Teach English in Korea
If you’re interested in teaching English in Korea, you've come to the right place! We've got some of the best ESL teaching positions in Korea. All positions offer free accommodations, round-trip airfare and an excellent salary.
Looking to teach English abroad? Get hired with a TEFL certification.
Public Vs. Private School Jobs in Korea
Teach Away offers placements in public and private schools throughout South Korea. Because both sectors have a lot to offer, deciding which ESL teaching job is right for you can be a daunting task. Teach Away guides you through the application process to help you find the overseas English teaching job that is the best fit for you.
Want to know what it takes to get hired to teach English in South Korea? Then read this: Teaching English in Korea: What are the requirements?
Public School Jobs in Korea
Public schools in Korea offer a great working environment and the opportunity to have an authentic Korean experience. Teachers who are hired to work at public schools work directly for the Korean Ministry of Education, teaching English to students and assisting their Korean co-teachers. The structured teaching schedule allows teachers to enjoy evenings and weekends off, giving teachers plenty of time to explore their surroundings. These jobs are ideal for people who are interested in teaching as a profession or those who want to gain international experience. The major intakes for public school jobs are in February/March and August/September.
Check out this our blog on everything you need to know about applying (and getting hired) for the EPIK program
Private School Jobs in Korea
Private Schools in Korea, also known as Hagwons, offer some of the most attractive employment packages for English teachers who want to teach abroad. With flexible hours, competitive salaries, and benefits that include free flights and accommodations, hagwons are a popular option for teaching jobs in Korea. Private schools are businesses and as such, have longer working hours; for teachers, this means an opportunity for overtime. Hagwon ESL jobs are ideal for candidates who are looking to save money and work in a structured environment. Teach Away offers jobs at some of the best private schools in Korea every month of the year. Learn more about private school jobs in Korea.
Check out these blogs about life while teaching in South Korea:
Teach English online to Korean students
Are you looking for a convenient, part-time teaching job you can do from home?
Demand for online English education is exploding among students based in Korea. As a result, several English teaching companies catering specifically to Korean English language learners are seeking native English speaking applicants to fill a large number of online English teaching vacancies.
If you have the necessary skills and experience (such as a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate), now’s the perfect time to apply to teach English online!
Teaching Benefits in Korea
| Basic Benefits | Public School Jobs in Korea | Private School Jobs in Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Salary | 1.8-2.0 million KRW – first year teachers 2.0-2.7 million KRW – experienced teachers | 2.0-2.1 million KRW – first year teachers 2.1-3.0 million KRW – experienced teachers |
| Working Hours | 08:30-16:30 Monday-Friday | 09:00-18:00 – Kindergarten-Elementary 15:00-22:00 – Elementary-High School Evening & Weekend shifts |
| Teaching Hours | 22-24 hours/week | 30 hours/week |
| Vacation | 18 days and 13-15 national holidays **taken during school holidays | 7-10 days and 13-15 national holidays **taken when mandated by the school |
| Foreign Teachers | 1 foreign teacher/school | 2-15 foreign teachers/school |
| Class Size | 25-30 students/class | 10-15 students/class |
| Accommodation | Furnished single occupancy apartment | Furnished single occupancy apartment |
| Airfare | Round trip airfare provided | Round trip airfare provided |
| Bonuses | 50% Health Insurance 1 month severance pay Rural placement bonuses | 50% Health Insurance 1 month severance pay |
| Locations | Major cities & rural areas (Rural placements are easier to obtain) | Major cities & rural areas |
| Start Dates | February/March August/September | Monthly |
Korea teaching salary calculator
Want to know how much money you can make teaching in Korea? Use our Teach Abroad Salary Calculator to find out!
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OISE TEFL Certification for teaching abroad
Many schools in Korea require teachers to possess a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification. An OISE TEFL certification from the OISE University of Toronto’s Faculty of Education can help you become a leading candidate for some of the top teaching jobs in Korea.
Korea at a Glance
Capital - Seoul (South Korea)
Language - Korean
Population - 50 million
Currency - Won (KRW)
Government - Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic
Climate - Temperate, with cold winters and humid summers
- Fruit is a luxury. A watermelon costs about $25 USD.
- Tipping is generally not required in Korea.
- Writing someone’s name in red ink is considered bad luck.
- Taxis are color coded by quality.
- The roof on a traditional Korean home curves up like a smile.
- English is taught in elementary schools from the age of 10.