How to Teach English in Korea
Earn ₩2.1M–₩2.8M/month base (more with allowances), with provided housing, paid vacation, and national health insurance.Korviahas placed 10,000+ teachers since 2006 — EPIK's exclusive recruiting partner since 2008.
₩2.1–2.8M
EPIK Base Salary
Provided
Housing
26 Days
EPIK Vacation
10,000+
Teachers Placed
Quick Answer
How do you teach English in Korea?
Why Teach English in Korea?
South Korea offers one of the best ESL teaching packages in Asia — competitive salary, free housing, and a high quality of life.
Competitive Salary
EPIK base pay runs ₩2.1M–₩2.8M/month (approx. $1,600–$2,150 USD) across the pay scale, reaching ₩3.0M+ with allowances and bonuses. Hagwon pay varies.
Provided Housing
Most programs provide housing — a rent-free apartment, or a housing allowance (≈₩400,000/month for EPIK). Utilities are the teacher's responsibility.
26 EPIK Vacation Days
EPIK teachers get 26 working days of paid vacation per year plus Korean national holidays. Other Offices of Education set their own (per your contract).
Health Insurance
National health insurance with 50% employer contribution. Covers hospital visits, dental, and prescriptions.
Low Cost of Living
With free housing, teachers typically save $800–$1,200/month. Korea is affordable once rent is removed from the equation.
Rich Culture & Travel
From Seoul's nightlife to Jeju's beaches, Korea is a gateway to exploring Asia. Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia are short flights away.
Cost of Living & How Much You Save
Because housing is provided free, most of your salary is disposable. Typical monthly costs for a single teacher (approximate):
| Expense | Typical / month |
|---|---|
| Rent | ₩0 (provided) or ~₩400K allowance |
| Groceries & eating out | ₩400,000–600,000 |
| Transport | ₩60,000–100,000 |
| Utilities | ₩100,000–150,000 |
| Phone plan | ₩30,000–60,000 |
With rent removed, a public-school teacher typically saves roughly ₩1.0–1.5 million (about $800–$1,200) per month — before income tax (~3–4%) and the employee share of pension and health insurance (~10% combined). After you successfully complete your contract you also receive approximately one month's salary as severance (Korean Labor Standards Act). A National Pension lump-sum refund on departure is available to teachers from the US, Canada, and Australia (and UK nationals via a reciprocity rule), but not to citizens of Ireland, New Zealand, or South Africa — confirm your status with the National Pension Service (nps.or.kr). This is general guidance, not financial advice.
What's Covered vs What You Budget For
Korvia's recruiting service is free. To plan honestly, here's what your program provides and what you pay for yourself before you start.
Provided by your program / Korvia
- Free recruiting support, document review, interview coaching & arrival help — Korvia charges teachers nothing
- Housing (a rent-free apartment) or a housing allowance
- National health insurance with a 50% employer contribution
- Paid vacation plus Korean national holidays
- Settlement / entry allowances and end-of-contract severance
Your costs to budget for
- Visa application fee (paid at the Korean consulate)
- National criminal background check and its apostille
- Document translation or notarization where required
- Your initial flight to Korea (a settlement allowance helps offset it)
- Living costs for the first few weeks before your first paycheck
Korvia never charges teachers. Your out-of-pocket costs vary by country and document — your recruiter helps you plan and minimize them. This is general guidance; confirm current visa fees with your Korean consulate.
Teaching Programs in Korea
Compare public school programs and private academies. Read: EPIK vs Hagwon — Full Comparison →
| Program | Monthly Salary | Hours | Vacation | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPIK Public schools nationwide — Korvia is the exclusive recruiting partner | ₩2.1M–₩2.8M≈$1,600–2,150 | ~8:30–4:30 | 26 days | Exclusive Partner | Details → |
| SMOE Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education — Teach in Seoul | ₩2.2M–₩2.8M≈$1,700–2,150 | ~8:30–4:30 | Per contract | Seoul | Details → |
| GEPIK Gyeonggi Province — Schools near Seoul | ₩2.1M–₩2.5M≈$1,600–1,900 | ~8:30–4:30 | Per contract | Gyeonggi | Details → |
| GOE Gyeongnam Office of Education | ₩2.0M–₩2.7M≈$1,500–2,050 | ~8:30–4:30 | Per contract | Gyeongnam | Details → |
| Private Academies Hagwons, kindergartens, and international schools | ₩2.1M–₩3.5M≈$1,600–2,650 | afternoon–evening | ~10–11 days | Private | Details → |
EPIK
Exclusive PartnerPublic schools nationwide — Korvia is the exclusive recruiting partner
SMOE
SeoulSeoul Metropolitan Office of Education — Teach in Seoul
GEPIK
GyeonggiGyeonggi Province — Schools near Seoul
GOE
GyeongnamGyeongnam Office of Education
Private Academies
PrivateHagwons, kindergartens, and international schools
Salaries are EPIK pay-scale base figures (per epik.go.kr); ₩3.0M+ is achievable with allowances and bonuses. Higher base for a master's degree, teaching license, or extra TEFL hours. USD is approximate. Hours and vacation are typical and set by each school or Office of Education — 26 working days is the EPIK figure.
Requirements to Teach in Korea
Most programs share the same basic requirements. No teaching experience needed.
Nationality
Citizens of English-speaking countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, South Africa)
Education
Bachelor's degree (any field)
TEFL
100+ hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (or education degree)
Background Check
National-level criminal background check (apostilled)
Health Check
Medical exam (completed upon arrival in Korea)
Experience
Not required — first-time teachers welcome
Can you teach English in Korea without a degree?
No. Korea's E-2 teaching visa requires a completed bachelor's degree, and there is no standard non-degree route. An education-related degree can substitute for the TEFL certificate, but it cannot replace the degree itself. If you don't hold a degree yet, that's the first step.
No teaching experience? That's fine.
Most teachers placed by Korvia are first-timers. Programs provide orientation and training, and public schools pair you with a Korean co-teacher. A TEFL course (and Korvia's coaching) gets you ready for the classroom.
Age limit & Korean language
Public-school programs tend to prefer younger applicants (Korea's statutory retirement age is 62), and hagwons are more flexible. There is no official published age cap — confirm current expectations with your recruiter. You do not need to speak Korean to teach: classes are English-immersion, and your co-teacher helps with school communication.
How to Apply
From application to arrival — Korvia guides you every step.
Apply Through Korvia
Day 1Submit your application online. A dedicated recruiter is assigned to you.
Interview Preparation
Week 1–2Your recruiter reviews your documents, essay, and preps you for the interview.
EPIK Interview
Week 3–6Video interview with EPIK. Korvia coaches you before and debriefs after.
Placement & Documents
Week 6–12Receive your school placement. Prepare visa documents with Korvia's guidance.
Arrive in Korea
Week 12–16Korvia assists with flights, airport pickup, orientation, and settling in.
What Teaching in Korea Is Really Like
In a public school you teach alongside a Korean co-teacher, usually around 22 teaching hours a week, with the rest of your contracted hours spent on lesson planning at your desk. Class sizes and grade levels vary by school. During school vacation periods you may have lighter duties or “desk-warming” days, plus your 26 paid vacation days to travel. Hagwon schedules run afternoons into the evening and follow a year-round calendar. Wherever you're placed, Korvia's on-the-ground team and 10,000+ alumni network are there if you need help settling in.
EPIK Intake Timeline
Spring Intake
EPIK applications open: August 1 (prior year)
Contract starts: around March · rolling review
View Spring Details →Fall Intake
EPIK applications open: February 1 (same year)
Contract starts: around September · rolling review
View Fall Details →Teach English in Korea — FAQ
What qualifications do you need to teach English in Korea?
You need a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, citizenship of one of seven countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa), a 100+ hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (or an education-related degree), and a clean, apostilled national criminal background check. These are the requirements for Korea's E-2 teaching visa, set by Korean immigration (hikorea.go.kr) and the EPIK office (epik.go.kr).
Can you teach English in Korea without a degree?
No. Korea's E-2 teaching visa requires a bachelor's degree, and there is no standard non-degree route. An education-related degree can substitute for the TEFL certificate requirement, but it cannot replace the degree itself. If you don't yet hold a degree, that is the first step before applying.
Which 7 countries can teach English in Korea?
Korea's E-2 teaching visa is open to citizens of seven countries where English is the primary language: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Your bachelor's degree should be from an institution in one of these countries (some English-taught degrees may also qualify — confirm your case with your recruiter).
How much do English teachers make in Korea?
EPIK base pay runs ₩2.1–2.8 million per month (about $1,600–$2,150 USD) across the pay scale, reaching ₩3.0M+ with allowances and bonuses, plus provided housing — with higher base pay for a master's degree, teaching license, or extra TEFL hours. Hagwons vary, roughly ₩2.1–3.5 million. With housing provided, most teachers save around ₩1.0–1.5 million per month before income tax and deductions.
Do you need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Korea?
Most teaching jobs require a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate of at least 100 hours — the official minimum recognized by the EPIK office (epik.go.kr). Many recruiters and schools prefer 120 hours. Applicants with an education-related university degree may qualify without a separate TEFL certificate.
Is there an age limit to teach English in Korea?
Public-school programs tend to prefer younger applicants (Korea's statutory retirement age is 62), while private academies (hagwons) are more flexible. There is no official published age cap, and no minimum beyond holding a completed bachelor's degree. Confirm current expectations with your recruiter.
How long does it take to start teaching in Korea?
From application to arrival usually takes about 4–6 months (roughly 12–16 weeks). EPIK applications open August 1 (for the following Spring, contracts starting around March) and February 1 (for that Fall, contracts starting around September), and are reviewed on a rolling, first-come basis — apply early. Hagwons hire year-round.
How much does it cost to apply through Korvia?
Nothing. Korvia has been an official EPIK recruiting partner since 2008 and is paid by partner programs and schools, not by applicants. Recruiter coaching, document review, interview prep, visa guidance, and on-arrival support are all free for teachers.
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Ready to Teach English in Korea?
Apply today through Korvia — Korea's leading ESL recruitment agency and EPIK's exclusive partner since 2008. It's completely free.