If you are planning to teach English in South Korea, there are several factors you should consider. You should understand the cost of living in South Korea, and the requirements of getting a teaching visa. If you do not speak Korean, you may need to have your diploma apostilled or certified by a notary public.
Cost of living
Housing is the biggest expense in South Korea. While housing prices are not exorbitant, you should expect to spend 30 to 40 percent of your monthly salary on rent for a nice apartment. If you decide to stay in the larger cities, you can either opt to live in expat-centric high-rises or in small residential communities.
You should also be careful with how much electricity you use. While it costs as little as $5 for a few hours of usage in winter, it can easily cost you over $100 in summer. Make sure to conserve power by limiting how much AC you use and ensuring that it is not on the high end.
You can work in Korea if you know the language well. You should note, however, that you can only work up to 20 hours a week. You should note that the minimum wage in Korea is about 8590KRW, or $7.24 USD, at the time of this writing. However, the exchange rate changes often, so the actual amount will vary. The average monthly cost for a student living in Korea ranges between $800 and $1,200, depending on where you live and the activities you engage in.
Requirements
To start with, you should have a valid passport. This passport should be valid for a minimum of 12 months. It should also have two blank pages for the work visa. In addition, you must have a hard copy of your Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Teaching English in Korea requires an E-2 visa and a criminal background check. The EPIK also requires that you have at least 50 hours of TEFL practice. Full-time teachers usually work twenty to thirty hours a week. The class schedule is generally in the mornings and evenings. However, you can expect to have some time off in the afternoon.
Depending on your profile and level of experience, the average salary for teaching English in Korea ranges from $1800 to $2500 a month. In addition, taxation in Korea is only 5%. You can also receive subsidized or free accommodations in most places. Furthermore, you will receive ten to twenty days of paid vacation each year and fifteen to eighteen national holidays.
Best time to teach english in South Korea
There are two periods when teaching positions are most plentiful in South Korea. Public school positions are popular. These positions are usually nine to five, and actual teaching hours are guaranteed not to exceed 22 hours per week. The pay for public school positions varies depending on the area you are teaching in, but most public schools offer a decent salary. In addition to a small settlement allowance, public school teachers enjoy benefits such as free furnished housing, national insurance, and 18 days of paid vacation.
If you are planning to teach English in South Korea for a few months or even a year, be sure to apply early to avoid being turned down. There are numerous jobs available in different cities throughout South Korea. When choosing your teaching location, you should consider the cities that are most attractive to you. Seoul, for example, is a very popular city for foreign English teachers. It is a huge city with vibrant nightlife and a fast-paced, intense lifestyle.
English teaching contracts in South Korea have a set length, and most teachers in the same school will sign the same contract. The only difference is the pay, which depends on the qualifications and experience of the teacher. Generally, contracts in South Korea last 12 months and include a monthly salary, airfare, a free apartment, a pension contribution, and one month of severance.
Requirements for getting a teaching visa
The requirements of the E2 Visa have been stricter since 2010 when Korean Immigration instituted new rules around this visa. First, English teachers are now required to take a 'Self Health Test', in which they are tested for street drugs and mental health problems. This was introduced because some teachers had been arrested while teaching English in Korea. In addition, the Immigration department started screening teachers for stress and prescribed medication.
Teaching English in South Korea is a great opportunity for many people, and the job market is showing no sign of slowing down. However, it is important to make the most of your time there by doing a little research and finding the best teaching school for you. Recruiters will try to pressure you into signing up for a teaching job quickly, so take your time and do your research.
If you're planning on teaching English in South Korea, you should know that you need to apply for an E-2 teaching visa. This visa is designed for temporary teaching, and can be upgraded into a permanent teaching visa in the future. You must also be a native English speaker. Although most schools prefer North Americans, English teachers from other countries can also find work in Korea.
