Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laheyap]

HI,

I'm just completing a diploma in TESL with plans to go abroad to teach. I have no experience as a teacher but I've discovered I really enjoy it. This will be a complete career change for me. I'm mid-40's and currently working in the health system as web designer and editor.

I have spent a lot of time in recent weeks in this forum and on related sites researching teaching in Korea. I have lots of information but perhaps too much; I think I'm overloaded a bit and a tad confused. I want to get a couple years experience and then explore other options abroad. My goal is to work in the Middle East.

So, at the risk of being repetitive I would appreciate any comments on the following:

Recruiting firms -specifically Korvia, Gone2Korea, Teach Away and Footprints Recruiting

I'm not interested in Seoul or comparable cities - I'd prefer something mid-sized - any suggestions?

I have been accepted to a masters in applied linguistics at U of Nottingham (web distance) - am I realistic to think I can work on this while teaching in Korea

Would public or private offer me the best experience as a newbie? Opinion seems divided from what I've read -just thought I'd ask again.

As a woman in her 40's, would I face a challenge to get a position. From what I've read, it seems there may be an issue with this.

Thanks so much!

[clewis]

Hi, I don't really have information in response to what you wrote except to say I am around your age (I am 40) and also leaving one career to start a new one, and while starting my paperwork and cruising the Internet have found two other awesome chicks around our age also going through the process. Two of us have been keeping blogs on our process, one has just signed a contract, and we all three chat on Facebook. So if you want to hook up with us and learn from each other.. drop me an email! ChristeneALewis (@) gmail (dot) com

[hallazgo]

If you're 40ish that's not too bad. I know several women even older than that who work
here. Some places are not all about having the cutesy teacher, but want real educators.

I don't know about recruiters, but as for cities - look into Ulsan. Nice foreigner community
and it's large enough to have many friends but not so large that you wouldn't introduce yourself if you saw another foreigner on the street

http://lulsanonline.com.

[bobbybigfoot]

Tell us more about your diploma. How many courses. How long. How much. Where. Accredited?

[Junior]

I wouldn't advise leaving a good/ well established job to work in Korea at this stage.

Korea has become saturated due to the recession. Unless you have many months free for your jobsearch, you will struggle to get a decent position.
If you are over 40, you go to the back of the qeue behind all those 20-somethings that can't find jobs in the US. It is difficult to find anywhere in Korea that values age or experience.

If its mostly a cultural experience you are after-and the money is not so important, then without hesitation I'd say head for Europe, latin america, SE Asia.