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How old is too old to start in Korea?
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Youngben88



Joined: 19 Jul 2013

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:24 am    Post subject: How old is too old to start in Korea? Reply with quote

I was 22 when I came here, did a year. Approaching 30 now, is it too old to return?[/b]
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Ginormousaurus



Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

40 is to old to be starting in ESL in Korea.
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Youngben88



Joined: 19 Jul 2013

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about 30?
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robbie_davies



Joined: 16 Jun 2013

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why is any age too old?

Korean bosses are ageist though.
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Ginormousaurus



Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

robbie_davies wrote:
Why is any age too old?

Korean bosses are ageist though.


[See bold] That's why I feel 40 is too old to be just starting an ESL career in Korea. I'm sure people who are 40+ are completely capable of teaching English, but their chances of finding employment in Korea would probably diminish with each year past 40. Again, this is for people who are just starting their career.

30 is not too old, IMO.
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actionjackson



Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Location: Any place I'm at

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I started at 29.
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Lucas



Joined: 11 Sep 2012

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I was 22 when I came here, did a year. Approaching 30 now, is it too old to return?


Not too old to return, but having spent 7-8 years in your home country, have you not established something better and more secure?

If the answer is 'no' then come, if the answer is 'yes' then don’t come!

Also, at some point in time (unless you marry someone here) you'll have to go home (hopefully with savings) BUT whatever you are 'escaping' from will be x4 worse.......
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Who's Your Daddy?



Joined: 30 May 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't think of an age limit to come to Korea, I'd think there's an age limit to when you want to return to your home country. Unless you're going to be doing teaching when you return I wouldn't stay in Korea past 45.
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Captain Corea



Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of the best/most successful teachers I've ever known in Korea came here in her 50s. Worked here almost 10 years, and was in total demand. She had an awesome personality, and was a hoot in and out of the classroom.


IMO, personality plays into it more than age.
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creeper1



Joined: 30 Jan 2007

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:49 pm    Post subject: pretence Reply with quote

Discussed in detail here

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=176894&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45
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eumyang



Joined: 01 Jan 2010

PostPosted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ginormousaurus wrote:
40 is to old to be starting in ESL in Korea.

How about if you're looking into International schools (assuming one meets the requirements, like certification)? I'm thinking about doing this a few years down the road, and I'll be closer to 40 then.
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Ginormousaurus



Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

eumyang wrote:
Ginormousaurus wrote:
40 is to old to be starting in ESL in Korea.

How about if you're looking into International schools (assuming one meets the requirements, like certification)? I'm thinking about doing this a few years down the road, and I'll be closer to 40 then.


That's completely different. I think it's fine. And, really, who am I to judge? International school positions are coveted jobs that go to actual teachers. If you can get hired, then you probably deserve it no matter what your age. The hard part is getting hired. And if your 40 and just starting your teaching career, then landing a job may be difficult.
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OBwannabe



Joined: 16 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

eumyang wrote:
Ginormousaurus wrote:
40 is to old to be starting in ESL in Korea.

How about if you're looking into International schools (assuming one meets the requirements, like certification)? I'm thinking about doing this a few years down the road, and I'll be closer to 40 then.


I'm also curious about this. What if one was to get their teaching license at fortry years of age after year of hagwon experience? Would age work against him in this situation. One would hope that Internation Schools would prefer more experienced teachers how are looking to settle down.
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newb



Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OBwannabe wrote:
eumyang wrote:
Ginormousaurus wrote:
40 is to old to be starting in ESL in Korea.

How about if you're looking into International schools (assuming one meets the requirements, like certification)? I'm thinking about doing this a few years down the road, and I'll be closer to 40 then.


I'm also curious about this. What if one was to get their teaching license at fortry years of age after year of hagwon experience? Would age work against him in this situation. One would hope that Internation Schools would prefer more experienced teachers how are looking to settle down.


At most int'l schools, age would not work against you. In fact, they prefer more matured teachers over young and naive. If you have some teaching experience and later became certified, that tells the employers that you've found your niche later in your life (perhaps as a second career).
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atwood



Joined: 26 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Captain Corea wrote:
One of the best/most successful teachers I've ever known in Korea came here in her 50s. Worked here almost 10 years, and was in total demand. She had an awesome personality, and was a hoot in and out of the classroom.


IMO, personality plays into it more than age.

It's a lot tougher these days. I personally know of at least four universities that won't hire anyone 50 or over as a matter of policy and I'd guess that's becoming SOP at other places as well.

I've got a well qualified friend who's been in Korea for many years, has a Korean wife, etc. but he's 60 and can't even get an interview at a half-decent university.

But as far as the OP, 30 is doable.
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