TEACH ENGLISH IN SOUTH KOREA

TEFL in SOUTH KOREA

Whether you like living in a vibrant modern city or are keen on rural towns with fascinating view and peaceful environment, you will love this country. Teaching English in South Korea will give you all the benefits a TEFL teacher would ever ask for. A good salary, free flight ticket, free housing, travel stipends, health insurance, and the opportunity to enrich the lives of students who are eager to learn from you.

TEFL in SOUTH KOREA

TEACHING IN EPIK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A designated sponsor of the U.S. Cultural Exchange Programs, GEC is also proud to be one of the official partner organizations for EPIK program, which allows GEC teachers to teach at public schools in South Korea. One of the most secure and beneficial teach abroad programs, EPIK (English Program in Korea) was established in 1995 and is affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Education. All EPIK teachers are employed by the Korean government.

Requirements

Requirements

  • Native English speaker
  • Passport holder from UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand
  • A bachelor’s degree in any field
  • Min. 120 Hour TEFL/TESOL Certification
  • Age between 22-50 at the time of application
  • The ability to obtain a clear background check
  • Ability to live abroad for at least one year

You may opt out the TEFL course if you;

  • already hold a degree in education,
    or
  • can provide confirmed full-time teaching experience of min 2 years
Benefits

Benefits

  • It’s a very secure program. All EPIK teachers are employed by the Korean government.
  • Placement in public elementary, middle or high schools where the main focus will be education.
  • 2.0 – 2.7 million Won salary per month based on location and qualification.
  • Orientation and on the job training and support.
  • Work side-by-side with a Korean co-teacher
  • Rent-free furnished apartment
  • Airfare reimbursement.
  • 20-25 teaching hours each week
  • 26 working days paid vacation per year.
  • Medical insurance
GEC makes it safe and easy for you

GEC makes it safe and easy for you

Applying to EPIK program may be very complicated. As an official U.S. partner organization of EPIK program, GEC will guide you all through the steps from application to settling in Korea and starting to teach. Your GEC program consultant will often update you about the directives from EPIK center in Korea and be available for your questions at all times. We will serve you with a very strong automation software that provides everything goes smoothly. You will also have the Guide for EPIK Program, a very comprehensive handbook for the EPIK program applications.

GEC team members will welcome you at the airport. You will be provided with free accommodation for the evening. The next day we will introduce you to the education office. During the time you stay in South Korea, your GEC program consultant will be in touch with you.

DATES & DEADLINES

South Kore has a rigorous education system aiming to produce globally competitive students. Different from many western countries, academic year in South Korea begins in March and ends in February. School year is divided into two semesters. First semester (Spring) starts in March and ends in July. Second semester (Fall) starts again in August and ends in February.

south korea dates deadlines
SEASON Program Dates (Contract) Application Deadline If you DONT HAVE a TEFL Certificate If you DON’T NEED a TEFL Certificate
FALL August 2020 – August2021 May 30th Apply GEC min  4 -6 months before May 30th Apply GEC min 2 months before May 30th
SPRING March 2021 – Mar2022 Nov 15th Apply GEC min  4 -6 months before Nov15th Apply GEC min 2 months before Nov15th

WHAT TO EXPECT

Cost of living

Cost of living

South Korea is a paradise for teachers. You will not spend any money for the rent. Day to day living expenses in Korea are quite reasonable compared to western countries. Paying monthly utilities, buying food and other living expenses (transportation, socializing, etc.) are quite affordable. You can get by on about 1,000,000 Won a month which means you can save the rest! It’s important to note that you should bring enough cash to cover your first month of living expenses as you will probably not get your first paycheck until the end of your first month teaching. If you are in Seul, you advised to have about $1,000 for up front costs, while in other cities this can be less.

Accommodation

Accommodation

Teachers in South Korea are provided with rent free studio apartments that serve as a bedroom, living area, and kitchen, with a separate bathroom. It is standard to receive an apartment furnished with a bed, washing machine, gas-stove top, fridge, aircon, and TV. Internet, cable, and utilities, including gas, water, electricity are to be paid by the tenant, which may cost between $70 to $150 USD per month. Usually there is a housing deposit, which, at the end of your contract, will be refunded if the bills are paid and the apartment is not damaged. If you are a married couple, you will be provided with a one bedroom apartment. Couples who are not married are not allowed to live together.

Teaching

Teaching

  • You should be flexible about the location. Most teachers are placed to Korean public schools randomly by the EPIK program managers.
  • Foreign teachers are always accompanied by a co-teacher a school appointed Korean teacher who fills in the translation gaps.
  • You will have about 22-25 teaching hours per week but you are required to stay at school during office hours.
  • The number of students per class can range anywhere from 10 to 40 students.
  • It’s illegal to teach privately. This may result in termination of your contract.

WOULD YOU PREFER A PRIVATE SCHOOL?

GEC has a large network of private schools in South Korea.
While EPIK program has more benefits, private schools can be more flexible in dates, requirements and locations.
You may choose to teach in a vibrant big city, or different rural towns all over the country!
Whatever choice you make, you will have free accommodation and free flight tickets.

PUBLIC vs PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SOUTH KOREA

(Comparison Chart)

PUBLIC SCHOOLS (EPIK) PRIVATE SCHOOLS (HAGWON)
Basic Qualifications Bachelors degree, Native speaker, TEFL certificate, Background check Bachelors degree, Native speaker, TEFL certificate, Background check
Selectivity Very selective Less selective
Application process & Regulations Long and complicated Faster and easier
Start dates 2 intake seasons a year. Fall (August), Spring (March) Flexible / All through the year
Locations Major cities and rural areas Major cities and rural areas
Control on location (preference) Very low / Authorities decide You can choose
Class size 25-40 15
Salary range 2.0 2.7 mil.Won / month 2.1 – 3.0 mil Won / month
Working hours 40 hr / week
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
40 hr / week
Varied shift – Morning – Afternoon – Evening
Teaching hours 22 hr / week 30 hr/week
Number of foreign teachers at school 1-2 10-50
Vacation 18 days + National holidays 7-10 Days + National Holidays
Benefits
  • Airfare reimbursement
  • Rent-free furnished apartment
  • Health insurance
  • Severance bonus of one extra month’s pay after completing their 12-month contract.
  • Airfare reimbursement
  • Rent-free furnished apartment
  • Health insurance
  • Severance bonus of one extra month’s pay after completing their 12-month contract.

100% FREE

Life time job placement assistance in Thailand, China and South Korea.
Once a GEC teacher, always a GEC teacher.
Upon successful completion of your contract, ask for a TEFL placement in any country GEC serves.
You will never pay for a placement fee again.

CONTACT US
How much do teachers in overseas make a year?

HOW IT WORKS?

  1. Complete the online application form to provide details about your personal and professional profile.
  2. Once your application is evaluated and accepted, you will be invited to participate in a telephone or Skype interview to discuss your application and your compatibility with our programs.
  3. We share your information with our partners in Thailand. We notify you the schools interested in hiring you or speaking with you by phone or Skype about a teaching position.
  4. We assist you for a legal working visa and residence permit application.
  5. We provide you a pre-departure orientation and help you with travel arrangements.
  6. Once you arrive in Thailand, we will meet you at the airport and help you arrange temporary housing and meet your school manager.

Need a certificate to teach?

No worries!

GEC will help you get an online TEFL certificate with international accreditation.

LEARN MORE