Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, South Korea
South Korea

Teach In South Korea Program

TEFL Included - $1,195 value

Dates

-

52 weeks

Program Fee

$1,950

Compensation

2,100,000-3,000,000 won/month plus housing

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Dates

-

Program Fee

$1,950

Compensation

2,100,000-3,000,000 won/month plus housing

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Discover the Benefits of Teaching in South Korea with CIEE

Connect to South Korea’s booming ESL sector and enjoy the highest level of support and preparation available. CIEE Teach Abroad can help you apply to Korea’s prestigious EPIK public school program or set up interviews with our network of reputable private schools! Both types are suitable for first-time teachers. Read on to learn more!

Program Highlights

  • No teaching experience necessary
  • Includes 150-hour TEFL certification course
  • High salaries let entry-level teachers save money or travel
  • Schools provide reimbursement for one-way airfare
  • Rent-free studio apartment

Already have teaching credentials or TEFL Certification? Check out Teach in South Korea Basics.

Have questions? Find answers on our Teach in Korea FAQ page.

TERM

START DATE

DURATION

DEADLINE

Spring 2025

February

12 months

October 21 for EPIK Public Schools
November 1 for Private Schools

Fall 2025

August/September

12 months

December 1 for EPIK Public Schools 
December 1 for Private Schools

About Our Program Fees

CIEE, a non-profit organization, relies on program fees to provide South Korea participants with our TEFL certification course, international insurance, and support before and after arrival. The program fee of $1,950 is paid in two installments:

  • $500 commitment deposit due after acceptance
  • Remaining balance due when you receive your placement

CIEE alumni receive a 10% discount!

What's Included

What's Included in CIEE's Teach in South Korea Program

  • Expertise and Experience - Our staff offer honest advice and individual support and coaching from start to finish
  • Choose the Type of Job You Want - Whether you prefer public or private schools, get step-by-step guidance based on CIEE's long experience in Korea
  • Detailed Guidance With Visa and Background Check
  • 150-Hour TEFL Certification - CIEE's premium-quality online TEFL course gets you ready for the classroom and for employer requirements.
  • Schools Provide Rent-Free Housing  
  • Practical and Cultural Advice - Feel prepared, with extensive CIEE resources on topics like banking, public transit, and Korean workplace norms  
  • Weekend Retreat in Seoul - Make friends, meet staff, and get support. Hotel, transportation, meals, and activities provided.
  • Two Layers of Health Insurance - Your job lets you access Korea's high quality, low cost medical system, and CIEE provides additional int'l coverage that's helpful during trips outside Korea too.
  • 24/7 Emergency Support from Local CIEE Staff 
Teacher and students laying on the ground smiling
The Destination
  • Asia Pacific_South Korea
  • Man looking out at South Korean city from fence
  • Table full of South Korean food

Placement Destinations for Jobs in South Korea

Participants are placed in cities and suburban areas throughout South Korea. Teaching assignments are available in the Seoul metropolitan area, but they are often more competitive and are not always available to inexperienced teachers.

Many teachers are placed in the following cities:

  • Busan, the country’s second-largest city, draws many international conventions and foreign visitors.
  • Ulsan, on the south-eastern coast, is an industrial powerhouse with the energy of a robust economy.
  • Daegu enjoys a subtropical climate ideal for producing high-quality apples, thus its nickname, "Apple City.” It is also a notable center for Korean fashion.
  • Daejeon, in the center of the country, has 18 universities and is a center of advanced technology.
  • Gwangju is another large, culturally rich city in the south of the country.
  • The greater Seoul area is one of the largest metropolitan disctricts in the world and includes the nearby cities of BucheonIncheonSuwon CityGunpo, and Namyangju.
  • Each year, we have other interesting locations not included on this list!

CIEE wants all our participants to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while teaching abroad. To that end, we've gathered information from local teams and perspectives from former CIEE teachers and others about conditions and cultural attitudes that teachers with specific identities might encounter abroad. We hope those resources are informative and helpful.

Please note: because of the Korean visa process, it is not possible to plan other international travel in the two months before your program begins. Plan to be in your home country during that time.

Program Benefits

COMPENSATION

Rent-free housing with basic amenities, competitive salary, airfare, South Korean-national medical insurance benefits.

PREPARATION

Receive a 150 Hour TEFL certificate from CIEE, including real-world observation and practice, to meet the requirements of prospective employers.

ASSISTANCE

Pre-departure guidance, international medical insurance and 24-hour worldwide assistance with CIEE iNext, in-country support from resident staff members.

Program Blogs

Navigating Korean Culture in the Education System: A Guide for English Teachers

By Ria B.

As an English teacher in South Korea, understanding Korean culture is important for creating a respectful and open learning environment. I have been lucky enough to have lived in South... keep reading

From CIEE

CIEE Korea Spotlight: Meet Marissa - PART 2

By CIEE Teach Abroad at CIEE

Marissa is back to answer even more questions about teaching in Korea. Why did you choose CIEE? I chose CIEE because I heard that CIEE has a good reputation, a... keep reading

Tips for Teaching English as a Foreign Language in South Korea

By Ria B.

For new teachers, the idea of having to teach English as a foreign language can be a bit overwhelming and confusing to wrap your head around, especially if this is... keep reading

Job Description

What It's Like to Be a Teacher in South Korea

In South Korea, you’ll be teaching English in a society where academics are highly valued. Positions are available with KG and elementary students, so if you’re excited to be a language and cultural ambassador for South Korea’s youngest learners, you’re on the right track!

Most Korean students attend public school during the day, then private academies called hagwons in the afternoon or evening, to help them meet high expectations for educational achievement. Each type of teaching job has its pros and cons. Keep in mind, you can only apply for one school type at a time. Still not sure which school is right for you? Schedule a phone call

If you choose to apply for private schools (hagwons), you have much more influence over location, and you will likely have other expat teachers at your school. It’s the best approach for friends and couples seeking placement together, too. Our program will guide you with documents and the visa and arrange video interviews with reputable employers.

If you choose to apply for public school jobs, CIEE’s program will provide guidance on how to make a strong application with EPIK, the Korean public school program for foreign teachers. EPIK is competitive, and offers little to no control over location, but has longer vacations and Korean co-teachers.

Compensation & Benefits

Classroom in South Korea

Regardless of the type of school, teaching in Korea offers an outstanding package when it comes to salary and benefits. You can live comfortably and still save money each month, and use it for travel, student loans, or whatever you want!

Private Schools pay 2.3 to 3.0 million won/month, plus rent-free housing. The highest salaries typically correspond to a heavier workload.

EPIK Public Schools pay 2.1 to 2.4 million won/month, plus rent-free housing. Salary depends on credentials and province assignment.

You’ll have a small deduction each month for Korean taxes, but you’ll be enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance which delivers excellent care at very low prices. There’s also a contract completion bonus equal to one month’s salary at the end of your program.

All teachers receive rent-free housing from their employer, in the form of a small studio apartment with necessary furnishings.

Schools & Locations

Teach in South Korea participants on an city excursion

Private schools are concentrated in cities and urban areas, where there are lots of customers! It’s rare for a first-time teacher to get a job in central Seoul, but there are lots of opportunities nearby in Incheon, Gyeonggido, and Suwon, as well as other cities and urban districts throughout Korea. We’ll do our best to follow your preferences when arranging interviews!

The EPIK Public School program places teachers nationwide, based on each area’s needs. You’ll be able to list a single province or city as a preferred location, but there’s no guarantee, and the major cities are highly competitive. EPIK candidates must be flexible about location since province assignments are only announced about 5 weeks before departure.

Workload

Teach in South Korea participants sitting together in a classroom

Participants at private schools are solo lead teachers with full responsibility for their classes. Class sizes are small (5-12 students), but the overall workload is fairly heavy: typically 30-33 classroom teaching hours* each week. 9-10 paid school vacation days (fixed schedule), plus 10-15 national holidays.

Participants at public schools have Korean co-teachers with them most of the time, but should be ready to take the lead on lesson planning. Expect 20-30 students per class, and 20-25 teaching hours* per week. 24-26 paid school vacation days (fixed schedule), plus 10-15 national holidays.

*Outside of teaching hours, other obligations including meetings, free periods, assemblies, and lunch supervision. 

What CIEE Teach in South Korea Participants Are Saying

  • "CIEE helped prepare to move to Korea and also helped me afterwards with organizing an orientation to make friends and get helpful insight from alumni."

    Helen A. | Teach in South Korea

  • "CIEE was an extremely important factor in my teaching abroad experience. I was able to complete my TEFL certification online through CIEE, they helped me find a great city and hagwon, and provided me with a community once in Korea."

    Teach in South Korea Alumni

  • "CIEE has made the transition into a new job and culture very smooth."

    Jon M. | Teach in South Korea

  • "Very helpful with providing support. The orientation was key in helping me form my community."

    Brooke E. | Teach in South Korea

  • "It's a great program; the process is not as complicated as others, the staff is friendly and helpful, the school I was placed at is amazing."

    Eli S. | Teach in South Korea

Qualifications

What Qualifications Do I Need to Teach Abroad?

You don’t need to speak Korean to apply! You'll need a bachelor’s degree in any field, along with a few other qualifications. These, plus a sense of adventure and a real desire to cross cultural boundaries and engage with people eager to learn English, will make you a great candidate.

CIEE looks for candidates who are independent and curious and thrive in a changing environment. Are you self-motivated, responsible, and ready for a rewarding adventure? If so, start your application now!

Requirements

  • Native-level English fluency
  • A bachelor’s degree in any field, from a university in one of the countries listed below
  • Citizenship in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Ireland, or the United Kingdom
  • A commitment to 12 months of employment
  • CIEE’s 150-hour TEFL certification course is included with the Teach in South Korea program. Candidates who already have a certificate or a B.Ed. should consider Korea Basics instead.
  • Must be 50 years old or younger

To make your application stronger, highlight additional qualifications, such as:

  • Experience studying, working, or volunteering abroad
  • A degree in English or education
  • Experience instructing children

Please note that your passport's validity must extend at least 6 months beyond the end date of your desired program. If it expires before then, renew it right away!

cherry blossom and temple south korea
TEFL Certification

TEFL Certification Included

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification gives you the skills, experience, and confidence to make teaching abroad even more rewarding – both for you and those you teach. The CIEE TEFL 150-hour certification course is included in the fee for this program and ensure that you:

  • Develop an awareness of the field and practices of TEFL
  • Understand the components of English related to teaching nonnative speakers
  • Get personalized feedback from an experienced TEFL tutor
  • Can design lessons for TEFL students at a variety of levels
  • Complete 20 hours of practice teaching experience to hone your skills
Staff

Our Team

Alissa Malbrough

SENIOR COORDINATOR

Alissa’s international journey so far includes studying in Argentina, teaching in Ecuador, Spain, and Korea, ice trekking, backpacking, and skydiving. She’s excited to help others explore teaching abroad!

Ready to change your life?

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