Want to know more about the options for educators in South Korea? Let’s break down the different types of educational jobs available for foreigners in Korea, and how to apply.
Education Jobs in South Korea
A variety of educational jobs exist in South Korea for ESL/EFL educators. For example, positions exist in EFL/ESL education, international schools, and universities. However, the number of jobs available continues to decrease and salaries stagnate as South Korea’s childbirth rates decrease.
Additionally, as South Korea becomes an increasingly popular place for ex-pats to stay long-term, the competition for jobs continues to increase. With job turnover rates decreasing it may feel difficult to break into the South Korean job market.
However, job opportunities across South Korea still exist for dedicated educators interested in entry-level jobs. Educators simply may find more competition and may need to settle for an area of Korea that might not be their first choice.
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Types of Educational Employment for International Residents in South Korea
Language Education Jobs
South Korean public schools hire EFL/ESL educators from:
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States
Such educators work alongside a Korean Co-Teacher as Communicative Language Teachers who focus on speaking and conversation. The program supports the Korean National Curriculum developed around Communicative Language Teaching.
VISA TYPE: E2
ESL CERTIFICATE: Required
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: Not Required
South Korean hagwons (private academies) hire EFL/ESL educators from:
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States
Hagwon educators may teach students from Kindergarten to adult depending on the focus of the business model. Additionally, some focus on morning classes while others may offer classes in the evenings or on weekends.
VISA TYPE: E2
ESL CERTIFICATE: Not Required
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: Not Required
Universities across South Korea hire foreign language professors for a variety of languages. However, the most common language remains English. Universities often require Language Professors to have a Master’s degree or higher. Language Professors teach classes and keep office hours. Such jobs remain in high demand as competition increases and the number of available positions decreases.
VISA TYPE: E2 and E1
ESL CERTIFICATE: Not Required
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: Not Required
General Education or Subject Focused Jobs
Universities across South Korea hire subject-specific professors for a variety of majors. Universities often require Language Professors to have a Master’s degree or higher. Language Professors teach classes and keep office hours. Such jobs remain in high demand as competition increases and the number of available positions decreases.
VISA TYPE: E1
ESL CERTIFICATE: Not Required
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: Not Required
Click to learn more about International Schools in South Korea
VISA TYPE: Varies
ESL CERTIFICATE: Not Required
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: Required
Click below to connect to the DODEA website
VISA TYPE: SOFA (US Government)
ESL CERTIFICATE: Not Required
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: US Teaching Certificate Required
Businesses such as Samsung and Hyundai have in-house English training. Additionally, adult hagwons offer English for business and corporate environments. Such jobs usually exist in larger metropolitan areas such as Seoul, Buson, or Daegu. Such jobs can be found on job boards such as:
VISA TYPE: Various
ESL CERTIFICATE: Varies by employer
TEACHING CERTIFICATE: Not Required
Federally Organized and Funded EFL Teacher Programs
South Korea offers both federally funded and locally funded EFL/ESL job opportunities. Such opportunities usually fall under the E2 Visa available to EFL/ESL educators from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, and the USA.
Federally Funded Programs
- Position: Professional Teaching Position
- Grade Level: Elementary / Middle / High Schools
- Location: Metropolitan and Provincial Areas
- Teaching Type (Hours): Regular Curriculum (22 teaching hours per week)
- Eligibility: Minimum Requirement: B.A. Degree
- Must be a citizen of one of the following countries:
Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa,
U.K, U.S.A.
- Position: Educational Scholarship
- Grade Level: Elementary School
- Location: Rural Areas ONLY
- Teaching Type (Hours): After-School Classes (15 teaching hours per week)
- Eligibility: Completed Associate’s Degree or enrolled in a
Bachelor’s Degree Program(3rd year or higher) - Must be a citizen of one of the following countries:
Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa,
U.K, U.S.A.
Regionally or Locally Funded Programs
EPIK and TaLK exist as the two most accessible programs for teaching in Korean public schools but other programs also exist. The following tabs show three different examples of regionally funded public school teacher recruitment.
Private/Public schools exist in different parts of Korea. Such schools may receive funding from the local city government to hire a foreign English Teacher. In Gyeonggi-do, such schools continue to use a GEPIK contract.s
The administrative district of Cheonan hires some ESL/EFL teachers through a program managed by a local Nazarene University. Such jobs may or may not be found on public job forums.
Soonchunhyang University and Sunmoon University hire many foreign EFL/ESL teachers for Asan public schools. They usually post these positions on the standard public job boards.
Searching for Jobs in South Korea
A few different job hunting solutions exist. You may want to try a few different solutions in order to maximize your chances of finding a job:
- Search job listings on websites
- Signup with a recruiter
- Join Facebook groups for the area you wish to move
- Join Facebook groups for job hunting in South Korea
- Search the jobs sites of schools
- Search DODEA jobs board
Websites for Sourcing Jobs in South Korea
Founded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences.
