South Korea is home to the most talked-about K-pop (OMG!! BTS!!), K-drama (much love, Lee Min-ho!), K-beauty, and many more. The country, rich in its cultural heritage, recognizes English as the international language for commerce and industry and is willing to offer you high-paying jobs in South Korea.
Charming as the historical intrigue, enriched scenery, and absolute beauty of the Korean culture may be, the focus today is on teaching jobs in South Korea.
You love to teach, and you do it effectively. So, why have you not monetized it? Lack of knowledge, perhaps?
Let us give you a list of 15 high-paying teaching jobs in South Korea and how you can secure a spot in one of them.
How Do I Get A Teaching Job In South Korea?
If you are looking to get a teaching job in South Korea, here are a few steps to take:
#1. Call an Advisor and Begin Your Research
Get an ITA expert advisor to discuss the available options and ASK QUESTIONS!! Ask any and every question you think of.
You’d be leaving for an unfamiliar environment, and it’s expected to feel a bit nostalgic. So, if you already have an advisor, reach out to him/her and set up a time to talk.
#2. Enroll in a TEFL Class
The TEFL certification is one of the most recognized qualifications in South Korea and the world. The classes would provide me with the skillset and knowledge to teach English as a certified teacher.
Upon taking the International TEFL Academy TEFL class, they will provide you with teaching jobs in South Korea and other countries around the globe.
#3. Prepare for Your Job Search
Seek the guidance of your ITA Student Affairs guidance to prepare a good cover letter, resume, and other documents you may need to put together. Then, contact International TEFL Academy advisors to help you get in touch with recruiters in South Korea.
Private language schools, “Hogwans,” constantly recruit and hire English teachers year-round.
Public school applications are taken, and interviewing begins at the start of April for August/September start dates and on October 1 for February/March beginning dates.
Popular programs include EPIK (all of Korea except for metropolitan Seoul), GEPIK (suburban Seoul area), and SMOE (within the Seoul city limits).
SEE ALSO: 21 Best Teach Abroad Programs in 2023
#4. Interview & Apply for Positions
Do you know the good thing about the internet?! It makes things easier.
So, you can send in your applications and take your interviews for teaching positions in South Korea from home via Skype. You do not have to wait till you have the TEFL results down before you apply.
You can start as soon as you begin your classes and have some essential documents down and ready, including your national criminal background check.
#5. Sign A Contract, Make Travel & Visa Arrangements
As soon as you get a suitable job offer that meets your requirements, sign the contract, file the documents and visit the closest Korean Consulate to pick up your visa.
You will receive guidance from your recruiter and new employer to assist you with arranging necessary documents and flight arrangements.
#6. Begin your journey and make new memories!!
Eoseo osibsio! You’re wondering what it means. Welcome to South Korea!
SEE ALSO: 7 Top Universities in South Korea in 2023
How Do I Teach English In South Korea?
The most important thing to figure out is how to plan your lessons. Some public schools may provide you with textbooks, while others will expect you to come up with your lessons yourself.
These cases can be both daunting and beneficial. If you’re given a textbook, you can’t alter anything for the most part. Teach your lessons from the prescribed texts.
However, if you are asked to source for lessons yourself (as is mostly the case), don’t fret. There are excellent resources online to help with that case.
This website, Waygook.org, will come in handy. It’s a platform where every teacher in Korea uploads all their lesson plans. You can access materials from PowerPoints, worksheets, game templates, and ideas.
Teachers in South Korea understand the job can sometimes be demanding, so they try to stick together to help themselves. You can also work together, share ideas, ask, and receive answers from fellow teachers.
So, with all the knowledge you garner from this platform and many more, you can plan your lessons and teach the English language as effectively as possible. Remember, an organized teacher earns more.
RELATED POST: Teaching English in Korea in 2023: What are the requirements and Benefits?
How Much Do Teachers Make In South Korea?
The most important question on your mind, right?!
Like most teach-abroad jobs, the amount you make as an English teacher in South Korea will be dependent on several factors, including the city you teach in and the type of institution where you teach. The official currency in the country is the South Korean Won (KRW).
Teaching salaries in Korea are among the highest in the world, where teachers can earn between $20,400 and $52,800 per year ($1,350 – 4,400 per month). With these relatively high salaries, South Korea is an excellent destination for those who want to teach English, gain an immersive experience abroad, and build savings.
Though these salaries may change by the year, the exchange rate will likely remain in the same proportion. Also, other juicy benefits come together with the basic salary, like severance pay, paid vacations, housing, or flights.
Now, in South Korea, there are mainly five platforms on which you can teach – public schools, hagwons (private academies), universities and international schools, and private tutoring; and these are estimated ranges of salaries.
- Public school teachers’ salaries range from 1.5-3 million Won ($1,350-$2650) per month.
- The average teacher salary at a Korean Hagwon (private academy), ranges from 1.9-2.3 million won ($1,700-$2,050) per month.
- Universities in South Korea pay English teachers 2.3-3.5 million won ($2,050-$3,100) per month.
- International school teachers make between 1.8-2.8 million won ($1,600-$2,500) per month as English teachers.
15 High-Paying Teaching Jobs in South Korea
The following are possible ways to get teaching jobs in South Korea:
#1. Take a teaching job in South Korea with Geovisions
The students here may have challenges with their listening and speaking skills in the English language. If you are passionate about teaching the language to interested young adults, Geovisions is the best place for you.
With very flexible teaching hours and a good salary structure – $1800 – $3000, they unarguably offer some high-paying jobs in South Korea.
Besides the average of 22 hours of teaching per week, you also get 12 paid holidays and two weeks of vacation.
#2. A teaching job in South Korea with Travelbud
Travelbud offers free accommodation and flights, all-around support in the country, and the opportunity to teach in one of the most popular teach-abroad destinations.
So, if you want an English teaching job in South Korea but do not know places to stay, this program is at your service as it offers you several options. From the vibrant cities to the traditional rural towns, you get to choose just where you want to be.
Did I mention the pay is also good? Yes! This is another high-paying teaching job in South Korea with an average salary of approximately $2,300 per month.
#3. Teaching positions in Incheon from Teach Away for public school
Incheon, a city just a ride away from the capital Seoul, is home to most teachers. This city promises the chance to explore the islands and beaches.
So, if your dream teaching destination is a lively city with rich cultural sights, Incheon is for you. And yes! They also provide free housing, flights, and an average salary of approximately $2,360 per month. Sounds impressive, right?
#4. Take an English teaching job in South Korea (EPIK) with Greenheart Travel
Having worked with the South Korean ministry of education for over eight years, Greenheart has amassed a truckload of knowledge and will make available to you a personal program manager for as long as the process takes.
Clearly, with this teaching program, the job is much less, giving you time to connect with your students and your environment. With an average salary of approximately $1,600 per month, it is also a high-paying teaching job in South Korea.
Free housing, paid vacation, and comprehensive support is also more icing on the cake.
#5. XploreAsia Teach South Korea Program
This program offers an average salary of $1,600 – $2,300 per month and has rightfully gained its position as one of the high-paying jobs in South Korea. They teach not just the international TESOL course for you to teach abroad but also a complete orientation week as soon as you arrive.
This will help you deal with the cultural shock and adapt even faster to your new environment.
#6. Get an English teaching job in South Korea with CIEE
This program promises you support and comfort throughout your teaching abroad journey. And also a high-paying job in South Korea to cover your living expenses and vacations.
CIEE supports the city’s teaching experience and adds a touch to the people’s traditional culture.
The monthly average salary here is approximately $1,700 – $2,700.
#7. Get an English teaching job in South Korea with ITA
This program offers to help you secure a high-paying teaching job in South Korea with the International TEFL Academy. They give extensive tutoring to help you get your TEFL certification and offer you a teaching job in either public schools, hagwons, or as a language tutor in South Korea.
Don’t forget to explore your new environment and its people and get very well paid at about $15,000 per year.
#8. Teach in South Korea with Teaching Nomad
South Korea promises to offer you the best experiences there are. The city is a comprehensive package from the mountains and beaches for a vacation or picnic to the boisterous city life and the traditional culture.
The teaching nomad program gives you a chance to work with a variety of students and acquire as much experience.
It is a high-paying teaching job in South Korea that also offers health insurance, enrollment in the Korean pension plan, housing allowance, and more.
#9. Teach English in Korea with ESL Consulting-SeoulESL
ESL Consulting guides her applicants throughout the process to help them achieve their dream of working in South Korea.
They offer teaching jobs in Korean public schools or Private English schools all over the country with flexible working hours, paid vacations, and an impressive salary of 2.0+ million Won per month, depending on your teaching experience and qualification.
#10. Teach Abroad with an i-to-i TEFL Course
If you have had dreams of teaching English abroad, an i-to-i TEFL Course will help you achieve that in as little as eight weeks.
The program would help you garner the information and skills needed to teach English abroad. You would also learn all there is to know about grammar and vocabulary, building classroom confidence, lesson planning, and how to get a high-paying teaching TEFL job in South Korea.
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#11. Live and Teach in Korea
This is an opportunity for you to live and teach in South Korea. The myTEFL company promises to provide jobs in reputable schools and institutions.
The average salary is about 2M and 2.5M Won ($1,750-$2,200) per month, making it a spot as a high-paying teaching job in South Korea.
You also get some benefits from the program, like accommodation. So, you settle in comfortably and dive into an exciting life ahead.
#12. Teaching Positions in Korea and China with Appletree
To secure a position to teach in South Korea with Appletree, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and a clean nationwide background check. Appletree is your go-to guy.
They offer several vacancies in schools and language institutes to help you grow your experience. They pride themselves on providing and securing the best teaching contracts for their candidates.
They not only offer high-paying jobs in South Korea, they also provide accommodation, pension, health insurance, and paid vacations.
#13. Teach at Public Schools in South Korea with Korean Horizons
Korean horizons promise you a royal treatment if you apply through them. They will guide you through the entire application process, assistance with your interview, pick up from the airport, sponsored the first night, and meals. Plus, complete access to support throughout the entire contract.
You also get to stay in a rent-free studio apartment for as long as the contract lasts. And get a 2,600,000 Korean Won in-flight allowance.
Also, there is the seven weeks vacation and 15 national holidays to explore the undiscovered country and make memories.
#14. Teaching Positions in Seoul and Yongin
This opportunity is for citizens from Canada, the USA, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa only! The teaching program – Little Fox, offers full-time teaching positions and also provides support to its candidates.
They offer benefits like pension, insurance, paid vacation, and a wonderful experience in a country as culturally rich as South Korea.
READ ALSO: 7 Jobs Abroad for People Over 50 in 2023
#15. Teach English in Korea via Korvia – EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE/GOE
Don’t miss out on this opportunity if you inhabit one of the seven native English-speaking countries – USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
If you tick any boxes, you could submit your applications with Korvia for high-paying jobs in South Korea in public/private schools/international schools and others.
They offer vacations and the chance to build your passion for imparting to the young generations as an educator.
What Qualifications Are Required For High-Paying Teaching Jobs iIn South Korea?
High-paying teaching jobs in South Korea typically require the following qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field.
- A teaching certification such as TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA.
- A criminal background check and a clean bill of health.
- Teaching experience is preferred but not always required.
- Some jobs may also require a master’s degree in Education or a related field, and/or prior teaching experience.
- Fluency in English is a must for most of the high paying teaching jobs in South Korea.
It’s important to note that some of the international schools or universities might have their own qualifications and requirements, so it’s best to check with the employer directly.
It’s worth mentioning that having a native speaker status and being a citizen of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa can also increase your chances of getting hired.
FAQs On High-Paying Teaching Jobs In South Korea
High-paying teaching jobs in South Korea include positions at international schools, universities, and language institutes. These jobs typically pay higher salaries than jobs at public schools and hagwons (private academies).
High-paying teaching jobs in South Korea typically require a bachelor’s degree in any field, as well as a teaching certification such as a TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA. Some jobs may also require a master’s degree or prior teaching experience.
High-paying teaching jobs in South Korea typically offer benefits such as housing allowances, airfare reimbursement, and health insurance. Some jobs may also offer bonuses or paid vacation time.
The hiring process for high-paying teaching jobs in South Korea typically involves submitting a resume, completing an interview (in-person or via video call), and providing documentation such as a degree and teaching certification. Some employers may also require a background check or a demonstration lesson.
Bottom line
There are pretty amazing high-paying jobs in South Korea for you, and the requirements are not so hard to fulfill. If you are still wondering about the possibilities, try one, and watch how it turns into reality.
Make up your mind and put your teaching passion to good use in South Korea.
Haeng-un-eul bibnida! (Good luck!)
References
- goabroad.com – 7 Awesome High-Paying Teaching Jobs in South Korea
- gooverseas.com – What Salary Will You Earn Teaching Abroad In South Korea?
- drewbinsky.com – Ultimate Guide to Teaching English in Korea
- internationalteflacademy.com – How to Get a Job Teaching English in South Korea
