Korean Job Discussion Forums

alexh · Joined: 13 May 2006

Was wondering how long people teach English in Korea? Is it possible to make it a career? I have seen several job postings stating 20's to 40's. Is it possible to continue until retirement or is retiring in Korea even an option?

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

I could retire in Korea if I end up marrying a Korean guy^^I have to get Mommy's approval first...so it won't happen anytime soon, if ever. I wouldn't teach my whole life in Korea though. I'd become fluent in Korean and probably get into bartending or working in a flower shop surrounded by beautiful flowers. The pay in a flower shop would suck, but if I were married, I wouldn't care so much.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I know a couple of guys that have worked in their 50s without too much hassle..

As long as you are presentable and neat you should be OK

poet13 · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:09 pm Post subject:

got a university friend who just turned 55 I think. He doesnt look it though.... Know another lady easily in her fifties... and she does look it... I'm 40, though with the exception if my thinning gray hair, look mid thirties...so they say.

CBP · Joined: 15 May 2006 Location: Korea

I'm 35 and have noticed a fair amount of job postings with age restrictions. One recent posting was, I later learned, written by the departing teacher. He said he included an age restriction because his students prefer younger teachers. How does he know this, though? Did he ask them? Did his kindergarteners stage a protest when he brought an oldie into the classroom?

Or is he interjecting his own assumptions? When I was a kid, I remember feeling a keen appreciation for my older teachers. The younger ones were rather flashy, overly eager, and always trying to please the students. The older ones were patient, consistent, and had a stronger air of authority that helped keep everyone in line.

About an ESL career overseas, if your teaching position includes health benefits and a pension, why should this be a concern? Are you concerned, then, about being laid off because of your age? Saudi Arabia has an enforced retirement age of 55. Does Korea? It's a good question, but my guess is that because of the demand for good, reliable teachers, you've got implied job security unless you're teaching in a country with a mandatory cut off.

But what do I know? I'm still in the States. So enlighten me.

Wink

Homer · Guest

Korea has an enforced retirement age of 60.

How or if this applies to foreigners I do not know.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

SirFink · Joined: 05 Mar 2006

I'm 36 and have gotten a few gasps and surprised looks when I mention my age. It is certainly a field dominated by folks in their 20s but I noticed several older folks at the consulate on my visa run. One guy I'd swear wasn't a day younger than 80. Maybe he wasn't a teacher, but ya never know...

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

I've been told that 18 E-2 visas are the max that anyone can get...then again everyone gets different answers at different immigration offices, sometimes from different officers at the same office. Laughing

But that was a few years ago, so I don't know if anything has changed or not.
And I would assume that most long-timers are on different visas.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I can tell you from personal experience that it becomes increasingly difficult to break through the age barrier.

If you can get 'them' to actually meet you and make an evaluation on your personal and professional qualities, rather than just your age, it is OK. But very few recruiters or anyone else will look at your resume past the line where you state your age.

There are people here who like to say that if you are rejected because of your age or your race, then you don't want to work for them anyway. They may have a point, but if they keep their hat on, that point won't show. The fact is, discrimination, whether it is based on age, sex, race or any other factor is frustrating, aggravating and counter-productive if your goal is quality services based on skills rather than some irrelevant criteria.

The frustrating reality is that most employers don't care about experience...experience in the class room, experience in adjusting to Korea. They want someone young. I don't think it has anything to do with 'managability' as some would have it. I think it has to do with the Korean age thing. But 'why' it happens is not as important as the fact that it does happen.

The number that I see come up most often is 45. For every year you are beyond that age, then expect to have an increasingly hard time finding a job in Korea.

desultude · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:15 am Post subject:

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

FINDING a job is much harder if you're 40+, but I'm pretty sure that the retention rate of older teachers is much higher than for the 20-somethings. I usually advise older teachers to come here to look for a job first...OR use a recruiter. Getting your foot in the door is the main thing.

That said, I recently heard (could be a rumor!) that unis won't hire/retain anyone over the age of 62 (maybe 65?) because of Korean retirement laws. Anyone have info on this?

ontheway · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:04 am Post subject:

Hey, where are all these qualified older teachers? We looked and looked. We wanted an experienced, older teacher and couldn't find one. Now I've got to train some young newbie.