Teaching in International Schools in South Korea

Teachers in South Korea have options: public schools, private schools (Hagwons), and international schools. There are pros and cons to each, but if you’re an international teacher in South Korea, an international school could be an attractive, if competitive, opportunity.

Keep reading to learn about international schools in South Korea, requirements for teachers, how to get a job at an international school, and how a U.S. teaching license could help you reach your goals.

What Are International Schools in South Korea?

South Korea has three main options for foreign teachers: the English Program in Korea (EPIK) for public schools, Hagwons (private schools that students attend after regular hours, sometimes called “cram schools”), and international schools.

International schools are private, funded through a combination of tuition and other sources. These schools are typically expensive to attend, and students are often expats, children from the local embassy, or wealthy local residents.

South Korea has 66 international schools across 12 cities, according to the International Schools Database.

Requirements to Teach at International Schools in South Korea

Teachers at international schools are required to have a bachelor’s degree, a teaching license, and, often, two or more years of experience. Applicants also need a valid passport and a criminal background check from their home country.

You will need a visa to teach in South Korea, which your school may help you obtain once you are hired.

	Public Schools	Hagwons	International Schools
Salary	$1,500 to $2,000 USD per month	$1,650 to $2,200 USD	$1,700 to $2,500 USD
Required Experience	0-2 years	0-2 years	1-2+ years
Required Credential	Native English speaker Bachelor’s degree TEFL certificate	Native English speaker Bachelor’s degree TEFL certificate	Bachelor’s degree Teaching license Experience with the IB or AP curricula preferred
Visa Requirement*	E-2 visa	E-2 visa	E-7 visa
Documentation and Background Check	Passport from home country FBI background check	Passport from home country Federal level (FBI) background check	Passport from home country Criminal background check
Common Benefits	Free housing* Flight reimbursement Severance pay Pension and tax benefits	Free housing* Flight reimbursement Pension and tax benefits	Free housing* Flight reimbursement Relocation allowance Paid professional development

*Notes: Degrees should be apostilled, or authenticated, and transcripts must be official copies. Housing is often a small apartment near the school. Visa requirements may vary depending on your specific situation.

Sources: Teaching Nomad, Go Overseas, and CIEE

How to Get a Job at an International School in South Korea

Getting a job at an international school in South Korea is a process — it’s a big deal to move to a new country! Below are the general steps you might take, though specific schools may have additional steps and/or offer support with, for example, getting your visa.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Depending on what you want to teach, you will need a bachelor’s degree in education or your content area. Earning a bachelor’s degree ensures you are qualified to teach at schools throughout South Korea.

2. Get a Teaching License

International schools require a teaching license from your home country. If you want to teach in an IB school, you may also want to seek out IB training. It may also be helpful to have a TEFL certificate.

3. Gain Classroom Experience

In South Korea, classroom experience is a must for many international schools. If your ultimate goal is to teach overseas, it may be a good idea to gain a few years of teaching experience first.

4. Apply Through International Recruitment Platforms

Various international school recruitment programs connect applicants and schools, including Search Associates, International Schools Services, Teach Away, and many others. Choose one and apply through their platform.

5. Interview and Accept a Position

Interviewing for a job in South Korea is much like interviewing for a job in the U.S. You may need to prepare a sample lesson and engage in multiple interviews, depending on the school. Interviewing is typically conducted online, so be prepared to meet potential colleagues remotely. And, since the time difference could be significant, you may need to be up extra early or late for your interviews.

6. Complete the Visa Process

Once you are hired, you’ll need to obtain your visa. To teach at an international school in South Korea, you’ll likely need an E-7 visa. Qualifications include:

• You must have a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with at least one year of experience.
• You must score at least 80 out of 180 points on a scale that includes your education, work experience, age, and proficiency in Korean.
• The job must offer the required salary.

To prepare to obtain the E-7 visa, prepare your degree, resume, employment contract, passport, and background check. Then, the school will file the visa application.

Is Teaching at an International School in South Korea Worth It?

It’s no small decision, but teaching abroad in South Korea is a chance to further your career, experience a new culture, meet new people, and travel and see the world. International school jobs are competitive, but they also offer phenomenal benefits and work experience.

If you are interested in learning Korean, want to work in South Korea, or are interested in a specific school, then teaching in South Korea is worth the effort.

FAQs

Do you need a teaching license to work at an international school in South Korea?

Yes, international schools typically require a teaching license from your home country.

Can you teach at an international school without experience?

International schools typically require at least a year of prior experience, and many prefer two or more years of experience. To obtain an E-7 Visa, teachers must have at least one year of experience in addition to a bachelor’s degree.

Are international school jobs in South Korea competitive?

Yes, jobs at international schools are highly competitive because of the higher pay and benefits international schools provide.

What subjects are most in demand at international schools?

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), special education, foreign language, and English/language arts are the most in-demand fields at international schools, according to International Schools Review. Specific sciences, like physics and chemistry, are the most in-demand positions.

Do international schools provide housing for teachers?

Yes, international schools often provide housing, though the type of housing support varies by school. In South Korea, housing often involves a small, furnished apartment near the school.

When do international schools in South Korea hire teachers?

International schools start the school year in August, so they start hiring six to nine months in advance. Applicants should start applying in December, January, or February in order to complete the interview and visa process in time for an August start date, according to Go Overseas.