Online TEFL Course for Teaching in Korea
120 hours online, or 120 hours online plus 20 or 50 hours of in-class practicums. Compare prices and terms, and confirm your target program's rules before you enrol.
120–170
Course Hours
$249–$449
Korvia Prices (USD)
$50
Discount vs Listed Regular Price
Online
Study · In-Class Optional
Quick Answer
Do you need TEFL certification to teach English in Korea?
What a TEFL course gives you
Korvia's view: a TEFL course will not make you an expert teacher on its own. It gives you the basic knowledge of English-language teaching and a first look at the work of teaching English.
Foundations. The concepts behind a lesson, from teaching methods to how English grammar and sounds work.
A first look at the job. Planning lessons and activities before you stand in front of a class.
Classroom practice. In-class practice adds the classroom side of the job: teaching a planned lesson to real learners. The 140 and 170-hour options include it.
120, 140 or 170 hours: which TEFL option fits your plan?
Hours are easy to compare. The more important differences are the practice component, the completion documents, and whether your target program will accept the exact course.
120 hrs
International TEFL
120 hours online · no in-class practicum
- 120 hours of online study
- Tutor support
- Priority grading
- Digital certificate included
140 hrs
International TEFL + In-Class Practicum
120 hours online + 20 hours of in-class practicums
- 120 hours of online study
- Tutor support
- 20 hours of in-class practicums
- Digital certificate included
170 hrs
International TEFL + Extended In-Class Practicum
120 hours online + 50 hours of in-class practicums
- 120 hours of online study
- Tutor support
- 50 hours of in-class practicums
- Digital certificate included
| Option | Online study | In-class practicums | Korvia price | Regular price | Physical certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 hours | 120 hours | None | USD 249 | USD 299 | USD 35 add-on |
| 140 hours | 120 hours | 20 hours | USD 349 | USD 399 | USD 35 add-on |
| 170 hours | 120 hours | 50 hours | USD 449 | USD 499 | USD 35 add-on |
Prices checked on October 26, 2026 against Korvia's checkout form. Korvia prices are USD 50 below the listed regular prices. A digital certificate is included; a physical certificate is a USD 35 add-on including printing and shipping. The course fee is non-refundable. Korvia offers only these three options. Review the checkout terms before payment.
Recognition depends on the program
A TEFL certificate is read differently by each route into teaching in Korea. This is what each one publishes, checked on October 26, 2026.
EPIK: 100+ hour certificate, Level 2 minimum
Provincial and metropolitan Offices of Education
A TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate of at least 100 hours from an accredited program is the baseline for applicants whose degree is not in education or a teaching-related field. EPIK states that Offices of Education are not currently hiring Level 3 applicants, so applicants must qualify for at least Level 2. A bachelor's degree plus a 100-hour-plus certificate is one way to reach it.
Source: EPIK Eligibility; Pay Scale updated May 4, 2026 for the Fall 2026 intake
Seoul: separate SMOE pay scale
Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education
SMOE uses its own pay scale, issued by SMOE. Confirm its current requirements with SMOE or your recruiter.
Source: EPIK Pay Scale
Private academies: employer-set rules
Hagwons and other private employers
Each employer sets its own rules. In Korvia's recruiting experience, a completed TEFL certificate widens the range of positions a candidate can be put forward for; each employer still makes its own decision.
Source: Korvia recruiting experience
KRW 2.2–2.35Ma month: EPIK Level 2, the minimum level EPIK is currently hiring (Fall 2026 scale)
EPIK Level 2 monthly pay on the Fall 2026 pay scale, depending on the Office of Education. The final pay level is set by the Office of Education and the scale can change between intakes, so check epik.go.kr for the current one. Seoul uses a separate scale.
TEFL for EPIK: what EPIK's published rules say
Based on EPIK's published eligibility page and General Required Documents Guide (Spring 2026), checked on October 26, 2026. See also EPIK eligibility requirements and EPIK application documents.
Is an online TEFL accepted by EPIK?
EPIK asks applicants whose degree is not in education or a teaching-related field, and who hold no teaching licence, for a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate of at least 100 hours from an accredited program. Online TEFL is accepted — what matters is that the certificate shows at least 100 hours. All three Korvia options on this page include 120 hours of online study.
Do I need in-class TEFL hours for EPIK?
EPIK's eligibility page and its General Required Documents Guide (Spring 2026) do not list an in-class hour requirement. Other programs may set their own. If you want classroom practice, the 140 and 170-hour options add 20 or 50 hours of in-class practicums to the same 120 hours of online study.
When must my TEFL be finished for EPIK?
You can apply to EPIK before you hold the certificate. EPIK states that the certification must be finalized no later than 6 weeks before your final expected arrival date in Korea. Proof of completion is among the documents submitted after a successful interview.
What must my TEFL certificate show for EPIK?
EPIK's General Required Documents Guide (Spring 2026) says TEFL, TESOL and CELTA certificates must clearly state the number of real-time hours completed. If a certificate does not, the applicant must provide proof of the hours, such as a transcript or a letter from the course director. Only certificates of 100 hours or more qualify an applicant for Level 2 or higher status.
Be ready to show how you teach
Korvia's CRM records a demo-lesson request for 604 of 1,364 applicants registered from August 1 to October 26, 2026 (44%), up from 105 of 493 (21%) in January 2026. Requests not recorded in the CRM are not counted.
As demo lessons become a more common step, for applicants without an education degree or a teaching licence, Korvia treats TEFL preparation as essential rather than optional. This describes Korvia's own process; EPIK's published process is an application review followed by an online interview.
What Korvia may ask for: a demo lesson, or answers to questions about your teaching experience. Keep your coursework and any feedback you receive; it is material you can draw on when you prepare.
Compare the three options
Is teaching abroad right for you?
Working through the course material is a way to find out whether planning and teaching lessons suits you. If it does not, teaching abroad may not either, and that is worth knowing before you move rather than after.
Where Korvia comes in
Korvia has been a contractor for EPIK, the Ministry of Education's English Program in Korea, for over 15 years. It is a recruitment company specializing in the selection of E-2 teachers for public schools and private education institutions in Korea. A TEFL course is one way to prepare; placement is a separate process, and a course purchase does not guarantee one.
See current teaching positions in Korea →Background photo is illustrative.
Four checks before you enrol
A course can be useful training and still be the wrong document for a specific placement. Verify first, then choose the format.
Compare TEFL, TESOL and CELTA for Korea →- 1
Confirm your target role
EPIK, another public-school program, a hagwon and an international school do not use identical qualification rules.
- 2
Confirm the exact course
Send the course link and hour/practice breakdown to the program or recruiter reviewing your application.
- 3
Review the completion evidence
Ask what the digital certificate and any transcript or hour confirmation will show.
- 4
Read the financial terms
The current fee is non-refundable. Confirm the option, timing and physical-certificate add-on before payment.
From enrolment to certificate
Choose & pay
Select the 120, 140 or 170-hour option in Korvia's checkout form.
Receive access
Access is issued within 24 working hours after payment confirmation.
Complete coursework
Complete the 120 hours of online study and submit the assessments required by the course.
Practicums & certificate
On the 140 and 170-hour options, complete the in-class practicums. The digital certificate is included.
“Working hours” means Monday through Friday in Korea Standard Time, excluding Korean public holidays. Individual completion time varies.
Who provides the course?
The course materials and certification are provided by the London College of Teachers & Trainers (LCTT). Korvia presents the listed partner discount and hosts the checkout form, but the checkout terms state that payment is made between the customer and LCTT. Payment information, responsibility, and liability are not passed to Korvia.
Provider and oversight claims should be checked against the documents supplied for the exact course. For course questions, contact LCTT; its contact details are on the back page of the course brochure.
Course subjects currently listed
Methodology
Approaches to English-language teaching
Grammar
English grammar for classroom explanation
Phonology
Sounds and pronunciation
Language skills
Reading, writing, listening and speaking
Lesson planning
Objectives, activities and lesson structure
In-class practicums
20 hours (140-hour option) or 50 hours (170-hour option)
TEFL certification FAQ
How many TEFL hours does EPIK require?
At least 100 hours, for applicants without an exempt degree or a teaching licence. All three options here include 120 hours of online study; see the EPIK section above for the full rule.
Does buying this course guarantee EPIK acceptance or a job?
No. A course purchase does not guarantee document acceptance, interview success, placement, visa issuance or employment. EPIK, the relevant Office of Education, immigration authorities and employers make their own decisions under the rules that apply to your case.
Can I enrol without a bachelor's degree?
Yes, the course itself does not list a degree as an enrolment requirement. That does not change the degree and nationality rules that may apply to teaching jobs or Korean visas. Check your target role before enrolling for employment purposes.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced. Korvia's current course information says many learners complete the 120-hour option in about two to three months, but actual completion time depends on the learner and the selected option.
When is course access issued?
Korvia's current fulfilment term is within 24 working hours after payment confirmation. Working hours are Monday through Friday in Korea Standard Time, excluding Korean public holidays.
Is the course fee refundable?
No. The current checkout terms state that the course fee is non-refundable. Review the course option, eligibility considerations and terms before paying.
Does the price include a certificate?
The listed price includes a digital certificate. A physical certificate is a USD 35 add-on at checkout, covering printing and shipping. The checkout form says applicants for public-school positions in Korea are required to have the physical version.
Is a Level 5 TEFL necessary for EPIK or other public-school programs?
EPIK's published rules set the requirement by hours and source (at least 100 hours from an accredited program) and do not mention a qualification level such as Level 5. Other programs may differ.
Will I be asked for a demo lesson?
Possibly. Korvia's CRM records a demo-lesson request for 44% of applicants registered from August 1 to October 26, 2026, up from 21% in January 2026. EPIK's own published process is an application review followed by an online interview.
Which TEFL options does Korvia offer?
Only the three options on this page: 120 hours online, 120 hours online plus 20 hours of in-class practicums (140 hours), and 120 hours online plus 50 hours of in-class practicums (170 hours). Other course lengths listed on LCTT's own website are not sold through Korvia.
Pricing & access
LCTT charges the prices in USD. They include course materials and a digital certificate; a physical certificate is currently a USD 35 add-on, including printing and shipping. Course access is issued within 24 working hours after confirmed payment.
Refunds & outcomes
The course fee is non-refundable. Enrolment does not guarantee course completion, document acceptance, a job, placement, salary level, or visa.
Confirm first. Enrol second.
If your target program confirms the course fits, compare the three options and choose the practice level that matches your preparation needs.