Question 1

How much do ESL teachers earn in South Korea?

Accepted Answer

Salaries vary by program. EPIK public school teachers earn KRW 1,800,000–2,650,000 per month depending on education level and experience. GEPIK (Gyeonggi Province) positions are comparable. Hagwon salaries range from KRW 2,100,000–3,200,000, with Seoul and Busan paying the most. All standard contracts include a free furnished apartment, national health insurance, and a severance bonus of one month's salary after completing a full year.

Question 2

What is EPIK and when should I apply?

Accepted Answer

EPIK (English Program in Korea) is the South Korean government's initiative placing foreign teachers in public elementary, middle, and high schools. There are two intake periods: March start (apply September–October) and September start (apply February–March). Competition is high — apply early and prepare a strong interview. GEPIK and SMOE run parallel programmes with similar timelines.

Question 3

What is the E-2 visa and what documents do I need?

Accepted Answer

The E-2 is South Korea's work visa for foreign English teachers, restricted to passport holders from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa. Required documents include: apostilled bachelor's degree, apostilled criminal background check (FBI for US applicants), health certificate, passport photos, and a signed employment contract. Your school or programme submits the visa application. Allow 4–8 weeks for apostille processing.

Question 4

What is a hagwon and what are the working conditions like?

Accepted Answer

Hagwons are South Korea's private after-school academies and the largest private employer of foreign English teachers. Working hours are typically 2pm–9pm or 3pm–10pm, Monday to Friday. Most contracts are 12 months with a free furnished apartment and one month's severance after completion. Hagwon quality varies widely — research employers on ESLGorilla, Dave's ESL Cafe, and Glassdoor before signing.

Question 5

What is the difference between EPIK and hagwon teaching?

Accepted Answer

EPIK places teachers in public schools with stable 8am–4pm hours, school holidays, and government-backed benefits. Hagwons are private academies with higher pay potential (KRW 2.1–3.2M vs 1.8–2.65M for EPIK) but evening hours and less vacation. EPIK offers structured support for first-time teachers; experienced teachers often prefer hagwons for the earning potential. Both include free furnished housing and severance pay.

Question 6

Do Korean schools hire non-native English speakers?

Accepted Answer

EPIK and most hagwons require the E-2 visa, restricted to seven designated countries. This means non-native speakers from other countries are generally ineligible for standard positions. However, some international schools, universities, and corporate training centres hire non-native English speakers with strong credentials through alternative visa categories. Each ESLGorilla listing shows the speaker eligibility requirements.

Question 7

Are housing and flights included in Korean ESL contracts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Free furnished housing is standard in virtually all reputable contracts — public schools, EPIK, and most hagwons. Many contracts also include a one-way or round-trip flight reimbursement (typically KRW 1,000,000–1,500,000 or a direct booking). After completing a 12-month contract you receive a severance payment equal to one month's salary plus pension reimbursement.

Question 8

What qualifications do I need to teach English in South Korea?

Accepted Answer

The core requirements are a bachelor's degree in any field and a passport from one of the seven E-2 eligible countries. A 120-hour TEFL or CELTA certificate is strongly preferred and required for EPIK. An apostilled degree and apostilled criminal background check are mandatory for the visa application. No Korean language skills are required for classroom teaching.

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