South Korea: Tips for Teaching English
SOUTH KOREA | Wednesday, 16 September 2009 | Views [809] | Comments [2]
![Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [Kai Hendry].](http://aphs.worldnomads.com/workandholiday/7093/koreatefl.jpg)
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [Kai Hendry].
Melissa Barry, i-to-i’s work and holiday expert shares
her top tips for Teaching English in South Korea.
Immerse yourself in the South Korean culture
If you’re
looking for an amazing experience, you should consider teaching English in
South Korea! Not only do you get to live alongside the locals, eating what they
eat, doing what they do, and having a whole lot of fun… but you get paid to do
it!
If been
thrown neck deep into another culture intrigues you, then teaching English could
be the ultimate travel adventure for you…
Teaching
English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in South Korea
Once a pawn between bigger
and stronger Asian and Western superpowers, South Korea has laid its volatile
past to rest and is on the rise, having developed from being one of Asia's
poorest countries to one of its richest.
The country’s economic success
is matched by its cultural richness, and nowhere is this more evident than in
Seoul. Amongst the skyscrapers and hotels, centuries-old palaces and shrines
remain intact and there’s a sense of history that goes back to the Joseon
Dynasty of the 14th century. Added to all this is its lively social scene and
breadth of shopping opportunities.
With a myriad of beaches,
mountains, lakes and tropical islands within South Korea’s borders, life and
excitement exist far beyond the capital. The cherry on top is that doable
distances and good transport links make it easy to experience this fascinating
country’s delights.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer to all you TEFLers out
there:
Demand for English teachers
There is a
huge demand for native English speakers in Korea, and while some schools prefer
certain accents (e.g. North American & British), if you look English and
speak it well you’re chances of finding work are very high.
Where are the teaching positions?
The
majority of work for TEFL teachers is currently available in the regions of
Seoul & Busan. However, there are opportunities to teach English in many
other areas, but you will need to work a bit harder to find them.
What kind of teaching work is there?
There is a
wide range of teaching work available in South Korea, ranging from one on one
tutoring to teaching large classes. Here’s a list of what you can expect to
find:
- Private English language
institutes (hagwans): General English,
- Business English University
academic departments: General English, English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
- Government & private
research institutes: General English, ESP
- Corporate in-house language
programs: General English, Business English
- State & private
kindergartens: English for Younger Learners
Accommodation
Most employers
offer accommodation at no cost for TEFL teachers, however as property prices
are high in the big cities you can’t expect to be in the lap of luxury!
Flight reimbursement
Many
employers offer a generous payment towards your flights upon completion of your
contract to encourage you to stay for the full term. This can be up to US$1250
so it pays to take this into account with any contract negotiations.
How much can you earn?
As an
English teacher in South Korea, your salary will be among the best for your
profession anywhere in the world. While pay is proportionate to your
qualifications and experience, as a general rule of thumb, someone with a
degree and at least 100 hours of TEFL training should be able to earn in excess
of $1700 per month.
How much will I be taxed?
Taxes are
very low in South Korea with only 4-5% taken out monthly, which your employer
will take care of. So you get to keep most of the money you make!
Cost of living
Generally
low, but it’s slowly on the rise as the economy strengthens. You can expect
about 20% – 30% of your salary to go towards the cost of living.
Is there potential to save money?
A lot of
people come to Korea to save money, and while this is achievable it totally
depends on your spending habits! Most teachers are well paid and the cost of
living is low in comparison, so how much you save is up to you! While working,
you can easily transfer some of your salary into your bank account at home if
that helps!
How much TEFL training is
recommended?
As the
demand for English teachers is very high, there are teaching opportunities available
for degree holders that don’t have any TEFL qualifications at all. However you
can dramatically increase your chances of getting the more sort after jobs and earning
significantly more by completing TEFL training. You can do this with i-to-i before you head off or even while
you’re on the road with one of their internationally recognised and accredited online
TEFL courses.
What kind of teaching conditions
can I expect?
About 30
hours of teaching during the week, over 5 days. Lessons start later in the day
compared to most western schools. Saturday lessons are rare but well paid.
Classes in hagwans can be overcrowded, but the students tend to be serious
about their studies and expect good quality teaching.
What you need to be aware of
You can avoid scams and
faulty contracts by checking how long a recruitment agency or hagwan has been
in business. If you choose to go through an agency, it’s best to use a
well-known one that ensures good wages, accommodation, and in-country support.
The wages for private tutors are very high, which can tempt those without
visas. But Koreans are rewarded for reporting any illegal activity, so don’t
risk being deported for the sake of some extra money.
Want to know more?
You can get your TEFL credentials or find a work placement through i-to-i’s work and holiday website.
Have any tips for teaching English in South Korea? Share your experience or leave us a comment...
Tags: south korea, teaching, working holiday, english, work abroad, i-to-i, tesl, tefl
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