Are you thinking about teaching English in South Korea but not sure where to start? Here you can read about Carryn's firsthand experiences as an English teacher in Korea.
We'll be discussing teaching English in Korea requirements, salary, how to find English teaching jobs in Korea, and more. Let's dive in!
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Teaching English in South Korea: everything you need to know
(use the coupon code PHENOMENALGLOBE for a €100 discount)
Meet Carryn: former English teacher in South Korea
“Hi, I’m Carryn! I’ve always had an adventurous spirit and passion for travel, and in 2017 I left my life in South Africa to travel the world.
Through my travel blog, Torn Tackies, I encourage others to step out of their comfort zones and chase experiences that will set their hearts on fire.
I’ve lived in Bali, South Korea, and Australia and I love all things outdoors, from scuba diving to hiking, camping to surfing.“
Why teach English in South Korea
I had been working in the demanding events industry that required long hours and weekend work. I was burnt out and wanted to take some time off to travel.
I knew South Korea would be a great place to save money, so I packed my bags and left. It was a risky move and I was nervous to leave home and a work environment that I was familiar with, but to date, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
How to teach English in Korea: FAQ
Requirements for teaching English in Korea
There are a couple of requirements for English teaching in Korea. The most important requirement is that you must be a citizen of an English-speaking country. These countries include South Africa, Canada, the USA, Ireland, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Teaching English in Korea without a degree is not possible. You need to hold a university degree, but this can be in any field.
While you don’t need to be a qualified English teacher, having a teaching certificate (such as TESOL/TEFL) does make it easier to find a job as an English teacher in South Korea.
Is it difficult to get a South Korea visa that allows you to teach English?
English teachers are in high demand and so it’s really easy to get an E2 visa for Korea.
After signing your contract, your school or recruiter will get everything in place for your visa and will guide you throughout the visa process.
Alternatively, you can check out Global Work & Travel who offer step-by-step guidance and assistance as you embark on a path to work and travel as an English teacher abroad (use the coupon code PHENOMENALGLOBE for a €100 discount).
How long did you work in South Korea?
I had originally planned to work for 6 months in South Korea, but it ended up being 14 months. I loved the kids I taught, my kind co-workers, and the local food and so it was hard to leave.
I spent most weekends exploring different parts of Korea and 6 months just wasn’t enough time to fully immerse myself in the Korean way of life so I decided to stay longer.
What is the salary for teaching English in Korea?
The salary teaching English in Korea starts at 2.1 million Korean Won ($1800) per month and can go up to 2.8 million Korean Won ($2400). You also receive a bonus equivalent to 1 month’s salary at the end of your contract.
Over and above this, the school covers the cost of your flight to South Korea. They also provide you with housing for the duration of your contract and medical insurance is also included in your package.
Because I ate 2 meals a day at school, I was able to save most of my salary which I then used to travel Asia.
How did you find your English teacher job in South Korea?
I got my job through Reach to Teach Recruiting, which I can highly recommend. The process was easy and all interviews were done via Skype.
Also, take a look at Daves ESL Café, this is where recruiters post available positions and it’s a good starting point to see what is out there.
Expat Facebook groups, such as ‘Expat Women in Korea', are also a great way to connect with English teachers and they often post job openings in these groups.
There are many English teaching jobs in Korea and lots of opportunities. I actually turned down the first offer as I didn’t think it was the right fit for me.
Looking for a complete teaching in Korea package deal? Check out Global Work & Travel.
(you get a €100 discount with the coupon code PHENOMENALGLOBE)
I had never taught English before (I have a marketing background) and I was nervous about what to expect.
However, I didn't need to worry as all lesson plans are laid out for you by the headteachers and so there is little to no prep work needed.
I taught Kindergarten up to 14 years and most of my students couldn’t speak English. I really enjoyed teaching the little ones and the older kids were super diligent and respectful.
What was the best thing about teaching English in South Korea? And the hardest?
Moving to Korea was a culture shock but I embraced it. I have never experienced anything like it…
I loved learning about the people and the history of Korea, which was so foreign to me. I thrive in unfamiliar surroundings and that was Korea. The food was also amazing!
The hardest thing was the number of annual leave days. English teachers generally only get 10 days' leave (5 in winter, 5 in summer) and so I didn’t get to travel as much as I was hoping for. The extreme weather was also something to get used to.
Is it worth doing teaching English in South Korea?
Yes, absolutely! Teaching English allowed me to save a lot of money. I used that to travel around Asia for 6 months after my teaching contract had ended.
I was also able to start my travel blog during this time and discover new passions because I had time to reflect on my life.
What are you 3 top tips for people teach English in South Korea?
Be open minded
When I initially arrived in Korea, I knew nothing about the culture and their way of life. It was so different from anything I was used to back home in South Africa.
Some people love it, others don’t. But if you give yourself time to get to know the people, you’ll fall in love with Korea, just like I did.
Decide where you want to teach
The best places to teach in South Korea are Seoul or Busan, especially if you’re traveling alone. This is because there are a lot more foreigners in these cities and English is commonly spoken here.
If you teach in the rural countryside towns, you may struggle to communicate with the locals and there will be very few foreigners for you to meet and hang out with.
Do your research before signing your contract
There are a few sketchy stories of schools that don’t look after their teachers so make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Ask to speak to the current English teacher at the school and request images of your apartment. It’s ok to turn down an offer and wait until something comes along that you feel good about.
Plan your trip like a pro with these tools:
✈️ Find the best flight deals on Kiwi.com.
? Get the best car rental deal for your road trip on Rentalcars.com.
?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda.
? Book the best tours via Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.
? Plan your journey with the Lonely Planet.
?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing.
English teaching jobs in South Korea: conclusion
I hope this post has answered your questions about how to become an English teacher in Korea. Head over to Carryn's blog for a super-comprehensive guide about teaching English in Korea.
Check this page for more info about work and travel and read about working holiday experiences in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
