SMOE Teaching Duties & Responsibilities
What does a typical day look like for a native English teacher in a Seoul public school? Hours, co-teaching, lesson prep, and school events.
22 hr
Max Teaching / Week
8 hr
Daily Workday
25–35
Students per Class
Mon–Fri
Working Days
SMOE teachers work 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday (typically 8:40 AM – 4:40 PM). The maximum teaching load is 22 contact hours per week — the rest is spent on lesson preparation, grading, and school activities. You co-teach alongside a Korean English Teacher in elementary (40-min classes), middle (45-min), or high school (50-min) settings.Source: Official SMOE 2026 teacher duties & responsibilities.
A Typical SMOE Teaching Day
| 8:40 AM | Arrive at school. Check emails, review lesson plans for the day. |
| 9:00 – 12:00 | Morning teaching blocks. Typically 3-4 classes with short breaks between. |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch break. School cafeteria provides Korean lunch (often free or ₩3-4K/month). |
| 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Afternoon teaching blocks. 2-3 additional classes. |
| 3:00 – 4:40 PM | Desk time. Prepare materials, grade assignments, plan lessons, attend staff meetings. |
| 4:40 PM | School day ends. Free to leave unless a scheduled event is running. |
Core Teaching Responsibilities
Beyond teaching the 22 contact hours, these are the duties every SMOE teacher takes on.
Co-Teaching
You teach alongside a Korean English Teacher (KET). The KET typically handles classroom management and Korean-language explanations while you lead pronunciation, conversation, and interactive activities.
Lesson Preparation
Prepare engaging English materials, worksheets, and activities. Most schools provide a base textbook curriculum, but teachers are expected to supplement with original content.
English Conversation
Lead conversation practice, role-plays, and speaking activities. This is your primary value — giving students real interaction with a native English speaker.
English Camps
During summer and winter vacation, teachers may organize and run 1-2 week English camps. These are casual, activity-based programs focused on games, songs, and cultural exchange.
School Events
Participate in English speech contests, cultural festivals, sports days, and parent observation classes — typically 2-3 times per semester.
Grading & Assessment
Assist with designing speaking tests and evaluating student performance. The Korean co-teacher handles written exams and report cards.
Class Details by School Level
Elementary School
Most common SMOE placement. Focus on songs, games, and basic conversation.
Middle School
More structured lessons. Students have a basic English foundation. Focus on reading and speaking.
High School
Less common for SMOE. Advanced students preparing for university entrance exams.
Duties FAQ
Q.Do I teach alone or with a Korean teacher?
You co-teach with a Korean English Teacher (KET). The exact dynamic varies by school — some KETs are very hands-on, while others prefer to let you lead the class independently. Most teachers find a comfortable balance within the first few weeks.
Q.Can I be asked to teach more than 22 hours per week?
The standard maximum is 22 contact hours per week. If your school requests extra hours, overtime compensation must be provided per your contract. In practice, most SMOE schools stay within the 22-hour limit.
Q.What happens during vacation periods?
During summer (late July-August) and winter (late December-January) breaks, you may be asked to run English camps, do 'desk-warming' (being present at school without teaching), or take your allocated vacation days. The exact arrangement varies by school.
Q.What's expected outside of classroom teaching?
Beyond the 22 teaching hours, you're expected to contribute to lesson planning, materials prep, speaking test design, and occasional school events (festivals, speech contests, etc.). These activities fall within your 8-hour workday and do not count as overtime.
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