SEC — Seongdong Global Experience Center
성동글로벌체험센터. Seoul's first American homestay simulation program — four immersive English centers in Seongdong-gu since 2013. Live and teach in the heart of Seoul.
₩3.0M
Base Starting Salary
₩3.4M
Max (Renewal)
₩600K
Housing Allowance
Seoul
Seongdong-gu
20 Days
Paid Vacation
4 Centers
Across District
What Is the Seongdong Global Experience Center?
The Seongdong Global Experience Center (SEC) was established in 2013 as Seoul's first American homestay simulation program. Operated by Seongdong-gu District Office, it consists of four centers — Yongdap, Geumho, Seongsu, and Majang — providing local students with immersive English learning through real-life scenarios. Selected as a Seoul Innovation Education District in 2017, SEC aims to reduce private education costs while fostering global talent. The program serves elementary students (grades 3-6) with hands-on cultural and English experiences.
Four Centers Across Seongdong
Yongdap Global Experience Center
용답 글로벌 체험센터
Opened: Feb 2013
Staff: 2 native teachers + 1 admin
Rooms: 2 cultural experience rooms + open activity space
Size: 255㎡ (B1-2F)
Geumho Global Experience Center
금호 글로벌 체험센터
Opened: Jul 2017
Staff: 2 native teachers + 1 admin
Rooms: 2 experience rooms + open kitchen
Size: 101㎡
Seongsu Global Experience Center
성수 글로벌 체험센터
Opened: Apr 2019
Staff: 2 native teachers + 1 specialist
Rooms: Space Room (theater + LED) + Earth Room
Size: 144㎡
Majang Global Experience Center
마장 글로벌 체험센터
Opened: Apr 2023
Staff: 1 native teacher + 1 admin
Rooms: Compact experience space
Size: 29㎡
Inside the Global Experience Centers
Photos taken by Korvia on a visit to the centers.
What You'll Teach
SEC runs a variety of English programs across all four centers. Here's what students experience.
1-Day English Experience
Grade 3"Hello, World" themed program — students explore global festivals through games, crafts, and interactive activities. ~1,000 students per year at Yongdap.
2-Day English Experience
Grade 4Intensive 2-day programs at Geumho ("World Explorer" theme) and Seongsu ("Discovery & Exploration" — ocean and space science). ~1,000+ students per year.
English Camps
Grades 1–6Summer and winter vacation camps (3-4 sessions/week). Themed around animals, cartoons, science, and seasonal topics. 10-15 students per group.
Short-Term Programs
Grades 1–6Creative fusion programs combining English with art, science, and other subjects. Builds global mindset through cross-curricular activities.
Global Meetings
High SchoolStudents present on Korean and foreign cultures in English, exchange perspectives, and practice public speaking with native teachers.
Cultural Events
All AgesEaster, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Children's Day festivals. Students experience foreign holidays with native English teachers.
Infant Programs
Ages 6-7Play-based English programs for preschoolers during peak language development. 10 children per session at Geumho center.
One-Day Experience Events
Grades 1–6Light, fun activities designed to break down barriers to English. Short-term motivation boost for ongoing language learning.
Salary & Benefits
SEC teachers start on a base salary of ₩3,000,000 a month, which can rise on renewal to a maximum of ₩3,400,000. Terms are from the SEC employment contract (2026 second-half edition); the signed contract is the final reference.
Monthly Salary
₩3.0M
Starting
₩3.4M
Max (Renewal)
On renewal the salary may rise by ₩100K a year, based on performance and the district budget
₩600,000/month
Housing Allowance
You find and pay for your own housing; no deposit (key money) or furniture is provided
₩1,500,000
Entrance Allowance
Hired from overseas only. Paid within your first month; repayable if the contract ends within 6 months. Flight receipt and boarding pass required
₩1,500,000
Exit Allowance
Full term completed, leaving Korea within 10 days. Flight receipt and boarding pass required
₩300,000
Settlement
One-time, first contract year; repayable if the contract ends early
20 days/year
Paid Vacation
Plus Korean national holidays
7 days/year
Sick Leave
Paid sick days
50% covered
Health Insurance
National Health Insurance
30 days’ wage
Severance Pay
After a completed one-year contract
₩26,000/hr
Overtime
May be paid for overtime approved in advance
₩2,000,000
Renewal Bonus
Paid in two halves, plus 7 extra days of leave; repaid if the renewed contract is terminated
E-2 Visa
Visa Sponsorship
Seongdong-gu sponsors the E-2; document and medical costs are yours
50% covered
Pension
National pension contribution
A Day at SEC
8:30
AM
Arrive
9:00
AM
Classes Begin
12:30
PM
Lunch Break
1:30
PM
Afternoon
5:30
PM
Finish
30
Teaching Hours/Week (max)
Mon–Fri
5-Day Work Week
1 Year
Renewable Contract
What Makes SEC Special
Based in Central Seoul
Unlike most public English programs, SEC is in Seongdong-gu — one of Seoul's most vibrant districts. Full access to Seoul's urban lifestyle, subway, shopping, and nightlife.
Possible Raise on Renewal
₩3.0M base to start. A renewal can add ₩100K a month, up to ₩3.4M, depending on performance and budget, and comes with a ₩2.0M renewal bonus and 7 extra days of leave.
Homestay Simulation
Seoul's first American homestay simulation program. Students experience real-life English scenarios rather than textbook-based learning.
Seoul Innovation District
Selected as Seoul Innovation Education District in 2017. Part of the city's initiative to provide quality public English education and reduce private education costs.
Evaluation With Feedback
Teaching is evaluated at least twice a year by an evaluation committee, with feedback on what to improve. An average of 80 points or higher is needed for renewal.
Seongsu-dong Lifestyle
Seongdong-gu includes Seongsu-dong — 'Seoul's Brooklyn.' Converted warehouses, trendy cafes, galleries, Han River access, and Lines 2/5/Bundang subway.
Your Duties
Prepare and produce teaching materials for English classes
Teach English classes at assigned Global Experience Centers
Assist in the development and execution of special programs and events
Participate in new program development and improvement
Enhance activities and community engagement
Participate in teacher workshops conducted by the employer
Support additional facility and program operation tasks as requested
Living in Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Seongdong-gu is one of Seoul's most exciting districts. Home to Seongsu-dong (often called "Seoul's Brooklyn"), it's a hub of creativity with converted warehouses turned into cafes, galleries, and concept stores. The district sits along the Han River with easy subway access (Lines 2, 5, Bundang Line) to Gangnam, Hongdae, and Itaewon.
In 2025, Seongdong District hosted the Global Cultural Experience Festival— an event where English teachers from various countries ran cultural experience booths for children, showcasing the district's commitment to global education and cultural exchange.
Neighbourhood photos: Unsplash contributors.
Visit Seongdong-gu Official Site →Open Positions
SEC roles Korvia is recruiting for right now. The job posting has the full terms.
SEC contracts start in March or September. See current openings on the Korvia job board, or email support@korvia.com to ask about SEC positions.
How to Apply
To apply to SEC, submit an online application at korvia.com/apply and send the SEC application form, two letters of recommendation and your resume. Korvia Consulting screens applicants and recommends a shortlist; Seongdong-gu District Office, the employer, interviews and makes the hiring decision. Dates below follow the 2027 staffing plan (September 2026) and can shift.
Prepare the required documents
- ✓Completed SEC application form (Word)
- ✓Two letters of recommendation
- ✓Resume / CV
Your application is reviewed once the form, both letters and your resume are in. The form includes a personal essay of 500–800 words, a lesson plan of at least two full single-spaced pages (shorter plans are not interviewed) and a passport-style photo, so allow time to complete it. See our guide to letters of recommendation.
Apply online through Korvia
Submit your application at korvia.com/apply — see Open Positions above. Your Korvia recruiter then emails you a password-protected upload link for the application form and letters of recommendation.
Screening and interview with Korvia
Korvia reviews your documents, sends a pre-screening questionnaire and interviews you by video. From the candidates who meet the requirements, Korvia recommends a shortlist of about two to three per opening to Seongdong-gu District Office.
Interview with Seongdong-gu District Office
The district office holds the final interview by video and selects the teacher. For the March 2027 start, this interview is planned for mid-November 2026, with the final decision by the end of November.
Documents, visa and your first day
After an offer, Korvia guides you through your final documents and the E-2 visa. For the March 2027 start, the current plan is documents in December, visa issuance in January, and arrival, the medical check and orientation in February, with work starting on 1 March 2027. These dates can shift by a week or two. If you already work in Korea, you may be able to change your workplace to Seongdong-gu rather than obtain a new visa; immigration confirms this case by case, and additional Korean criminal-record checks apply.
Questions? Email support@korvia.com.
SEC FAQ
Q.How much does SEC pay, and how does salary grow?
The base starting salary is ₩3,000,000 a month; Seongdong-gu District Office confirms a new teacher's pay after checking experience and qualifications. When a contract is renewed, the salary may rise by ₩100,000 a year up to a maximum of ₩3,400,000; the raise depends on teaching performance and the district budget and is not automatic. On top of salary there is a ₩600,000 monthly housing allowance, a ₩300,000 settlement allowance, a ₩1,500,000 entrance allowance for teachers hired from overseas, 20 paid vacation days, and severance of 30 days' average wage after a completed one-year contract. The entrance and settlement allowances must be repaid if the contract ends early.
Q.Where exactly will I be teaching in Seoul?
SEC operates 4 centers across Seongdong-gu, Seoul: Yongdap (opened 2013), Geumho (2017), Seongsu (2019), and Majang (2023). You'll be assigned to one of them. Seongdong-gu includes Seongsu-dong — known as 'Seoul's Brooklyn' — with easy access to Lines 2/5 and the Bundang Line, plus the Han River.
Q.Who are the students at SEC?
Primarily elementary students (Grades 3–6), with some programs for infants (ages 6–7) and high schoolers. SEC was Seoul's first American homestay simulation program, so the approach is scenario-based — students practice real-life English through themed programs, camps, cultural events, and Global Meetings.
Q.What are the work hours and teaching load?
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM, with up to 30 teaching hours per week. Contracts are 1 year, renewable. The contract includes 20 paid vacation days and up to 7 paid sick days. A few times a year, district cultural or community events can fall on a weekend or public holiday; teachers are expected to take part, and an allowance may be paid. Renewing teachers receive a ₩2,000,000 renewal bonus in two halves (₩1,000,000 at the start and ₩1,000,000 after completing the renewed year) and 7 extra days of leave; if the renewed contract is terminated, the bonus is repaid and the leave becomes unpaid.
Q.What are the eligibility requirements for SEC?
You need citizenship of one of the seven E-2 countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), a bachelor's degree (the application form states that degrees from outside these seven countries are not recognised), no criminal record, good health and the ability to obtain a valid visa. You also need at least one of the following: a TEFL, TESOL, CELTA or DELTA certificate of 100 hours or more, or a teaching licence (substitute-teaching licences are not accepted); a degree in English education or a related major; English-teaching experience at an accredited institution; or a recommendation from a university president or dean, or from the head of a Seongdong-gu sister city. Seongdong-gu District Office is the employer and visa sponsor.
Q.How do I apply to SEC?
Apply through Korvia at korvia.com/apply and prepare the SEC application form, two letters of recommendation and your resume. Your application is reviewed once the form, both letters and your resume are in. Korvia screens applications and interviews candidates by video, then recommends a shortlist to Seongdong-gu District Office, which holds the final interview and makes the hiring decision.
Q.What should I know before signing the SEC contract?
Resigning during the contract requires 90 days' written notice. The entrance and settlement allowances are repaid if the contract ends early. Other paid work, including private or online tutoring, is not allowed on an E-2 visa under this contract. Teachers pay their own visa-document, medical-check and residence-registration costs. The signed contract is the final reference.
Teach in the Heart of Seoul
Send the SEC application form, two letters of recommendation and your resume through Korvia, which runs recruitment for SEC on behalf of Seongdong-gu District Office.