Teach English in South Korea: Requirements, Salary, Jobs (2024)

Teach English in South Korea

Has the thought of teaching English in South Korea been popping up more often than not lately? Then you have found the correct page. We’ve put together an awesome guide with all the tips you will need to get started on your teaching journey in South Korea. We will talk about who can teach and what the requirements are, as well as the opportunities on offer and the kind of salary and benefits you will earn as an English teacher.

South Korea, nicknamed "The Land of The Morning Calm", is a country in East Asia with China to its west, Japan to its east and North Korea to its north. There are four distinct seasons in South Korea. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. You can expect hot weather around June to August and cold weather around December to February. The best times in Korea are in Spring and Autumn. However as a developed country, there is no shortage of floor heaters and air conditioners so English teachers can enjoy a comfortable living environment all year round.

If you have ever heard of K-Drama, K-Pop, or K-beauty, then you should know that Korean culture is taking the world by storm. As a homogeneous country, nearly all native residents identify themselves as Korean and speak the Korean language. As a result of the Korean Wave there has been an influx of tourism, resulting in an interest western culture and English language proficiency. In the cities, like Seoul most natives should have at least a basic understanding of English as they have learned it since elementary school. However, this is less common once you travel away from the cities.

English teachers pick South Korea because it’s easy to save money while teaching here. Popular teaching locations include Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon and even Jeju if you want to explore the Korean version of Hawaii. If you live in a city like Seoul you would earn enough to save if you spend wisely, but you could save even more if you teach in a small town outside of Seoul like Gyeongju where the cost of living is less. We all know that saving more means travelling more and exploring more of what the world has to offer. As an English teacher in South Korea you will be able to experience one of the most rewarding jobs in the world and earn a good amount of money. What is there not to love about that!

Requirements to teach English in South Korea

English teachers in South Korea come from all sorts of backgrounds. Some are fresh university graduates, and others have come from years of teaching experience or even working in a field completely opposite from teaching and looking for a new experience.

So maybe you have been thinking about teaching in South Korea, but don’t know what the requirements are, or think that teaching English is something too different from what you have experience in, or even think that you have no experience and won’t be able to secure a job. The good news is that, English teachers come from many different backgrounds. English teacher roles have been filled by students and fresh graduates to sport coaches, baby sitters, authors, travellers, marketing managers and accountants.

The most important requirement is to be willing to learn and be a team player. You need to be a friendly and patient person and want the best for your students as your students will look up to you and respect you as their teacher. Experience is always a plus, but it is preferred not required. There might be a few exceptions but here are the basic requirements to legally teach English in South Korea:

Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (In any subject)
Be a citizen of a country where English is the primary language (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, The United Kingdom, The United States, or South Africa).
Be mentally and physically healthy and pass a health check
Have a clean national-level criminal record
Experience is preferred, but not required
Holding a TEFL certificate is preferred, but not always required
Have a good command of the English language
Have the ability and willingness to adapt to Korean culture and life

Salary and benefits for teaching English in South Korea

If you were wondering how much money you would earn in South Korea, we are happy to let you know that South Korea is one of the highest paying countries in terms of overall salary and benefits provided to English teachers. Here it is easy to save some money while teaching! The salaries might not always seem high at first, because in South Korea, it is common for schools to provide free housing and reimburse flights. Because of this, teachers usually earn enough to save or enjoy a very high quality of life here.

There are a few factors that might affect what you earn. Your qualifications and experience would be something that schools would look at when deciding on what salary they can offer you. The location you teach is also relevant. Are you going to teach in a big city like Seoul or Busan or a small rural town, where the cost of living is considerably less. Also the type of school you will teach at will also determine your salary as an English teacher. Here are some examples of average salaries of English teachers:

School	Salary
Public Schools	1.5 - 3 million Won per month
Kindergarten	2.1 - 2.6 million Won per month
Private academy (Korean Hagwon)	2.1 - 2.5 million Won per month
International Schools	2,5 - 3 million Won per month
Universities	2.3 - 3.5 million Won per month
Private English Lessons	25 000 - 50 000 Won per hour

Public school teaching jobs and salaries

To teach English at a public school in South Korea you need to apply to one of the government sponsored programs. Applications for the programs start up to 9 months before starting and these jobs start at the beginning of the first semester in March and the second semester in September. These jobs are very stable options and include decent pay, benefits and vacation. One thing to note is that there is only have 1 foreign teacher per school. If you would like to work alongside foreign teachers you might want to consider other options, but this is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Korean culture and you can meet up with other foreigners in the community outside of working hours. You will have an co-teacher that will help you with anything you might need. Besides the free housing benefit that teachers get they can also expect to earn 1.5 to 3 million Won per month. The main government programs you can teach English in South Korea with are:

English Program in Korea (EPIK)
Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE)
Gyeonggi English Program in Korea (GEPIK)
Teach & Learn in Korea Program (TALK)

SMOE teachers are recruited through the EPIK Program or hired directly if already located in Korea through local job posts. Similarly with GEPIK, most public schools hire teachers through EPIK, while only a small amount hire directly.

As of July 2021 the TALK program has ended.

Private academy (Hagwon) teaching jobs and salaries

Dissimilarity to public schools, where you are the only foreign teacher in the class, hagwons will have many foreign teachers around which might make transitioning into Korea a bit easier for you. Depending on school your work day might start in the afternoon and go into the evening, when students come for classes, but some may also offer kindergarten classes in the mornings. So this gives you a bit more flexibility on your working hours. Theses jobs are easy to find as they are abundant and hagwons hire all year round.

Hagwons are a great place to earn some experience and you will usually be given lesson outlines along with lesson plans and worksheets so you will know exactly what needs to be done to complete all your tasks. Work hours are typically 30-35 hours a week and teachers earn a salary of 2 to 2.4 million Won per month and can earn more depending on experience. One thing to note, is that as English teacher at a hagwon you will get about 7-10 days vacation a year, which is less than public school jobs.

International school teaching jobs and salaries

International schools are schools just like those in your home country (United States, Canada, United Kingdom), just in South Korea. They follow the same syllabus and semester dates. For example the school year starts in August and ends in June. Getting a job at an international school usually requires at least 2 years of experience, preferably in your home country. At international schools the standard is also high so you can expect a high out of class workload, but you will be well rewarded as the salary and benefits are really good. Teachers here typically earn a salary of 2.5 to 3 Million Won and they usually also include housing and travel reimbursement.

University teaching jobs and salaries

Universities are a big status symbol in South Korea and working at one is a very well respected job and hence well paid. These are not the easiest jobs to find as they usually require you to know some people in the industry in South Korea or to be well qualified with a Master's or Doctoral degree. A big positive for a university job is the low workload and paid holidays. University teachers work on average around 14 hours a week. At universities, teachers typically earn a salary of 2.3 to 3.5 million Won per month.

So other than the great work environment and respectable status, you will also have a heavy wallet with this well paid job. One thing to note is that housing is typically not included as a benefit for university jobs and you will need to find your own accommodation. When renting a place in South Korea, there is a bit of a high upfront cost. A Deposit of about 5 Million Won is required and will be returned at the end of your contract. Just keep that in mind when planning your finances.

Private tutoring jobs and salaries

Private tutoring is another option to earn some extra money. When you get your visa to work in South Korea, it is tied to your employer so tutoring extra students in your free time is technically against the law. This is however largely ignored by the authorities and many teachers do it to supplement their income. Some students might want you to meet at their home, workplace or online but it is common practice to meet up at a café or other meeting place and teach from there. The going price for tutors is around 25,000 to 50,000 Won per hour but some very experienced teachers can charge 75,000 Won. It's always best to start on the lower end of the scale and work your rate up as you gain experience and a strong client base.

As a private English tutor you will have to prepare all of your lessons by yourself. You can find great resources online for lessons and worksheets. Some students might want to study with you to prepare for exams but most students will want to learn how to speak English so your focus will be on teaching conversational so it can be more casual than the regular classroom.

Cost of living in South Korea

If you are looking for a place to teach English and earn a good salary then South Korea is for you! Here you will earn enough salary to save or enjoy eating, shopping and travel in your free time. If you decide not to save anything from your monthly salary you will not leave South Korea empty handed as most yearly contracts include a one month salary bonus on completion. When looking at salaries in South Korea compared to other countries like Japan, you need to factor in that many jobs in South Korea include free housing so your main cost would be food and entertainment. South Korea is also extremely affordable, and you will find that food at supermarkets and markets are often a fraction of the cost back in your home country. Living in a bigger city like Seoul, Busan and Daegu will be more expensive than a smaller city or more rural location. A single persons estimated monthly costs are 1,000,000 Won per month without rent. The currency used in South Korea is called "Won" or KRW and according to Numbeo here are some basic costs to consider in South Korea:

Item	Cost
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	659,427.44 Won
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	452,342.25 Won
Monthly basic utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	174,497.09 Won
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	27,736.14 Won
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	1,308.82 Won
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	10,686.77 Won
Potato (1kg)	4,018.83 Won
Rice (white), (1kg)	4,505.22 Won
Banana (1kg)	4,007.69 Won
Local Transport (One-way Ticket)	1,250.00 Won
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	61,723.00 Won

The best places to teach English in South Korea

South Korea is a popular destination for English teachers, with a high demand for language education and a unique culture. Here are a few places to consider when looking for teaching opportunities in South Korea:

Seoul: South Korea's capital city is a bustling metropolis and a popular destination for English teachers. It has a large expat community and a high demand for English language education.
Busan: Located in southern South Korea, Busan is the country's second-largest city and a popular destination for English teachers. It has a vibrant expat community and a large demand for English language education.
Daegu: As South Korea's fourth-largest city, Daegu is known for its rich history and vibrant culture. English teachers are sought after in the city, and they can enjoy a blend of traditional and modern experiences. Daegu boasts a significant expat community and provides ample opportunities for English language education.
Incheon: Located just west of Seoul, Incheon is a major city in South Korea and a popular destination for English teachers. It has a large expat community and a high demand for English language education.
Gwangju: Located in southwestern South Korea, Gwangju is a major city and a popular destination for English teachers. It has a growing expat community and a high demand for English language education.
Daejeon: Located in central South Korea, Daejeon is a major city and a popular destination for English teachers. It has a large expat community and a high demand for English language education.

Overall, South Korea is a great place to teach English, with a high demand for language education and a welcoming culture.

Things to know about South Korea and Korean culture

When you first arrive in South Korea you will notice right away, that you are definitely no longer in a western country. Korean culture is one of the oldest in the world despite it's neighbours best efforts to abolish it. Because of that, it can be overwhelming to teachers, especially if it's your first time abroad. Taking the time to understand and respect the culture will make your experience much more rewarding. So let's take a look at some cultural norms in South Korea that help ease your transition to an English teacher.

Hello South Korea! "Hello" is typically the first word people learn when going to a new country and in South Korea there are 3 ways to say it. The formal way is "ann-yeong-ha-sim-ni-kka", the standard way is "ann-yeong-ha-se-yo", and the casual way is "ann-yeong". To be safe the standard way is the safest bet as it can be used in any situation. In Korea we can also say thank you like "gam-sa-ham-ni-da". Try to learn these as greeting and formalities are much appreciated especially since lots of Koreans don't speak English. Annyeonghaseyo South Korea!
Age is important. It's not uncommon for someone to ask your age in Korea, and the reason is because there are different ways to address people depending on their age. In Korean culture it's important to show respect to your seniors. You will notice that your students will be very respectful to you as their teacher, and it's important that you show this kind of respect to your co-workers as well.
Take off your shoes. If you enter a Korean home it is extremely important to remember to take off your shoes. If you don't, you will be seen as a very disrespectful person as Koreans love their floors and spend a lot of time sitting or sleeping on it.
Despite the lack of smiles and abundance of showing of middle fingers, Koreans are very warm and friendly people. Besides the kids, people tend not to smile in public, it does not mean they are not friendly, it's just the way that they carry themselves. As for people using their middle fingers to touch or point at things, it is simply because the middle finger is the longest, and does not carry the same message as it does in wester countries.
Korean food is cheap, Korean food is spicy, and most of all Korean food is Kimchi. Rice and Kimchi are common in Korea and served with almost every dish and it is important in Korean culture. Korean food is also inexpensive and fitting of your budget from your salary earned teaching English. South Korea also has a strong drinking culture, and their drink of choice is soju, a clear liquor served in a shot glass. One more tip is to use 2 hands when giving or receiving something. For example when you pay in a store or restaurant, offer the money with both hands, and put both your hands out to receive the change as this is seen as the polite way to exchange things (gifts included).

Do you need to Speak Korean to work in South Korea as an English teacher?

You don’t need to speak Korean at all. You will actually be asked to not speak Korean in classes even if you can speak it as schools want students to be an English environment. However you will have an awesome change to learn about the language and culture.

Do you need to be a native English speaker?

Being from a country where English is the national language is unfortunately a requirement to teach English in South Korea. The reason for this is because it is a requirement for the E2 teaching visa. The countries included are Australia, Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. There is talks of this rule being relaxed in the future if the candidate can prove their English skill, but no updates right now.

On the positive side, you can still find work in South Korea if you are not a citizen from those countries, but using a different visa. Some teachers teach with an F2 long-term resident visa or even an F5 spousal visa. By using this visa you can work legally and then the school can decide for themselves if they want to hire you depending on your qualifications, experience and English proficiency.

Do you need a TEFL to teach English in South Korea?

If you Google anything about the requirements to teach English in South Korea, most websites will say that a TEFL certificate is a requirement. However, this is not necessary true. In fact, it is not a legal requirement to obtain the E2 teaching visa, meaning you can teach without one. Some schools might make it a requirement just to work for them though, which could limit your opportunities.

A TEFL course is only as good as the school you get certified from. As a formality, a minimum of 120 hours is often required, but not all courses are created equally. When looking for a good course, the important thing to look for is practical teaching time. It might also be a good idea to take a TEFL course in South Korea, as you would get to learn a lot about working and living in Korea, but taking one online or in your home country before coming over is also fine. If a school or program deems a TEFL certificate as necessary for the job, practical teaching time is something they usually look at when considering candidates.

Can you teach English in South Korea without a degree?

In South Korea, a country renowned for its high educational standards and respect for the teaching profession, the legal requirement for teaching English is unequivocal: a bachelor’s degree is a must. This mandate is in place to ensure that all teachers, particularly those from overseas, meet the qualifications necessary to provide quality education. While there are instances of schools hiring teachers without a degree, such situations often involve working under conditions that are not legally sanctioned, including employment on a tourist visa.

Embarking on such a path comes with significant risks. Being caught teaching without the proper visa can lead to penalties, including deportation and a mark on your passport that may complicate future travel or attempts to return to South Korea. Beyond the legal ramifications, there's the issue of job security and protection under the law. Without a formal work agreement sanctioned by the appropriate visa, teachers have little recourse in disputes over pay or working conditions. The employer holds the upper hand, as the arrangement was outside the bounds of legality from the start.

Moreover, the logistical and financial burdens of maintaining a tourist visa status, such as the need to periodically exit and re-enter South Korea to renew the visa, can accumulate, offsetting the financial benefits of teaching in the country.

For those drawn to South Korea but unable to meet the bachelor’s degree requirement, alternatives do exist. The working holiday visa presents an opportunity to live in South Korea and engage in casual or part-time work, including tutoring in English. While this visa does not allow for full-time teaching positions or work in skilled professions, it offers a glimpse into the South Korean way of life and a chance to gain informal teaching experience.

How to get a visa to teach English in South Korea

South Korea has visa dedicated to those who want to teach English. It is called an E2 visa and only English teachers are eligible for it. The visa issued will be linked to your employer (educational institutions such as public schools, private academies (hagwons), and at universities) so you can only legally work for them unless your visa is processed again. An E2 visa is valid for 13 months and must be renewed with each new contract of continuation of a current contract.

Once you are offered a job by a school and provided a contract, you can send them all the required paperwork. You will then receive a visa issuance number which you can use to apply for the physical visa. You can then take your documents along with your E2 visa application form to the Korean consulate or embassy and apply for the visa. In South Korea you will need to pass a health check which looks at your overall physical health, drug use, and diseases such as TB and HIV. If you fail this test, your visa will be denied, so if you feel unsure please talk to the school about it. Once you've passed the health test you will have your E2 visa and can teach English in South Korea. Here is a list of the documents needed for the process:

Your passport with at least six months validity and two blank pages for the visa
Passport photos
Your degree and transcripts and they should be authenticated with an Apostille (so it will be recognized in a foreign country)
A criminal background check
Your personal resume
Notice of appointment and contract or a visa issuance number and contract

When to apply for a teaching job

In South Korea, the first semester starts in March and the second semester starts in September, so these months will be the months where the most teachers are hired. Public schools hire for these dates and start accepting applications 8-9 months before the start date so starting the application early will increase your chances to get a job. New teachers will arrive at the schools 7-10 days before starting to complete training and orientation. So mid February and mid August is when teachers travel to South Korea to start these jobs.

Besides the 2 semester starts dates in March and September, there are also mid way breaks in May and November. March, September, May and November are the biggest hiring periods for private academies (Hagwons). Private academies, do however hire teachers all year round as they hire multiple teachers per year and it would be difficult to fill all these positions on specific dates.

How to apply for a teaching job

Teaching in South Korea is a very attractive option for many teachers so knowing how to apply is important if you want to get the best jobs. There are an abundance of jobs and a shortage of English teachers so it is relatively easy to get a job, but not all jobs are equal and making sure you get the best job you can find, will go a long way. You can check out our job board to see the latest English teaching jobs in South Korea. The best schools and recruiters receive many applications from teachers so here are a few tips to stand out from the crowd:

Appearance matters: teachers are very highly regarded in South Korea and schools make sure to uphold the professional image that the students and parents expects. As you teacher you are a direct representation of a school, and looking smart and neat will make the school want to hire you. When sending any photos, videos or interviews you should make sure you are dressed professionally. Wear nice clothes, clean up your hair and beard and make sure no piercings or tattoos are visible. Oh, and don't forget to smile!
Remember to speak clearly: If you are difficult to understand, students will not be able to learn from you. If you are not a native English speaker and have a strong accent, practice projecting your voice in a clear manner.
Make sure your CV is up to date: Before sending your CV, update it to include all your latest qualifications and experience. Highlight things like your Degree, TEFL, nationality, current location and contact details.
Introduce yourself: Along with your CV attach a recent photo (take note of what we suggest about appearance) and a short introduction about yourself. You can write a few sentences or what we suggest is creating a short intro video instead and sending that along with your CV. If you have previous experience, you can also attach a video of you teaching or record a demo where you demonstrate your English teaching ability.