Teach English In South Korea

    Starting salary $42,000 USD Per Year

    Starting salary includes free housing, airfare reimbursement, health insurance, 22 paid holidays and vacation days during the year.

     

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    Teach In South Korea

    Overview

    Most teaching English abroad jobs we have open in South Korea are Elementary levels through middle school. GeoVisions Foundation places teachers with highly selective private language schools as well as English Village and International Schools located in South Korea.

    South Korea is a dynamic, advanced country in a class of its own. It's a choice destination for an English teacher because the demand for English instruction is well-developed. There is an emphasis on English education placed on the youth in Korean society. Students are genuinely motivated to learn English. Ultimately, English ability can make the difference between a good life and an ordinary existence for much of the population in South Korea.

    How Do I Get Started?

    1. Decide if you're the type of person who wants some help, wants to look at several teaching options, would like an orientation before you begin teaching, would like help finding accommodation and making sure you're going to get that paycheck the first payday. You're the person who feels more comfortable moving 7,000 miles with a safety net. If this is you, read on down our "get started" list. (If you're the type of person who's comfortable applying for a job in another country and language, doing all the due diligence and visa applications by yourself, then arriving in South Korea on your own and making your way to school for your first day, we wrote an article for you.)
    2. Schedule a call with us to talk about your options.
    3. Fill out and submit your application with your $350 fee. No, you won't be charged again. What's included:
      • Your housing and someone to take you around to choose your housing
      • Airfare reimbursement
      • Airport pickup
      • Orientation
      • 24/7 support in South Korea and from our offices here
      • Visa processing documentation and assistance from South Korea
      • Assistance directly from South Korea to prepare for your initial interview
    4. Arrive in South Korea, and begin your new teaching job.

    Fee

    $350

    Duration

    One-year contract required.

    Visa

    You will receive forms you will need in order to apply for your E2 visa.  We can provide guidance on obtaining your visa.  Please begin looking at the visa requirements for details. 

    Eligibility

    • Hold a passport from the U.S. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain or Ireland.
    • Must be a native English speaker.
    • Must be in good physical and mental health.
    • No criminal record.
    • Must be between 21 and 40.
    • No experience necessary. In fact, schools prefer that you have less than five years of teaching experience if you have been teaching.
    • You do not need to know any Korean.
    • Bachelors degree is required. Preference is given to education and English majors, but any field is welcome.
    • Positions are for one-year contracts, available on an ongoing basis.
    • Completion of a TESOL or TEFL course is beneficial and may earn you a higher salary, but it is not required.

    Start Dates

    New semesters begin in March and September.  We do have openings each month so that teachers can apply anytime during the year.

    Video

    Christine Teacher from Christine O'Dea on Vimeo.

    Fee

    $350

    Salary

    Starting salary is $42,000 US per year.

    You should plan on working approximately 30-40 hours each week, which includes 22-30 hours of instruction each week. If you need to work overtime, you are compensated at $20/hr. USD. (Individual contracts may vary.  Please read through your contract when offered a position by a school.)

    An extra month of salary is paid upon completion of your contract as a bonus for finishing. Income tax is exempt unless you are Canadian. 3.5%. 4.5% of your salary is matched by the National Pension Plan and paid out at the end of the year. Your contract will include medical and dental coverage.

    Included Benefits

    • Airport transfer to your school.
    • Job Placement.
    • Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision, and guidance throughout your stay.
    • Pre-departure assistance.
    • International airfare (reimbursed from the school). You will need to purchase your airfare and have it reimbursed in South Korea.
    • National health insurance (provided by the school)
    • Fully furnished accommodations (provided by the school or the school will provide a stipend for housing if noted in their contract.)
    • 24/7 support in South Korea and from our offices here.
    • Someone assigned to help you with housing.
    • New teacher orientation.
    • Twelve paid National holidays.
    • Ten days paid vacation on top of holidays.
    • Visa processing documentation and assistance from South Korea.

    * Note all benefits and holiday details in your contract.

    What's Not Included

    • Meals.
    • Local transportation.
    • Visa costs.

    TEFL/TESOL

    Some teaching positions in South Korea require a TEFL or TESOL certificate. Others do not. Even if a position doesn't have this requirement, we think having your teacher certification enhances your classroom experience.

    There are many places to earn your TEFL or TESOL certification. One of those places is GeoVisions Foundation. If you decide to also include your TEFL/TESOL certification through GeoVisions, you will receive a $100 credit.

    With GeoVisions Foundation, you can earn your 120-hour TEFL Certification online, or take your GeoVisions Foundation course onsite in Peru, Turkey, Italy or Greece and then travel to South Korea to begin teaching after graduation. The in-class TEFL consists of 130-hours and 10 hours of practicum. Please let us know if you have any interest in these courses.

    Learn More About TEFL

    Application Process

    You can fill out and submit your application anytime. If you prefer to speak to someone first, schedule a call and find a day and time convenient to you.

    When you're ready to apply, fill out and submit your application with your $350 fee. No, you won't be charged again. What's included:

      • Airport transfer to your school.
      • Job Placement.
      • Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision, and guidance throughout your stay.
      • Pre-departure assistance.
      • International airfare (reimbursed from the school). You will need to purchase your airfare and have it reimbursed in South Korea.
      • National health insurance (provided by the school)
      • Fully furnished accommodations (provided by the school or the school will provide a stipend for housing if noted in their contract.)
      • 24/7 support in South Korea and from our offices here.
      • Someone assigned to help you with housing.
      • New teacher orientation.
      • Twelve paid National holidays.
      • Ten days paid vacation on top of holidays.
      • Visa processing documentation and assistance from South Korea.

    Supplemental Application

    After you apply, you'll receive our Supplemental Application with more detailed information about yourself and your qualifications. In this supplemental application, we will need you to upload a copy of your resume, passport, a copy of your degree and your TEFL Certification. If you're not TEFL Certified, we can help you choose a school or an online option.

    Interview

    You will be interviewed twice. The first interview will be with a staff person here at GeoVisions Foundation. And the second interview will be with the actual school in South Korea.

    A final decision will be made within 2 weeks of your second interview. When you're accepted, that's when you'll begin your visa process.

    E2 Visa

    Once you receive your contract you will need to apply for your E-2 Work Visa at the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate. Download the application from the consulate website. It will only take a few days to get your visa once you apply.

    The school and recruiter in South Korea who hires you will provide all of the documents and instructions for applying for your visa then.

    Apply Today

    FAQ

    Please call us on +1 (203) 453-5838 if you have questions.

    We are asked the same questions each day, so we hope this page of Frequently Asked Questions will be helpful to you. Anyone in our office can answer your questions anytime you call. We want you to make informed decisions, and we will be happy to talk to you anytime.

    How does the application process work?

    You can fill out and submit your application anytime. If you prefer to speak to someone first, schedule a call and find a day and time convenient to you.

    When you're ready to apply, fill out and submit your application with your $350 fee. No, you won't be charged again. What's included:

      • Airport transfer to your school.
      • Job Placement.
      • Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision, and guidance throughout your stay.
      • Pre-departure assistance.
      • International airfare (reimbursed from the school). You will need to purchase your airfare and have it reimbursed in South Korea.
      • National health insurance (provided by the school)
      • Fully furnished accommodations (provided by the school or the school will provide a stipend for housing if noted in their contract.)
      • 24/7 support in South Korea and from our offices here.
      • Someone assigned to help you with housing.
      • New teacher orientation.
      • Twelve paid National holidays.
      • Ten days paid vacation on top of holidays.
      • Visa processing documentation and assistance from South Korea.

    Supplemental Application

    After you apply, you'll receive our Supplemental Application with more detailed information about yourself and your qualifications. In this supplemental application, we will need you to upload a copy of your resume, passport, a copy of your degree and your TEFL Certification. If you're not TEFL Certified, we can help you choose a school or an online option.

    Interview

    You will be interviewed twice. The first interview will be with a staff person here at GeoVisions Foundation. And the second interview will be with the actual school in South Korea.

    A final decision will be made within 2 weeks of your second interview. When you're accepted, that's when you'll begin your visa process.

    E2 Visa

    Once you receive your contract you will need to apply for your E-2 Work Visa at the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate. Download the application from the consulate website. It will only take a few days to get your visa once you apply.

    The school and recruiter in South Korea who hires you will provide all of the documents and instructions for applying for your visa then.

    Apply Today

    Will Schools Hire Teachers That Are Age 50 Or Older?

    21-40 years of age is the current limit.  If you are over 40, give us a call.  Sometimes we can place you. It just takes longer.

    What are the mandatory documents I need to apply?

    • Original degree or letter of completion from university or college. 
    • Sealed transcripts
    • Passport
    • Government-issued criminal background check
    • Letters of reference
    • TESOL or TEFL certification if you are certified
    • Resume and cover letter

    What are the hours I will be teaching?

    Working hours: 30 – 40 hours per week, averaging 22~30 hours of in-class instruction.
     
    – Overtime (if applicable) is paid out at $20/hr. +

    What do I do about my student loans?

    Many of the teach abroad programs GeoVisions operates pay more than enough to take care of your student loans. Some pay enough to live comfortably, but depending on your monthly loan payment, it could be close.

    GeoVisions will work with you to provide official documents from your school and GeoVisions. However, ultimately, it's going to come down to the loan provider to make the final determination.

    Many participants end up putting their loans on forbearance if their salary doesn't leave them enough funds to cover their loans.

    The teach abroad programs that pay the most and where teachers have consistently been able to stay current on student loans are in Taiwan, South Korea and in some instances, China.

    Gallery

    Here are a handful of photos to give you a sense of this program.

    You can also find more photos, stories, and video through our Facebook Page, Instagram and YouTube channels and our Blog.

    As you view more photos and video, consider the program benefits. A second home with new friends, becoming more independent and confident, improving your Korean since you're now living like a local and helping your community and students realize their goals of speaking English. Add an international reference to your resume which helps with future job applications because of your experience teaching English in a community in South Korea and you're ahead of the game.

    What Our Teachers Say (Click to see all reviews on GoAbroad.com)

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    Moving to South Korea is a complete culture immersion, everyday is a new adventure. I have gone to Busan, Daegu, and Gyeongin. My goal is to explore as much of South Korea and nearby countries as possible.

    Kelly, August 17, 2016

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    I have been in Korea for several months now and the experience has been amazing. I am really loving it. GeoVisions was extremely helpful and their local team, especially Cid, helped me get all settled in. My apartment is great. I have already made many friends with some fellow teachers and have had a chance to explore but the weather is still quite cold. My overall experience with GeoVisions was excellent and I would highly recommend people to go the route of a local partner. I was so nervous and didn't know what to expect but they were very patient in walking me through the process.

    C. Miller, July 30, 2014

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    I always thought that I needed to already know the Korean language in order to apply to teach in Korea. Thank goodness to this program for making me more confident and prepared for the journey ahead!They have prepared me by letting me participate in their TESOL and Korean Cultural Foundation course. These courses breakdown the country of your destination into simple science --learning the culture, language, teaching methods, and faux pas to better navigate the different social circles you will encounter.I am teaching in South Korea now, and the constant check-ups I receive from Jodi at GeoVisions makes me feel like she is genuinely looking out for me. I highly recommend the program.

    Lasalle, July 30, 2014

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    When I first was considering teaching abroad I was actually thinking about going to Thailand but the more Jodi at GeoVisions told me about Korea and what it has to offer, the more hooked I became. The process took a long time but whenever I had any questions or concerns, I got a quick response from GeoVisions.I took the online TESOL through their partner XploreAsia and it really helped to prepare me. My trainer, George, was great and I met other teachers on the course and we still keep in touch.I arrived about six months ago and I teach at a Hogwan in Busan. It is about as far away from Seoul as you can go but I don’t mind. I like that it is a much smaller city and the country side around the city is so beautiful. The great thing about South Korea is that everything is pretty compact so it only takes about two hours on the high speed train to get to Seoul.I definitely recommend going through an agent like GeoVisions because they were helpful in the interview and preparation. They also helped me prepare for my trip and their partner on the ground picked me up at the airport and helped me settle in to my new apartment and town. They also have a party for their teachers every few months. I haven't been able to attend one yet but I will one of these days.

    Adrian W., July 30, 2014

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    After completing my Bachelor of Arts degree in April 2012, I decided to pursue the idea of teaching English as a foreign language in South Korea. In July that year I submitted my resume alongside the application form to GeoVisions to go teach in South Korea. Shortly afterwards I was contacted by their partner in South Korea, XploreAsia. For those who are interested in teaching in South Korea be aware that the application process is arduous. However, the team at GeoVisions and XploreAsia are encouraging and helpful. I am grateful to them for their support.I was posted at Hongwan High School, which is located in Buyeo County in the Chungnam Province. It is a technical high school mainly comprising male students, so I often feet overwhelmed. Whenever I feet down I re-read an email that my agent sent me before coming to South Korea, which explained that living and working in a quaint town is more rewarding than living in a cosmopolitan city like Seoul and that the challenges I have faced with only make my experience more meaningful and memorable.Although teaching low-level students was a challenge, there were moments when the students surprise me. Teaching is an enlightening experience and living in a rural area is peaceful and I have been exposed to the essence of Korean life.

    Mark J., July 30, 2014

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    I think the most memorable experience was my first time doing karaoke with my Korean friends and co-workers. I really wanted to travel and go to Asia because I have heard so many wonderful things. Korea was my ultimate pick because the salaries are good and I love Korean food.My accommodations were excellent. Nice, clean and password key-less lock. It is a little small but accommodations are so expensive in Seoul.

    Colleen, April 2, 2014