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Teach English in South Korea (Online TESOL)

4.9(74 reviews)
Experience
Teach
Destination
South Korea
Duration
12 months
Ages
21 to 45

23 others looking at this too. Next opening is Aug 2023, with limited spots.

Trip overview

South Korea has been a top destination for English teachers for ages. While the income potential is a major draw card, South Korea itself is an incredible place to live. 

On this trip you’ll complete your TESOL certification online before you leave. If you wish, you’ll get a job offer with one of our partners across the country before you head to South Korea (provided you finish the TESOL course). So you can skip most of the risk of becoming an English teacher in South Korea. 

The megacity of Seoul is firmly in the future with advanced technology making life easy. Korean culture – home of anime and K Pop – is fascinating. Korean people are proud of their culture and happy to share it with foreigners. Making you feel at home as they include you in Korean life. 

The food – varied and unique – is so delicious you’ll be searching for a Korean restaurant anywhere you go for the rest of your life. 

Let’s not forget the mountain ranges of the interior – with ski slopes galore – for the adrenaline junkies.

And here comes the main reason so many people are teaching English in South Korea – the income potential. 

South Korea is the place to be if you’re looking for an opportunity for a career in education. Koreans take education seriously, so everyone is striving for excellence. Teacher’s salaries reflect this with the average salary being between $1600 and $2200 a month. It's not all about how much you can earn though, it's also how much you can save. We're talking flight reimbursement, accommodation paid for by the school, medical insurance (+ way more).

This is an opportunity for you to get a professional certification that gives you a meaningful occupation. With a local income that will help you fund your travels and live comfortably. 

You’ll have plenty of job security because there are loads of people out there who can’t speak English but want, and need, to learn it. 

But – there are also loads of English speakers chasing the dream of living abroad while teaching English. Since 97% of people pass their TESOL – competition for these positions can be fierce. 

Which is why we keep our intake groups small. That way we can give you the attention you need to become a paid English teacher in South Korea as quickly and easily as possible. 

And here’s the best part: Over 95% of Global Travellers are placed in teaching positions in South Korea. We help you land a position at a language institute in South Korea before you head to South Korea, with the correct visa in hand.

If you decide to go further afield, your TESOL qualification is globally recognised. 

We offer the complete package for teaching overseas. Our team will help you with the essentials you need to start your new journey with a bang! Including assisting you with your paid-for accommodation during your teaching placement,, visa assistance, a range of exciting cultural activities, and so much more. 

You could do this by yourself and leave a lot to chance. It will take much longer and you’ll be competing with every other traveller trying to live the life of an English teacher.  

Or you could let us take care of the essentials so you can focus on living your best life. 

If you want to gain international work & travel experience with a lifetime of employment options – a TESOL qualification is the way to go. 

If you want to teach English in a country with a high income potential and opportunities for a career in education – South Korea is the place to be.  

Inclusions

Certified TESOL course

Gain accreditation to teach English overseas when you complete an online 120-hour training course (4 weeks) with our experienced TESOL instructors. Receive your certificate upon completion.

Optional job interviews

On completion of your TESOL course, our team can arrange job interviews with institutions across the country. There’s a huge demand for English teachers in South Korea and you could earn between $1600 - $2200 USD per month, so you can fund your travels further. Or, take your new certification to a new country instead.

Flight reimbursement

Be compensated for the cost of your inbound flight up to $700USD typically within the first month of starting teaching.

Dedicated Trip Coordinator

Handpicked from an experienced team who’ve been there, done that and are ready to guide you through your entire journey and leave no question unanswered.

Pre-Departure Guide

Our in-depth pre-departure guide will have all the information you need about your trip & destination, at your fingertips.

Trip visa guidance

Get your visa approved as cheap and easy as possible with our step-by-step instructions and personal guidance by your Trip Coordinator.

Personal Travel Concierge

You'll get a personal Travel Concierge to plan your flights, insurance or any add-ons to synchronise perfectly with your trip. Deal with a real human and get a personalised booking experience that ticks all your boxes.

Placement accommodation

Enjoy living in a private, fully-furnished apartment whilst you are teaching overseas on your placement. Your apartment will be located a short bus or train ride away from school, making your commute quick and easy.

Arrival airport transfer

To take you straight from your arrival airport to your placement accommodation. Your school will outline the best way to get there either by taxi, train or bus and will reimburse you the cost typically within your first month of teaching.

Local cultural experiences

Join other travellers as you take part in some of South Korea’s cultural activities, including a Taekwondo class, language lessons, a visit to the famed Gyeongbok Palace, a trip to Namsan Park, plus traditional tea tasting and a Korean cooking class. This is conducted on special orientation weekends.

Language lessons

Learn to speak like a local in no time with one month of online Korean Language lessons included.

Cultural foundation course

Be prepared and know exactly what to expect when you teach in South Korea with our online cultural course, where you’ll learn the language basics, history and cultural norms.

Interview preparation

Receive valuable feedback from expert in-country TESOL trainers to help you land your perfect teaching job.

Medical insurance

Rest assured that, in the unusual event that something happens to you during your placement, you are covered for medical care only. General travel insurance still required.

Certificate of completion

In recognition of your hard work and dedication throughout the experience. Employers will love this addition to your resume!

Ongoing local team support

From our team and in-country project partners, think of them as your family away from home. Whether you need advice or a shoulder to lean on, you’ll be provided with unlimited support.

24/7 Global Emergency Line

Feel confident knowing we have a worldwide emergency team on standby, 24/7/365, so you can feel safe and secure throughout your whole trip no matter where you are in the world.

gWorld access

Stay organised with your personalised portal where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global.
NEW

Social

Travel alone but never lonely with Social! An exclusive social network inside our gWorld app to talk, share & meet-up with other Global Travellers in your region, with a dedicated Community Manager.

NEW

Global Academy

Gain access to an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn before & whilst you travel.

NEW

Marketplace deals

Get exclusive access to deals and discounts through our online Marketplace. Save big on a huge range of products and services from our brand partners worldwide.

$250 off your next trip

The “Travel Bug” is a very real thing! Once you catch it, it really doesn’t go away! Book any other trip with us later and save $250. Why would you ever stop travelling?

Just in case it’s not clear already, we’re not an employment or recruitment agency. Read more

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 21-45 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Ask a question

Chat with us online now, or we can call you back for free, 24 hours Mon-Fri.

Trip details

Our Teach English trips are designed to get you set up in your new life overseas as smoothly as possible. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you pay your deposit. You’ll be assigned a Dedicated Trip Coordinator to guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. Our team is well travelled so you can learn from our experience. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, visas, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

Our cultural foundations course is designed to help you be prepared and know exactly what you’re getting into when you move to Korea. This course is online and should be done before you leave. 

You’ll secure a job before you even leave home, and arrive knowing exactly which school you’re going to and have all the correct visa paperwork sorted.

You’ll fly into whichever airport is closest to your location. Your placement school will then tell you the easiest way to get to your accommodation. Your travel costs will be reimbursed by your school. You’ll be living in a private, fully furnished apartment, paid for by your school.

During a week-end, you’ll have the chance to take part in the many cultural activities we have planned for you. These are designed to help you fit into your new home as easily as possible. 

These activities include learning how to cook a traditional Korean dish, a tea tasting ceremony, a taekwondo class, and visiting the famous Gyeongbok Palace. 

Our support doesn’t end there. We’ll be in touch during your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns we’re one quick message, DM, email, or carrier pigeon away. 

And if there’s an emergency, you can use our 24/7 emergency support lines for anything urgent. 

We’re with you every step of the way.

Requirements 

You must have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in any field that was completed in English.

You must meet the visa requirements. 

You’ll need a laptop for your classroom duties. 

Extra Costs

Flights*, travel insurance, visa, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money. 

*A portion (or the entirety) of your airfare is reimbursed by your school – usually within your first few weeks of employment. But you’ll need to pay your flight upfront to get there.

Trip itinerary

Before you leave

Complete your 2-week TESOL course online, from wherever you’d like. We also offer a cultural foundations course which should be completed before you leave.  Once you’ve passed your TESOL training, our team will help you prepare for job interviews. You’ll be  offered a local teaching contract before you go to South Korea.

Arrival

When you arrive at Incheon Airport, your private transfer will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken to your twin-share accommodation in Incheon close to your training school.  You’ll meet your classmates and prepare for your TESOL course.

Week 1+

Your arrival airport will depend on where your teaching placement is. Your school will give you directions for the easiest way to get to your accommodation from the airport. Your transport costs are typically reimbursed by your school. Settle into your new home and meet your fellow teachers. During this week you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of cultural activities we have planned for you, including:  Learn how to make a traditional Korean dish in a cooking class Visit the famous Gyeongbok Palace Enjoy a tea tasting ceremony Participate in a taekwondo class Korean language lessons These cultural activities happen in May and September. So you’ll have to join the upcoming cultural experience in whichever month comes first.

Ongoing

 Each teaching placement is different, so how your life looks will depend on your placement.  Most English teacher placements In South Korea are in schools, earning between $1600 and $2200 USD a month, and getting between 10 to 20 paid days off per year. This will give you plenty of income to live comfortably and fund your travels further. So you can sample any of the delights in South Korea. Or hop on a quick flight and explore the rest of Asia on your doorstep.

Reviews

Shannon M
The Global Work and Travel co have been amazing in helping arrange the job of a lifetime! Super helpful and friendly and for sure the best company to travel with! Filled with helpful information and considerate of what you want/need from the trip.
Sheena C
Absolutely amazing, very thorough and very helpful with all the questions
Yarima B
Wonderful accommodations, super awesome support. Scott did a wonderful job.
Abbey Y
Great! Answered all my questions
Evanjelene M
so amazing

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Frequently asked questions

Why go with Global Work & Travel?

As the world’s leading gap-year and “work & travel” company, we offer you the ability to not only choose from a number of awesome experiences all over the world but, we'll be your support system from the very first moment you become a Global Traveller! We provide a premium service that allows you to pick the destination of your dreams, get our visa & pre-departure assistance, book great flights and organise the perfect travel insurance or tours for when you arrive. Plus, we’ll back it all up with some cool and exclusive tech features that are with you the entire time.

As a Global Traveller, you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace deals for discounts with our brand partners, a unique social network to connect you with other Global Travellers when you’re overseas, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn as you travel, invites to bucket-list side trips with other travellers, local meet-ups and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better?

And it doesn't even stop there. We continue to be there from the moment you land with a dedicated 24/7 emergency team, over 100 staff and ongoing support ensuring that you have the tools you need to feel like a local. That’s why 65,000+ Global Travellers from all over the world have chosen to turn their travel dream into reality with us and we can proudly brag that we’ve got the most & best reviews in the biz!

Why should I book now?

Covid-19 threw us a curve ball and pretty much halted all travel. This means that we have a backlog of travellers, just like you, who are desperate to get out and explore the world! Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12 months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free.

As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better?

Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together!

But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join.

And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

What happens if COVID affects my trip?

If you have to make any changes to your departure date, you’re protected with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee and our Ultimate Corona Booking Flexibility. With this, we will change your trip dates for free. If this doesn’t fit around you and you can’t go on your trip anymore, we will give you a 100% refund in the form of a Trip Credit with us (See terms). If you’re unable to use it, you can also transfer that credit to someone else for them to put towards any trip too.

If you’re affected by Covid-19 while you’re overseas, you will have all the support you need from our team or partners in-country as well as have access to our 24/7 Global Emergency Line. We recommend travellers purchase Global Travel Cover travel insurance that provides Covid-19 medical protection too.

Do I need to be vaccinated to book?

As border restrictions for countries begin to ease, being fully vaccinated will maximise the number of locations you can visit. So while you are not legally required to be vaccinated, and it’s also not a requirement to travel with us, it will limit some of the countries that you can visit and may make it harder to travel through over the next 12-18 months. We highly recommend our travellers look at the current travel restrictions of their destination, speak with a medical professional or get in touch with our team for travel advice.

What happens if I want to cancel my trip?

Our Ultimate Corona Booking Flexibility means you can change your trip’s start date up to 84* days before departure without incurring any charges when you rebook it for any time (or even any other trip) in the next 2 years from your original start date.

In the event that you want to cancel your booking altogether, if you give us over 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put towards booking absolutely anything travel related with your Travel Concierge within the next 2 years!

*Some select trips excluded, including Teach (Spain, Italy & Czech Republic) and USA (Summer Camp, Working Holiday and Hotel Professional), and others as listed in Booking Conditions.

How it works

Make your decision

Choose your trip style and destination, and confirm your spot with a deposit. Then, open your gWorld account and celebrate, the hardest part is over and the fun is about to begin.

We become friends

You’ll be matched with a personal Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs. They’ll guide you through everything we need to do together, so you can leave your worries behind.

Time to go

We’ll get your tickets in-hand and your transfers ready. Then, our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared for your arrival. It’s now time for the real adventure to start.

24/7 support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support and check-ins. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24/7.

Still have questions?

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We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 100 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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