Korea

South Korea is currently one of the most popular countries in the world for foreign teachers to live and work as English language teachers. This popularity is due to the large number of jobs that are always available, as well as the high salaries that many of these jobs offer. When you also consider the country’s relatively low cost of living, it is no surprise that so many TEFL qualified teachers find themselves working here at sometime during their career.

How to Find a TEFL Job in Korea

In order to gain work as an English language teacher in South Korea you will need to be a native English speaker from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. You will also require a university degree and an internationally recognised TEFL qualification. Providing you meet these requirements, you should be able to secure a teaching position with little difficulty.

The majority of TEFL jobs in Korea are based in state run universities and private language schools known as hagwons. Hagwons provide the most numerous job opportunities as there are thousands of them all over the country. The largest job markets are located in the big cities such as Seoul and Busan; however, you will also find plenty of available positions in most areas of South Korea.

One of the most popular ways of finding an English language teaching job in South Korea is through one of the many recruiting firms who arrange employment for teachers from all over the world. This is a particularly popular method as it means you can have everything arranged for you, without having to be in the country. While this can often be a smooth process, it is certainly advisable to thoroughly research the recruitment company that you deal with, as well as any potential employers that you are offered. You can often get valuable information regarding the reputation of individual employers and recruitment companies by utilising the various online forums and teachers groups that are aimed at English language teachers in South Korea.

Questions to Ask Employers

If you are offered a teaching position that you are interested in, you should make sure that you are clear on a few important issues before you accept the job or sign a contract. Firstly, you should make sure that you have precise details regarding your pay scale, the amount of hours you will be expected to work, as well as any benefits you are entitled to such as travel expenses, health care or housing support. It is also a good idea to know what equipment and materials you will have access to when planning and carrying out your lessons. Finally, you should also enquire about the need for work permits or visas and whether the employer will help with the organisation and expense of any official paperwork you may require.

Job Expectations in South Korea

If you are planning to live and work in South Korea it is important that you come with an open mind and a sense of humour as the Korean culture, lifestyle and working practices are all very different to those of the west. You may find that a degree of flexibility regarding your working conditions will be necessary as contracts are not always stuck to and changes can occur regularly. Some foreign teachers find it difficult to adapt to the Korean working culture, while many others find that the high pay rates more than compensate for any inconveniences.