Teach English In South Korea

What are living expenses per day?

On a strict basic budget, 20 dollars a day, including food and local transport. Of course, this is dependent on factors such as how often a teacher eats local foods, goes out, entertainment choices. Food in Korea would be your biggest expense, the more local foods you eat, the cheaper it is. Personal spending habits can also affect this amount.

Is traveling around Korea easy?

It does depend on your location. Public transportation takes some getting used to depending on what part of the world you are coming from. Of course, living close to the subway line makes getting around a lot easier as it is in English. The bus and taxi system are relatively easy but it does help to be able to read Korean so you at least are able to read the bus stop signs. Naver Maps (the Google Maps of Korea) is your go-to and it is available in English too.

Is transportation provided from accommodation to work?

Transportation is not provided by schools. This will be for the teacher’s own expense and is relatively inexpensive. In most cases, teachers either live within walking distance from the school or a short bus ride/train ride away costing anything from USD 2 - USD 5 return per day.

How safe is it around there?

Extremely safe. Like anywhere else it is recommended that you remain alert; however, South Korea is a relatively safe place for both men and women to be alone. It has been ranked as one of the top 20 safest countries in the world and Seoul (the capital) has been ranked the 8th safest city in the world.

What are the age groups I will be teaching?

Mixed ages but mainly children. Anywhere from 4 - 18 years old. The age group depends on the school you end up in.

Working hours? And days per week?

Approximately 20 -30 teaching hours per week but 40 hour work weeks and 5 days a week. If you are required to work an extra day, that will be considered overtime. You will be required to lesson plan on the school’s property. Your shifts and time of days depending on the age group you are teaching as well as the type of school you end up in.

After the contract can you still travel in the country or do you need to be out?

Participants have 30 days after completing their contract to remain in South Korea. If they leave Korea during this period however their Visa will expire.

Can one renew a working contract and visa without leaving the country?

Yes, provided you do it while your working visa is still valid. Ideally, a month before it expires. If you are changing schools, it means your visa will change too as the visa is linked to your school. This means you are required to obtain certified copies of your paperwork from the immigration department (for private schools) or the office of education (for public schools). If you are just renewing with your existing school, then would renew your visa and no further paperwork is required.

How long is the working visa valid for?

Working visas are valid for a minimum of one year. You would need to renew your work permit on a year-by-year basis.

Language orientation? How will we understand Korean?

As part of your in-country orientation, you will have some Korean language lessons. We cover the basics of the Korean language like useful phrases, and the basic Hangul (the Korean alphabet) to get you started with being able to read the language. We strongly recommend that all participants try learning some Korean prior to coming over in order to make their day to day lives easier

Medical services and insurance?

NHI (National Health Insurance) is provided by your school a couple of weeks after you begin teaching. It takes some time to process the documents and you will be required to pass an in-country medical examination in order to apply for your ARC (alien registration card) which is your identity in Korea. Once you have your ARC then you are able to see a local doctor. We recommend you have travel insurance for the first two months of being in Korea (for in-class course participants) or the first month (for placement only participants)

What is phone and Internet connectivity like?

Really good, fast, and cheap and there are many places to assist you with this process.

Dress code for teaching?

Smart. Typically collar shirts and slacks for men and conservative dress/pants and blouse for women. Please review the packing list for more details.

How difficult is the TESOL course? Can one fail?

Yes, one can fail. If we see that an applicant is not doing well, we will spend more time with the applicant to make sure they pass. We have had people fail or be kicked off of the course, but that is typically caused by other things like drinking, fighting, etc, and not from lack of competence to complete the course successfully. However, a decent level of competence is necessary as a teacher will be required to do a demo lesson before finalizing their contract with the school.

Packing essentials? Sleeping bag, towels?

Clothing items: definitely bigger size clothing items especially if you are taller than average. Anything from 170cm. Pants and top sizes for both males and females, XL or bigger should probably be packed. They rarely can be found in the international store brands but they are not as easily available.

Makeup: If you are slightly tanned you probably want to bring your own shade of foundation. This isn’t available unless it’s an international makeup store and this can only be found in the capital, Seoul. Again, not a large selection will be available.

Underwear: For women who are fuller in the chest area or bigger than size large waist, we suggest bringing enough underwear as it will not be available in Korea.

Packing bath towels is necessary as most towels in Korea are very small, hand towel size. You can also purchase them at select stores.

Any serious laws they are very strict on?

The use of an illegal drug-like substance, drinking, and driving, defamation of character is strictly prohibited. If proven guilty, long-term jail time is often the result and of course, working permits will be revoked, followed by deportation.

What is the level of English and behavior of my students?

This will vary from student to student, however, there is typically beginner-intermediate knowledge of English throughout the country. You should expect to teach students of school-going age (though they will mostly be children). Korean students are generally well behaved, at least compared with children in the West.

What curriculum will they follow at school?

Your school will provide and train you on their specific curriculum. The schools have specific curriculums and curriculum support.

Do my colleagues speak English?

Sometimes. If you’re teaching in a public school, the chances are slimmer than your colleagues can speak English comfortably. Sometimes they can but they choose not to because of the shy culture and need for perfectionism.

What are the chances of schools deducting money from my salary?

This depends on the school and details will be stipulated in the contract. Some schools deduct USD250 per month for three months as a housing deposit and this will be paid back at the end of the contract minus the cleaning expenses, unpaid utility expenses, or damaged beyond general wear and tear.

Do you get paid overtime?

Yes, in most cases and this will be stipulated in their contract.

What are the chances of getting a salary increase?

Quite high for your second contract but your salary is typically fixed for your contract duration. But there might be opportunities for overtime work.

What are the chances of teaching English in neighboring countries?

Very good. We can arrange this for you if you complete your initial contract in South Korea and not be dismissed from your job post in Korea.

Are all paperwork and books supplied by the school?

Yes.

When are the school holidays?

As Language centers are open all year round if working at a language center teachers will not share the usual school holidays. Instead, participants may take vacation leave and take some public holidays which will be at the discretion of the school.

Can a participant choose part or full time?

No, all positions are full-time with 40 hour work weeks. Teaching hours per week, however, can range from 25-35.

Is religion a big issue?

Whilst a person's religion is not a problem, the wearing of religious clothing (headgear, etc) in the classroom is not commonly accepted and schools will ask teachers to remove it.

For the placement only option is an online or in-class TESOL/TEFL required

Both are accepted but an in-class TESOL is preferred. Certain public school programs require a minimum of 20-40 hours of in-class training.

Should I get shots before leaving my home country?

There are no major vaccinations required for South Korea at this time, however, we recommend that participants consult their doctor about any vaccinations that they may recommend for Korea. It is also a good idea to check the CDC website for updates.

Can I drink the water in Korea?

It is recommended that participants consume bottled water but the water in South Korea is completely fine for bathing, brushing one's teeth, etc.

What if you are unhappy in a job? Can you get a new one?

It depends on the circumstances. If the participant performs poorly or is fired for poor behavior, then we are not responsible for finding them a new position. But if the issue is beyond their control, we will first try and remedy the situation with guidance and training before we proceed to find them a new position.

What sort of power adapter do I need?

North America uses 110 volts while South Korea uses 220-volt outlets. Bring a converter/adapter so your electronics don’t get fried. The plug-in style has two round holes.

What are the seasons like?

There are four seasons in Korea with hot and humid summers and winters in which, depending on where on the island you live, you could see light to significant snowfall and freezing temperatures. Spring and fall are very beautiful times of year in Korea with spring bringing the cherry blossoms and fall in which the trees all change colors.

What is the typical time frame in which someone signs up for the program and can be in-country teaching?

The reasonable time frame from the time someone signs up to arriving in Korea is about 4 months. This is ideal and likely it would be closer to 4 - 6 months depending on how quickly applicants can get their documents together and if they have their bachelor's degree in hand and not waiting for graduation.

Preparation for lessons and what is that like?

Low preparation for lesson planning at some private language schools as most materials for the classroom are supplied and there is a structure that generally can’t be changed too much. Public school positions require more lesson planning.

Placements: Throughout Korea with opportunities in both large cities to smaller towns across the country. Placements are in private language centers or public schools. Moderate ability to meet placement preferences in private schools and minimal ability in public schools.

Wages: USD $1,600 to $1,900 per month for 40 hours per week, 23 - 30 of which are teaching contact time. The average wage for someone without teaching experience will be +/-$1,700.

Contracts: 12 months minimum.

TESOL Courses: Six courses in Incheon from January to November. They all include an incredible one-week in-country orientation.

Application Process: Lengthy Process (on average 4-6 months) but full support offered for the entire duration of the application process.

Our location: Yeongjong Island, Incheon, with offices, meeting rooms, and a large classroom for TESOL training. It is footsteps to accommodations, tons of food shops, loads of great outdoor activities, and numerous green spaces. It is also located right on the airport express subway line and is just 40 minutes away from downtown Seoul.

Teaching in South Korea is an amazing opportunity to explore an exotic and culturally rich country that is well developed and technologically advanced, yet still maintains many of its ancient customs and landscapes. Participants will teach throughout the country in a variety of different urban and smaller town environments in well-equipped private language schools or in public schools.

From innumerable rice fields and the massive mountain ranges to the metropolis cities and the ancient architecture and diverse cuisine, there is so much to see, do, and taste, in this wonderfully diverse country.

Compensation and Benefits

• Applicants will earn on average between 1.8 and 2.3 Million South Korean Won per month.
• All schools are legally required to pay 50% of your medical insurance.
• Applicants will be given rent-free semi-furnished (bed, refrigerator, aircon, and washing machine) accommodation and will be required to cover utility bills, maintenance costs, etc
• One-way airfare, at minimum, will be reimbursed to the applicant by the school.
• End of contract bonus (severance pay-out of roughly 1 month’s salary per 1 year worked.
• Appropriate training systems and lesson plan methods will be given to each applicant before work.

Airfare

Airfare (one way at minimum) is provided by your employer and will be reimbursed once you’re in the country, usually with your first paycheck or within 30-60 days of their contract start date. Some schools however only pay back flights at the end of the contract but this will be stipulated in the employment contract. This is subject to providing proof of purchase or pre-approval by the school before purchasing flights (applicable to online/placement only applicants). We will provide full support with your travel arrangements. It is important that we are fully aware of your travel plans so that we can coordinate with the airport pick-up service and school contact. We strongly advise that you don’t make any travel plans until after you have been offered a contract and received your visa.

For in-class TESOL participants, you must book a one-way, economy class ticket directly from your hometown/city/state to South Korea and book a flight of an average and fair price. If you are unsure whether the flight is too expensive, please send us your proposed itinerary so we can confirm whether it will be okay. Some schools do check on flights before reimbursing flights so it is important that the flight price is within reason as the school is the one that is paying for the ticket.

In-Country TESOL Course Budget

The following budget outlines an approximate budget for participants to follow. It outlines the 2 months before the first pay-check. Please be advised that applicants will be reimbursed for their flight to South Korea by their employer. In most cases, this will be within the first 60 days but it can also be at the end of their contract. This will be written into the employment contract.

The amounts below are an approximation and should be used as a guide only

For placement only and participants who have an existing accredited TESOL qualification, we hire all year round with the start date being determined by your school. If you are a qualified teacher with a teaching license, you would not need a TESOL qualification and would be considered a placement-only participant. We have fewer positions in December and January as it is the end of the semester and schools (public and private) are closing for a week or two during this period. They generally look at hiring thereafter.

Step 1: Application Screening

Before any documents are collected, the applicant must simply send us a copy of their (latest) resume with a photo, scan of their passport, introductory video, and 2x letters of reference for approval. Once this first step is complete and approval is granted, the next step is to put together a number of documents required by the South Korean government to process their application to teach. We will provide applicants with guidance in gathering the required documents.

Step 2: Visa Documentation Collection

Below is a list of documents that applicants will need to collect for the visa application process.

• Apostilled Copy of Bachelors Degree/Diploma
• Apostilled Criminal Background Check (More than 1 if applicable)
• Apostilled Birth Certificate (UK & AUS citizens only)
• 2x Ink Signed Letters of Reference
• 3x Individually Sealed Copies of University Transcripts (keep one copy with you and send 2 copies to Korea)
• E2 Health Form (filled out in ink and date left blank)
• 8x Passport Photos (send 4 to Korea and keep another 4 with you)
• Photocopy of your passport name page
• Cover Letter and Resume (with Picture)
• Application for Confirmation of Visa Issuance Form
• Apostilled Certificate of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Signed Employment Contract

Once the visa documents are all completed they need to be sent over to our offices in South Korea. We will send you the address of our Korean offices that all the applicant's visa documents (listed above) need to be sent to via courier. All courier costs of these documents will be the applicant's responsibility. We are not responsible for any loss of documentation. We strongly suggest applicants use a reliable courier company such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, or TNT.

Step 3: Schedule Interview(s)

Once the visa documents are received, the placement team will start scheduling Skype interviews with prospective schools. Should an interview be successful, we will send the applicant a contract on behalf of the school. If the applicant is unsuccessful then we will notify them of this and continue looking for alternative interviews with other schools. During this process, mock interviews will take place to better prepare participants for the Interviews.

Step 4: Contract Offer

Should an interview be successful, we will send you a contract on behalf of the school. A contract offer skype call will be requested and scheduled in order to take the applicant through any questions they might have regarding the contract and to discuss the finer details. Once the applicant is happy to proceed, the applicant needs to sign the employment contract and send back a copy to us via email. Once a contract is offered it is important that the applicant responds quickly as schools in Korea move fast with regards to hiring new teachers and may not be willing to wait for an extended period of time whilst an applicant makes the decision to accept the employment offer. Any position will only be confirmed on the signing of the employment contract by both parties. i.e. The school and the participants.

For Placement Only Teachers

Step 5: Visa

We will send you the visa confirmation number (VCN). You need to take this number to the South Korean embassy/consulate in your country and apply for your E2 working visa.

Step 6: Payment (if the program fee is not paid in full upfront

Final payment will be made once you have received placement confirmation. Placement confirmation is in the form of the signed school contract. You need to make full payment before receiving your visa confirmation number.

Step 7: Flights Booked

Once your visa has been finalized you can purchase your ticket. Before departure, we will provide you with a full final briefing with all arrival details and procedures. Upon arrival, the applicant will receive a prepaid SIM card and be taken to their accommodation. All flights to Korea must be approved by us before purchasing. This is to ensure the school approves the cost and the applicant will receive their full reimbursement.

The best estimate for arrival in-country and starting to teach is four to six months from initial program sign up. This time might be extended for several reasons such as not passing interviews or delays in collecting required documentation. We have had, on rare occasions, participants who have signed up three months before the departure mark and were able to be placed. However, there are many factors affecting this outcome and the biggest being that participants need to have all their visa documents completed around two months before departure (see section 2 above) ready to give them the best possible chance. Generally, on average, based on our experience, most applicants need four-six months from initial program sign up to departure.

For In-Class TESOL Teachers

Step 5: Visa

If placement is secured before the start of the course, and there is enough time for the participant to apply for their visa at home before departing, we will send the applicant their visa confirmation number (VCN). The applicant needs to take this number to the South Korean embassy/consulate in their country and apply for their E2 working visa. If there is not enough time or the participant's visa documents were not completed by the deadline, or placement was not secured prior to departure, the participant will need to complete a visa run after the TESOL course once they have placement secure.

Step 6: Payment

Payment needs to be made upfront at a predetermined time before the start of the course. Payment for in-country TESOL participants is not dependent on receiving a confirmed placement as this is guaranteed for all participants attending.

Step 7: Flights Booked

Flights can be purchased in advance (1-2 months before the course start date) of the TESOL course starting to ensure the best price. Please refer to flight purchase information in Section 5. Participants should plan to arrive between Friday and Sunday (lunchtime) prior to the course start date. If participants want to arrive earlier, any extra night's accommodation will be at their own expense. This will also affect their visa timeline so we strongly advise participants do not to plan to come to Korea earlier.

Bachelor’s Degree

The degree certificate must have the word ‘Bachelor’ written on the degree certificate. The degree has to be from a native English-speaking country and the candidate must be able to get it legalized. If candidates have a Master Degree qualification or higher, the Bachelor Degree will be the certification used to obtain a working visa and no equivalent will be accepted.

Criminal Background Check/Police Clearance Certificate

Participants need to get a background check from their home country from the appropriate authority, mentioned below. If they have lived outside their home country for 4+ consecutive months in another country they will need to provide a legalized (notarized and apostilled) police check from that country too. This is a relatively new policy implemented by certain Korean immigration offices and teachers’ visas will not be released until they see the additional background check in addition to the applicant's background check from their home country. The additional background checks are usually acquired in said country and would need to be notarized and apostilled in said country. E.g. If you have studied in Spain for longer than 4 months, you require a criminal background check from Spain which also needs to be notarized and apostilled in Spain. This can be difficult to do from a distance and using a channeling service is often required and costly. In some countries, the participants are required to be there in person to get the document legalized. If this applies to you please check with the South Korea team.

• USA - FBI Background check apostilled at the Federal Level by the Department of State in Washington
• UK - Either an ACRO or DBS check is accepted.
• South Africa - SAPS Police Clearance Certificate
• Ireland - An Garda Siochana - Police certificate
• Australia - National Police Certificate
• New Zealand - NZ Ministry of Justice - Criminal Records Unit
• Canada - Royal Canadian Mounted Police Check (RCMP)

Birth Certificate – For Citizens of the UK and Australia

Participants who are citizens of the UK and Australia need to provide a legalized copy of their birth certificate as part of their visa documents for name verification purposes.

Certificate of Citizenship

Candidates who are citizens of either the UK or Australia, but were born in a different country must get a copy of their certificate of naturalization/citizenship notarized and apostilled and this must be included along with their other visa documentation in place of the birth certificate.

Health

Applicants must be in good physical and mental health. In order to get a work permit, a health check is required once in-country. It consists of a chest x-ray, giving a blood and urine sample, an eye, ear exam, and a general check-up (blood pressure, color test, etc.). There is no list of unacceptable conditions but those that we have been informed of cannot be accepted are HIV, epilepsy, and mental health disorders where participants are taking daily medication. Any other health conditions will need to be handled on a case-by-case basis. We require candidates to disclose a history of mental health issues so we can provide support and ensure the candidate can cope with the rigors of working abroad.

TESOL / TEFL Certificates for Placement Only

Schools in Korea can be very particular about which TESOL courses they will and will not accept. TESOL / TEFL certificates must be at least 120-hours for one complete course and not multiple courses making up 120 hours. Both online/in-class course certifications will be accepted. These must be internationally accredited.

**We will need to see a copy of the TESOL / TEFL certificate and course breakdown in order to check whether the certificate will be accepted before taking a placement-only candidate.

Visa Process For In-country TESOL Participants

South Korea in-country TESOL Course Visa Process

Participants taking the TESOL course enter the country either on an E2 visa or on a tourist stamp if their visa was not secured prior to departure (in-country TESOL participants only). Those who have completed their visa documents in time and have signed a contract will be able to have their visa processed back in their home country but for those who have not, they will have to enter South Korea on a tourist stamp and complete a visa run upon the completion of their TESOL course. We offer full support and guidance to participants who need to do a visa run.

Visa Run

For in-country TESOL applicants who were unable to secure an E2 visa before departure from their home country, they will need to complete a visa run upon completion of the course. We will fully guide teachers on how to complete the visa trip. This situation would occur if the participant was unable to complete the required visa documentation in time or if the placement was unable to be secured far enough in advance of the course (roughly 4-5 weeks before departure). Popular destinations for the visa trip are Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, or Vietnam. The visa trip usually lasts for 3-5 business days depending on the destination. The cost of the visa trip is fully funded by the participant (see Section 10.1 for an estimate of a visa run trip) so it is essential to expedite all documents as soon as possible in order to avoid a visa run trip. Note that those who are entering South Korea on a tourist stamp for the TESOL course, they often need to show proof of onward travel in order to enter the country. We recommend purchasing an onward itinerary from www.bestonwardticket.com or http://www.onwardflights.com/. The cost is approximately USD 12 and can only be purchased within 24 hours before the participant's departure to South Korea. Alternatively, they can buy a flexible ticket that allows for changes or cancellations with minimal or no penalties.

Visa Process For Placement Only Participants

Placement Only Visa Process

Placement Only participants are those who already have an approved TESOL/TEFL certification or who are taking the online TESOL course. If a candidate is timely with their documents, we will start the placement process while they are still in their home country. By doing this, the correct visa paperwork can be arranged with the school in advance and they will receive their E2 teaching visa prior to departure. Once they have been offered a job, we will organize the visa paperwork for an E2 working visa. This visa is typically for 13 months and can be extended should the teacher sign another contract with the same school or another school.

Applying for a E2 Visa before departure

Participants will need to apply for their visa ahead of their departure and must enter South Korea on the correct E2 teacher's visa. The first step of the visa process is handled by the participants' school. The applicant’s visa documents that have been sent over to South Korea will be sent to their new employer who will go out and apply for their VCN (Visa Confirmation Number). This process can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Once the VCN is released by the Korean Immigration Office we will send it to the applicant as well as instructions and the application forms needed to go out to the Korean embassy/consulate closest to them in order to apply for the visa. This second step to the process can take anywhere from 3-10 business days to process, not including holidays. Once the visa is processed and placed into their passport they are ready to depart for South Korea (final travel arrangements between the school and applicant will be made by us). No flights should be purchased until the teacher's visa is in hand and the flight itinerary has been confirmed by the school.

*The best estimate for arrival in-country and starting to teach is four to six months from initial program sign up. This time might be extended for several reasons such as not passing interviews or delays in collecting required documentation. We have had, on rare occasions, participants who have signed up at the three months before departure mark and were able to be placed. However, there are many factors affecting this outcome and the biggest being that participants need to have all their visa documents completed around two months before departure (see section 2 above) ready to give them the best possible chance. Generally, on average, based on our experience, most applicants need four-six months from initial program sign up to departure.

Intake dates: (Applications should begin 6 months in advance.)

In the table below, the Intake Date is for teachers who are taking the in-class TESOL. For teachers who are placement only, you need to arrive a week before the Contract Start Date below.

Types of Schools in South Korea

There are two main types of schools that we place people within Korea: Public Schools and Private Language Centers. Language centers operate throughout the year. The public school year runs from March to January. The peak hiring time is in spring and fall for public schools and year-round for private schools. Public school placements are possible outside of this time period but chances and options are reduced.

Private Language Centers - “Hagwons

Private language centers are where students go to learn English either as a supplement to their public school education or as a replacement for their public school education. As a result, language center teachers are from 09h00 until 22h00. The shift you will work depends on the age group you are teaching. Generally, kindergarten and elementary teachers primarily work from 09h00 until 18h00. Elementary and middle school teachers usually start around 13h00 until 22h00.

Language centers typically offer high-tech facilities and have lots of resources for teaching and lesson planning. They offer a well-supported working environment to new teachers. Most language centers we work with are large companies with many different branches all over South Korea. Some of the key points of language center teaching are:

• Class sizes tend to be around 8-15 students per class
• Teachers have access to internal systems where they can share lesson plans
• Minimal lesson planning is required
• There are many books and resources to help plan for classes
• Classrooms are well equipped
• Around 30-35 teaching hours per week
• Teaching in the afternoons and evenings
• There is generally more than 1 native English teacher at each school

Public Schools

Public schools are where students go for their day-to-day schooling. Teachers who work in public schools typically teach at 2 – 3 different public schools (depending on the province) during the week to fill up their schedules. Public school teaching is Monday to Friday during the day from around 08.30 to 16.30. Public schools tend to have larger class sizes and teachers have more responsibility in preparing and creating lesson plans and materials but teachers are able to reach a wider demographic of students. Public school key points include:

• Working hours are typically in mornings and afternoons, from Monday to Friday  
• There are usually around 20-30 students per class at the public schools
• There is a South Korean teaching assistant in the class
• More lesson planning is required
• Around 22-24 teaching hours per week
• There is a strong possibility that you will be the only foreign teacher at your school
• Will likely be required to teach at more than 1 school each week

There are 2 main public school programs that we work with. They are EPIK and GOE. These programs are essentially the same in terms of everything mentioned above except for the following two things:

• EPIK only has 2 intakes per year. Spring (March) and Fall (September). GOE has intakes every month except August.
• EPIK does placements across the entire country and GOE only does placements in the Gyeongsangnam-do province

Teachers wanting to apply for EPIK cannot apply for the in-class TESOL course and have to do the online TESOL/Placement only option due to the timeline in processing their visa. We also strongly advise against in-class TESOL participants from applying for the GOE program for the same reason but for some, it would be possible if they are happy to wait after the course.

Teachers will most likely be teaching either solely at a language center or at a public school. Mixed contracts are occasionally offered. It may also be the case that teachers will be required to work in both school settings as part of their contract but very rarely the case.

Most teacher apartments in Korea are one-room or studio-type apartments and can be rather small by western standards. Bathrooms in Korea are also Asian-style wet-bathrooms and the shower, sink and toilet will likely not be separated. Expect your showerhead to be above the sink. This is completely normal.

Apartments are semi-furnished and provided free to teachers. However, teachers are responsible for monthly electricity, water, and internet costs as well as monthly maintenance. Some items such as cutlery, crockery, bedding, towels, curtains, etc may not be supplied but all the large basic items such as a bed, washing machine, A/C unit, the refrigerator will be included.

The internet in South Korea is one of the fastest in the world and quite cheap. Internet and cable generally cost about $35 US Dollars a month. Utilities can cost around $40 -$150 US Dollars a month, depending on the month and season, which will cover electricity, gas, water, and maintenance fees.

The South Korean cultural orientation is an initiative designed to help Placement Only ESL teachers who will be teaching in South Korea adapt to the social norms and new environment allowing them to integrate smoothly into Korean society. The program consists of various activities excursions that hope to orientate and inform new teachers. It takes place twice a year in the capital of Seoul, during spring and fall each year, and is spread over 3 consecutive weekends each season. We invite all the placement-only participants who have been placed to attend these weekends.

Highlight activities are:
• Korean Language Classes
• Jongmyo Shrine
• Hanbok Cafe and Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour
• Traditional Tea Tasting
• Korean Cooking Class
• Taekwondo Class

The importance of gaining an understanding of language, history, and culture is imperative to making a success of teaching in South Korea. This is because many of the issues that one will face when teaching in a foreign country vastly different from their own will be rooted in cultural differences and the language barrier.

The course delves into the heart of South Korean culture and values that were first introduced in the online classes before you arrived in the country. When our teachers are in the country, active-learning cultural excursions to various sites will build their cultural and historical knowledge. The in-country excursions are punctuated by in-class language lessons, designed to establish a basic Korean language understanding in participants and ultimately help them to make a relatively seamless transition into life in South Korea.

Included

Below is what is included in the cultural orientation, from online classes through to in-country excursions and language training:
• Entrance fees for the activities during cultural excursions
• Accommodation for the Saturday night of your cultural orientation weekends (x 3 consecutive weekends)
• Two sessions of in-class Korean language lessons
• Korean cooking class.

Excluded

Below is a list of things that will not be included in the orientation program for
online/placement only applicants:
• Transport to and from Seoul for the orientation weekends
• Food during cultural excursions and language training
• Accommodation outside of the Saturdays during the orientation weekends
• Transportation costs to activities (but we will take the train so it is relatively inexpensive

Important Items to Remember

• Passport and other important original documents (bring copies as well)
• ATM/Debit/Credit Cards. Be sure to tell your bank to let them know you will use your card in South Korea
• USD/Pound/Euro to exchange to Won (South African participants, please DO NOT bring Rand)
• List of emergency contacts
• Any daily medication (bring copies of prescriptions), Contacts/Glasses
• Laptop and Chargers

*Note

• The amount of clothing listed is based on someone doing laundry every 5-7 days.
• Local stores typically sell clothing in small sizes, so it may be hard to find bigger clothes sizes.
• Comfortable clothes go a long way when teaching all day (you will be very active in the classroom, so make sure you can reach, bend and move around freely in work clothes).
• South Korean culture is modest, so it is important to remember that when packing clothes.
• Many schools and workplaces require you to take off your “outside” shoes and wear “inside” shoes when at work. These can be bought extremely cheaply everywhere in Korea.
• It’s important to pack wisely because Korea has four distinct seasons of weather, which is different from most of Asia. The summer is hot and humid. The fall can be warm during the day and cool in the evenings with unpredictable rain (~September to ~end November). Winters are cold, snowy and dry (December to end February). Spring is warm (March to end May).
• Please note that while in the classroom for the TESOL certification, applicants will be required to cover their chest and shoulders. Out of respect for our Korean staff and community please also refrain from wearing leggings. And please no tank-tops!

Sizes in South Korea

The sizes in South Korea run very small. Westerners often have difficulty finding XL and above. These larger sizes can be especially challenging to find in small towns, they are most present in big shopping malls in cities and are sold at a higher cost than the average clothes stores (H&M, Zara, Forever 21). Large shoe size can also be difficult to find for cheap. Women size US8/ EUR 30, and Men size US 9/ EUR 42 are advised to bring shoes from home.

Other Apparel To Remember

Sandals, boots, casual shoes, sweatshirt, hat, rain jacket or poncho, sunglasses, summer accessories.

Toiletries Needs

Larger cities and towns in South Korea will have most toiletries that you will need. A few things hard to find in South Korea include:
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen/lotions. Most sunscreen & lotion in South Korea has a whitening agent for your skin)
• Toothpaste (SK brands don’t normally have fluoride in them)
• Full size Bath Towels – Bring 2! (In South Korea they usually use hand towels)
• Elastic/fitted bed sheets (These may be more difficult to find)
• Feminine Hygiene products – sanitary pads are widely available in South Korea, however, some tampon brands can only be found in major cities. (If you prefer, bring extra toiletries as familiar name brands and sizes can be difficult to find and/ or more expensive)

Electronics

North America uses 110 volts while South Korea uses 220-volt outlets. Bring a converter/adapter so your electronics don’t get fried. The plug-in style has two round holes.

Gifts for the School

Bringing some local food products from your home country for your colleagues makes a great first impression and starts the conversation about different cultures. This is completely optional. School supplies – children’s books, magazines, stickers, etc.

Avoid Over Packing

You should be able to find most items or extra clothing in major cities. It is much easier and less stressful to travel with a manageable amount of luggage through the airports and taxis. Our advice – don’t over-pack!

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.