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Kang & Kriel Recruitment
Navigate Korean workplace culture as a foreign ESL teacher — understanding hierarchy, office etiquette, the co-teacher dynamic, hweshik (work dinners), and common friction points between Western and Korean work expectations.
Korean workplace culture is hierarchical and relationship-driven. Age and seniority determine how you address colleagues and how decisions are made. As a foreign teacher, you are expected to show respect for hierarchy while contributing your expertise in English education. Understanding the co-teacher dynamic, participating in staff events, and being punctual and professionally dressed builds the trust that makes your daily work life smoother.
Korean schools operate on a strict hierarchy based on age and position. The principal (교장) and vice-principal (교감) hold authority that is rarely questioned publicly. Among teachers, seniority by years of service determines the pecking order. As a foreign teacher, you exist somewhat outside this hierarchy but are expected to show respect through formal language, bowing, and deference to senior colleagues.
Address senior colleagues by their title and surname (김선생님, "Kim Teacher"). Avoid using first names unless explicitly invited to. When receiving or giving objects (especially to seniors), use both hands. In meetings, do not interrupt senior staff or openly disagree with decisions in front of the group. If you have a concern, raise it privately with your co-teacher first. This is not about suppressing your voice — it is about choosing the right channel for communication, which is a skill Korean professionals also navigate.
Your co-teacher (the Korean English teacher you work alongside in class) is your most important professional relationship in Korea. A good co-teacher partnership makes your job enjoyable and effective. Invest time in building this relationship — share lesson planning, ask for their input on Korean student needs, and respect their expertise in managing Korean classroom dynamics.
The co-teacher model means you are not teaching alone. In public schools (EPIK), the co-teacher typically handles classroom management and Korean explanation while you lead the English conversation and activities. In hagwons, the dynamic varies — some give foreign teachers full classroom control. Effective co-teaching requires clear role division, regular planning meetings (even 10 minutes before class), and mutual respect. If communication issues arise, address them early and directly but privately. Many co-teachers are eager to practice English and appreciate a patient, collaborative partner.
Arrive before your contract start time. Greet every colleague you pass in the hallway with a slight bow and "안녕하세요" (hello). Dress professionally — Korean schools expect conservative business casual even if your contract does not specify a dress code. Eat lunch with your colleagues in the cafeteria rather than alone at your desk. These small habits build goodwill faster than any teaching skill.
Korean schools may have desk time (자리지키기) where teachers are expected to be at their desk during non-teaching hours even without classes to teach. Use this time for lesson planning, grading, or professional development. Do not leave the school building during work hours without informing the office. When heating or air conditioning is turned on or off follows a school-wide schedule — personal heaters or fans may not be welcome. Keep your desk tidy. Bring office snacks occasionally to share — this is a common bonding practice in Korean offices.
Hweshik is a Korean tradition of staff dinners and team outings, usually involving food and drinks after work hours. Attendance is socially expected but not legally required. As a foreign teacher, attending at least occasionally shows respect for Korean team culture. You do not need to drink alcohol — politely declining is accepted, especially once colleagues know your preferences.
Hweshik typically follows this pattern: dinner at a Korean BBQ or other restaurant, followed by optional drinks at a bar or noraebang (karaoke room). When drinking with seniors, pour for them with two hands and turn your head slightly away when drinking yourself. These are gestures of respect, not rigid rules — Koreans appreciate the effort even if your execution is imperfect. If you do not drink alcohol, say "저는 안 마셔요" (I do not drink) and no one will pressure you further. The real purpose of hweshik is team bonding, not alcohol consumption. Showing up and participating in conversation matters more than what is in your glass.
The most common friction points for foreign teachers are: last-minute schedule changes, being asked to do tasks outside your contract (judging English contests, editing documents, performing at school events), communication gaps with non-English-speaking staff, and different expectations around sick days and time off. Address each issue with patience, clear communication, and awareness that the Korean system has its own internal logic.
Schedule changes are common in Korean schools — events, holidays, and exam periods reshape the weekly schedule frequently. Flexibility is valued. If asked to do non-contract work occasionally, gracious participation builds enormous goodwill. However, if extra work becomes a pattern, discuss it calmly with your co-teacher or supervisor. For sick days, Korean workplace culture expects people to push through minor illness. Calling in sick for anything less than a serious condition may be viewed negatively. When you are genuinely sick, inform your school early in the morning and offer to provide lesson plans for the substitute. Understanding these cultural expectations does not mean you must abandon your own boundaries — it means you can communicate across them more effectively.
The strongest professional relationships in Korean schools are built through consistency, reliability, and genuine interest in Korean culture. Learn basic Korean greetings and food vocabulary. Attend school events even when you are not required to. Remember colleagues birthdays and Korean holidays. Teachers who invest in relationships consistently report higher job satisfaction and smoother contract renewals.
Korean colleagues may take time to warm up to foreign teachers. Initial reserved behavior is not unfriendliness — it is a cultural norm around new relationships. Consistent friendly behavior over weeks and months builds trust. Bringing small gifts from your home country, sharing food, and showing interest in Korean traditions (like participating in Chuseok or Lunar New Year celebrations at school) accelerates relationship building. Many foreign teachers report that their Korean colleagues become lifelong friends after the initial adjustment period.
Memorize: 안녕하세요 (hello), 감사합니다 (thank you), 수고하셨습니다 (good work, said when leaving the office), and 잘 먹겠습니다 (said before eating).
Duration: 1 hourWatch how Korean colleagues interact, when they arrive and leave, how they address each other, and what the lunch routine looks like. Follow their example.
Duration: First weekSchedule a planning meeting with your co-teacher. Ask about their teaching preferences, student challenges, and how they want to divide classroom responsibilities.
Duration: First 2 weeksAccept the first staff dinner invitation. Observe the pouring and drinking etiquette. Participate in conversation and show genuine interest in your colleagues.
Duration: First monthIf non-contract work becomes excessive, discuss it privately with your co-teacher or supervisor. Frame it as a question, not a complaint.
Duration: OngoingSenior ESL Consultant & TESOL Trainer
8+ years of experience
Many schools expect teachers to be at their desk during contracted work hours, even during non-teaching periods. This is called desk-warming (자리지키기). Use this time for lesson planning, creating materials, or professional development. It is a common complaint among foreign teachers but is standard Korean workplace practice.
Do occasional extra tasks graciously — this builds goodwill. If it becomes a pattern, say: "I am happy to help with this, but could we discuss my schedule? I want to make sure my teaching preparation time is not affected." Frame it as concern for teaching quality, not personal inconvenience.
Business casual is the standard: collared shirts, slacks or modest skirts, and closed-toe shoes. Avoid jeans, shorts, sleeveless tops, and overly casual clothing. Korean teachers dress conservatively. When in doubt, dress more formally than you think necessary. Some schools are more relaxed, especially hagwons, but start formal and adjust.
Address issues privately and calmly. Never criticize your co-teacher in front of students or other staff. Use "I" statements: "I noticed that..." rather than "You always..." If direct conversation does not resolve the issue, speak with your school coordinator or EPIK representative. Most co-teacher conflicts stem from communication gaps, not personality clashes.
Public schools provide free lunch in the school cafeteria for all staff. Hagwons typically do not provide meals. School lunches are Korean-style: rice, soup, several side dishes, and a main protein. The food is usually healthy and abundant. If you have dietary restrictions, you can bring your own lunch — just let the cafeteria staff know.
Sarah Chen. (2026, April 1). Korean Workplace Culture Guide for ESL Teachers. ESL365. https://esl365.com /knowledge-hub/workplace-culture-guide