Teaching English in Korea

The South Korean English teaching market is currently one of the largest and strongest in the world. ESL instructors can find teaching opportunities here year round, interviews are conducted in advance over the phone and via e-mail.

In most cases, airfare is reimbursed, and South Korean schools typically provide free housing. A typical contract offers a free return flight, paid vacation and 1 month salary bonus (around $ 2,000 USD after 12 months.)

A generous salary of $ 1,800 - 2,200 a month (depending on exchange rates) with only 5% taxes, enables English teachers in Korea to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, as well as an opportunity to save up to $ 1,000 USD per month after expenses. Language schools in Korea typically require 25 to 30 hours of  teaching per week plus prep time, leaving plenty of time to travel and explore. English teachers in Korea also receive 10-20 days of paid vacation per year in addition to 15-18 national holidays. 

English teachers must have a bachelor’s degree to teach English in South Korea, and TEFL TESOL certification is required. Major cities for English teaching jobs include Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Daegu.  There are over 10 cities with a million people.  Seoul is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world with approximately 25 million people and over 1,000 English language schools.  There are an estimated 25,000 English teachers in South Korea working each year and demand shows no signs of slowing. 

An estimated 2,000 - 3,000 new jobs are available each month due to Korea's national stress on education for children and adults. South Korea boasts one of the top ranked educational systems in the world.  The country's massive educational investments have paid off as this relatively small nation has risen from the ranks of the Third World to become one of the largest and most technologically advanced economies in the world in just a matter of two generations.


Articles:

• Top 10 Reasons to Teach English in Seoul, South Korea
• 3 Fantastic Coastal Cities for Teaching English Abroad
• Heading to South Korea? Don't Forget to go to the Salon!
• Noraebang - Just One More Reason to Teach English in Korea!

CNN News Article: 50 reasons Why Seoul is the World's Greatest City

Feedback from our TEFL class alumni who are now teaching in South Korea: 

Q&As:
Seoul, South Korea Q&A with Delia Nugent
South Korea Q&A with Christie Halstead
Changwon City, South Korea Q&A with Thomas Joiner   
South Korea Q&A with Thomas Gronemeyer

Articles:
Teaching English Abroad: What’s in it for you? - Tommy Joiner
Picking Up Peter Pan Syndrome - Teaching English in South Korea - Michael Geer
Two Winters - By Charlotte Hammond

Blogs:
Tommy Joiner http://lifeabroadtommyj.blogspot.com/
Maggie Smith: Http://maggiemoodoeskorea.blogspot.com/
Tab Burnett: http://blog.travelpod.com/members/tabburnett
Nicole Nugent: http://www.thekimchikhronicles.blogspot.com/
Jessica Montgomery: http://jmoinkorea.blogspot.com
Chris Cleeson: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Chris-Gleeson/

Requirements to teach English in Korea

Interesting Facts About Life in South Korea

• South Korea was the first country in the world to introduce high-speed fiber-optic broadband internet into every primary and secondary school.
  
  
• The martial art of Tae Kwon Do originated in South Korea.
  
  
• Baseball was introduced to South Korea more than 100 years ago, it has since become the country’s most popular sport.