Tefl in South Korea

RadioClash

Count me in for the meetup on May 2nd. We can do a mini pub crawl around the Itaewon area!

virmilitaris

virmilitaris wrote: »

In fairness if you worked 4 hours a week part-time in Korea you could easily make $200 or more so if you include extra work than you could save a lot more in Korea than in Vietnam for less work.

Edit: Out of curiosity I'm sitting beside a Vietnamese student (in Korea) at the moment and when I asked him about wages for teaching English back home he threw back numbers of $1000 to $1200 for private institutions and $15 to $20 an hour for private tutoring. Not saying your wrong and he's right but where are you living ? Is it a rich area ?

When did this become a competition?! I know Korea is big money.. That's why everyone goes there. I'm just saying Vietnam is good money aswell.
If you read back, I'm only posting here because 99% of people think Korea is the only option in all of Asia when it's not.

And as for your numbers, I met a lad last night who worked 38 hours a week in Seoul for $2k net a month.. So all these numbers been thrown around are very very different. He earned absolutely shlt money.. Why's it so low compared to everyone here?

And I'm living in the centre of Hanoi, the highest paying place in S.E Asia. Believe him or believe me, I don't give a shlt. Check the job sites and see for yourself.

cloneslad

Deleted User wrote: »

When did this become a competition?! I know Korea is big money.. That's why everyone goes there. I'm just saying Vietnam is good money aswell.
If you read back, I'm only posting here because 99% of people think Korea is the only option in all of Asia when it's not.

And as for your numbers, I met a lad last night who worked 38 hours a week in Seoul for $2k net a month.. So all these numbers been thrown around are very very different. He earned absolutely shlt money.. Why's it so low compared to everyone here?

And I'm living in the centre of Hanoi, the highest paying place in S.E Asia. Believe him or believe me, I don't give a shlt. Check the job sites and see for yourself.

$2000 net isn't all that bad, he would have lost out on $200 from his gross pay in tax and pension, though if he was american, canadian or australian then he could have gotten his pension back, plus his employers contribution, effectively writing off everything he pays in tax / insurance.

Obviously he was doing waaay more hours than normal, but was he actually teaching 38 hours a week or just in school 38 a week? Most public school jobs require you to be there from 8:30-4:30 but you'll usually only teach about 3-4 hours a day, the rest will be spent messing around online / preparing for other classes etc.

I think you'll find that the reason so many people are arguing with you is because you are in the Teaching in south Korea thread, perhaps you should start a Teaching in Vietnam thread and then people could ask you questions and look for help from you. Though I'd advise you to think about the advice you give (obtaining fake degrees, working on a tourist visa when not allowed etc etc).

Korea is good for a lot of people because of one of the reasons you don't like it. 1year contracts. People know when they leave Ireland they are going to a secure job (unless they get shafted by an employer) and they will get free flights and accomodation. first timers leaving all behind to go to vietnam to try and score a job don't have that luxury.


By the way, no one is saying Korea is the best place to make money, the middle east is where you can make proper money. In korea, as a first timer, you earn pretty much what you'd earn working a 40 hour week minimum wage job in Ireland. The difference being that the expenses are low, the job is easier, the hours are shorter, the lifestyle is sweet and you can save most of your wages.

cloneslad

RadioClash wrote: »

Count me in for the meetup on May 2nd. We can do a mini pub crawl around the Itaewon area!

You're planning waaay in advance there

cloneslad

cloneslad wrote: »

I think you'll find that the reason so many people are arguing with you is because you are in the Teaching in south Korea thread, perhaps you should start a Teaching in Vietnam thread and then people could ask you questions and look for help from you. Though I'd advise you to think about the advice you give (obtaining fake degrees, working on a tourist visa when not allowed etc etc).

I think that thread would disappear very quickly. It's a pity there isn't a general ESL forum come to think of it.. It's a world apart from Teaching in Ireland.

virmilitaris

Deleted User wrote: »

When did this become a competition?!

Maybe when someone posted "Start working for pretty much the same money as Korea the next week.. Everyone I've met who's worked in both places regretting going near Korean students." ?

At a stretch it could be 'pretty much the same money' taking a high paying job in Vietnam and a low paying job in Korea and comparing them. But that isn't comparing like with like.

I also don't like your insinuation that Korean students are somehow 'worse' than Vietnamese for teaching but i wasn't f-ing rude about it, i just asked you what u meant.

I'm just saying Vietnam is good money aswell.

And I thanked your post, I thought the money was much worse than what you stated. I also stated I'd like to go there in my reply to you.

And as for your numbers, I met a lad last night who worked 38 hours a week in Seoul for $2k net a month.. So all these numbers been thrown around are very very different. He earned absolutely shlt money.. Why's it so low compared to everyone here?

It's highly unlikely he worked 38 hours a week. If he did than it's the first case I've ever heard of. He might have been in the school for 38 hrs yes, but not working.

Also $2k is a (low if u ask me) starting wage but it's not bad. Remember he gets free accom and most likely free breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as health care and a pension. (we can get it back now i think)

And I'm living in the centre of Hanoi, the highest paying place in S.E Asia.

He's from Ho Chi Minh so maybe it's much lower.

Believe him or believe me, I don't give a shlt.

Whats your problem i asked a question not accused you of lying ffs.

Check the job sites and see for yourself.

I did and any I've seen state 1$k to $2k and i asked you why the big margin remember ? -> http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=72178600&postcount=1459

RadioClash

cloneslad wrote: »

You're planning waaay in advance there

gah! June!

Regarding the pension, we can only get a certificate indicating how much we've contributed here and then transfer it to our pension pot at home. It's not the refund that other countries are entitled to, but it's better than the previous position.

conbob

Deleted User wrote: »

You think I'm such a retard that I made a mistake on the maths.?!
I said extra work for $25 an hour.. So if you want to actually save money, do an extra 4 hours per week of private and you're at 1400.
It would have been easier for you to reread my post than do a maths nazi post.

$20 a day... That's 10 beers in a bar and 2 really nice $5 meals in a day. That's sounds like a high life for me.? And my new room is really nice and is only 190 a month, not 250 like I said.

As for the Telf/Celta, if ya want a secure job with a contract and bonus.. It's advisable. You can easily get away without one but it's just a bit messier and less likely to get good money.

Just curious is it legal to teach private in Vietnam? Would be great if it was.

cloneslad

conbob wrote: »

Just curious is it legal to teach private in Vietnam? Would be great if it was.

It's not legal to teach in Vietnam...without the correct visa, which quite a few people are doing without it.

You must have a working visa to teach in Vietnam.

Do_Lers

Hey I meant the 3rd of June for the meet up but actually have been told im off mon and tue the 6th and 7th so Im gonna try and get away for the long weekend thinking of Busan.

So Ill just keep an eye on the thread for the next meet up!

Or maybe a Busan meet-up!?

kraggy

Deleted User wrote: »

You think I'm such a retard that I made a mistake on the maths.?!
I said extra work for $25 an hour.. So if you want to actually save money, do an extra 4 hours per week of private and you're at 1400.
It would have been easier for you to reread my post than do a maths nazi post.

$20 a day... That's 10 beers in a bar and 2 really nice $5 meals in a day. That's sounds like a high life for me.? And my new room is really nice and is only 190 a month, not 250 like I said.

As for the Telf/Celta, if ya want a secure job with a contract and bonus.. It's advisable. You can easily get away without one but it's just a bit messier and less likely to get good money.

Jesus, with an attitude like that, I'd hate to see you in the classroom. I merely pointed out descrepancies in your post.

And with Korea, you're not taking into account contract completion bonus, flights in and out paid for, and settlement allowance.

G86

kraggy wrote: »

I'm in Seoul too.

So who's actually going to organise the Seoul Meet-Up?

Been here 3 weeks, so I think someone who's here longer should have to do it

If you organise one for the end of July I'm in

ShagNastii

Hello fellow boardsies

I hate to split up this "where is better than where" argument up. I've just come here looking for advice. I know there is a mass of information in this thread but I'm a bit confused after reading through a lot of it.

After months of humming and hawing about teaching English in South Korea. I signed up for the 140 hr TEFL course last week and completed the weekend part of the course last weekend in Dublin. I hope to finish the remainder in the coming weeks.

Now here is my pickle, I haven't got a notion what processes I need to go through re:getting a job.

Do I apply now to all the schools I can? Do I highlight myself to a recruiter?

When and where do I go about obtaining a Visa?

How long will the process last? I hope to be in SK by August

Have my heart set on Soeul but what are the selling points to other cities. What is the deal with Soeul?

I'd love for anyone (preferably a been there done that) to point me in the right direction?

Thanks a million

kraggy

What's the cheapest way to send money home to an Irish bank account and how do you do it?

cloneslad

ShagNastii wrote: »

Hello fellow boardsies

I hate to split up this "where is better than where" argument up. I've just come here looking for advice. I know there is a mass of information in this thread but I'm a bit confused after reading through a lot of it.

After months of humming and hawing about teaching English in South Korea. I signed up for the 140 hr TEFL course last week and completed the weekend part of the course last weekend in Dublin. I hope to finish the remainder in the coming weeks.

Now here is my pickle, I haven't got a notion what processes I need to go through re:getting a job.

Do I apply now to all the schools I can? Do I highlight myself to a recruiter?

Do you want to work in a hagwon (private school) or a public school?

If it’s a private school then apply to any ad you see on davesesl, craiglist or where ever you want.

If it’s a public school gig then there are two main block hiring periods, one which starts end of feb/start of march and the other which is end of aug/start of sept. When applying for this bulk recruitment drive, you can only apply once, if you apply more than that then you automatically void your application. This means either applying once on the epic/smoe/gepik website or else getting a recruiter to do it for you. If you get 2 recruiters, you’re done, they won’t accept your application. If you get rejected for the march hiring period, you can apply again for sept, it just means applying once per bulk employment drive.

Though if you apply outside these times for the various public school jobs that haven’t been filled (may, june, oct, nov etc) then you can apply to each one you see.

I think you’ve missed the deadline for this coming aug/sept hiring period anyway (as far as I know, but not 100% sure)

When and where do I go about obtaining a Visa?

This has been covered a million times in this thread, though it does change regularly. Here’s what you need:

* 1 photocopy of your degree scroll, notarised by a commissioner for oaths (cost is anywhere from €10 to whatever number he/she picks out of the sky to charge you...don’t pay more than €20) and apostilled by the dept of foreign affairs. (this costs €20 per stamp)

* 1 garda background check (this is free and should take about 1 week) do not make the mistake of getting the long background check that costs €6 or so and has to be sent to thurles. You basically need a signed letter by the superintendent stating you have no criminal charges. This must then be stamped by the dpt of foreign affairs (again €20)

* 1 health check form, signed by you. This can be found online.

* 2-4 passports photos

*At least 1 full copy of your result transcripts for every year in university. They must be in a sealed envelope with the college stamp on the seal. (these are legally not needed for immigration to approve the visa anymore but most schools still require them). You Should make multiple copies of these transcripts because you may find them getting lost / going missing and you’ll have to pay to get them printed again.

* Once you’ve secured a job, You then have to send all these documents over to Korea (along with a signed contract) using a 24 / 48hr courier service. (costs about €50-70 depending who you use)

* Then you wait two weeks to get your visa number.

* Call the Korean embassy in Dublin, tell them your name and visa number, arrange an interview with them, give them your passport, passport number, fill out a form and give them €40. Wait 3-5 working days and then you have your visa.

How long will the process last? I hope to be in SK by August

How employable are you.

If you have all the documents gathered, then from the time you secure a job until the time you get on a plane could be about 3 weeks.

Have my heart set on Soeul but what are the selling points to other cities. What is the deal with Soeul?

It’s called Seoul I’m not going to sell you on other cities because I don’t know what you like or don’t like. Seoul is not a city like back home, it’s more like 20 small cities combined to make 1 megacity.

Research it, find out what you want, don’t limit yourself to a certain area as you’ll find it harder to get a job.

Other cities to consider are busan and daegu, which are close to each other but 4-5 hours from seoul. Or if you want a satellite city of seoul then suwon, bundang, incheon are all on the train, bus subway line for seoul.

I'd love for anyone (preferably a been there done that) to point me in the right direction?

I have been there, suffered the hassle of getting it sorted.

cloneslad

kraggy wrote: »

What's the cheapest way to send money home to an Irish bank account and how do you do it?

go into the bank and wire it home at the remittance / currency exchange area.

I used Nonghyup bank for my entire time there, it will cost you about 12,000 won in the korean bank and another €20-€30 (not sure which) will go missing from it between korea and Ireland. This is a charge taken out by a middle man.


Doesn't matter how much you send, that same amount gets deducted by a german bank in between, this is why I sent my money home in bulk payments and also with my g.f's too then wired her amount to her bank online, thus cutting the charge in half each time.

You'll need all your details from your home account, IBAN, BIC, Sort code, A/C number, address.


Oh yeah, and it takes about 1-2 days to get there

As said below (cos I'm editing) once you do it the first time (which will take maybe 25 mins) all the details are saved and it should take only 5-10 mins every time after that.

neaideabh

You can organise it with your bank at home. They'll give you the information and requirements their end. But you need to get an Alien card to open a bank account in S Korea. For that you need to have a medical. You may be made have the medical straight away over there, or you can do it here before you depart for which there are advantages which I can't think off atm!

Once you have your Alien card sorted and you bank account sorted over there, you can sort it to a way you can effortlessly transfer money between your home account and your new South Korean account.

Other than that you can send money by Western Union!!!

kraggy

neaideabh wrote: »

You can organise it with your bank at home. They'll give you the information and requirements their end. But you need to get an Alien card to open a bank account in S Korea. For that you need to have a medical. You may be made have the medical straight away over there, or you can do it here before you depart for which there are advantages which I can't think off atm!

Once you have your Alien card sorted and you bank account sorted over there, you can sort it to a way you can effortlessly transfer money between your home account and your new South Korean account.

Other than that you can send money by Western Union!!!

Hey. Yeah I have my Alien Card.

After the first time, do you still have to go in to a branch to do it or can you send it at an ATM?

I can send money to the gas and electricity companies here at an ATM.

@Cloneslad, thanks for the info. What't the BIC? And do I have to ring my branch in Galway for my IBAN or is a variation of your bank account number?

cloneslad

kraggy wrote: »

Hey. Yeah I have my Alien Card.

After the first time, do you still have to go in to a branch to do it or can you send it at an ATM?

I can send money to the gas and electricity companies here at an ATM.

@Cloneslad, thanks for the info. What't the BIC? And do I have to ring my branch in Galway for my IBAN or is a variation of your bank account number?

The IBAN, from what I remember, is some amalgimation of your sort code and account number. Not too sure what the BIC number is, but they usually require it. You could just call your local branch and ask them, or perhaps, if the bank allows it, get a family member to get them for you. Calling your online / 365 banking number (found on your atm card) will most likely be the easiest as they will ask you your passwords etc to verify it's you.

I think KEB may let you send money home through the ATM service (after you've set up the remittance inside the branch) They also let you use their online banking to send money home. Nonghyup, however, only let you transfer to other banks in Korea, or at least did up until march.

ekevosu

neaideabh wrote: »

You can organise it with your bank at home. They'll give you the information and requirements their end. But you need to get an Alien card to open a bank account in S Korea. For that you need to have a medical. You may be made have the medical straight away over there, or you can do it here before you depart for which there are advantages which I can't think off atm!

Once you have your Alien card sorted and you bank account sorted over there, you can sort it to a way you can effortlessly transfer money between your home account and your new South Korean account.

Other than that you can send money by Western Union!!!

You can open a bank account with just a passport.

Also the health check for ARC must be done in Korea not in Ireland.

Because I got my arc at the same time as my visa I never needed a health check which was odd but saved me the hassle.

ARGINITE

cloneslad wrote: »

BIC number is

BIC for BOI
Your BIC can normally be found on the banks website.

Regarding transferring money home it might be worth while getting someone who can speak Korean to come with you the first time you transfer money home I found it rather difficult when I was trying to do it and the last time I did it when I was in Korea the either me or the bank clerk made a mistake and the transfer ended up not completing, when we found this out we were in Egypt.

kraggy

My girlfriend and I are trying to book a hotel/motel/hostel in Busan for the coming weekend but EVERYWHERE seems booked out.

We have our train tickets bought but we're seriously thinking of cancelling them as we don't want to end up down there with nowhere to stay.

Does ANYONE know of a motel/hotel whose staff can speak a little English? Our co-teachers don't want to help us.

Really pissed off. If the roles were reversed, we'd gladly help them if they were in Ireland.

cloneslad

Haeundae is full of motels, just turn up there and walk around and you'll find lots of places. There are loads of really nice motels for less than 50,000-60,000 a night. These places don't take online reservations so don't worry.

Even last new years eve, when the area was wedged with families wanting to watch the sunrise on the beach you could still find a room in about 30% of the motels in that area, even if the prices had doubled for the night.

squeakyduck

Mesong Middle School

Has anyone heard of this school. I can't seem to find anything about it. The website that I have been emailed for it is totally through Korean and google translate is not much help. I have a skype interview for this place soon.....any info on it would be a great help!

cloneslad

If it's a public middle school then they're pretty much all the same and you'll be very lucky to find out any information about it online, can you get contact details for the current teacher?

I'd be more interested in finding out as much information as possible about the area you'll be living in.

squeakyduck

cloneslad wrote: »

If it's a public middle school then they're pretty much all the same and you'll be very lucky to find out any information about it online, can you get contact details for the current teacher?

I'd be more interested in finding out as much information as possible about the area you'll be living in.

ok cool! I've applied to loads of recruiters so I'm getting a good few offers of interviews and that

Mesong Public middle school is located in Bundang, Gyeonggi. Looks like an ok area, to me anyway. Any other opinions?

virmilitaris

squeakyduck wrote: »

Mesong Public middle school is located in Bundang, Gyeonggi. Looks like an ok area, to me anyway. Any other opinions?

Bundang where? Most of bundang would be quite a rich area. Lots of young families etc.

squeakyduck

It doesn't say, I will dig more. I'll have to invest in a diary to write everything down now! so much stuff flying at me!

livinginkorea

squeakyduck wrote: »

It doesn't say, I will dig more. I'll have to invest in a diary to write everything down now! so much stuff flying at me!

Seriously not a bad idea. I did the same myself. Or keep a blog I suppose.

squeakyduck

:mad: My recruiters seem to be ****ing everything up:mad::mad: I specifically asked for stuff for mid/late August. At the end of my first interview they asked when could I come over June or July....I told them August, I honestly don't mind the experience of phone interviews but Christ, I had my hopes up for that job only to be told I can't have it as I'm not gonna be able to come over when they want me to.

:mad::mad: Was supposed to have another interview at 10am and confirmed it with another recruiter. A foreign teacher was gonna chat with me. The foreign teacher rings at nine and I miss it as my phone was on silent as I was on a run....I should have turned on the ringer but I wasn't expecting her to ring for another hour.

WHYYYYYY????? :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

king of cork

Annyong haseyeo,

I have been looking for hagwon jobs in Busan for months after not getting
past the EPIK interview. It seems being non-American and male and in my thirties has gone against me. But today I got 2 contracts, one is Hwamyeong , Busan which seems very far away from everything especially the beaches. The other school is in Dongnae which is I would prefer.The Scottish guy who is the only teacher there recommends it (though the director could have been holding a gun to his head while on the phone). However neither of them offer the national pension/health insurance but do offer private insurance. I have done a lot of research on Daves etc and it seems to be a red flag when a school does not offer the national pension. The thing is that as an Irish citizen, this pension is non-refundable at the end of the year and only goes towards the Irish old age pension if you don't have enough contributions(highly unlikely). So my question is should I be too bothered about this ?

hyperbaby

Lately I have been feeling a bit old to be starting off on my Korean adventure.
Anyway I was wondering what generally is the average age of teachers, in particular EPIKers?
Also is the biggest percentage of teachers American, Canadians, British and then a small percentage of Irish, Australians, New Zealanders and others?

old hippy

hyperbaby wrote: »

Lately I have been feeling a bit old to be starting off on my Korean adventure.
Anyway I was wondering what generally is the average age of teachers, in particular EPIKers?
Also is the biggest percentage of teachers American, Canadians, British and then a small percentage of Irish, Australians, New Zealanders and others?

My Scottish mate was in her 20s when she taught there and my English mate's brother, is in his early 40s.

cloneslad

hyperbaby wrote: »

Lately I have been feeling a bit old to be starting off on my Korean adventure.
Anyway I was wondering what generally is the average age of teachers, in particular EPIKers?
Also is the biggest percentage of teachers American, Canadians, British and then a small percentage of Irish, Australians, New Zealanders and others?

I know people barely out of their teens who worked in Korea and I've known people in their late 50's early 60's too. The average age for most would prob be between 25-40 I would imagine. (or even 25-35)

cloneslad

king of cork wrote: »

Annyong haseyeo,

I have been looking for hagwon jobs in Busan for months after not getting
past the EPIK interview. It seems being non-American and male and in my thirties has gone against me. But today I got 2 contracts, one is Hwamyeong , Busan which seems very far away from everything especially the beaches. The other school is in Dongnae which is I would prefer.The Scottish guy who is the only teacher there recommends it (though the director could have been holding a gun to his head while on the phone). However neither of them offer the national pension/health insurance but do offer private insurance. I have done a lot of research on Daves etc and it seems to be a red flag when a school does not offer the national pension. The thing is that as an Irish citizen, this pension is non-refundable at the end of the year and only goes towards the Irish old age pension if you don't have enough contributions(highly unlikely). So my question is should I be too bothered about this ?

Will they pay tax?
Will the insurance actually cover anything?
Will you actually be adhering to the conditions set out to obtain the visa?
Will they pay you severance?

If they are happy enough to be scrimping and saving on 130k won or so a month,(only about 1.5million won / €1000 a year) what else are they likely to save their money on???considering your last page cheque including severance, flight allowance, last months wages and a housing deposit (if required) will be over 6million won, (almost €4000) do you want to take the chance on it??

kraggy

Hyperbaby,

I'm 33 (and from Galway!).

A Canadian guy teaching in my girlfriend's school is 39. There are loads in their 30's, 40's and some in their 50's.

Forget about feeling old. People in their early 20's are the minority.

virmilitaris

Lads, I take it we're not having that meetup tonight since it hasn't been mentioned since.

But if anyone wants to try and catch the Ireland match tomorrow night (4am-ish isn't it ? ) I'll likely be in Itaewon trying to find somewhere open thats not a complete hole to watch it if anyones interested.

king of cork

@cloneslad

Thanks for the reply, I can see the risks involved with the Hagwon though the contract does offer the choice between private or national health insurance. But it is so tempting to get out of Ireland and unemployment. I am going to email the current teacher with a few more questions.

squeakyduck

Another interview that hasn't gone ahead because no one rang me. Did anyone else have this problem when they were working with recruiters. Today was my day off and if I didn't have an interview I would have had a nice lie in. (was up at 7) :mad::mad::mad::mad:

It's frustrating me big time.

ARGINITE

squeakyduck wrote: »

Did anyone else have this problem when they were working with recruiters.

When I was applying I was told the interview would be on Monday so after a long Saturday night I was promptly woken up at seven on Sunday morning to a call from a Korean number and had my interview. The process can be a bit messy but stick with it and you will get there.

squeakyduck

ARGINITE wrote: »

When I was applying I was told the interview would be on Monday so after a long Saturday night I was promptly woken up at seven on Sunday morning to a call from a Korean number and had my interview. The process can be a bit messy but stick with it and you will get there.

It's just frustrating that I get my self all ready to interview and nothing happens, then when you are totally not ready for an interview when they call. Should I talk to my recruiters about it? This can't happen all the time! I'd go mad. :mad:

king of cork

@squeekyduck

I hear ya on the frustration thing. The time difference is a killer, when they are at work in Korea we are mostly asleep. I waited until 3am one night for an interview that was supposed to happen at 2am so had to reschedule for the next night. That was with a Board of Education. I assume that you are using loads of recruiters, some of them aren't great.

hyperbaby

kraggy wrote: »

Hyperbaby,

I'm 33 (and from Galway!).

A Canadian guy teaching in my girlfriend's school is 39. There are loads in their 30's, 40's and some in their 50's.

Forget about feeling old. People in their early 20's are the minority.

I'm being a wee bit of a drama queen more than likely!
Good to know I won't be stuck with loads of youngs wan
No offence to young wans by the way

Some days I'm very excited about moving to Korea and today is one of those days, but at the same time I would really like to know what city I will be located in and I apparently won't find out until July.

cavanmaniac

I'm in my 30s as well hyperbaby, early on it can feel like you're a dinosaur at times but only if you hang out in the obvious places where all the 20 somethings tend to congregate. Branch out a little and you'll find a good circle of people your own age, no problems.

The fact that Koreans all ask you your age within 10 seconds of meeting you can make you feel even more conscious. They don't do it to be rude, they just want to know in what social bracket to place you in their mind, the whole society is dominated by your age over here so they're just trying to get a steer really.

hyperbaby

Well i'm actually 28 but I'm kinda gone past the whole drinking and getting loaded all the time phase, of course there is exceptions to this every now and again Good to know there is a good range though.

When I was Korea last year I was warned about the age issue and also I got asked quite a few times what age I was. Ha, so nosey! It is confusing though because I'm 28 here but am I 29 or 30 over there?

cloneslad

hyperbaby wrote: »

Well i'm actually 28 but I'm kinda gone past the whole drinking and getting loaded all the time phase, of course there is exceptions to this every now and again Good to know there is a good range though.

When I was Korea last year I was warned about the age issue and also I got asked quite a few times what age I was. Ha, so nosey! It is confusing though because I'm 28 here but am I 29 or 30 over there?

if you've had your birthday already this year then you'd be 29 in korean age, if you haven't had your birthday already then you'd be thirty.

as you haven't lived there before, it's easy to remember it like this:

add 2 years to whatever age you were on january 1st of this year, then add a year to it every january 1st after that.

for example: I was born june 1st 1984

• On Jan 1st this year I was 26 (add 2 years making me 28 korean age)
• I turned 27 a few days ago, but I'm still only 28 Korean age
• On jan 1st next year I turn 29 korean age...and so the cycle continues!!

hyperbaby

Right, thanks for explaining that, I think I understand it now.
I'm 30 though, this revelation is awful...

cloneslad

hyperbaby wrote: »

Right, thanks for explaining that, I think I understand it now.
I'm 30 though, this revelation is awful...

When the kids ask your age, always give them your irish one. They'll think you're much younger than you actually are. Though if they ever find out your date of birth, they'll soon figure you out for the fraud you are

hyperbaby

I don't have a problem with them thinking that,sure i can just pretend that i don't know anything about the age difference

livinginkorea

I feel very old now reading this thread when everybody is talking about ages!

About the average ages of native teachers in Korea - in the public schools it is usually in the under thirties bracket while there are a lot more 30s plus in hagwons and universities. Usually but not always...depends how desperate a school is I guess too. They have the TALK program too which is for undergrads who haven't finished their studies yet to get some experience teaching while studying at a Korean university for a semester/year. They are usually 20/21 so that would also bring the average age down. When I taught in the GEPIK program I was 24~25 and so were the schools around me. The high school where I live has a Kiwi who is in his late 40s. I think high school will try and go for older teachers?

Kindergartens usually have women in the under 30s age bracket while in my department at university I am the youngest (b. 1980).

I don't have any statistics on hand at the moment but I was researching into TEE for an upcoming conference and previous studies in the public school sector were coming back with 80% of the NESTs (Native English Speaking Teachers) having 1-3 years experience teaching. So whatever the age group is, one thing is for certain...many people start off in the public schools teaching.