i-to-i TEFL SOUTH KOREA
Once a pawn between bigger and stronger Asian and Western superpowers, South Korea has laid its volatile past to rest and is on the rise having developed from being one of Asia's poorest countries to one of its richest. The country’s economic success is matched by its cultural richness and nowhere is this more evident than in Seoul. Amongst the skyscrapers and hotels, centuries-old palaces and shrines remain intact and there’s a sense of history that goes back to the Joseon Dynasty of the 14th century. Added to all this is its lively social scene and breadth of shopping opportunities.
With a myriad of beaches, mountains, lakes and tropical islands within South Korea’s borders, life and excitement exist far beyond the capital. The cherry on top is that doable distances and good transport links make it easy to experience this fascinating country’s delights.
TEFL in South Korea (Contracts, Salary, Work)
- Demand for Teachers
- Main TEFL Regions
- Busiest TEFL Periods
- Contract Lengths
- Types of Teaching
- Accommodation
- Flight Reimbursement
- Currency
- Salary
- Taxes
- Cost of Living
- Potential to Save Money
- How Much TEFL Training is Recommended?
- Common teaching conditions
Finding Work
Work Visas
Why choose South Korea?
Be Aware
Before you go
A Few Fun Facts
TEFL in South Korea (Contracts, Salary, Work)
Demand for teachers
Very highHuge demand for North American English speakers, but the demand for British teachers is on the rise as recruitment from the UK increases.
Main TEFL regions
Seoul & Pusan; with other jobs available in smaller citiesBusiest TEFL periods
Year-roundContract lengths
Usually 6 – 12 months (can vary)Types of teaching
- Private English language institutes (hagwans): General English, Business English
- University academic departments: General English, English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
- Government & private research institutes: General English, ESP
- Corporate in-house language programs: General English, Business English
- State & private kindergartens: English for Younger Learners
Accommodation
Usually rent-free for TEFL teachers.Rents are high in the big cities, so don’t expect to be in the lap of luxury!
Flight reimbursement
This varies, but usually upon completion of your TEFL courseCurrency
Korean Won (KRW)Symbol: ₩
Salary
$1600-$1800 per monthPay is proportionate with your qualifications and experience. As an English teacher in South Korea, your salary will be among the best for your profession anywhere in the world.
Taxes
Taxes are very low in S. Korea: only 4-5% is taken out monthly and your employer will take care of this for you. So you get most of the money you make!Cost of living
Low, but it’s slowly increasing as the economy strengthens. Expect about 20% – 30% of your salary to go towards the cost of living.Potential to save money
Many people come to Korea to save money, but it obviously depends on your own spending habits. Most teachers are well paid and the cost of living is low; you can earn more if you live in a big city, but the cost of living will be higher and there are far more activities to tempt your wallet. So how much you save is up to you!While working, you can easily transfer some of your salary into your bank account at home.
How much TEFL training is recommended?
While the demand for Teachers is very high, you can increase your earning potential significantly by completing more training. You can do this inside South Korea by taking one of i-to-i’s online courses.Common teaching conditions
About 30 hours of teaching (5 days a week). Lessons start later in the day compared to most western schools. Saturday lessons are rare but well paid.Classes in hagwans can be overcrowded, but the students tend to be serious about their studies and expect good quality teaching.
Finding Work
How do I find work?
Your first step is getting TEFL qualified. You can sign up for a TEFL course and apply for one of our secured placements in South Korean private schools.You can also correspond with hagwans direct from home, apply through the Korean government-run English Program in Korea, or contact one of the many recruitment agencies that supply hagwan teachers.
Can I find work while in-country?
You can always try your luck by arriving on a tourist visa and looking for work through local adverts.What is the usual hiring process?
Employers will want to see a CV/Resume and covering letter along with other documents before they proceed to interview you over the phone.Work Visas
Is a work visa required to find paid work in South Korea?
Work visas are required (standard visa issued is the E2) and must be arranged prior to entering South Korea.Your employer can be fined and you can be deported for working without the appropriate visa. However, you can travel to South Korea on a tourist visa to find a job, and then exit to a neighboring country to apply for your work visa – just make sure you have all the necessary documents with you!
Work Visa requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- No criminal record
- Proof of job offer
- Passport nationalities (usually native English-speaking countries)
Why Choose South Korea?
- Rich culture with friendly people
- A very safe place to live
- Easy to get around
- Low cost of living with high salaries are great for paying off debts and saving
Be Aware…
You can avoid scams and faulty contracts by checking how long a recruitment agency or hagwan has been in business. If you choose to go through an agency, it’s best to use a well-known one that ensures good wages, accommodation, and in-country support.
The wages for private tutors are very high, which can tempt those without visas. But Koreans are rewarded for reporting any illegal activity, so don’t risk being deported for the sake of some extra money.
Before you go
Read this…
The Two Koreas by Don Oberdorfer – interesting history of this divided country written by a veteran traveler.Watch this…
Oldboy – visceral, innovative film about a man imprisoned in a room for 15 years with no idea why.A Few Fun Facts
- South Koreans have the world’s highest average IQ score
- 94% of households have Internet access, and the government has set up 140 “internet addiction centers”
- South Korea has the highest level of post-high school education in the world
- South Korea is a nation of inventors, with more patents granted per person than anywhere else in the world, except Japan
