Are you looking to discover the fascinating Korean culture, make good money and friends, and enhance your personal and professional experience? Teaching English in Korea provides an incredible opportunity.
For ESL (English as a second language) instructors, South Korea is a perfect destination for many reasons. This ultimate guide will help you find everything!
Let’s get the ball rolling!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- The popularity of English in South Korea
- Pros and Cons of Teaching English in Korea
- Everything about getting English teaching jobs in Korea
- Private learning centers (Hagwon)
The popularity of English in South Korea
South Korea is primarily a monolingual country.
However, English has become quite popular in the past few decades. Many also use the local variety of English, such as Konglish.
Despite focusing on English education in Korea, English is still not widespread in the suburbs and smaller towns.
However, you can easily find an abundance of English speakers in Seoul and other tourist areas.
South Korea has always been one of the most popular countries and an ideal place to teach English abroad. The reasons are apparent.
Thousands of international and public schools for different age groups impart English education right from the start.
Besides, Hagwon, a private school-after-school system, is mushrooming at every nook and cranny of the South Korean peninsula.
Many colleges and universities also offer English courses.
As an ESL teacher, Korea is a lucrative nation to work for both freshers and experienced teachers.
To sum up, English is everywhere, and the scopes are infinite!
Pros and Cons of Teaching English in Korea
There are several benefits and drawbacks associated with teaching English in Korea.
Here is a list that will give you a better idea of what to expect once you’re ready to make a big step into your career.
The Top 4 Benefits
Let’s begin with some obvious advantages!
A Lifetime opportunity to see Korea
From the beautiful island of Jeju and the scenic beaches of Busan to the stunning capital Seoul and the historical city of Jeonju, Korea has plenty to offer for foreigners.
There are many parks, lakes, villages, museums, mountains, and palaces to explore. It is hard not to enjoy yourself to the fullest in South Korea.
If you visit the country as a tourist, you have a limited budget and time to enjoy countless things.
It is impossible to see 30 different places on a 7-day trip. Plus, you will mainly focus on visiting famous destinations rather than less-talked-about yet exciting sites. This leaves much to be desired.
But as an English teacher in Korea, you’re on a feast.
You’ll have a profusion of times, at least on weekends, to appreciate every aspect of Korea.
You can also visit neighboring countries like Japan, China, and the Philippines during extended weekends and long vacations.
Korea isn’t just a land of K-pop, K-drama, Kimchi, and K-beauty.
The list includes delicious barbecue, folklore traditions, enjoyable nightlife, colorful festivals, and enchanting cherry blossoms.
You will have a gala time and enough on your plate during your stay as an English trainer.
A one-of-a-kind personal and professional experience
South Koreans are incredibly welcoming and friendly people. The crime rate is also relatively low, and the country is extremely safe.
Even if you don’t speak a word in Korean, locals are more than willing to go the extra mile to help you.
Teaching abroad is always a giant leap in anybody’s life, though this might sometimes be challenging.
The good thing is, you’ll become more accustomed to all these after a few months.
This can harness and improve your teaching abilities.
You earn documentary experience and testimony for mentoring students. That can assist you in the following target country:
Living and working in a place like South Korea, with a distinct language, practices, and culture, is a life-changing experience.
You will get unforgettable memories you won’t find anywhere on the planet.
During your stay, you will meet many professionals from around the world. The experience you gain from these interactions and meetups can be vital to your career path as an ESL educator.
You will make and save lots of money
Beyond the definite perks of traveling and unique Korean experiences, money is a big motivation for teaching English in Korea.
The good thing is that you can earn a decent paycheck and some privileges, too.
The average salary for teaching English in Korea can range between 1,800 and 3,000 USD per month, depending on your profile, location, and educational institution.
A typical job contract includes a free one-way or return ticket, free or subsidized furnished housing, paid vacation, and national health insurance coverage.
You can also earn a 1-month bonus remuneration and other incentives at your tenure’s end. This entirely depends on your performance.
The cost of living is also economical. Between USD 700 and 1000 per month, you can easily manage all essential expenses like groceries, transportation, mobile connection, etc.
The lifestyle expenses are, of course, pretty subjective. If you spend wisely, you will have a nice bank balance at the end of your assignment.
You certainly can’t beat it if you want to earn and save a large percentage of your salary.
Even if you save nothing and instead enjoy the most, that still is worth it. Isn’t it?
You will learn Korean through immersion
There are many benefits of studying Korean. Your job enables you to learn and improve the Korean language authentically.
You can live in Korea without speaking Korean. However, your experience will be different if you know the local language.
This makes your stay more comfortable and assists you with more genuine interaction.
A well-established consensus among linguists is that total immersion is the best approach to studying any foreign language.
This is how everyone gains their mother tongue: through spaced repetition, the loci method, and constant mimicking.
And a teaching position in Korea encourages you to achieve that without additional cost and effort. You will have ample time to practice with native speakers in natural settings.
When you’re there, you can also take Korean language tests, such as the TOPIK test or KLAT, to gain recognized certifications that confirm your Korean ability.
The frequency and the number of testing centers are many times more in Korea than in any other country.
The Top 2 Disadvantages
Despite some known benefits, there are some shortcomings you should understand before diving deep into it.
This article reflects the viewpoint that I’ve heard and read stories from those who worked as teachers in South Korea.
Let’s find out the drawbacks.
Work pressure and stress are pretty high
South Korea is one of the most education-obsessed countries.
The pressure on students in Korea is overwhelming. The high-stakes testing that emphasizes competition is prevalent.
Parents sent their kids to kindergarten centers and other extracurricular classes from a very early age.
These students are among the least happy and are highly pressured among developed nations.
This has also been attributed to a high rate of youth suicidal behavior. According to Statistics Korea’s report, it is the number one reason for death for Korean youth since 2007.
This also puts a lot of pressure on educators to do their best.
As an ESL teacher in Korea, your performance is one of the deciding factors for nearly everything, such as work extension, perks, and satisfaction.
Ultimately, you have no choice but to grin and bear it.
The long work stretch is common in Korea. Although public schools have a fixed schedule, Hagwon’s hours are often very demanding.
Sometimes, they ask for additional work beyond your fixed shift and even on the weekends.
You might not get enough summer or winter holidays as most parents send their kids for off-campus study at private institutes.
You are at the mercy of school administrations
Most foreign teachers in Korea are on an E2 visa. They must abide by signing the employer’s 50-page legal contract, usually valid for one year.
What if you don’t like your overbearing boss or the unpleasant workplace?
Whether your manager makes illogical and unnecessary requests, it is not easy to disagree with them.
Accept and go with the wind. The stark differences caused by culture and habits also play a vital role.
In a nutshell, be Yes Sir, Yes Madam, all the time.
Most of the contracts comprise free accommodations for teachers. They will revoke all the facilities if you leave the job or fire you for any reason.
In that situation, getting housing and a new job is challenging. These things require money and time. Things will become terrible if you don’t speak Korean or lack reliable references.
Everything about getting English teaching jobs in Korea
Before applying for teaching English positions in South Korea, you must know many things.
Let’s get started!
Types of Teaching Work in Korea
Public schools or private academies called hagwon are two broad options for teaching English in Korea.
You can also teach in colleges or universities, but the number of openings is limited. Each has a separate hiring process and guidelines.
Public school – EPIK, TaLK, GEPIK, SMOE and GOE
Suppose you intend to teach at any public school.
In that case, you have multiple choices:
- EPIK (English Program in Korea),
- SMOE (Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education,
- GEPIK (Gyeonggi English Program in Korea),
- GOE (Gyeongsangnamdo Office of Education), and
- TaLK (Teach and Learn in Korea).
These are the government bodies that operate under the Korean Ministry of Education.
You can also apply to more than one program at the same time. However, you need to submit a set of documents for each one.
Let’s get into more details.
English Program in Korea (EPIK)
EPIK offers teaching jobs in all metropolitan cities and regions of South Korea except the Gyeonggi-do province.
Founded in 1995, the NIIED (National Institute for International Education) administers EPIK. Its primary purpose is to promote the English language abilities of Korean students.
Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE)
SMOE, also called EPIK-Seoul, recruits English teachers to work in Seoul through EPIK.
Started in 1956, SMOE covers over 2,000 public schools in the capital region of Seoul. If your dream goal is Seoul, then SMOE is for you.
They allocate the placement on a first-come, first-served basis.
Over 1.4 million students study in these educational institutions, which are considered the most sought-after public school programs among the five.
Gyeonggi English Program in Korea (GEPIK)
In comparison, GEPIK provides opportunities exclusively in the Gyeonggi-do province (surrounding region of Seoul).
With approximately 13 million people, it is the most populated local autonomy in South Korea.
Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education sponsors this program. The rest of the things are more or less similar to EPIK.
GOE (Gyeongsangnamdo Office of Education)
GOE is another government-associated program only meant for the Geyongsam province in the south.
Unlike the four other alternatives, they accept the application throughout the year. Most of the benefits are like EPIK and GEPIK.
TaLK (Teach and Learn in Korea)
TaLK differs from other Government initiatives.
This is like a scholarship or internship opportunity for students without undergraduate degrees looking for personal, professional, and educational experience in Korea.
If you intend to study in Korea, TaLK is an excellent choice.
EPIK and TaLK function under the Department of Foreign Language Education Support of NIIED.
NIID developed TaLK to promote English teaching in rural areas where access to higher-quality educational resources is confined.
The salary and other added benefits are relatively less than other programs.
Private learning centers (Hagwon)
Korean parents emphasize their children’s education and English, which has led to the opening of thousands of post-school Hagwons across the country.
Although there are thousands of hagwons, most of them are franchises or part of big businesses. Ten to fifteen such groups own and run nearly two-thirds of the private education sector in Korea!
A vast majority of foreign English teachers work in South Korea at Hagwons.
Most people work in cities such as Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Suwon, Daejeon, Ulsan, and Jeju.
These private learning centers operate once the schools are over, so the timing is usually from 2 pm to as late as 10 pm.
Difference between public and private institutes
There are a few fundamental differences between Hagwon and public schools.
Unlike private setups that hire throughout the year, you can only apply for public schools twice a year, in February/March or August/September. Spring and fall are typically the beginning of the school semester.
Another principal difference between public and private schools is the hiring process.
The government manages all public schools, and applicants can apply through various centralized selection procedures, such as EPIK, GEPIK, and GOE.
On the contrary, each Hagwon has different setups, application requirements, and criteria.
You know in advance where you’ll be working in private centers.
For government programs, you will only know once you arrive there. Your location preferences and target age group might not hold the water.
While most prefer to get an assignment in Seoul, getting one is difficult once you have a stellar academic record and years of experience.
The location can be anywhere in the country, even in a remote rural area. In the end, it’s all luck!
The pay is similar. You might earn more if you have more experience and certification.
The teaching hours and timing also vary.
For example, you will most likely teach in government schools during regular school hours. It comprises 40 weekly hours and is subdivided into 1:1 — teaching hours and lesson planning.
In comparison, Hagwon’s schedule is typically after school until late evening and includes more working and teaching hours.
The shift at private centers might be rotational and change, depending on the batches and resources. The work is also often more demanding.
Eligibility criteria
Most instructors in South Korea need a Bachelor’s or master’s degree in English. They also usually need to take an English test, such as TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification.
Native English speakers from the UK, the USA, Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa can apply.
However, you can apply under the CEPA agreement if you speak English fluently, fulfill all the eligibility criteria, and possess a teacher’s license from India.
As a foreign teacher, you must have a clean criminal background from your home country and no mental or health problems.
Submit the application form well in advance, preferably 6 months.
Finally, fill out the lengthy application, appear for the interview, and undergo a medical test.
Once selected and you sign the contract with the school, you’ll apply for your E2 visa.
Do you need to speak Korean?
This is not compulsory as your work involves teaching English and introducing kids to a native accent, conversational skills, and Western culture.
Suppose you want to teach English as a second language (ESL) at a school. In that case, you may need Korean knowledge to understand students’ questions if they know nothing in English.
This matters, especially for high school graduates or second-year students. Some Korean understanding can make classes go more smoothly.
Beyond the classroom, Korean can be a real advantage in conversing with natives, as most don’t speak English.
Your stay in Korea also allows you to learn through immersion without a formal course, adding more value to your CV.
I suggest you attempt to learn the language at the elementary level. It isn’t that difficult.
How to apply?
The English teaching market in South Korea is one of the largest in the world.
There are round-the-year job opportunities, but you must take the interview in advance. Employers conduct online through Skype or other online meeting platforms.
It will help if you prepare well ahead of time, research questions and practice answers commonly asked for this kind of work.
It would help if you ideally research where you’re going to work.
Connect with people there for similar positions and at the exact location. Many online communities can help you talk to them.
Job recruiters and resources for teachers
There are two ways to apply: directly on the official websites or through a consultant or recruiter who can help you with everything (from modifying your CV to preparing the proper documents for submission).
You can find many websites, job boards, craigslist, and agencies seeking to recruit new teachers.
Some popular ones are Korvia, Gone2Korea, CIEE, Teach Away, Footprints, Greenheart Travel, Reach to Teach, Korean Horizons, Teach ESL, Hands Korea, Work N Play, English Work, Education Adventure, and many more.
There are many job boards, too, like Dave’s ESL Cafe.
Are you hunting for teaching material, expatriate communities, and other resources? Then, you can check out sites like Waygook, Genkienglish.net, mes-english.com, Get Epic, Pinterest, ESL Games World, etc.
You can also check several Facebook groups to find jobs and help you with all relevant information for foreigners.
Duration of the contract
Nearly all contracts last for one year. If your school likes your performance and you wish to continue, you might get an extension of another six months.
Based on what I heard, a 1-year contract is standard, and there is seldom any further extension.
Conclusion: Should you teach English in Korea?
The demand for English education in Korea is pretty high. Your ability and adventure can help you land a lucrative job there.
You have an incredible chance to travel to beautiful places, try mouth-watering foods, learn to speak Korean, meet new people, and understand their culture. And make money, too. Overall, I think it is worth it.
I’ve tried to write all the information as accurately as possible. But a few things are pretty dynamic and might change later. Do check and verify with the concerned official websites and authorities.
Are you planning to apply for teaching English in Korea via various programs? Share your thoughts in the comment below!
Hello, I am currently working in an organisation for their social media team. Have completed my B.Sc in life sciences and pursued PG diploma in English Language and Teaching. Is it possible for me to get a teaching job in South Korea? If yes, would you please guide me through the process? If no, what else would I need to get one? Looking forward to your response 🙂
It will help if you have relevant degrees, experience, and English teaching certifications like TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA. Then, you can apply for various options. I have covered nearly everything in this article.
I am a student who is about to give the 12th boards and also I’m willing to choose my career as an English Teacher. Can you please guide me through the process like what exams are compulsory rather than ILETS, TEFL, TOPIK-I, TOPIK-II?
The first thing you need is a relevant degree in English, like Bachelor in English. Later you can take English certificates like TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL. IELTS and TOPIK are not required, though TOPIK can add some benefit to show your Korean ability.
Hello sir, I am a 12 standard student and next i want to get in a korean university with scholarship. Where and how i can apply and should i start giving topik test from now on?
You can check the KGSP documentation for complete details. I’ll write soon about that. All TOPIK exams are canceled, and the next one is scheduled for October.
Good day, Mr. Gupta. I am interested to teach English in South Korea. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English but have never taught before and also a Master’s Degree in Leadership in the Social Domain. Kindly advise on how I proceed with regard to my application?
Regards,
Rosa
You can spend time and shortlist sites and agencies through which you can apply. Then make a good C.V./profile and apply.
Hello, I have completed my B.A in English Literature. Is that enough to be an English teacher in South Korea? Which English Teaching certificate should I get?
A Master’s in English is preferred, along with certifications like TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA. However, it won’t be easy unless you are a native speaker from the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, etc.
I don’t have a BA in English, but I can teach English and speak fluently.
You can only teach there is you have prerequisite degree, certification, experience, and your country comes under elgibile countries.
I really want job in Korea so let me know if there is any vacancy of English teacher.
Appreciate the search helps! Our daughter (26) teaches English at a local university- top in her class and earned Master’s in English from St. Andrews in UK. Here in the states it is difficult to find assistant professorships, as they don’t open often- adjunct professors have waited 8 years for one to open at the university she teaches. She has several offers from a few Hagwon recruiting/ but pay seems rather low. Can you recommend any colleges or Hagwons she could apply to directly? She has taught for 2 years at college level.
That I am not sure about. Try to search about it!