Teaching English in South Korea offers ex-pats an opportunity to experience the beauty of Korea in its entirety.
South Korea has an attractive English teaching market and an excellent teaching salary. The country boasts a vibrant culture, fantastic food, beautiful scenery, and more.
Let’s look at all you need to know about teaching English in South Korea.
Education is regarded as a high priority for South Korean families as success in education is often a source of pride for families and within South Korean society. It is necessary to improve one’s socioeconomic position in South Korean society.
When applying to teach in Korea, you must decide if a private school (Hagwon) or a public school is your choice. If you don’t fully understand the differences, this article is yours to read.
See the table of contents below.
Table of contents
- Why Should I Teach English In South Korea?
- How To Become An English Teacher In South Korea
- What Are The Qualifications To Teach English In South Korea?
- What Are The Requirements To Teach English In South Korea
- When Is The Best Time To Apply For A Teaching Job In South Korea?
- English Teaching Jobs In South Korea
- How To Teach English In Korea Through EPIK
- EPIK vs. Hagwons: Which one is a better option
- What To Be Aware of Before Taking Up An English Job in South Korea
- Is Teaching In South Korea Stressful?
- How Much Do English Teachers In South Korea Make?
- Is Living In South Korea Expensive?
- Conclusion
- FAQs On Teaching English In South Korea
- References
- We Also Recommend
Why Should I Teach English In South Korea?
South Korea is a favorable destination to teach English abroad. The country provides a balance for internationals through its reasonable cost of living, excellent salary, practical visa requirements, and much more for ESL teachers.
The Land of Morning Calm is the home to one of the best food on earth. To further bolster the vibe and feelings, consider the top 5 reasons you should teach English in Korea.
Low cost of living
Most things in South Korea are remarkably cheap: restaurants, bars, alcohol, transportation, buses, subways, clothes, etc. So, as a newbie, you won’t have to spend much money on essentials. This will help you build a colorful financial stronghold.
With a wide variety of modern concept malls, giant shopping centers, traditional department stores, and busy marketplaces, there is a shopping hotspot for every taste and budget, with opportunities to shop all day and night literally.
Access to free accommodation
As part of the contract, ESL teachers in South Korea are provided with free accommodation. This will help offset the cost of housing.
The properties where ESL teachers are placed differ based on the job’s location and nature. Housing ranges from sizable two-bedroom separate kitchen apartments to smaller one-bedroom places with mini kitchen areas.
With paid accommodation, teaching English in South Korea is an inviting profession.
Amazing food
While Korean food is very typical of Asian cuisines because it uses many spices and rice-based dishes, it is, in fact, one of the unique cuisines of the continent. Koreans use unique blends and combinations of ingredients you are unlikely to find elsewhere. While you may have been to a Korean restaurant or two outside of Korea, you haven’t experienced the joys of Korean food until you’ve tried it in-country.
Some of the most well-known dishes are bulgogi (marinated beef), ddukbokkie (spicy rice cake), bibimbap (rice bowls full of vegetables, meat, and other yummy ingredients), and kimchi (fermented cabbage). I’m sure you can’t wait.
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Beautiful Scenery
Conversely, if trees aren’t your thing, Korea’s big cities have everything else that you might want. Up in the North, the capital Seoul is alive with perpetual happenings, and it has the deviation from Korean culture that foreigners need occasionally. Much more variety exists in Seoul than in the rest of the country, especially in the foreign food district, Itaewon, and Hongdae’s music and party district.
In the South, Busan, Korea’s second biggest city, has an entirely different atmosphere. Lying on the Southeastern tip of Korea, the beaches are beautiful and best viewed in Spring or Autumn to avoid the mad rush of Summer sunbathers and to get the best views of the East Sea.
The third-largest metropolitan area in Daegu is well-known for its strong links to Buddhism and many temples. It also showcases a lot of festivals and sports, providing one of the best nights out in the country.
SEE ALSO: Best Universities In South Korea for International Students
How To Become An English Teacher In South Korea
To become an English Teacher in South Korea, you must be a native English speaker from an approved country (for the E-2 visa), have a bachelor’s degree, and pass a criminal background check.
If you satisfy these qualifications, decide where to teach (public school, international school, university, private academy) and apply to your preferred programs. EPIK and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education are good places to start.
Remember that these are just the requirements for acquiring an E-2 teaching visa set by the Korean government – individual employers will have their unique requirements. The requirements for teaching English in Korean public schools differ from those of private schools (or “hagwon”).
What Are The Qualifications To Teach English In South Korea?
To qualify to teach English in Korea, you need to apply for an E-2 (teaching) visa through your nearest Korean embassy or consulate.
To qualify for an E-2 visa, there are four minimum requirements that you should meet:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree/diploma from an accredited institution.
- Be a US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, or New Zealand resident. (Note: residents of India may likewise be qualified If they have a teacher’s permit in English. Again, If you are from Quebec, at that point, you may have to show that you are fluent in English, for example, by having a degree/certification from an English-speaking CEGEP or college).
- Pass a health and drug test.
- Have a clean national-level criminal record.
These statutory requirements were set down by the Korean immigration authorities to help obtain a visa.
Your employer may have additional requirements. For instance, If you need to teach at a public school through EPIK, you should meet a couple of other essential criteria.
Read also: 19 Masters Scholarships in South Korea
Do I Need A Degree To Teach English In Korea?
Yes, you do. One of the determining requirements to teach English in Korea is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Beyond this, you must also have citizenship from a native English-speaking country: the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. You’ll also have a background check and, depending on the school placement, you need teaching experience or a TEFL certificate.
What Are The Requirements To Teach English In South Korea
Before you are allowed to teach English in South Korea, you need to meet the set requirements and tender the following documents as listed below.
To meet the above requirements, present these archives to your nearest Republic of Korea consulate or embassy when you apply for your E-4:
- A duplicate of your diploma/degree. If you are a non-Canadian or non-US resident, get your diploma/degree apostilled. Canadian and US applicants should get their diploma/degree ensured through a notary public.
- Sealed university/college transcript. (Please, don’t try to use unofficial copies you printed at home.)
- Passport photographs.
- Your original passport.
- Copy of your employment contract, which the school or recruiter will supply.
- National-level criminal background check. In Canada, this is acquired through the RCMP, while in the US, it is through the FBI. Non-Canadians should have their background check apostilled. Canadians need their C certified through a notary public.
When Is The Best Time To Apply For A Teaching Job In South Korea?
The best time to apply for a teaching job in South Korea depends on the job type you’re applying for. If you’re applying to teach public school, like through English Program in Korea (EPIK), you should apply up to six months out. This is so because it takes public schools a long time to accept applications. However, public schools usually offer the best benefits and tend to hold your hand through the process.
If you want to start soon, consider applying to teach at a private school or hagwon. These academies often hire year-round. But, for the best selection, note that most jobs are usually posted in February or March, around the start of the new semester. Even though the hiring process for hagwons is typically quicker than for public schools, give yourself a few months to prepare the necessary documents and accommodations for you and the school.
English Teaching Jobs In South Korea
Public School Jobs
A public school position is one of the most sought-after English teaching jobs in South Korea. These jobs usually ensure a normal 9-to-5 (or similar) schedule with actual teaching hours that are not to exceed 22 per week. In addition, pay scales are typically set per office of education area and vary with qualifications.
All public job benefits generally include a small settlement allowance, free furnished housing or a housing stipend, severance, an entrance and exit allowance, national insurance, national holidays off, and 18 workdays paid vacation. However, these jobs are typically the hardest to land, especially if you’re skeptical about the city you want to be in.
Most available public jobs are in elementary schools (third through sixth grade), although some middle and high schools hire, too. Additionally, public school jobs require a co-teacher to be present in the classroom with the native English teacher. Co-teacher duties and relationships vary per school, so you won’t know your exact responsibilities until your first day of teaching.
Private Academy (Hagwon) Jobs
Not all public school jobs are identical, but most follow similar guidelines. Hagwon jobs, however, vary greatly. Unlike public schools, teaching hours in hagwons exceed 22 hours per week, and less vacation time is offered. However, private academies offer two large benefits over public school jobs: quicker hiring turnaround and higher pay.
Additionally, most private academies don’t have co-teachers. Teachers who teach young children often work mornings, whereas teachers who teach middle and high schoolers often work nights. If you’re more of a “night person,” working in middle or high school will be perfect for you.
Because hagwons are fully business-oriented, the teachers employed are maximized and paid more. Teaching English in South Korea comes with certain obligations as you pay apt attention to not just the students and school authorities but also the parents of the students, who usually have inputs to make.
READ ALSO: Best Countries to Study Abroad
University Jobs
Finding a university job in South Korea isn’t easy. But, with a master’s degree and some teaching experience, you’re likely to get into the theater of learning. University positions pay very well and require low teaching hours (as low as 10 per week), so it’s no wonder they’re highly coveted.
How To Teach English In Korea Through EPIK
When searching for an ESL teaching position in Korea, decide whether you need to teach at a public or Private school.
If you plan on teaching at a public school, you will probably do so through EPIK (English Program in Korea).
The application process for EPIK is more complicated and restrictive than it is for working in a private school. You can apply for EPIK either directly or through a recruiter.
You must understand that because EPIK is for public schools, teaching positions are only accessible at the start of the school semester. So all EPIK positions start in one or the other in February or August.
While applying for EPIK, you must provide all the documentation outlined above for the E-2 visa.
Other Requirements for Teaching with EPIK
You should be TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certified, although this requirement is deferred if you hold either a bachelor’s or graduate degree in education.
You will also need to complete an interview. If EPIK doesn’t hire you, don’t lose hope!
Sometimes, public offices of education, like the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE), will post some of the available positions on their job boards.
While it’s commonly harder to get public school work by applying directly along these lines, it isn’t outlandish.
If this is your first rodeo, I encourage you to use a recruiter who will assist you in navigating your contract and guarantee no language boundaries between you and your school.
Nonetheless, if you’re quite familiar with the terrain and have done the required research or have experience teaching abroad, you can browse through job listings and apply directly.
EPIK vs. Hagwons: Which one is a better option
There is no clear advantage of teaching through EPIK instead of in a Hagwon. The hours will be comparable, although you are bound to be teaching during school hours through EPIK.
Still, you might be approached to do more morning and night shifts in Hagwons. The pay is likewise similar in both.
You will likewise require a degree to teach as an ESL educator in Korea, whether you work at a Hagwon or through EPIK.
Hagwon and EPIK additionally give comparative advantages, such as roundtrip airfare and basic facilities.
Hagwon jobs are simpler because there are so many Hagwons in Korea.
Whether this is your first time teaching ESL, you can find a job at a Hagwon in Seoul or another vast city. Hagwons also hire throughout the year.
The disadvantage to Hagwons is that since they are private and there are so many of them, the quality can shift a lot.
If you’ve just researched ESL jobs to teach English in Korea, at that point, you may have run over a significant number of shocking stories about working at Hagwons on ESL discussion sheets.
You ought to take these stories with a massive grain of salt. While some bad apples exist in the Hagwon business, most schools are expertly run and treat their teachers well.
Those upbeat teachers in both sectors have much to bring; choosing which ESL training position is appropriate for you can be overwhelming.
What To Be Aware of Before Taking Up An English Job in South Korea
Before you say “Annyeong,” to South Korea, here are a few things you should be aware of before signing your teaching contract:
- Working hours vs. teaching hours
- Salary (including overtime salary)
- Roundtrip air flight, settlement allowance, severance
- Vacation (and how many days can be taken at once)
- Healthcare/Pension
- Housing provided vs. housing stipend
- Lesson planning/prepping requirements
- Co-teacher and co-teachers duties (or lack of)
If the above isn’t outlined in your contract, speak to your recruiter or school about what to expect, and don’t be afraid to ask for the agreement to be redrafted.
So, while you might get enlivened about the new offer, ensure the offer isn’t depleting. That is why it is essential to research your opportunities carefully and ask many questions, but those that might seem irrelevant, like, ‘I hope teaching in South Korea is not stressful.’ Let’s find out.
Is Teaching In South Korea Stressful?
In Korea, school never ends at the bell. After school, they all rush off to English school, followed by music classes, sports practice, tutors, and hours of homework. As a teacher and foreigner, this is very hard to witness.
The pressure on students in Korea is insurmountable. Starting at a very young age, Korean children are thrown into ESL Kindergartens, and the stress begins there. Many five-year-old students have tutors after class, and on the weekends, Tae-Kwon-Do lessons and music lessons are all crammed into one day, leaving little time for rest or play.
Middle schoolers said they averaged four hours of sleep a night due to their busy schedules, the pressure of test scores, and unlimited classes.
According to Aljazeera, “Korean education is like a jungle. There is a lot of competition; you eat and get eaten”, says Young Hwan Kim, an articulate 17-year-old with a dark blue school uniform and glasses.
Kim and his classmates study between 8 am and 3:40 pm daily. Many stay to do homework until late at night – the library is open til 11 pm. Others go to private institutes called hagwons for evening classes. One is 17-year-old Inchae Ryu, who studies 12 hours daily, including homework and extra English classes twice weekly.
“I have no time to think about my future or my dreams,” says Ryu.
Herded to various educational outlets and programs by parents, the average South Korean student works up to 13 hours a day, while the average high school student sleeps only 5.5 hours a night to ensure sufficient time for studying. Hagwons consume more than half of spending on private education – Nytimes.
With these student comments, it’s not out of place to say that teaching in South Korea is stressful.
How Much Do English Teachers In South Korea Make?
According to gooverseas, an English teacher’s salary in South Korea can range between $1,350-$3,100 monthly. Your salary range may change depending on whether you teach at a public, private, university, or international school.
Is Living In South Korea Expensive?
Living costs in South Korea are pretty reasonable. To give you a general idea, here are a few cost-of-living prices: $2.75 for a beer, $6 for a meal at a restaurant, ~$1 per trip for public transportation, and between $350 to $675 per month to rent an apartment (depending on if it’s rural or in a city).
Living in South Korea is not as cheap as living in some Asian countries like Laos or China, but it is also not as expensive as in Japan or Singapore. In general, the most expensive living costs in the country will be found in the capital, Seoul. Everywhere else, ex-pats can expect to earn a decent wage and save a good bit without having to pinch pennies or live on a stringent budget.
Conclusion
South Korea has an attractive English teaching market and an excellent teaching salary. Take advantage of this opportunity and explore the beauty of the Land of the Morning Calm.
FAQs On Teaching English In South Korea
The best time to apply for a teaching job in South Korea depends on the job type you’re applying for. If you’re applying to teach public school, like through English Program in Korea (EPIK), you should apply up to six months out.
To become an English Teacher in South Korea, you must be a native English speaker from an approved country (for the E-2 visa), have a bachelor’s degree, and pass a criminal background check.
South Korea is a favorable destination to teach English abroad. The country provides a balance for internationals through its reasonable cost of living, incredible salary, reasonable visa requirements, and much more for ESL teachers.
According to gooverseas, an English teacher’s salary in South Korea can range between $1,350-$3,100 monthly.
One of the determining requirements to teach English in Korea is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
References
- goabroad.com – Why Teach English in Korea
- gooverseas.com – Teach English in South Korea
- internationalteflacademy.com – The Requirements for Teaching English in Korea
