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metaphor
Joined: 09 Mar 2010
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: Finding a teacher position for over 50 female |
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:( I am having a hard time in spite of BS in International business, law degree and lots of professional experience. I have a CELTA and ESL experiene. What can I do? |
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Juregen
Joined: 30 May 2006
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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keep trying.
With your experience a University might be a better option? |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: Finding a teacher position for over 50 female |
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metaphor wrote: |
I am having a hard time in spite of BS in International business, law degree and lots of professional experience. I have a CELTA and ESL experiene. What can I do? |
If you could answer a few more questions that would be helpful in formulating a reply.
1. Where do you want to go? An urban area like Seoul or Busan or a rural area out in the country somewhere? Or do you not really have a preference?
2. What position are you applying to? A hakwon (private school) or a public school?
3. How are you going about the process of acquiring a job? By which I mean are you using a recruiter or several recruiters or just going in by yourself?
4. Finally is your paperwork all in order? You need a degree, sealed transcripts, a criminal record check, letters of recommendation and a medical check. Plus a valid passport. (the LOR's can be skipped if you work at a hakwon or so I hear.) |
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oldfatfarang
Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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A female with a CELTA and TESL experience. You should be hired immediately.
Have your tried the govt programs: EPIK, GEPIK, and SMOE?
These 3 programs have a definite preference for younger teachers. However, EPIK hires older experienced and qualified teachers (I'm one of them).
A job at a hagwon may take longer (as they prefer young teachers), but I have older male friends who teach in rural hagwons (and I've done it myself).
The age problem can be daunting in Korea, but........ don't take no for an answer. Be prepared to go rural - as cities like the young, face-of-English look.
There should be a few rural vacancies in EPIK and GEPIK left, as they have been spamming my email with vacancies recently.
Don't deal with recruiters, deal directly with EPIK etc.
Also, check your application photo. Does your photo make you look 'young,' friendly, energetic, and positive? It's hard to stress how important your application photo has to be to get a job in Korea these days (male and female).
Good luck. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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oldfatfarang wrote: |
Also, check your application photo. Does your photo make you look 'young,' friendly, energetic, and positive? It's hard to stress how important your application photo has to be to get a job in Korea these days (male and female).
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Can you (or others) expound a bit? I need a new photo - back in country and getting started on the job hunt once again.
I know Koreans tend to just have the headshot (not smiling), but what would you say about photos for us foreigners? You know, besides no photos of yourself in a club holding a beer? |
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wileerider
Joined: 10 Feb 2010
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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I might be able to help you. I am teaching in Hwaseong area near Suwon University. I'm leaving in 1 month from today and they need someone. public school thru GEPIK. send me an email if you are interested.
[email protected] |
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oldfatfarang
Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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caniff wrote: |
I know Koreans tend to just have the headshot (not smiling), but what would you say about photos for us foreigners? You know, besides no photos of yourself in a club holding a beer? |
Head and shoulders shot. Smiling. Smiling. Smiling. Clean cut, well shaved, bright teeth. Nice light colored shirt (non threatening pink is good, business blue is OK, too). I wear a dark navy suit jacket and a tie, but that's because I'm oldler and I go for the 'professor' look. I can't pull off the young happy go lucky waegookin look anymore.
I also send photos of me teaching K kids, (where everyone is having a great time, and laughing etc).
Koreans believe in 'face reading' and sometimes employ face readers. They think they can tell your personality from your eyes and face. So you'd better look young, happy and non-threatening (and lose your glasses).
PS Koreans always photoshop their application photos. I didn't realise that I got my first 2 jobs in Korea because I was using up 12 year old passport photos. It was only when my employers questioned who I was, and I had trouble at Immigration, that I realised my passport photo made me look a lot younger.
Good luck. |
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metaphor
Joined: 09 Mar 2010
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:43 pm Post subject: over 50 teacher |
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Thanks to everyone who replied. You had great suggestions!! I am going to try contacting schools and directly to GEPIK. The university posts are rare, but if I find one of those I will apply. Anyway, Thanks. |
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metaphor
Joined: 09 Mar 2010
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:46 pm Post subject: over 50 teach |
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Also, I am going to look at my picture with new eyes now. I had no idea that there was such a thing as face reading!! Also, photo shop, pictures with kids and light colors---all good ideas. |
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loyfriend
Joined: 03 Aug 2009
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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There are many mom pop schools who only have 1 teacher. Most of these are owned by older couples, and hence they actually like 40-55 people. Some are even religion based. I would say go for one of these. |
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metaphor
Joined: 09 Mar 2010
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:47 am Post subject: Small schools with older owners |
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I didn't realize there were schools like that in Korea. I will watch for that now. Thanks, Kathie |
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moosehead

Joined: 05 May 2007
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Metaphor,
I finished up a +5 yr stint in K and returned last summer to the US.
oh yeah, am over 50
pm me if you have other qs but mostly the advice you've received so far should help - have a thick skin, some will tell you outright you're too old. mostly that just translates to "we want someone we can boss around because they don't know any better" so don't take it personally!!
hang in there
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