I am often grilled about teaching in Korea by both new-comers and yet-to-comers.  Top question is always a variant of

"How much could I make as a teacher in Korea?";  "How many hours a day will I work?";  "Where will I live?; etc.

Since I've already jumped the gun by giving a brief summary in the Blog Comments, I'll focus on basic working conditions, working/teaching hours, benefits, etc. are different depending on if you work for "The Man" or for a hagwon or private institute.   Like anything, terms can vary depending on your experience, education, position and location:

Contract Term

The E-2 Teaching visa allows you to stay in Korea only one year, so schools typically sign just one year contracts.  (The visa can be renewed each year).

Working hours

Most schools require you to work 120 hours per month, including both classroom and non-classroom hours.   Classes run around 40 - 50 minutes, with public schools requiring 4-5 classes per day and hagwons 6.   But beware, in many contracts you'll see reference to:  "The Work Hours of Employee shall follow the normal work schedule of civil servants of the Korean Government; however, such Work Hours may be adjusted by the school principal as he/she deems appropriate as necessary."

Aside from teaching, you will be expected to prepare materials and lesson plans for your classes, as well as write monthly student evaluations.  You may also have to attend mandatory weekly Teachers' meetings.

Housing

The employer will pay rent for you to live in a single, studio apartment with basic household furnishings provided, such as a bed, cooking utensils, washing machine, TV and a small frige.  You will have to pay monthly utilities.  The studio is usually located within 10 to 30 minutes walk from the school.    Get an idea of what's out there here.

Airfare

You'll be given a one-way ticket from any international airport to Korea.  Upon completion of the contract, the employer will provide you with a return ticket back to the original point of departure.

Holiday & Vacation

At a hagwon, expect around 10-20 days off.  The school can determine how many days you can combine together for a break.  Public schools provide 10-20 days + an addtional 12-14 days of National Holidays.

Materials & Curriculum

Your school will provide you with textbooks appropriate to the student's age and English level.  Most cover conversation, grammar, reading comp and pronunciation.  You will usually teach the material as presented in the Teacher's Manual for that textbook.

Parting Thoughts/Shots

If you are coming to Korea for the 1st time to teach, know this:  everything is negotiable.  I've got personal experience in this area, which took me a while to gather.  You are a unique talent and your labor is in demand, so negotiate (in a pleasant, but firm manner--its your future employer, after all) for those terms that will make you a happy Expat over the course of that first year.  If you are going to resent your school later if they don't let you take 5 vacation days at once, then don't agree to less than 5 days, no matter how tempting everything else is.  If your recruiter tells you one thing, and your school tells you something else--it's your school that is going to sign the contract in the end.  Not the recruiter.  Sit down, figure out exactly what you want out of teaching in Korea, and get it in the employment contract.  But be prepare--you've got to earn those benefits every day you are in the classroom!

Happy Teaching,

TomK

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