Shifting to a new place or making a home in Korea can be an adventurous experience. The journey to understand a new culture, adapt to the new environment, make new friends and learn how to execute a new job is worth it. To leave your home and settle in a place unknown is a tough task in one's life. But from this you can have some understanding of what being a foreigner and a minority is like in another country.

Previously settling, living and working within the communities of Korea made the new-comers stand out a little. Today with the change in lifestyle, people migrating to a new place are more accepted. Now there are many foreign English teachers and other professions living in Korea who are given much attention and are not left out.


Cost of Living in Korea

Economic benefit seems to be one of the reasons for moving to Korea and adopting the job of English teaching. With a reasonable salary and very low expenses you can save enough in this country. The cost of food is relatively cheap, particularly local Korean food either to cook at home or even local Korean restaurants.  Other services like communication facilities such as international calling, Internet and telephone are affordable.  Public transportation like city buses, city subways, inter city trains, and even city taxis run at a decent rate of cost. Driving your own car is not advisable due to high traffic levels and is one expense you can live without. Income tax is very low, 3-5%. Apartments for most schools are provided rent free to the ESL teacher. Sometimes an extra monthly housing allowance is provided. You also enjoy the benefit of the provided Airfare to and from Korea. Division pay equal to one month salary is given at the end of a year contract as well as a lump sum pension of similar amount. But it is important for you to check with the school if it’s involved with pension contributions.


Teaching English in Korea

Teaching English in Korea can be a rewarding experience due to its popularity in recent years. You help them learn a second language and you also grow in your career, make new friends and practice the new culture. The people around will be eager to meet you and know about you. Also, teaching English in Korea can be a challenge and hard work but also fairly laid back as far as jobs go.


To teach English in Korea, you must secure a University Bachelor's degree. This degree can be in any discipline, to teach ESL however an education degree is preferred. To be eligible for an E2 Visa, you must be a native English speaker and hold a valid passport from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom or USA. So before you apply for a teaching job, please make sure you meet the criteria above.


A teacher who is active, easy going, genuine and has the willing to learn about all that is involved with job is preferred in a country like Korea. It is not a requirement to be a great teacher but respect and professional is certainly expected from a teacher. You don’t have to speak Korean. But teachers must be effective communicators, well spoken and fluent in English especially in the classroom. If you are passionate about teaching, open minded and looking for an experience of a lifetime, this may be the opportunity you have been waiting for.


Training and a well laid curriculum to follow will be provided to you by the school.  Some schools will expect you to do weekly lesson plans, write reports and mark papers which means a few extra hours a week. As a teacher you will have to prepare some materials to teach, however most schools will provide a complete guideline for the teacher to follow.

The Status of Teachers in Korea

Students give respect to the teachers in Korea. However, it is important for teachers to exhibit the personal qualities and behavior that help to maintain that respect. A foreign teacher who acted disrespectfully would be regarded and may land into serious trouble by the Korean immigration authorities. In other words, you should always act in a respectful manner and with prudence. As a foreigner in Korea, you maybe watched by everyone. All would want to know what you are doing, where you are going, etc. Always remember that Korean society is much more traditional in many ways than North American society; so try to be responsive to cultural norms and expectations.

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