are like grandparents to them (well, because we ARE the age of their grandparents). quote]




My kids love their grandparents. I am 50. I just started a new class today 9-11 year olds. I told them I was 1004. One girl said, "Maybe 104, but not 1004 or you would be in the Guniess (SP?) Book of World Records".

Anyway, it was a great class. Kid's classes can be the best. Just had a teacher training program that was not much fun. But the one before was great. You never know. I have had some kids too. But overall, kids are better than adults. Well, I must get some new crayons. And of course, don't forget the cookies.

[Cheetah]

Thanks everybody for your replies. I have considered going back for a Masters, but the cost/benefit at 54, with a diminishing job pool doesn't seem worth it. I guess I'll have to look in other countries and hope that there is still a need for "old folks" to teach English.

Cheers

[asmith]

Koreans don't know what they want.

They get angry because young non-certified teachers are in their school. Then they send out the signal that they don't want experience.

Who cares, right? But it is frustrating at times.