How To Teach English In South Korea? Is Teaching In Korea Worth It?

Since hundreds and thousands of people apply for the same job every year, the applicants are narrowed down based on how eligible they are.

Here are a few important points to remember before you apply for one :

1. You Must Be A Native English Speaker to Teach in Korea

It is a standard rule that you must be a native speaker of the language you want to teach. In this case, if you’re going to teach English in Korea, you must come from an English background and be a native speaker. If you are not a native speaker, nor do you come from an English family, you must at least have plenty of exposure and fluency in your language skills. While some organizations have a strict rule of hiring only native English speakers, others are slightly flexible.

2. Bachelor’s Degree Is Important to Teach English In South Korea

In order to teach English in South Korea, you must prove that you have enough knowledge of the English language and are familiar with its basic and professional concepts. For this, you must have a bachelor’s degree or diploma from an accredited, reputable institution. Having a degree improves your chances of getting the job since an educational background in a particular language is preferred. You may also make use of all the other English certifications or degrees you have earned in the past.

3. Your Criminal Record Should Be Clear 

South Korean English teaching jobs demand a clear national-level criminal record. Even the slightest dot of controversial behavior or criminal history can jeopardize your career in South Korea and lower your chances of getting the job. Hence, your criminal record must be clear of any serious charges and accusations. Your drug test and health test should also be clean.

4. Your Citizenship Is Important

You must be a citizen of New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, the UK, the US, or Canada to be eligible to teach in Korea. Indian citizens can also apply to specific organizations and institutes if they own an English teacher’s license. Certain certifications are also necessary based on the school you’re applying to. For example, most institutes require a CELTA, TESOL, or TEFL certification. If you belong to Quebec, you might have to prove that you have fluent skills in English by providing a diploma or a degree from an English-speaking university.

Is Teaching in Korea Worth It?

Teaching in Korea can be a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity for English professionals. Korean institutes always value an English teacher, pay them well, offer them perks and opportunities that most other countries fail to provide. Plus, there is a lot of fun and growth involved in these jobs. Because of this reason, finding South Korean English teaching jobs is always a popular recommendation. It does take a little bit of effort and quite some luck to find an opportunity there, but it is definitely worth it!