Teach English in Korea

Easy Steps to Teach Abroad:

Note: While most of these tips/steps are Korea-specific, they can be applied to most other teach abroad positions/agencies.

• Do some research and find an agency (easier than going through the country’s government yourself). I found Footprints Recruiting online and they made the application process easy and simple.

• Register & start the application process (through the agency).

• Get TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)/TESL/TESOL certified! (This is generally required or at least favored in all countries.) I used the program, iTTT, which Footprints recommended. This was a 120 hour online class for $250. There are 20 Units that take around 4-6 hours each. You send in a worksheet to your “online tutor” and they make the appropriate corrections and then send you your next unit. Plus side: No tests!

• Start your paperwork early. This part can be a bit tedious. Be prepared to spend a good chunk of money (around $250) on getting your degree notarized, getting fingerprints done to get a criminal background check, filing for a tax exemption, getting an “apostille” on everything and more. Details about everything below (see Step 3).

• After getting the majority of this done, you can send your application to your agency, who will then apply to individual city public/private schools on your behalf. If you’re applying in Korea, the majority of applicants will be offered a position, as there is a huge demand for English teachers here!

Why South Korea?

• Good starting salary – around $2000 a month for teachers with the minimum experience requirement (Bachelor’s in anything + TEFL certification)

• They pay for airfare (to and from Korea), your accommodation (usually a 1 bedroom/studio apartment) and 50% of your health insurance.

• Good hub to travel around Asia – Korea is right next to Japan and China and flights to SE Asia aren’t too shabby either.

• Korea is relatively cheap

• No taxes for up to two years!

• While other countries might seem more appealing to some, almost all of them won’t offer both airfare and housing, let alone health insurance.

• Overall, Korea is a good place to go to save money or pay off those horrid student loans. Traveling the world, making money and being able to teach others sounds like the perfect way to furthermore avoid the Big Kid World 😉

For the Entire Detailed Process:

• Step One: Research
• Step Two: Beginning the Application Process
• Step Three: Submitting the Application
  • Information on the cost of all paperwork needed, getting documents notarized, getting apostilles, TEFL course, and the application
• Step Four: The Final Steps
  • Information on getting your visa, booking the flight, packing, and a list of all paperwork needed
• Advice for Future English Teachers

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