Teach in South Korea
South Korea is a small, very modern and high-tech country located across the South China Sea from Japan, and is one of the best places to teach English in East Asia thanks to superb natural attractions and excellent teaching salaries and packages.
South Korea is also known for beautiful mountain ranges that invite hiking in summer and skiing in winter, cherry orchards, Buddhist temples, beautiful beaches and islands and a unique chilli-based cuisine.
The many cities in South Korean offer all Western conveniences as well as uniquely Korean entertainment centres called ‘bangs’ (rooms) for playing computer games, watching DVDs and singing Karaoke. Temples throughout South Korea also offer opportunities to participate in Temple life and learn martial arts – and most teaching appointments offer plenty of time to do it.
Experience the ancient history and traditions that co-exist comfortably with the current culture of technological and industrial progress in South Korea.
We are official recruiters for the very popular EPIK (English Program in Korea) program. This is a fantastic program, and you too could join thousands of other teachers from all over the world. EPIK was established in 1995 and is affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Education. Since its inception, EPIK has had the goals of improving the English-speaking abilities of Korean students and teachers, developing cultural exchange between Korea and abroad, and introducing new teaching methods into the Korean education system. To help accomplish these goals, EPIK invites responsible, enthusiastic native English speakers with a motivation to share their knowledge and language with Korean students and teachers within the Korean public-school system throughout the country.
The application to the program is a lengthy process but well worth it as teaching in this wonderful country through the EPIK program will be an unforgettable experience. You’ll get a great start in a teaching career, all while making a difference and experiencing Korean culture.
LOCATION
Positions are available nationwide, including Busan, Seoul, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejeong, Gangwon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Gyeongsangnamdo, Gyungbuk, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Jeju, Changwon, Masan, Yangsan, Jinju, Sacheon, Goseong, Cheonan, Nonsan, Boryeong, Taean, and more.
SALARY
£1,350 to £1,650 p/m (GBP)
$1,700 to $2,050 p/m (USD)
CONTRACT LENGTH
12 months
START DATE
February and August
AGE GROUP
6 to 18 years old
- Paid Vacation: First of all, EPIK teachers have regular working hours and are not contractually obligated to work during evenings or weekends, except for English programs specially administered by the employer. All EPIK teachers are employed by the Korean government and can thus take all national holidays off in addition to 18 workdays paid vacation days. As EPIK teachers work in the public school system, they can sometimes enjoy additional paid time-off when schools are closed.
- Job Security: As a government employee, your job is secure with EPIK. You will never be released from your contract for budget or institutional problems nor for preferential reasons. Also, you are always paid in full and paid on time, unlike some private academies.
- More Prestige: EPIK is a national English teaching program sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education and can carry more weight on your resume. Your teaching experience in EPIK also has more prestige and can bring widespread recognition in a local community or even in a province. EPIK is also a great launching point for an English (ESL/EFL) teaching career.
- More Flexibility: EPIK positions offer a lot of flexibility in your teaching. Most EPIK teachers have autonomy over what they teach and do not have to adhere to rigid rules or pre-designed textbooks. EPIK teachers usually have little administration work and are not pressured by having to meet academic objectives, but can focus more on helping students build confidence and have fun in the classroom.
- A Greater Impact: In EPIK, you will have the opportunity to network with high-ranking education officials and administrators who can improve the way English is taught in the public schools of Korea. Simply by sharing the different ways in which you learned English, you can give them valuable input and ideas which can affect change on an official level. You will also have the opportunity to teach students from diverse backgrounds, and not just those students who can afford private lessons. You may also have the opportunity to teach public school teachers, who will then go on to teach English to their students. In other words, you can potentially reach a lot of people and have a much greater impact than with other teaching jobs in Korea.
- More Opportunities to Experience Korea: Finally, during the EPIK orientation, you can form a network with all of the EPIK participants who will go on to work in various areas of the country. As a result, you will have more opportunities to travel around the country and meet with friends who can give you firsthand accounts of the diversity among Korea’s regions. You may travel regional locations where tradition still thrives and you will be immersed in the sights and sounds that define Korea.
- 2,200,000 – 2,700,000 KRW per month, based on experience and qualifications. (You can check the current exchange rate here: xe.com)
- Visa Assistance
- Settlement allowance (All EPIK teachers will be provided with a settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW within the first month of their first contract only)
- Free accommodation (A leased house/apartment/studio-type room will be provided by your POE (Provincial Office of Education) or MOE (Metropolitan Office of Education). Utilities and maintenance fees are not provided for and are the responsibility of the EPIK teacher. Due to variations in housing costs in different regions of Korea, the size and location of the supplied housing can vary from MOE/POE to MOE/POE.)
- Severance pay (All EPIK teachers who successfully complete their contract will be entitled to receive severance pay. Severance pay is equal to approximately one month’s salary)
- Entrance Allowance (All EPIK teachers will be provided with 1,300,000 KRW as the Entrance Allowance at the end of their first contract month. Note: For applicants placed in Busan, Daegu, Jeju, Incheon and Chungbuk the entrance allowance will be provided after the first six months of the contract. The Entrance Allowance is issued as a loan from the employer to the EPIK teachers. In the event that the contract is terminated within the first six months, regardless of the course or grounds, the EPIK teachers will be required to repay the aforementioned loan to your school immediately)
- Contract Completion Bonus/Exit Allowance (A contract completion bonus of 1,300,000 KRW is provided at the end of each contract period. *In Gangwon this is referred to as an exit allowance when completing your final contract. No contract completion bonus is provided for Seoul, Jeju, Gyeonggi, and Daejeon. However, a 1,300,000 KRW exit allowance will be provided at the end of the final contract. *For Gyeonggi and Daejeon the renewal bonus listed below is higher to compensate for this.)
- Renewal Bonus (- A renewal bonus of 700,00 KRW will be provided upon completion of each renewed contract. *A 2,000,000 KRW renewal bonus will be provided for Gyeonggi and Daejeon, divided into two payments: 1,300,000 KRW at the start of the renewed contract and 700,000 KRW at the end of the renewed contract. *The Jeju Office of Education pays a flat 1,300,000 KRW renewal bonus at the start of the renewed contract. *The Seoul Office of Education does not offer any form of renewal bonus.)
- Medical Insurance – 50% paid by employer (In accordance with the National Medical Insurance Act, your MOE/POE will pay 50% of your medical insurance premiums. Current medical insurance premiums are approximately 5.89% of your salary and are payable monthly. Your host MOE/POE will pay half of this amount (approx. 2.945%) with the remaining amount being deducted from your monthly salary. This medical insurance will allow you to receive medical attention and prescription medicine at a fraction of the cost. In the event that EPIK teachers have dependents living with them in Korea, the MOE/POE will pay 50% of their medical insurance premiums in addition to the EPIK teacher.)
- EPIK Orientation – An excellent transition and networking opportunity (All EPIK teachers will receive orientation and training related to living and teaching in Korea. During this orientation, EPIK teachers will be exposed to various subject areas and activities related to teaching and living in Korea. The orientation is conducted by EPIK at the orientation venue, prior to your contract start date. The orientation period is not included in the term of employment and, as such, is unpaid. Orientation is mandatory for all EPIK teachers. If you are not present at the orientation, you will not be eligible for employment. Lodging and meals will be provided during the orientation free of charge for all EPIK teachers.)
- Age groups: 6 to 18 years old.
- Class size:No more than 40 students.
- Work hours and schedules: Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 4:30pm. You’ll be teaching at least 22 classes per week.
- Locations: Positions are available nationwide, including Busan, Seoul, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejeong, Gangwon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Gyeongsangnamdo, Gyungbuk, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Jeju, Changwon, Masan, Yangsan, Jinju, Sacheon, Goseong, Cheonan, Nonsan, Boryeong, Taean, and more (placement location and school information is not given to the teachers until they arrive in South Korea for orientation, so it would be difficult to secure a specific location for you. EPIK expects teachers to be flexible with the location as they will place you where the demand is).
- Start dates: February/March and August/September.
- Contract length: 12-month contracts only.
Due to work visa requirements, applicants must:
- Be native English speakers from the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand.
- Have completed all the education from 7th grade onward in one of the countries mentioned above
- Hold a fully completed bachelor’s degree (or higher) from one of the countries mentioned above
- Hold a 120-hour TEFL Certificate (we can assist you with this if you’re not TEFL certified
- Hold a clean national criminal background check.
- Have no visible tattoos
Note: All applicants who do not possess a degree in education or a valid teaching license will be required to complete a 100 hour or more TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate before a set date to be eligible for the program. If you are not TEFL certified, we can arrange this for you. Applicants may apply for the program before the course/certificate is complete. Courses with an in-class/in-person component will receive preference. In-class/in-person components taught via synchronous online classes (Zoom, etc.) may be considered as in-class or online on a case-by-case basis. If you do not have teaching experience, we highly recommend adding a teaching practicum to your TEFL course. Further information regarding this is available at https://teflgraduate.com/teaching-practicum.
- To assist Korean teachers with their English classes, and/or jointly conduct English classes with Korean teachers, and/or extracurricular activities or English camps.
- To conduct English conversation classes for Korean students and teachers.
- To prepare teaching materials for English language education.
- To assist in developing teaching materials for English language education.
- To assist with activities related to English language education and other extracurricular activities.
- To demonstrate a good command of the English language, both written and spoken.
- To perform other duties as specified by your MOE (Metropolitan Office of Education) or POE (Provincial Office of Education).