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South Korea TEFL internship

South Korea is the step-up destination: a proper salary (around 2.6 million KRW a month), free single accommodation and flight reimbursement are standard for first-time teachers. We’re building our Korea programme with a vetted partner now - register your interest to be first in line.

~2.6m KRWTypical monthly salary

FreeSingle accommodation included

FlightsTypically reimbursed

Degree + TEFLCore requirements

Teaching in South Korea as an intern

Korea is where teaching abroad starts to look like a career move. Packages for first-time teachers routinely include a salary around 2,600,000 KRW a month (roughly £1,350), rent-free single accommodation, flight reimbursement and end-of-contract bonuses - so most teachers save seriously from month one.

The trade-off is a higher bar: Korea’s E-2 visa paperwork is the strictest in the region (apostilled degree, national-level criminal check), placements are typically 6–12 months rather than a single semester, and schools expect polish and punctuality. If Thailand is the adventure, Korea is the professional foundation.

What to expect

A placement in a public school programme or vetted private academy (hagwon), matched to your preference for city size
Free furnished single accommodation arranged by the school - standard in Korean contracts, and the single biggest saving
Around 22–30 teaching hours a week with Korean co-teachers, plus desk-warming time to plan
Step-by-step E-2 visa support - apostilled documents, criminal check, health check - started well before you fly
Orientation on arrival and in-country support through your contract

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in any subject, apostilled (a strict E-2 visa requirement)
A 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate
A passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa (an E-2 visa requirement)
A clean national-level criminal record check, apostilled
A health check on arrival; schools also expect a professional appearance
No teaching experience needed - but expect a more formal workplace than Southeast Asia

The one requirement you can start on today is the TEFL certificate itself - our accredited 120-hour courses are exactly what these placements ask for.

FAQs

How much can I save in Korea?

With rent covered and a ~2.6m KRW salary, most first-year teachers save £400–£700 a month while still travelling and eating out. Add flight reimbursement and completion bonuses and Korea is the strongest financial package open to new TEFL graduates.

Public school or hagwon?

Public-school programmes have fixed intakes (spring and late summer), daytime hours and more holiday; hagwons (private academies) hire year-round, pay similarly or better, but hours run into the evening. We’ll be clear about which type each placement is before anything opens.

How long does the paperwork take?

Allow 2–3 months for the apostilled degree, criminal check and E-2 processing - the slowest paperwork in the region, which is exactly why placements come with step-by-step document support. Start early.

Is Korea suitable for my first teaching job?

Yes - thousands of first-timers start there every year. It suits people who want structure, savings and city life; if you want maximum adventure-per-week and looser rules, look at Thailand or Vietnam first.

Register your interest in South Korea

We’re finalising our on-the-ground partner for South Korea now, and we won’t sell a place before the programme is real. Leave your details and you’ll be the first to hear - no commitment.

Name *

Email address *

Where would you like to teach? *

Nationality / passport

Do you have a degree? *

When could you start? *

Anything you’d like to ask?

Security

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