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Kang & Kriel Recruitment
Everything you need to know about teaching English as a foreign language in South Korea, from qualifications to daily life.
To teach English in South Korea, you need a bachelor's degree (any field), a TEFL/TESOL certificate (120+ hours recommended), a clean criminal background check, and citizenship from an approved English-speaking country. Most teachers earn 2.3-2.8 million KRW/month with free housing provided.
You need a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in any field, a TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours, and a clean national-level criminal background check apostilled for international use. Citizenship from an approved English-speaking country (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, or South Africa) is also required.
South Korea requires all native English teachers to hold at minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. While any major is accepted, degrees in Education, English, or Linguistics may give you an advantage. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate of at least 120 hours is strongly recommended by most employers. Some positions require a CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) or equivalent Cambridge qualification.
Four main school types hire ESL teachers in Korea: hagwons (private language academies), public schools through government programs like EPIK (English Program in Korea) and GEPIK (Gyeonggi English Program in Korea), international schools following Western curricula, and universities. Each offers different schedules, pay, and teaching environments.
The four main employer types each offer different experiences. Hagwons are private language academies with flexible schedules but longer hours. Public school programs like EPIK offer structured schedules and government benefits. GEPIK operates specifically in Gyeonggi Province surrounding Seoul. International schools typically require teaching licenses and offer higher salaries. Universities provide the most autonomy but require advanced degrees.
ESL teachers in Korea earn 2.3-2.8 million KRW per month (roughly $1,700-$2,100 USD) at hagwons and 2.0-3.0 million KRW at public schools. Most positions include free furnished housing, round-trip airfare, health insurance, pension contributions, and a completion bonus equal to one month of salary.
Compensation packages typically include a monthly salary, rent-free furnished apartment (or housing allowance of 400,000-600,000 KRW), round-trip airfare, pension contributions, health insurance, and a completion bonus equal to one month's salary. International schools and universities often pay 3.0-5.0+ million KRW/month.
Complete your bachelor's degree and earn a TEFL/TESOL certificate (120+ hours recommended).
Duration: VariesObtain an apostilled (internationally authenticated) degree, criminal background check, and transcripts. Prepare a professional resume and recent photo.
Duration: 2-4 weeksCreate a profile on ESL365 for AI-matched job recommendations, or apply directly to EPIK, GEPIK, or individual schools.
Duration: 1-4 weeksComplete video interviews, review contracts carefully, and accept an offer that matches your goals.
Duration: 1-2 weeksYour school provides visa sponsorship documents. Apply for an E-2 visa (the standard work visa for foreign English teachers in Korea) at your nearest Korean consulate.
Duration: 2-4 weeksFly to Korea, complete orientation, set up banking, get your Residence Card (formerly ARC), and start teaching.
Duration: 1-2 weeksSenior ESL Consultant & TESOL Trainer
8+ years of experience
No, Korean language ability is not required for ESL teaching positions. However, learning basic Korean will significantly improve your daily life and may give you an advantage in interviews.
While some positions may not require it, having a TEFL/TESOL certificate greatly increases your job options and salary potential. It's strongly recommended and required by most reputable employers.
Standard contracts are 12 months. Some positions offer 6-month contracts, and renewals are common. Breaking a contract early can affect your visa status and future employment opportunities.
Sarah Chen. (2026, February 10). ESL Teaching in Korea: The Complete Guide. ESL365. https://esl365.com /knowledge-hub/teaching-in-korea