Busan Jobs - Age Limits?

I am a 49 year old American with a B.A. I have no TEFL certificates.

I have 2 years of ESL experience in Austria, Greece, Spain and Taiwan. I have years of audit, accounting, tax, and hotel experience.

I am interested in  teaching English in Korea. I think Busan would be a more desirable place than Seoul. I want to teach adults or corporate learners.

Two years ago in 2008 I applied to some recruiters listed on sites like Dave's ESL Cafe. In response I was told a 47 year old cannot get a job in Korea, certainly not in Busan, perhaps a remote chance in Seoul. I was informed teachers must be under 35. I was also told 99% of jobs in Korea are for teaching small children, not adults, which I prefer. Is this all true?

Is there a place for me in Busan, or even Seoul, though Seoul would be far less desirable? Thank you.

 

Whoever told you that is an

Whoever told you that is an idiot...there is no such rule. If a school hires you, then you're good. Your credentials look more than suffice. Contact a recruiter and I'm sure you'll have tons of job offers. Hope that helps...

Age limit? That's a polite

Age limit? That's a polite way of saying that we don't want to hire you. They want white poster children just out of college for the lost part. Work experience, teaching or otherwise takes a back seat.

My mom is 49 and just got a job in Korea

However, she was unable to find a job in Busan.  She is now teaching in Gangneung. I won't tell you it is impossible to find a job in Busan especially if you have strong credentials; however, you should have no problem finding a job in the surrounding cities.  My mother was less desirable for the jobs in Busan because of her age.  There is less competition for positions in smaller cities, so the employers there are less likely to discriminate based on age.  Best of luck to you.  I hope you can land a job in Busan because it is an amazing city.  

 

PS. There is no rule stating 49 is too old to teach here.  I know many people here in their forties.     

Maybe worth investing in a

Maybe worth investing in a quality EFL cetificate course too. I live in Busan and there are plenty of older people.

Being 47 isn't really a

Being 47 isn't really a problem if you look professional in your photo. I suggest wearing a suit and getting the best damn picture you can. If you want to teach adults, there are far fewer jobs, but it surely isn't impossible. I suggest that you apply to several agencies. Check the forums at Daves and find one that sounds good to you. Tell them your age, show your photo and resume in the email and why you want Korea, specifically Busan.

Be very direct, positive, and professional. I'm sure I don't have to say that to someone who has been to so many places and has a better resume than me. Also, make sure to focus your resume around teaching. Even if you haven't taught before, highlight those skills. Or take skills that are similar and relate them. I have seen tons of resumes before, and I'd say about 95% of them are not job specific. It is best to show them what you can offer than hope that they like you.

I'd totally go for it!!! The only other warning I would say is that you have to think about where you are from and what your accent is like. Most Korean businessmen want to learn American English. They like the "clean" English of Hollywood. But if not, just go for it anyways. Don't bother about other's opinions, and just take suggestions and go get a job. Sure, there are plenty of jobs for you here. Be specific, be honest, be strong, and don't give up on the first or second or even third sign of trouble.

And to end it...

GOOD LUCK!!!

I once heard that one of the

I once heard that one of the universities fired someone who had been there forever because she had reached retirement age of 65! 

That's not being fired.

That's not being fired. That's called you've reached retirement age you can no longer work at this institution according to the law. If Korean professors have to retire at 65 why should foreigners be allowed to continue?

technically speaking, being

technically speaking, being forced to quit working for any reason not your own and by your employer would be considered being fired.  although, i found the 65 story to be more of an anecdote

So, back home someone who

So, back home someone who retires due to the mandatory retirement age of 65 shouldn't say, "I'm retiring" they should say, "I've been fired". There is a government regulation that people employed in universities have to retire at the age of 65.

I couldn't fathom working

I couldn't fathom working past the age of even say 50. If a person wants a new experience than so be it but as for this cat, I don't think I'll be able to do this EFL game past 50 for all reasons under the sun. 

Re: Busan Jobs - Age Limits?

I don't think you'll have a problem teaching there. Most people think they want younger, but I don't think that is the case.

Re: Busan Jobs - Age Limits?

I'm 49 with the same qualifications and am working in Busan. I am also getting private work given to me.So its not a problem

The trick is to be here in person. Sending your CV  with your age listed , means it will probably be passed over for someone younger.

Good Luck

 

 

Re: Busan Jobs - Age Limits?

I agree...try applying directly to schools, try adult hagwons or universities. A friend of mine went door to door to a few cooperate business offices and got a job  teaching the employees 2 hours a day.

Honestly, I think you're going to have a tough time finding something, but it's not impossible. You're business/accounting experience is a plus but an M.A. would be better....maybe invest in that...
 

Re: Busan Jobs - Age Limits?

I am not sure that Korea is the right place for you.  Teaching adults here almost always means split shifts. You work in the morning, you get a break and then you work in the evening making for a 15 hour day.

As far as teaching English in companies unless you qualify for an F visa or an E7 visa and possibly a D8, you cannot do this legally.

E2's can legally work in multiple language schools, but there is no way they can work in the office of a company that isn't a language school unless they qualify for an F visa or an E7 visa.  Many years ago I managed to add E2 permission to an E7 but I have never heard of anyone adding E7 permission to an E2.

If I was single China would be my choice but good luck.

Re: Busan Jobs - Age Limits?

I don't know about Busan but from other posts here it seems like it's no different than anywhere else in Korea.  

I'm 50 and arrived here on my 47th birthday.  I have many colleagues here of a similar age.

Sure our students would like us to be younger.  Ideally we would all be cute, blonde, American, sporty, fun and have a secret crush on each student.  Sadly for them, llife isn't sit-com.  Fortunately for us, our co-teachers and Vice Principals and Education Office bosses prefer qualified, intelligent, capable, flexible and resilient people who can teach well.

If the school is worth working for they'll be looking for good teachers of any age.  Forget comments about American accents too - I've rarely met a Korean who could spot an accent, let alone prefer one.

Re: Busan Jobs - Age Limits?

I hope we can be of inspiration to you and this post is not too late to help your decision making.. I'm 59 and my wife is 55. We are both recently arrived and now residents of Busan. We are both teaching English for the first time. I have years of experience in teaching and corporate business. I'm teaching adults and thoroughly enjoying it. My wife is teaching kindergarten and elementary and also loving it. In applying for jobs in Korea, as well as age I have two further downsides - being non-caucasian and having an Antipodean accent. However, I did score a job. Whether this is rare or unuual I do not know. What I do know is that I enjoy my students and they really enjoy and appreciate me as their teacher.

Contrary to what another correspondent has said, I enjoy the split shift of teaching adults, so doing this is a personal preference as I get heaps of time to pursue other interests during the day. 

It will take some time but if you are persistent and positive you will eventually score a job. It is easier if you are already here in Korea because you can talk directly with Hagwon owners/directors. You have some major advantages going for you - experience of ESL teaching and a North American accent plus you're probably caucasian. Put that together with your work and life experience and you should do OK.

Please feel free to personally email me if you want further details or help on how I succeeded here.

Good luck, let's us know if you score!