South Korea is one of the most popular countries in Asia in which to teach English. At any given time, there are upwards of 12,000 foreign teachers in schools and universities around the country.
So, if you’re thinking of joining them, you need to look at the options for placements. There are a few to choose from:
Hagwons
Hagwons are private education academies, providing after-school, kindergarten and adult education opportunities. Most teaching takes place in the late afternoons, evenings and at weekends. Salaries range from between 1.9 to 2.3 million won a month, depending on your experience, qualifications and the owner of the Hagwon. They are usually located in an office building, and will have anywhere from 50 to 500 students. You can expect to teach between 4-6 classes a day.
Public Schools
All teachers at public schools are government employees and receive salaries according to an official pay scale. Depending on your qualifications, experience and the location of the school, you can earn anywhere between 1.5 and 3 million won per month. Many schools offer overtime pay as well. Because so much of the demand for English teaching jobs in Korea is in the public sector, jobs tend to go to those with the best and most relevant degrees and qualifications.
Universities
Foreign teachers looking for English teaching jobs in Korea place very high value on jobs at universities. They are hard to come by, but offer the best combination of working conditions, salary and leave. University teachers have much shorter working hours than their colleagues at schools, and they receive up to four months’ vacation per year. Salaries usually range between 2.3 and 3.5 million won, but can be substantially higher for teachers with a lot of experience.
International Schools
Students at these schools are usually foreign children who move frequently due to the contract or ex-pat nature of their parents’ jobs. Most classes are taught in English, and the pay ranges from 1.8 to 2.8 million won.
Private Tutoring
If you are working in Korea on an E-2 visa, any kind of private tutoring is illegal. If the authorities catch you, your visa will be revoked and you will have to go home.
ESL Job Link places qualified teachers in reputable schools in South Korea. Visit www.esljoblink.com to see how we can help you find the teaching job that matches your qualifications.
