South Korea The peninsula of South Korea is a fascinating land of ancient ruins, natural wonders,
and bustling modern cities, with a rich history tracing back some half a million years.
With an estimated 100,000 institutes offering English lessons and a government actively promoting English teaching in public schools, South Korea is one of the busiest teaching hot spots in the world. The country is quickly becoming an electronic and technological giant, and the increasing international trade translates into a growing need for business English. But the desire to learn English isn’t limited to company executives—in fact, parents often enroll their children in private language schools from a very early age, sometimes as young as five years old! With almost everyone looking to learn English, your students in Korea can range from corporate professionals to elementary school children.
Most teaching opportunities in Korea can be found in large cities, such as the capital, Seoul, in the north and the metropolis of Busan on the southern coast. No matter where you teach, South Korea offers TEFL teachers plenty to rave about: high wages compared to the cost of living, guaranteed housing, and additional benefits like airfare reimbursement.
South Korea Public Schools:
South Korea Private Schools:
BridgeTEFL has been selected by EPIK (English Program in Korea) and the Korean Ministry of Education to recruit English teachers to work in public schools. Placements exist throughout the country, in both city and rural locations, and teachers can give preference to location when applying.
Your English Students •K-12
Best Time to Get Hired •March-June •October-January
Typical Start Dates •March and September
Length of Commitment • 12 month contracts
Typical Teaching Schedules •20-25 teaching hours per week during the school
day Monday - Friday
Average Pay and Benefits •$1500 - $1900 USD per month depending
on qualifications •Entrance allowance of $1000 USD upon arrival in
South Korea (which can be used toward your flight) •Exit allowance of $1000 USD upon successful
completion of contract •Bonus upon completion of contract •Free furnished housing •Comprehensive orientation upon arrival •20+ vacation days and Korean national holidays
(approx. 14) •50% of health insurance covered by employer
Average Cost of Living •$700 - $1000 USD per month depending on lifestyle
Requirements •Bachelor's degree
• TEFL certification (TEFL Online accepted) •Native speaker of English
Private schools are located throughout South Korea and are a very popular way for students to quickly improve their English skills. Students often enroll in private English classes before or after their normal school day. Private schools in South Korea are known as ‘Hagwons’ and are mostly located in bigger cities.
Your English Students •K-12
Best Time to Get Hired •Positions available year-round
Typical Start Dates •Positions available year-round
Length of Commitment • 12-month contracts
Typical Teaching Schedules •30-35 teaching hours per week; classes could be
anytime throughout the day and evening
Monday - Saturday
Average Pay and Benefits • $1600 - $2000 USD per month depending on
qualifications • Flight to South Korea paid for by school in advance
and flight home paid for upon completion of contract •Free furnished housing •Bonus at completion of contract (from some schools) •10+ vacation days and Korean national holidays
(approx. 14) •50% of health insurance covered by employer
Average Cost of Living •$700-$1000 USD per month depending on lifestyle
Requirements •Bachelor’s degree •TEFL certification (TEFL Online accepted)
•Native speaker of English
South Korea Overview
The republic of South Korea is located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, sharing a border only with North Korea. The country is comparable to Britain in terms of size and population density, and has one of the most ethnically homogenous populations in the world. Aside from a small Chinese community (about 20,000 people), virtually all Koreans share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Modern South Korea is among the world's most technologically advanced and digitally-connected nations, a global leader in electronics, digital displays, and mobile phones. Currently, about half of South Korea's residents reside in Seoul or the surrounding areas. Geographically, South Korea is characterized by hills and mountains throughout about two-thirds of the country. Wide, coastal plains comprise the western and southern regions.
Notes from the Field
Jason Fetherolf Teaching with EPIK (English Program in Korea)
“I chose [to teach English in] Korea because it gave me the best opportunity to earn and save money, pay off student loans, and travel all of East Asia. My BridgeTEFL certification allowed me to start at the highest level of the pay scale.
Living and working here has been exciting because I have had the chance to experience festivals and holidays that are unique to Korea. A couple of my favorite things about Korea are the food and that when you befriend a Korean, you become a part of their family.
My schedule normally consists of four classes a day, starting at 8:30 and finishing at 4:30. A majority of my students enjoy coming to English Conversation class. Seeing the light above the student's head go on after explaining the lesson is always a great feeling.
I would recommend [teaching in Korea] if you are able to be independent and accept things that are not the norm in the West. If you get out and experience the whole country, learn the language-even if it is just the alphabet—and befriend not only foreigners but Koreans as well, you will enjoy your stay and may even want to stay for five years like me!
”
Programs by Country
Programs offered
in South Korea:
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The TEFL Life
Shangai, China
South Korea at a Glance
Capital:Seoul Population: 48,294,000 Currency:South Korean Won Language(s): Korean Literacy Rate:98% Life Expectancy:76 years
South Korea Fun Facts
•There is a Starbucks in Myungdong that is five stories tall. •A&W Root Beer used to be sold in South Korea, but was taken off the market because no one liked it. •A little island called Jeju, off the southern part of Korea, is home to the world’s longest lava tubes. •Tae kwon do is the traditional
national sport, but baseball, soccer and table tennis are also popular. •South Korea has a special day to celebrate their Alphabet, called Hangul on October 9th.
Regions & Weather
South Korea has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers are tempered by pleasant spring and autumn seasons. Seoul's temperature in January averages 23°F (-5°C) to 27°F (- 3°C) and in July the average temperature is about 73°F (22°C) to 77°F (25°C). Located on the southern coast, Busan stays warm throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Strong winds generally blow in from the ocean—offering relief on hot summer days.
South Korea Overview 
