Teach English in South Korea

Government Sponsored Programs

Qualities like higher job security, lower teaching hours, and plentiful paid vacation makes working in a public school a bit more ideal. While these positions tend to be more competitive with slightly lower pay, your application will be made stronger by having a teaching certificate like a TESOL or TEFL.

While some view being the only foreigner working at your school as a negative, others view it as a positive. Public schools provide the unique opportunity to immerse yourself into Korean culture. You’ll work alongside a co-teacher, coordinating classroom instruction times, and even create lesson plans. Public schools hire about six months before their start dates; the beginning of March and September. Pay starts at $1,350-$2,700 USD. The various government-sponsored programs are: SMOE, GEPIK, EPIK, and TaLK.

SMOE

• Located in Seoul
• Start dates: End of February and end of August
• Hire before arriving
• Work hours: 22 hours of actual working hours, 40 work hours a week
• Pay based on qualifications (A bachelor's degree and sometimes one year of experience.)
• Minimum qualification for pay starting at 1.8 Korean Won per month
• A TESOL or TEFL or English teaching certificate comprised of 100 hours
• OR, a currently valid elementary or secondary teachers certification

GEPIK

• Located in the Gyeonggi Province—the area surrounding Seoul. You can usually take a bus, taxi, or subway to get into Seoul in about 45 minutes.
• Start dates: End of February and end of August
• Hire before arriving
• Work hours: 22 hours of actual teaching, 40 hours a week
• Pay based on qualifications (Either a TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA, a bachelor's degree in education, or master's degree, teacher certificate.)
• Minimum qualifications for pay starting at 2.1 million Korean Won per month.

EPIK

• Covers all other regions, preference given on first-come first-serve basis
• Start dates: End of February and end of March
• Hire before arriving
• Work hours: 22 hours of actual teaching, 40 hours a week
• Required to have TEFL/TESOL certification in order to teach, and minimum of 100 hours of prior teaching experience
• Minimum qualifications for pay starting at 2 million Korean Won/month

TaLK

• Must be a currently enrolled university or college student
• Required to teach for a minimum of 6 months (can extend to a full year)
• Teach English to elementary-aged children during after-school classes (15 hr/week)
• Start dates: September for fall, or March for spring
• Monthly stipend: 1.5 million Korean Won

Read more about the similarities and differences of EPIK, GEPIK, and SMOE programs

Recruitment Companies

It’s pretty essential to go through a recruiter in order to secure your placement. Once you register on their website, they will send you information about job openings. They’re a great resource for any questions you might have regarding the process. Some recommended recruitment companies are: Footprints Recruiting, Reach To Teach, and Adventure Teaching.

Universities

Most people begin teaching at universities once they've taught in South Korea for at least a year and have made contacts. However, if you have a master’s degree, you qualify for teaching at the university level. Extremely low working hours and equal pay make working at universities very appealing. You can earn between 2.3-3.5 million won (~$2,050-$3,100 USD) per month.

However, unlike starting work at a public or private school, at a university level job, you will need to find your own apartment. You'll also have to provide the key deposit for your apartment, a deposit on average of about $5,000 USD that'll be returned to you at the end of your lease -- a potentially huge expense for teachers who are relocating from abroad.

Private Lessons

Under the conditions of your E-2 visa, you are not permitted to teach private lessons. However, this restriction rarely prevents foreigners from providing the service. Stories of people getting caught providing private instruction read more like myths. The best way to get a private lesson is through trustworthy friends who may know of an opportunity.

A co-worker may approach you on behalf of a student looking for a private tutor. Again, make sure it's someone you trust so as not to put your visa in jeopardy. Teaching private lessons is not a big risk, but you should take precautions. Be discreet and always try to meet at the student’s home.

Private Schools

As they are constantly hiring and tend to offer higher pay and shorter working hours, private schools, called hagwons, are an excellent option for people looking to spend a year abroad and save as much money as possible. In contrast to public schools, many other foreigners work in hagwons, providing a smoother transition to your new surroundings.

Some beginner teachers welcome the fact that most hagwons have pre-prepared lesson plans, while others find it limits their creativity and individuality in the classroom. Though the working hours are shorter than public schools and start later in the day, typically after 1 p.m., you only get about ten days of vacation time.

However, this may be the best option for you if you like sleeping in and starting later in the day. You can also enjoy other benefits like higher pay, a less strenuous application process, and a quicker arrival timeline. If you choose to go with a hagwon, your best bet is to go with a larger, nationwide one. If you go with a smaller hagwon, remember that some are better than others, and a little patience and research could make a world of difference in the quality of your experience. Starting pay at hagwons is usually about $2,000 - $2,200 USD with a workweek of about 35 hours.

• Hagwons will usually hire anyone with a college degree. The minimum salary is typically higher, usually 2.1-2.5 million Korean Won.
• Typical work hours begin in the afternoon because these are after-school specialized English institutions. Usually anywhere from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a typical workday consisting of 6 hours or more, depending on the school.
• Hiring year-round, usually through a recruiter.

When and Where to Look for Jobs:

Seoul and Busan provide the most popular settings for English teachers in South Korea. With its vibrant nightlife and trendy restaurants lining the streets busied by people of different ethnicities, the capital city, Seoul, offers the most eclectic mix of options in South Korea. A quieter city bordering the Sea of Japan, Busan—home to the popular vacation spot, Haeundae beach—is a bit more low-key and provides a nice compromise between busy and relaxed.

If you’re taking this year to reflect in peace and quiet, consider Gyeongju, a small city with a big lotus pond and a rich historical heritage. No matter your taste, there is a multitude of jobs to teach in cities across South Korea. Public schools typically hire at the start of their semester -- March 1st and September 1st -- and accept applications six months prior. Private institutes hire year-round.

Working Visas in Korea:

Most foreigners working at public or private schools qualify for the school-sponsored E-2 visa. The E-2 visa will permit you to teach in South Korea for a year with a single entry. For a fee, you can get your single entry status changed to multiple entries, allowing you the option to travel in and out of the country.

The first step to obtaining an E-2 visa is to get a contract with an employer. Once you have begun that process, you will need to send your apostilled documents to the Korean consulate. If you want to speed up the process, it’s okay to go ahead and send your background check before securing a contract.

To obtain an apostille (a government seal used for authenticating overseas documents), you will need to take a copy of your diploma to the notary public found at your local bank. Bring your original diploma so that the copy can be confirmed and stamped. Once notarized, you can send the copy to be apostilled by the Secretary of State. If you’re an American citizen, it must be apostilled in the state where the document was issued. For a list of locations, visit ESL Starter.

Additionally, the South Korean government now requires an FBI background check. One from an online or private company is not sufficient. To complete the application, you will need to be fingerprinted at your local police station. If you’re currently in Korea, you can be fingerprinted at the local Korean police station. You can mail these documents, along with a check for $18 USD and a note asking for the documents to be officiated by providing a “signature from a Division Officer to obtain a Federal Apostille.”

Once all of your documents are completed and you receive your visa confirmation number, you will need to either mail or deliver your passport to your local Korean consulate so it can be stamped with your visa. Additionally, once you arrive in Korea, you'll have to undergo a medical check for TBPE (drug test), cannabinoid, and HIV. When you've been cleared, your school will help you obtain a residency permit within 90 days. To learn more about Korean visas, visit VISA HQ.

Teaching English in Korea Qualifications:

The minimum qualifications to get an English teaching job in Korea is a bachelor’s degree. Only native English speakers are highly considered. If you want to increase your chances of working in a public school or increase your salary in a private school, you will need to couple that diploma with a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate. These courses are available online, but make sure they are approved by the program or school you are applying to. If you are an EPIK teacher, it is required to hold a TEFL/TESOL certification and 100 hours of previous teaching experience.

If you have an associate's degree or are in the process of getting your university degree (third year or higher), you may be eligible for some programs. If you don't hold a degree, you may also consider looking into volunteer teaching opportunities.

Salary & Cost of Living in South Korea

Salaries in South Korea vary by the type of teaching institution. In general, hagwons offer the most money for first-time English teachers at about $2,000 USD. On the other hand, public schools offer a lower starting salary at about $1,350-$2,000. In public schools, the pay tends to be more when you factor in the low amount of actual working hours. Public and private schools will provide your housing. Typically it’s a self-contained studio ranging from medium-sized to small. The apartments in Seoul tend to be the smallest, but there is also much more to do in Seoul, limiting the actual time spent in the apartment.

While hagwons used to always re-pay you for your flight by either giving you a stipend or converting the actual ticket cost, as competition gets tighter, they provide this service less and less. Public schools will always re-pay your airfare with a stipend of about $1,000 USD, which will usually be stated in your contract. Most will provide a $250 USD settling allowance that is usually deposited into your account before your first paycheck. Before you leave, they will deposit another $1,000 USD into your account for your outbound plane ticket, no matter the destination.

Overall, the cost of living in South Korea is affordable. Remember that if you live in a bigger city, the cost can get a bit more expensive. However, since most teaching jobs cover your apartment's cost and all you have to take care of is your utilities and cell-phone bill, it’s safe to say that 80% of your paycheck can be used for living or traveling expenses. The most enticing part of the deal comes when you finish your English teaching contract, as most contracts provide an extra month’s bonus upon completion. This means that the last time you get paid, you actually get paid twice. Hello, Southeast Asia. Or student loans.

Depending on how much you want to work and how frugal you are with your money, you can travel and save during your time in South Korea.

Classroom & Work Culture

With everything from grocery shopping to understanding interpersonal communication in and outside the classroom, it can be overwhelming to move to a new country for the first time (or the tenth time!).

Each country and culture has been formed over thousands of years, with its own customs, beliefs, and values. In every situation, act with the utmost respect for others around you. In Korea, it's common to nod your head in a slight bow to your superiors to show respect. You can also show your appreciation for your co-workers' help by bringing in doughnuts or coffee on your first day of work.

In South Korea, and anywhere in the world, it’s a good idea to accept invitations from co-workers to go out for dinner. It’s polite, and you will probably enjoy yourself and discover local gems in your new city.

When in your new surroundings, observe how others behave to learn about appropriate etiquette. Overall, the importance of respect will make the inevitable learning process more enjoyable. And after a few months, you'll become more accustomed to things you learned upon arrival. In the end, you will come away having learned a great deal from this beautiful country and its people.