Korean Job Discussion Forums

gaelyn37 · Joined: 09 Jan 2010

I am a single male in my late fifties, with a Masters, 13 years college teaching experience and am just finishing a year as the Native Speaker at a primary school in Hungary. I am currently applying for teaching positions in Korea for August/September. If anyone has any advice, realities/practicalities, pros/cons, referrals, etc. that you would be willing to share with me, it will be greatly appreciated. I have really enjoyed my current assignment and plan on continuing on in a new country. Thank you in advance.

blonde researcher · Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:21 pm Post subject:

If you were wanting to go to public school position such as EPIK or SMOE or GEPIK then there is an age ceiling of 55 yrs that has been in for the last couple of years .Some older native teachers are still in public schools who were hired 2+ yrs ago, but not too many now.
BUT with a flood of EPIK applicants for 2009 -2010 coming in I have noticed that there is a definite move towards hiring the younger than 50 or even 45 as a preference. Be prepared to be flexible as to location if you are under 55yrs.
Hagwon employment is definitely biased on appearance youth and gender.
Good luck

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

With 13 years of college level experience, I don't think that the OP is going to apply for public school jobs.

Keep applying for university level positions. It might take some time to find a place that will hire from abroad, but keep trying.

If you haven't been teaching young learners, I don't think that you should start now. Teaching young learners is a special set of tools that you cannot adapt from teaching college age or adults. Teachers who are good with young learners can adapt to adults, but it is much more difficult to adapt your teaching style from adults to young learners.

In order to get most Uni jobs they do like you to be in the country so that they can interview you, but that costs money and teaching in Hungary, I am certain that you don't have much.

CPJ · Joined: 30 Dec 2008

Apply for a university job! That's the only way I can see you being happy.

Any decent hagwon won't want you because of your age. You probably wouldn't be happy with them either.

Public schools won't say so but don't want older teachers.

Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea

YBM will likely take you on.