"The course provided a lot of interesting insights into culture in Korea. I especially liked the short videos interspersed within each module. This made the course feel more authentic, genuine and personal." - Brian - TEFL Teacher in Korea

HOW THE COURSE WORKS

Why Take ITA'S Online Korean Culture Course?

Prepare for your transition to your new life as an English teacher in South Korea with ITA's exclusive 10-Hour online Korean cultural orientation course for English teachers

Designed especially for new English teachers by experts with years of experience in Korean education, this 10-hour online course provides a broad introduction to life and culture in Korea will enhance your understanding and appreciation for your new home and make adjusting to the basics of daily life much easier.

What will you get out of this course?

  • A 10-hour interactive deep dive into Korean culture, etiquette and tips to help you gain confidence for adjusting to daily life.
  • Training in Korean etiquette to ensure you can effectively navigate cultural differences in the classroom and in daily life.

  • Gain insights into issues related to identities and diversity in South Korea, including matters affecting expatriate women, LGBTQ+ people, and BIPOC.

  • Get insider tips and insights into how to live in Korea like a "local" in all aspects of daily life from shopping to dating.
  • Have a safe space to discuss your questions and join a community of fellow soon-to-be ESL teachers in Korea.
  • This course is self-paced so you can complete your coursework according to your own schedule and convenience.
 

Learn from Korea Experts

Created by a team of travel writers, anthropologists, and e-learning specialists, the Korean culture course content is constantly updated & reviewed to ensure accuracy.

Enjoy Permanent Access to Our Resources & Community Platform

Once you enroll in your Korean culture course, you have unlimited access and can refer back to the course content at any point. You can also use the Community platform to connect with other teachers and cultural enthusiasts abroad in South Korea, ask questions, and join monthly meetups.

Receive a Certificate of Completion

The Korean culture course comes with a completion certificate to recognize your achievement - a great addition to your resumé.

COURSE FEATURES & DETAILS
Korean Culture Course Structure

Korean Culture Training Course Content

This Korean Culture Course includes 7 modules based on the following topics.  It is self-paced so you are able to complete your coursework according to your own schedule & convenience. 

South Korea at a Glance

Start to build a picture of South Korea from the lessons in our first module, including topics like, family roles, religion, the infamous Korean work ethic, and communication.

Regions of South Korea

Take a closer look at South Korea’s four main regions and learn about the country’s diverse nature and climate. Get a better sense of the rural/urban divide in Korean lifestyle.

Korean Customs and Etiquette

Explore what daily life is really like in South Korea. Get answers to important questions around topics like bowing and the dos and don'ts of physical contact.

Adjusting to Life in South Korea

Prepare for what to expect from Korean culture shock and hear advice from experienced English teachers in Korea about how to overcome it and personal recommendations for an easy transition.

Becoming a Local

Reach ‘local’ level. Learn about the popular hang-out spots, common hobbies, where to make friends, and what the local dating scene is like.

Teaching in South Korea

Gain more insight into the induction process and daily routines at both private and public schools, etiquette at school, the role of co-teachers and a whole lot more.

Identities, Diversity & Inclusion in South Korea

Learn about the history as well as the present experiences of local and expat women, LGBTQ+ people, and BIPOC to help you better understand the workings of Korean society, and make you aware of your own position.

Korean Training Course for American English teachers

 

 

Additional Course Features

Additional Course Features

With interactive learning materials, a friendly course guide, flexible learning options, and a module dedicated to diversity and inclusion, this course offers a learning experience that caters to individuals from diverse identities and learning styles.

  • 7 Comprehensive modules, each covering key aspects of the culture that you must know before arriving.

  • Exclusive videos featuring our Korean course guide, Destiny.

  • Unique images with captions for further description and information.

  • Key Tips and Did You Know points to further prepare you for what to expect and how to handle it.

  • Optional subtitles in all videos.

  • Video interviews with locals and ex-pats sharing their first-hand experiences.

  • End-of-module assessments to measure your progress and test your knowledge.
Community Platform Access

Community Platform Features

Our exclusive Online Community enables you to stay engaged and get answers to your questions, even after you've completed your online culture course.

Travel Tips and Advice: The forums and groups on the platform are great sources of cultural tips and advice. Ask questions and get advice from experienced English teachers and travelers.

Messaging: Find people within your group to directly message or click on their profile icon to message them from the chat. The platform not only has safety features included, but also includes a “prompted-greeting” feature designed to help members kick off the conversation!

Access Anytime: Join groups on the platform that are focused on specific topics or destinations. This gives you the chance to connect with others who share the same interests and travel goals.

Community MeetUps: Participate in community online meet-ups and connect and talk through current and upcoming parts of your journey. 

Experts at Your Fingertips: Gain access to the Community team and the Community ambassadors who are happy to share tips and their personal experiences related to intercultural communication, identity, transition, and facing other challenges of living abroad.

Access Your Online Course: Access your Korean culture course via the community platform. This means you can easily switch between your Community circles and your culture course lessons.

WHO IT'S FOR

Who Should Join This Korean Cultural Course?

This 40-hour cultural orientation course is designed primarily for English teachers, but is open to anybody planning to move to South Korea to live, work or study. You are welcome to take it simply out of interest as well!

This orientation program is ideal for you if  you are looking to:

  • Gain a foundational understanding of Korean culture & etiquette before moving to South Korea.
  • Experience a smooth transition to your new life as an English teacher in South Korea with guidance from experienced teachers & experts.
  • Join a community of fellow expatriates & ESL teachers that provides a safe space and community to turn to when you have questions or face challenges while teaching abroad in South Korea.
  • Gain the confidence to successfully manage the cultural differences teachers will face in day-to-day life and at work.
  • Broaden your knowledge & enhance your cultural intelligence (CQ).

  • Maximize the cross-cultural experience of living and working as an English teacher in Korea.
  • Eager to demonstrate to potential employers your commitment to ongoing professional development.

NOTE: If you are enrolled in ITA's TEFL Course in Incheon, Korea, or the Teaching English in South Korea Job Placement Program, this week-long cultural orientation course is already included in your program.


BUNDLE A TEFL COURSE & SAVE

Bundle a TEFL Course & Save

If you’re not yet TEFL certified, consider bundling this in-person Korean Culture Course with our 11-week part-time or 4-week full-time Online TEFL Certification Courses.

Standard Tuition for this course is $299 $249 if you bundle. 

Benefits of bundling include:

  • Save Money! When you register for both an ITA TEFL course and this online Korean Culture Course, you’ll save an additional $70. Existing ITA students and alumni will also enjoy a $50 alumni discount on this course.
  • Combine award-winning TEFL training to prepare you for teaching English classroom with this exclusive orientation course to prepare you for your daily life outside of the classroom
  • Learn from the Best: Both our ITA standard TEFL courses and the Korean Cultural Online Course are developed and taught by experts at the top of their field.
  • If you take an ITA standard TEFL Certification Course, you will receive lifetime Job Search Guidance to help you gain employment teaching English in Korea and in 80 countries worldwide. 

 

#1

Online TEFL Course, as Rated by Goabroad.com

40,000

Strong Alumni Network in 80+ Countries

Level 5

Internationally Accredited TEFL Certificate

Lifetime

Job Search Guidance and Support from Your Personal Advisor

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Course Dates & Registration

IMPORTANT: Before enrolling, we strongly recommend that you are concurrently enrolled in an accredited TEFL certification, are already certified, or have experience teaching ESL. Not yet TEFL certified? Get in touch with us. You can bundle our TEFL certification course with this specialty course and save an additional $70. 

International TEFL Academy's Lifetime Job Guidance and support, access to our alumni community, and our high-quality accreditation are only available to students and alumni of our online and in-person standard TEFL certification courses.

We also invite you to read our registration procedure and terms & conditions. Note that all students will be charged a small processing fee per course/program purchased.

BUNDLE & SAVE: Get $70 OFF your culture course if you bundle with a standard TEFL course

 

The Preparation You Need to Succeed as an English Teacher in South Korea

Even the most experienced teachers and travelers face challenges when moving to a new country, including culture shock and even loneliness. That's why ITA offers this exclusive 40-hour online cultural orientation course: to help you make the most of your teaching experience and to prepare you for a smooth transition to life in Korea. 

Avoid Culture Shock

Gaining a foundational understanding of Korean culture will help you avoid the culture shock many teachers experience when arriving in a new country. 

Stand Out from Other Teachers

For potential employers, this also demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development and a willingness to go above and beyond to provide the best education for your students.

Prepare Yourself for the Classroom

With an entire module dedicated to what to expect when teaching abroad in South Korea, gain specialized insights and learn from fellow teachers about school etiquette, getting along with colleagues, and the work culture in South Korea.

Ready Yourself for Daily Life in Korea

Getting tips from experienced locals will make your transition to daily life in Korea much smoother. Our team will provide guidance for how to handle those awkward or challenging situations that can arise when adjusting to a new culture.

Download Culture Course Guide

Ask ITA's Director of Academics

Sarah Kalert, Head of Academics at International TEFL Academy.
Sarah has a Master's in English - TEFL/TESL and has taught English abroad in Chile.

I don't have a TEFL certification from ITA - can I still enroll in this Korean culture course?

YES. This 1-week online course is open to those planning to teach English in South Korea, os those who just want to learn more about Korean culture and etiquette.

Can I take this course on my own schedule?

Yes! This course is self-paced so you can complete your coursework according to your own schedule and convenience.

Can I take this Korean Cultural Orientation Course at any time of the year?

Yes. The course is offered and operates throughout the year. 

How far in advance do I need to enroll & save a place for my desired course date?

For this course, you need to enroll at least one week in advance in order to save your spot.

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