Teaching English abroad has become a popular way for people to explore the world, gain valuable experience, and immerse themselves in different cultures. South Korea, in particular, has emerged as one of the top destinations for teaching English, thanks to its high demand for native English speakers, excellent benefits, and unique cultural experience.
This article will guide you through what it’s like to teach English in South Korea, the types of opportunities available, and the benefits you can expect, including accommodation and more.
Why Teach English in South Korea?
South Korea is one of the most dynamic and exciting countries in East Asia, known for its modern cities, rich history, and vibrant pop culture. Teaching English here offers the chance to live in a country that blends traditional and contemporary life, with the added benefit of attractive employment packages for English teachers.
South Korea places a high value on English education, making English teachers in great demand across the country, from large cities like Seoul and Busan to smaller towns and rural areas.
If you need more explanation or more information, you can book a consultation and speak to Happy Face
Types of Teaching Opportunities
There are several options for teaching English in South Korea, each offering different experiences and benefits. These include public schools, private language institutes (hagwons), and universities.
1. Public Schools (EPIK Program)
The English Program in Korea (EPIK) is one of the most popular ways to teach English in South Korea. It’s a government-run program that places teachers in public elementary, middle, and high schools across the country.
- Work Hours: 22 teaching hours per week, Monday to Friday.
- Class Size: Around 20-30 students.
- Co-teaching: You will often work with a Korean co-teacher to help manage the classroom and teach lessons.
Benefits:
- Accommodation: Free, furnished housing is provided, although you may need to pay utilities. Housing ranges from apartments to studio flats.
- Salary: ₩1.8 million to ₩2.7 million (approximately $1,500 – $2,500) per month, depending on location and experience.
- Paid Vacation: 18 to 24 days of paid vacation, plus all national holidays.
- Flight Reimbursement: One-way airfare to and from South Korea is usually covered.
- Health Insurance: You’re enrolled in the national health insurance system, where you pay only a portion of medical costs.
- Severance Pay: A one-month bonus salary at the end of your contract.
If you need more explanation or more information, you can book a consultation and speak to Happy Face
2. Private Language Institutes (Hagwons)
Hagwons are private language academies that offer English classes to children, teens, and sometimes adults. These schools often operate in the afternoons and evenings to cater to students outside of regular school hours.
- Work Hours: Around 30 hours of teaching per week, typically in the afternoon and evening.
- Class Size: Smaller than public schools, usually 10-15 students.
Benefits:
- Accommodation: Free furnished housing, often close to the school, with basic amenities. Utilities may not be included.
- Salary: ₩2.0 million to ₩2.7 million ($1,700 – $2,500) per month, depending on experience and location.
- Paid Vacation: 10 days of paid vacation, plus national holidays.
- Flight Reimbursement: Often, a one-way flight to South Korea is paid for, and some hagwons also offer a return flight after completing your contract.
- Health Insurance and Pension: You’ll be enrolled in the national health insurance and pension programs.
- Bonuses: Most hagwons offer performance bonuses or completion bonuses at the end of your contract.
3. University Teaching
For more experienced teachers, teaching at the university level is an option. These positions are more competitive and require qualifications such as a master’s degree or relevant teaching experience.
- Work Hours: Around 10-15 teaching hours per week, with more time for lesson preparation and grading.
- Class Size: Typically smaller, with 10-30 students per class.
Benefits:
- Accommodation: Free or subsidized housing is often provided.
- Salary: ₩2.5 million to ₩3.5 million ($2,100 – $3,000) per month.
- Paid Vacation: Longer vacations, typically 2 to 4 months, depending on the university.
- Flight Reimbursement: Usually covered.
- Health Insurance: Provided, similar to other teaching positions.
If you need more explanation or more information, you can book a consultation and speak to Happy Face
Benefits of Teaching English in South Korea
Apart from salary and accommodation, teaching in South Korea comes with many benefits that make it one of the best destinations for English teachers.
1. Free Accommodation
One of the major perks of teaching in South Korea is that most teaching contracts include free accommodation. Whether you work in a public school, a hagwon, or a university, housing is generally provided. You’ll be living in either a studio apartment or a small flat, which can be a huge financial relief since rent in major cities like Seoul can be expensive.
While utilities like electricity, water, and internet are not usually included in the package, the cost of living in South Korea is generally affordable, especially compared to many Western countries.
2. Competitive Salary
The salary for English teachers in South Korea is competitive, especially when combined with the fact that you won’t need to pay for rent. With monthly salaries ranging from ₩1.8 million to ₩3.5 million, depending on your job and experience, many teachers can save a significant portion of their income while still enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.
3. Paid Vacation
Teachers in public schools enjoy around 18 to 24 days of paid vacation, while hagwon teachers typically get about 10 days, plus all public holidays. University teachers often enjoy the longest breaks, with up to four months off between semesters, giving plenty of time to travel or relax.
If you need more explanation or more information, you can book a consultation and speak to Happy Face
4. Health Insurance
South Korea has a high-quality, affordable healthcare system, and as a teacher, you’ll be enrolled in the national health insurance program. Both you and your employer contribute to the insurance, and it covers a significant portion of medical costs. This means you’ll have access to healthcare at a much lower cost than in many other countries.
5. Cultural Experience
Living in South Korea gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the culture. From exploring bustling cities like Seoul and Busan to enjoying the country’s beautiful mountains and beaches, South Korea offers a rich cultural experience. Teachers often find themselves trying new foods (like kimchi and bibimbap), visiting historic sites, and even learning a bit of the Korean language (Hangul).
6. Career Development
Teaching English in South Korea can be a great way to develop your teaching skills and build your resume. Whether you plan to pursue a career in education or want to use your experience as a stepping stone to other opportunities, working in Korea gives you valuable international experience.
7. Severance Pay and Pension
At the end of your contract, you’re entitled to severance pay, which is typically equal to one month’s salary. Additionally, if you contribute to the national pension scheme, you can get a lump sum of your contributions refunded when you leave the country, which can be a nice financial bonus.
How to Qualify and Apply
To teach English in South Korea, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree: A university degree is a must for obtaining a visa.
- English Fluency: You must be a native English speaker from countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or Ireland.
- TEFL/TESOL Certification: While not always required, having a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification can improve your chances of getting hired and may even increase your salary.
- Clean Background Check: A criminal background check is required to teach in South Korea.
- Health Check: You’ll also need to pass a health check once you arrive in the country.
To apply, you can go through recruiting agencies that help with placement, or apply directly to programs like EPIK (for public schools) or contact private hagwons directly.
If you need more explanation or more information, you can book a consultation and speak to Happy Face
Teaching English in South Korea is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to work abroad, explore a new culture, and enjoy a range of benefits. From free accommodation and competitive salaries to paid vacations and excellent healthcare, the perks of teaching in South Korea make it an appealing choice for teachers around the world. Whether you’re starting your teaching career or looking for a change, South Korea offers a rewarding experience both professionally and personally.
If you’re ready for an adventure and want to gain international teaching experience, consider applying to teach English in South Korea—it could be the start of an exciting new chapter in your life!