South Korea eBook

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE
TO TEACHING ENGLISH
IN SOUTH KOREA
LEARN ABOUT REQUIREMENTS, SALARIES, BENEFITS & MUCH MORE!
GET TEFL CERTIFIED WITH AN AWARD-WINNING SCHOOL
& EXPERIENCE THE WORLD AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH TEACHER
6,000+ Certified 9.6/10 Rating 9.3/10 Rating As Featured on

Students a Year on GoAbroad.com on GoOverseas.com Thrillist Travel
Personalized Job A Network of Level 5 TQUK A+ Rating - Better

Search Guidance 40,000+ Alumni Accreditation Business Bureau
PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

Pay in full or in installments for your 11-week Online TEFL course. Chat to your
Admissions Advisor for more information and to discuss your payment options.
INDEX
CHAPTER 1
Welcome to South Korea ................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER 2
Teaching English in South Korea Overview ................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 3
What Are The Basic Requirements to Teach English in South Korea? ..................... 6
CHAPTER 4
How Do I Find a Job in South Korea? ............................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 5
How Do I Get a Visa to Teach in South Korea? ............................................................ 15
CHAPTER 6
Types of Jobs in South Korea: Private Language Schools / Hagwons ................... 17
CHAPTER 7
Types of Jobs in South Korea: Public School Programs [EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, TaLK] ..... 20
CHAPTER 8
What TEFL Course is Best for Teaching in South Korea? .......................................... 25
CHAPTER 9
Additional Resources ....................................................................................................... 28
CHAPTER 1
WELCOME TO
SOUTH KOREA
WELCOME TO SOUTH KOREA
QUICK FACTS
South Korea is one A 4-year university

of the most degree and a clean
popular teaching FBI background
locations in the check are required
world for ITA grads. to teach in Korea.
You can find

The average teacher
professional teaching
teaches 25-30
jobs year-round in
hours per week and
South Korea. You'll
has the ability to
interview in-advance
save between
over the phone/Skype
$1,200-$1,600 USD
for your teaching
per month.
position.
Housing & Airfare We recommend bringing

are typically $1,000- $2,000 with you
provided for free to South Korea to
by your employer comfortably get settled
in Korea. before earning your first
paycheck.
You’ll be sponsored
The typical teaching for a one-year work
contract is 1-year long visa by your Korean
with the ability to employer, which can
extend your contract if be easily renewed if
you wish to teach you plan on teaching
longer. longer than one year.
International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 2

CHAPTER 2
TEACHING ENGLISH
IN SOUTH KOREA
TEACHING ENGLISH IN SOUTH KOREA
The job market for teaching English in South Korea is currently one of the largest and most robust in
the world. An estimated 25,000 English teachers in South Korea gain employment annually, and
demand shows no signs of slowing. There are over ten cities with a million people in Korea, and the
major cities for teaching include Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Daegu. Seoul
is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities globally, with approximately 25 million people
and over 1,000 English language schools.
A 4-year college degree & a clean FBI background check are required to get hired in South Korea,
and a TEFL certification is also necessary. ITA highly recommends that you get your TEFL
certification online or in-Person in your home country before you head to South Korea. View your
top TEFL certification class options here.
You can find teaching jobs in South Korea all year round, and teachers should plan to interview with
employers in advance by phone or via Skype. In most cases, those teaching English in Korea receive
free or reimbursed airfare, and South Korean schools typically provide free housing.
A generous salary of $1,850 - $2,500 a month (depending on qualifications and exchange rates)
with only 5% taxes enables English teachers in Korea to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. These high
salaries provide an opportunity to save up to $1,600 USD per month after expenses. Language
schools in Korea typically require 25-30 hours of teaching per week plus prep time, leaving plenty of
time to travel and explore. English teachers in Korea also receive 10-20 days of paid vacation per
year in addition to 15-18 national holidays.
The average contract length in South Korea is one year, but we have alumni who’ve been teaching in
Korea for 5+ years with no end in sight! Your ITA TEFL certificate never expires, so whether you plan
on teaching abroad for a few months, a few years, or indefinitely, your opportunities are plentiful.

CHAPTER 3
WHAT ARE THE BASIC
REQUIREMENTS TO TEACH
IN SOUTH KOREA?
WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS TO
TEACH ENGLISH IN SOUTH KOREA?
All English teachers in Korea must apply and interview for positions. Applying for teaching jobs can
be done through various recruiters and government programs and directly through language
schools and institutes. To legally teach English in Korea, you must meet specific standards and
provide certain documentation. In many cases, documents must receive an international
notarization known as an Apostille.
To teach English in Korea you must meet the following criteria:
>> Citizenship from a recognized English-speaking nation: U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, or South Africa.
>> Bachelor’s degree/diploma from an accredited college or university (4 years in US/3 years in
the UK).
>> Original national level criminal record check (FBI in the U.S.) that is free of any charges or
convictions – DUIs, DWIs, and any other misdemeanors or felonies will disqualify any
prospective teachers from receiving an E-2 visa required to teach English in Korea (minor traffic
violations will not disqualify you).
>> Clean health check and drug test.

During the process of applying and interviewing for English teaching positions and getting a visa
processed at the consulate after signing a contract, prospective teachers should expect to be able to
produce the following documents:
>> Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree/diploma
>> Sealed college or university transcript
>> An original national-level criminal background check (FBI in the U.S.)
>> Passport photos
>> An original contract (to be provided by your employer for visa processing at the consulate)
>> An original passport that is valid for at least one year
Read More: The Requirements for Teaching English in Korea

CHAPTER 4
HOW DO I FIND A JOB
TEACHING ENGLISH IN
SOUTH KOREA?
HOW DO I FIND A JOB TEACHING
ENGLISH IN SOUTH KOREA?
International TEFL Academy offers two different routes for finding a teaching job in South Korea:
1. Use our lifetime Job Search Guidance, resources, and the help of our Student Affairs team to
find a job yourself;
2. Enroll in our South Korea Guaranteed Job Placement Program.
We will outline these two options below.
Learn More: TEFL Job Search Guidance vs Job Placement: What’s the Difference?
OPTION 1: Finding a Teaching Job in South Korea Yourself Using

ITA's Job Search Guidance
>> Step 1: Get TEFL Certified

You will need a professional TEFL certification for schools to consider you for an English
teaching job in South Korea. Your TEFL training will be highlighted all over your resume and will
be what qualifies you for teaching positions.
You can take the ITA 11-week Online course, the 4-week Intensive Online course, our 4-week
in-person TEFL course in Incheon, South Korea, or a 4-week in-person course in 23 other
locations around the world.
>> Step 2: Work With Your ITA Student Affairs Advisors & Make a Plan For Your Job Search
No matter what TEFL class you decide to take, you’ll have access to a one-on-one Student
Affairs Advisor to help you plan your move to South Korea and make sure all of your questions
get answered. Be sure to make an appointment with your job search advisor at least three
months before you want to be in South Korea, so you have plenty of time to complete your work
visa paperwork.
>> Step 3: Complete Your Work Visa Paperwork

In addition to your university diploma, you’ll have to obtain several documents for your work
visa, including a criminal background check. See the complete list here. Give yourself 2-3 months
to complete this work visa process.

>> Step 4: Begin Interviewing
Language schools in South Korea hire new English teachers in advance over the phone/Skype.
Between your ITA job search resources and your Student Affairs Advisor, you’ll be fully prepared
to apply, interview, and accept a professional teaching position. We highly recommend
completing at least 5-10 interviews with different language schools before accepting an offer.
>> Step 5: Accept Your Job Offer & Head to Korea!

Your Student Affairs Advisor can go over job offers with you and assist you in choosing the
teaching position based on your needs & wants. Once accepting a job offer, you’ll coordinate
with your school on your official start date, but this is typically a quick turn-around.
OPTION 2: Enrolling in Our South Korea Guaranteed Job Placement

Program
Program Highlights:
>> Guaranteed teaching placement in a vetted school that best meets your preferences.
>> Flexibility of placements with year-round start dates.
>> Top-level pay: Earn $1,700 to $2,000 USD per month and include an end-of-contract
bonus (one month salary). Most teachers are able to save up to $1,200 monthly after
expenses.
>> Excellent benefits, including a rent-free furnished apartment, and a $1,000 flight
reimbursement.
>> End-to-end support from pre-departure & interview prep to 24/7 support available once
you begin your teaching job.
>> 40 hours of comprehensive Korean cultural orientation, including excursions and
Korean language lessons.
>> Network of 550 vetted schools ensures flexibility & choice.
>> Hands-on visa & work permit support.
>> Dedicated in-country team to assist with everything from adjusting to your new job and
cultural environment, 24-hour teacher hotline in case of an emergency, and day-to-day
support for any help you may need during your teach abroad experience.
>> Regular social meet-ups with fellow ESL teachers.

Eligibility Requirements:
>> Bachelor’s degree
>> Citizen of the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand
>> 21-40 years old
>> Can commit to a minimum 12-month contract
>> Native English speaker
>> Clean criminal background check
>> Minimum 120 hours accredited TEFL certification approved by ITA.
>> Not TEFL certified? We recommend ITA’s 170-Hour Online TEFL Course or our in-
person TEFL course in Incheon, South Korea. Here is a complete TEFL Course Index.

9
NEED TO KNOW
TEACHER
PLACEMENT
INFO
= TOP PLACEMENT LOCATIONS IN SOUTH KOREA
DEMILITARIZED
ZONE
BENEFITS 1
$1,700 - $1,900
USD PER MONTH
FREE ACCOMMODATION
2 SEOUL
AND GYEONGGI
(STUDIO OR ONE BEDROOM PROVINCE
APARTMENT)
INCHEON
MEDICAL INSURANCE
FREE FLIGHTS
A 1 YEAR COMPLETION
BONUS!
4
SCHOOLS 3
DAEJEON
PRIVATE SCHOOL PLACEMENTS
80% DAEGU
PUBLIC SCHOOL PLACEMENTS
20% 5
BUSAN
PLACES TO VISIT
JEJU ISLAND, UDO, GYEONGJU,
GANGNEUNG, HAPCHEON, AND
THE DEMILITARIZED ZONE
YEAR ROUND PLACEMENTS

APPLICATION TIME UDO
AVERAGE OF 4 MONTHS FROM ISLAND
INITIAL APPLICATION UNTIL
ARRIVAL IN SOUTH KOREA
JEJU ISLAND

How Do I Get Placed in a Teaching Job in South Korea?
Once accepted into this program, we will take care of every step of your job search
process until you’ve accepted your dream job. Once you begin teaching, you will continue
to enjoy access to personalized 24/7 support to address any issues you have in your
teaching position.
Personalized Support: Work one-on-one with our expert advisors to find you a
placement customized to your preferences.
Flexibility & Choice: With a network of 550+ carefully vetted schools in South Korea,
you will not have to take a job you don't want. Instead, based on your preferences for
location, school type, and other factors, we will ensure you get placed in an English
teaching job that meets your expectations.
Hands-on Job Application Support: Our team will help you create a highly
competitive Teacher Profile, including a resume, cover letter, & introductory video
tailored for the local teaching market.
No Need to Search for Teaching Jobs in South Korea: We will promote you &
match you with the schools matching your preferences.
Full Interview Support: You'll get fully coached on the interview process once we
match you with schools.
Contract Review: Once you've received one or more job offers, we'll review them to
ensure they meet market-related requirements (salary, work hours, work days,
responsibilities, work days, etc.) and answer any questions before you accept your
offer.
Accept the Right Job For You: If you don't receive a job offer from the school you
interview with (which seldom happens) or are unhappy with a job offer, we will line up
more interviews.

CHAPTER 5
WHAT TYPE OF VISA
DO I NEED TO TEACH
IN SOUTH KOREA?
WHAT TYPE OF VISA DO I NEED TO
TEACH IN SOUTH KOREA?
If you're planning on teaching English in South Korea, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the
process of applying for a work visa. Your ITA Admissions Advisor can run through all the work visa
details with you.
All of the documents listed below are the most common documents requested by Korean Consulates
to obtain an E-2 Visa, which is required to teach English in South Korea. Each consulate will not need
all of these documents. Before you order any documents, check with your Korean consulate on their
E-2 Visa Requirements.
Note: The information below is for American Citizens; other nationalities will follow different
processes.
>> University Bachelor Degree (notarized and Apostille Authenticated).
>> Sealed University Transcripts (3 copies)
>> FBI Criminal Background Check (2 copies)
>> A Passport Photocopy
>> Resume
>> Passport Photos (4 copies)
>> 2 Letters of Recommendation
Read More: South Korea E-2 Visa Requirements for English Teachers

CHAPTER 6
TYPES OF JOBS IN
SOUTH KOREA
PRIVATE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS / HAGWONS
TYPES OF JOBS IN SOUTH KOREA:
PRIVATE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS / HAGWONS
Private Language School/Hagwon Overview
Private language schools or “hagwons'' are the most common workplace for English teachers in
South Korea. Other TEFL teachers opt to teach English in public schools in South Korea, which we will
cover in Chapter 6.
Regardless of where you decide to teach — public or private school — you will very likely still be
teaching English to school-aged children. No matter what type of school you teach in, you will still
receive great benefits, including free housing, reimbursed airfare, paid vacation, and competitive
earning potential.
Pros & Cons of Hagwons
Pros:
>> Easy to make friends with English-speaking colleagues:
Private language schools are the most popular type of job for ITA graduates. This is typically
because there are a countless number of private language schools all over Korea and they
typically hire teachers year-round. It’s also common for each hagwon to employ around a dozen
English teachers. This means you’ll be able to meet other English-speaking teachers at your
hagwon.
>> More control over where you live & teach:

Because there are so many hagwons across Korea, this provides a lot of flexibility and options
for prospective teachers. You can choose what hagwons you want to apply to based on a
specific location you want to live in. For example, if you know you want to teach in or around
Seoul, you can specifically apply to hagwons in Seoul. Public language schools typically place
teachers in specific school locations based on availability.
>> Room for growth & longevity:

It’s not uncommon for English teachers to work at hagwons for 5 or even 10 years. There are
typically opportunities for pay increases and possibly even new professional opportunities
within the school depending on the hagwon.

Cons:
>> Hours can be unpredictable:
There are a lot of language schools that are open over the weekend or even until 10pm during
the week. They need teachers to teach these different time slots. So it’s not uncommon when
you are new at a hagwon that you may get one of the less desirable teaching time slots. This is
definitely something to ask any future employer about before accepting a position.
>> The quality of hagwons can vary greatly:

At the end of the day, hagwons are businesses that are looking to make money and stay open.
There are plenty of fantastic hagwons out there that truly value high-quality education and take
care of its teachers. But like any industry, there are also some organizations that are just in it for
the dollars. So it’s really important to work with an ITA Student Affairs Advisor as you are
navigating potential employers in South Korea to ensure you are choosing a reputable school.
Monthly Salaries
Monthly salary & pay rate tend to be a bit higher at hagwons than public schools. There is also room
for growth if you stay with the same employer for multiple years. It's also important to note that
schools in both the private and public sectors can dictate when teachers may take their vacation.
>> Experienced: 2.1-3.0 million KRW ( $1,900 - $2,750 USD) per month
>> First-year teachers: 2.0-2.1 million KRW ($1,800 - $1,900 USD) per month.
>> Vacation: 7-10 days and 13-15 national holidays
Typical Working Hours

Hours at hagwons can definitely vary, but typical shifts can last from 09:00-5:00 for Kindergarten-
Elementary positions, or perhaps 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 for those teaching older students; some private
school positions may also entail teaching later in the evenings and/or on weekends.
Class Size
Class sizes tend to be smaller in hagwons, with many schools focusing on individualized attention for
each student.
>> Public Schools: 20-30 students per class

>> Private Schools: Typically under 15 students per class
Number of foreign teachers working at a single school:

>> Public Schools: Usually 1-2 foreign teachers per school (can be more at bigger schools)
>> Private Schools: 10-50 English teachers per school (sometimes more)

CHAPTER 7
TYPES OF JOBS IN
SOUTH KOREA
PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS
[EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, & TaLK]
TYPES OF JOBS IN SOUTH KOREA: PUBLIC
SCHOOL PROGRAMS [EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, TaLK]
Teachers most commonly work at private language centers in South Korea, but there are still plenty
of legitimate opportunities if you are interested in teaching in a public school. The most common
government programs in South Korea are EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, and TaLK.
Let’s dive into the different program options:
EPIK
English Program In Korea (EPIK) is a teaching program sponsored by the Korean Ministry of
Education. The program places accepted participants in public school positions throughout the
country, so while you can list your preferences, assignments are decided on a first-come-first-serve
basis, and your location will ultimately be assigned to you. You can increase your chance of getting
the placement you want by making sure to apply ASAP when the application period opens.
>> EPIK teachers will teach 22-25 hours per week at primary or secondary public schools in
designated Provincial Offices of Education (POEs) across Korea;
>> EPIK provides free housing, medical insurance, roundtrip airfare, and a one month's severance
pay to all EPIK teachers;
>> 2-2.7 million won yearly salary depending on your resume and teaching experience with pay
increases each year.
Read More: What is the EPIK Program for Teaching English in South Korea?

GEPIK
Standing for the "Gyeonggi English Program in Korea," The GEPIK Program places English teachers in
the Gyeonggi province exclusively (the area surrounding Seoul). GEPIK is sponsored through the
Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, and if accepted, English teachers work at one school and are
the only native English speaker at that school.
Benefits include roundtrip airfare, furnished housing, medical insurance, and 20 days of paid vacation
a year.
Key Requirements:
>> 3-4 Year BA/BS Degree.
>> TEFL Certification (note: If you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education, English, or
Linguistics, a TEFL course is not officially required).
>> Native English speaker with citizenship from one of the Big 7 English-speaking countries.
>> Clean background check (nothing at all showing up).
>> Be in good physical/mental health.
>> Must be under the age of 62.
>> 1-year commitment required.
Like EPIK, the GEPIK program is fairly structured in terms of the application process. Applications
must be submitted well in advance.
*Special note: GEPIK is less likely to hire couples compared to EPIK*

SMOE
Standing for the "Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education," the SMOE Program is sponsored by Seoul's
city government and places teachers into school districts around Seoul, South Korea's capital city.
Benefits for teachers in the SMOE program include:
>> An urban lifestyle.
>> Choosing your school level preference, furnished housing, roundtrip airfare.
>> Medical insurance.
>> 21 days vacation.
>> A paid 9-day orientation.
Key Requirements:
>> 3-4 Year BA/BS Degree.
>> TEFL Certification (note: If you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education, or have 1 year
of TaLK experience, a TEFL course is not officially required).
>> Clean background check (nothing at all showing up).
>> Be in good physical/mental health.
>> Must be under the age of 62.
>> 1-year commitment required.
Fun Fact: SMOE uses EPIK as a primary recruiting source to find English teachers. You can apply
directly to SMOE or via EPIK, as they are two different programs at their core. If accepted, you’re a
SMOE teacher and are no longer affiliated with EPIK.

TaLK
Standing for “Teach and Learn in Korea,” the TaLK program is an educational scholarship program
sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education in South
Korea. TaLK places teachers at elementary schools primarily in rural areas of South Korea. It is also a
rare option for teaching English in South Korea without a full BA/BS degree.
Benefits of this program include furnished housing, roundtrip airfare, and medical insurance.
Key Requirements:
>> Associate’s Degree or enrolled in a BA/BS degree (3rd year or higher).
>> TEFL Certification is preferred (note: If you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education, or
have 1 year of TaLK experience, a TEFL course is not officially required).
>> 6-month commitment.

CHAPTER 8
WHAT TEFL COURSE IS
BEST FOR TEACHING
IN SOUTH KOREA?
WHAT TEFL COURSE IS BEST FOR
TEACHING ENGLISH IN SOUTH KOREA?
ITA offers a wide range of online and in-person TEFL courses. All ITA TEFL courses are internationally
accredited and meet international standards. These courses will qualify you to teach English in South
Korea and online and in over 80 countries worldwide.
Most ITA students interested in teaching in Korea get TEFL certified in their home country because it
is the most cost-effective approach, and they can interview for and accept jobs in advance. However,
ITA also offers an option to earn your TEFL certification in Korea itself.
Let’s dive into ITA’s most popular TEFL course options for teaching in Korea:
>> 11-WEEK 170-HOUR ONLINE TEFL COURSE
The 170-Hour Online TEFL Course is ITA's most popular class, and with tuition of $1,599, it is the
lowest-cost option. This 11-week part-time course accommodates those working or going to
school full-time. Classes begin every two weeks and are taught by university-level instructors.
The course also entails live practice teaching & ITA caps class sections at 20 students per class.
Plan to dedicate 10-12 hours per week to this course. These 10-12 hours of coursework can be
divided throughout the week to fit your schedule.
Check Out: 170-Hour Online TEFL Course Dates & Tuition (including discounts)
>> 4-WEEK INTENSIVE ONLINE TEFL COURSE
If you are looking to get TEFL certified online and begin your teach abroad journey sooner rather
than later, this 4-Week Online TEFL Course is a great option. This course is extremely intensive
and students will be in class Monday-Friday from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Central Time U.S.
Check out: 4-Week Intensive TEFL Course Dates & Tuition (including discounts).
>> 4-WEEK IN-PERSON TEFL COURSE IN INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA
You can earn your TEFL certification with ITA in Incheon - conveniently located only 40 minutes
from downtown Seoul. This class is highly intensive, so you need to be prepared to commit
yourself full-time to your coursework (though you will have some free time on weekends).
In addition to spending four weeks in Incheon, the course staff will assist you with lining up job
opportunities right out of the course in South Korea. Of course, students also enjoy access to
ITA’s lifetime worldwide job search guidance as well.
Check out: 4-Week In-Person Incheon, South Korea TEFL Course Dates & Tuition

>> IN-PERSON 4-WEEK TEFL COURSES AROUND THE WORLD
ITA offers 24 In-Person TEFL Course locations globally. These 4-week, full-time TEFL
certification courses are designed to provide all course graduates with the tools to succeed as
professional English teachers.
Regardless of location, all four-week in-person TEFL course options are intensive, full-time
university-level classes. Though exact hours vary, prepare to be in class full-time on Monday –
Friday, and on certain days you may be required to stay late to work on practice teaching or other
projects.
Read More: Check out a full index of all TEFL course options here
Specialty Add-On Classes

Are you looking to boost your credentials further? Check out ITA’s specialty courses!
Whether you have a degree or not, we provide options to enhance your skills and credentials by
taking additional TEFL Specialty classes in the fields of the Foundations of English Grammar,
Teaching English Online, Teaching Business English, Tutoring English, and Teaching English to
Young Learners. Check out the TEFL Specialty Class Index for more information.
WHO CAN TAKE AN ITA SPECIALTY CLASS?
You do not need to be an ITA TEFL certification graduate or enrolled in ITA's TEFL certification
course to take one of our specialty classes. Our specialty classes are designed for those who are
already TEFL certified, are in the process of completing a TEFL course, or are already teaching ESL.
As such, we strongly recommend that you are currently taking an accredited TEFL certification
(even if it is through another provider), are already certified, or have experience teaching ESL.
Please note that International TEFL Academy's Lifetime Job Search Guidance and support, access
to our alumni community, and our high-quality accreditation are only available to students and
alumni of our online and in-person TEFL certification courses.

CHAPTER 9
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHING
ENGLISH IN SOUTH KOREA
>> Downloadable Brochure
A 30-page guide to all aspects of teaching English abroad & TEFL certification.
>> South Korea Country Profile Page

Find out all the nitty-gritty details about requirements and processes for teaching English in
South Korea over on our South Korea Country Profile Page.
>> Country Chart

Compare all aspects of teaching English in more than 50 countries including salaries, hiring
requirements, cost-of-living, interview seasons, start-up costs, your potential to save, & more.
>> The ITA Blog + Alumni Stories

Check out more than 200 articles and FAQs about all aspects of teaching English abroad and in
South Korea as well as alumni Q&As and stories of their experience teaching English in South
Korea.
>> The ITA Video Library

Watch day-in-the-life videos from ITA alumni living and teaching English in South Korea and all
over the world.
>> ITA Job Search Guidance Overview

Learn more about the ITA Student Affairs department and all the ways they will assist you in
your job search.
>> TEFL Course Index

Learn more about TEFL courses online & around the world.
>> TEFL Courses Dates & Tuition

Check out dates and pricing for our online TEFL courses as well as our in-person TEFL courses.
CALL 773 -634-9900

OR VISIT WWW.INTERNATIONALTEFLACADEMY.COM
FOR MORE INFORMATION!

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SO... WHAT'S NEXT?
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Get Your Questions Answered By An Experienced Advisor Who Has Lived & Taught Abroad.
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YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE

6,000+ Certified 9.6/10 Rating 9.3/10 Rating As Featured on

Personalized Job A Network of Level 5 TQUK A+ Rating - Better

PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

South Korea is one A 4-year university

You can find

Housing & Airfare We recommend bringing

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 2

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 4

To teach English in Korea you must meet the following criteria:

>> Clean health check and drug test.

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 6

>> Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree/diploma

>> Sealed college or university transcript

>> An original national-level criminal background check (FBI in the U.S.)

>> Passport photos

>> An original passport that is valid for at least one year

Read More: The Requirements for Teaching English in Korea

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We will outline these two options below.

OPTION 1: Finding a Teaching Job in South Korea Yourself Using

>> Step 1: Get TEFL Certified

>> Step 3: Complete Your Work Visa Paperwork

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>> Step 5: Accept Your Job Offer & Head to Korea!

OPTION 2: Enrolling in Our South Korea Guaranteed Job Placement

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>> Bachelor’s degree

>> 21-40 years old

>> Can commit to a minimum 12-month contract

>> Native English speaker

>> Clean criminal background check

>> Minimum 120 hours accredited TEFL certification approved by ITA.

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YEAR ROUND PLACEMENTS

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>> University Bachelor Degree (notarized and Apostille Authenticated).

>> Sealed University Transcripts (3 copies)

>> FBI Criminal Background Check (2 copies)

>> A Passport Photocopy

>> Passport Photos (4 copies)

>> 2 Letters of Recommendation

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Pros & Cons of Hagwons

>> More control over where you live & teach:

>> Room for growth & longevity:

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>> The quality of hagwons can vary greatly:

Typical Working Hours

>> Public Schools: 20-30 students per class

Number of foreign teachers working at a single school:

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Let’s dive into the different program options:

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>> Clean background check (nothing at all showing up).

>> Be in good physical/mental health.

>> Must be under the age of 62.

>> 1-year commitment required.

*Special note: GEPIK is less likely to hire couples compared to EPIK*

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Benefits for teachers in the SMOE program include:

>> An urban lifestyle.

>> Medical insurance.

Special note: GEPIK is less likely to hire couples compared to EPIK