Welcome to South Korea, a spectacular country located on the southern part of the Korean peninsula in East Asia. With its picturesque green hilly countryside adorned with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, as well as coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical islands, and high-tech cities like Seoul, South Korea is a destination that offers a lot to explore.

For TEFL TESOL teachers, South Korea is a top choice, offering high salaries and abundant opportunities in both the private sector (language schools) and public sector (universities). If you’re a native English speaker with a degree and a TEFL TESOL qualification, you’ll find numerous prospects not only in major cities like Seoul and Pusan but also in other parts of the country.

EPIK Programme

The English Programme in Korea (EPIK) is one of the largest government teaching programs available in South Korea. The South Korean government places English teachers in public schools across the nation, making it a popular choice among educators. EPIK stands out for its excellent salaries and benefits.

Programme Details & Requirements

• Upon acceptance, you’ll sign a one-year contract starting at the end of February or the end of August.
• Your salary, ranging from 1.8 million KRW to 2.7 million KRW per month, will be based on your experience.
• Furnished accommodation will be provided by the program organizers, although utility bills won’t be covered.
• The organizers will cover your airfare.
• You’ll receive a settlement allowance of approximately 300,000 KRW.
• You’ll be entitled to 15 days of paid leave per year.
• Upon completion of your contract, you’ll receive a completion bonus equivalent to one month’s salary.
• The TALK program accepts only native English speakers with passports from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, the UK, Ireland, or the United States.
• A university degree is required.
• A clean police/criminal record is mandatory.
• Preference is given to applicants with a TEFL TESOL certificate.

How to Apply

To apply for the EPIK teaching program, you can visit the official EPIK website.

TALK Programme

Similar to the EPIK program, Teach and Learn in Korea (TALK) is a government teaching program that places English teachers in elementary schools throughout South Korea. However, TALK focuses on underprivileged areas.

Programme Details & Requirements

• To be eligible for the TALK program, you must be a graduate or undergraduate who has completed at least two years of a degree course and be at least 19 years old.
• Holding a passport from South Africa, Ireland, the UK, the US, Australia, or New Zealand is a requirement.
• A clean police/criminal record check must be submitted.
• Once accepted, you’ll sign a one-year employment contract starting in late February or late August and attend a one-month orientation before commencing your contract.
• The program offers a monthly salary of approximately 1.5 million KRW.
• Furnished accommodation will be provided, but you’ll be responsible for monthly utility bills.
• You’ll receive a flight allowance of 2.5 million KRW and a settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW.
• The TALK program grants 7 vacation days per semester and provides medical insurance.

How to Apply

To apply for the TALK teaching program, you can visit the official TALK website.