Teaching in South Korea: Is It Worth It?
Ah, teaching abroad. Long thought to be reserved for recent college graduates, it has become a path sought out by many looking to make a change. The idea of traveling while being paid is appealing. However, navigating the route to working in another country is no easy task.
While researching about teaching abroad, you probably will come across a list of countries that offer opportunities: Spain, UAE, China…to name a few. Among these options, South Korea has become a popular choice in recent years due to the valuable benefits, such as rent-free housing, some of which factored into my own decision. There are a few routes when pursuing teaching in Korea, but it mainly comes down to public vs. private schools.
I worked in a public school through EPIK (English Program in Korea), a government-sponsored program for placing foreign teachers in schools, so I cannot speak for the private school experience. However, I can provide a thorough understanding of Korean public-school life.
The Basics
After a little research, I decided on teaching in South Korea for several reasons:
Minimal Requirements —
There are very few qualifications needed to teach as a foreigner in Korea. This is a big reason why the job draws so many people straight out of college. Besides a bachelor’s degree (in any discipline), an additional requirement is a certificate known as TEFL or TESOL attesting that one can Teach English as a Foreign Language. This is easy to acquire online. The EPIK program also requires that their teachers be a citizen from a country where English is the official language: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. Citizens from India are also eligible but have stricter qualifications.
Save Money —
The Korean government offers many perks for their Native English Teachers, also known as NETs. You can save thousands of dollars — this one couple saved $44,000 in one year while teaching.
They pay for the flight from your home country, housing, and provide a salary of around 2.2 million won (about $2000 USD) or more per month. Teachers also are enrolled in the national pension and health insurance plan. In reality, there are only a few bills to pay, which in Korea are very cheap, at least compared to US standards. Teachers eventually can build up a large amount of savings that they can use however they please — maybe even to pay off student loans or do something a little more fun. That brings me to my next point…
Travel —
By living in Korea, one can be immersed in Korean daily life and culture. Plus, it is a short flight away from another vacation hotspot. Going to Tokyo, Thailand, or even Bali takes a fraction of the cost and time. As of this year, public school teachers receive 26 vacation days spread out over summer and winter breaks, giving you plenty of time to explore.
With that in mind, I taught English for three LONG years.
I did get to do some of these things. I traveled. I saved a ton of money. And, at the risk of sounding cliché, I made connections that will last a lifetime.
However…
…while there were positive sides to my experience as a teacher, they came with some negatives. Such is life. At first glance, it seems like the ideal job, and for some, it can be, but it comes with a high turnover rate. I’m sharing my experience to paint a clearer picture for those unsure about taking this step.
Let’s talk about some of the good things:
The Students
My students were adorable, and if you pursue the job, yours will be too. (Although, maybe not as cute as mine.)
I taught at two elementary schools in Seoul. I saw my students go from being half my height in 3rd grade to matching it by 6th. However, even when they begin to look all grown up, they’re still just kids. They are fascinated by the foreign teacher and may idolize him or her initially, asking a ton of questions that they subsequently will forget by the next year. They will want to speak, so let them! It’s good practice for them, too.
Light Workload
Each school will have different expectations on what their teachers should do, but most likely, there will be lesson planning in some form. After the first few weeks of nervousness as a new teacher, most will start to realize how to create lessons in minimal time. It’s really about knowing where to look. Plenty of materials are shared online by other ESL teachers, and websites, such as waygook.org, even divide class materials based on your textbook. Using those resources and the Korean co-teachers can get teachers weeks ahead of schedule. During my third year, I could crank out my week’s lessons in less than an hour. That leaves a lot of additional time to prepare for summer/winter English camps, learn new skills, or just goof around.
Free Time
Teachers tend to have a lot of free time compared to other workers. Teachers work a traditional “9-to-5”, rare for the typical Korean laborer. In Korean society, there is an expectation to work overtime with no additional pay. It is getting better, but few jobs let employees leave on time. However, teachers employed in a public school are considered government employees, ensuring your labor rights. I’ve heard private schools are not as regulated when it comes to this, so beware.
One of the best benefits of public schools is those wonderful 26 vacation days. Almost a month of vacation doesn’t seem too bad. Use this time to do whatever. Hang out, plan trips, take classes. It’s really up to you.
Rent-free Housing
Another great perk of teaching in South Korea is school-provided housing. The school provides each teacher with an apartment, usually a studio. Married couples that apply together also can live in the same house (Note: this does not include Seoul). It comes RENT-FREE. This is incredible for saving money. It can be a hit or miss with the quality of the space, but if it is truly problematic, it is worth talking with your co-teacher to see if a change can be made.
Savings
By the time teachers finish their year (or longer) in Korea, they save quite a bit of money. It will be a large sum for those that are frugal, possibly enough for a down payment on a house or tuition for graduate school. Even if someone doesn’t save at all, don’t worry. The final financial package includes flight reimbursement, severance, and pension (exceptions for some countries). That’s thousands of dollars that go into their pocket once they’ve finished their journey.
Convenience (for urban areas)
Korea is all about convenience — at least in the city. From transportation to food. There seems to be a 24-hour convenience store around every corner. I had two just thirty seconds from my place. Great when craving a midnight snack. For those who don’t enjoy cooking, there is always food delivery available through various phone apps, such as Yogiyo. Delivery lasts late into the night and is pretty affordable. It even can be delivered while just sitting in the park. The public transportation system in Korea is also the best I’ve seen. It’s cheap, clean, efficient, and has a ton of safety measures in place to protect passengers. And seat warmers during those cold winters. Some of these conveniences may be unavailable to those teaching in more rural areas; however, hope is not lost. Access to the countryside is easy with the development of the Korea Train Express (KTX) and bus lines. Great for planning weekend trips around the country.
Now, some of the not-so-good things:
The Students (Again)
Kids are kids, and they will cause trouble. Mostly noise. It’s challenging to control a class that can barely understand anything you say. However, by setting classroom rules on the first day, such as chants or reward systems and reiterating them throughout the semester, the students will respond well. If all else fails, be stern. Even if they do not understand the words, they should recognize the tone.
On the flip side, the students suffer as well. They were born into a competitive society that demands perfect grades to get into a good college, then a good job, a good marriage — you get the picture. Some students will be so busy with extra lessons after school they will not get home until 11 PM. It is a widespread issue. Society dictates their future, and there is little one can do about it. Ironically, a foreign teacher’s job is to support this system because learning English is considered essential for their success and SAT scores. It’s good to make lessons engaging but not overwhelm the students with tons of homework or projects. Middle school and high school can be especially challenging, considering that students are under the most pressure.
No Career Advancement
Do not go into this job for longevity. Keep in mind that as a contract English teacher, it is as a temporary employee. Public school teachers in Korea change schools and posts every few years; however, NETs are excluded. While the co-teachers will change, a foreign teacher’s position will never rise within the school, at least not through this program. At most, teachers could expect to get about a $100 overall raise each year. There is always talk from the government about the necessity of NETs and the annual rearranging of available positions. Basically, this job is at the whims of people who will never meet you.
I lost my job at my first school two weeks before the new semester and scrambled to another school. There are horror stories about fellow teachers with years of experience being forced back into the career field because schools want someone NEW. If one wishes to continue with English education, some educators have gone on to open private schools or teach at universities in Korea, but these are difficult positions to obtain. Many NETs learn this and leave Korea after one or two years.
The work restrictions for the E-2 education work visa also prevent you from acquiring other monetary work. For an ambitious person, it can be unsettling. Unless you work towards changing your visa, there isn’t much that can be done about it. This is a good time to do some volunteer work or online education courses to bolster your resume. Learn new skills and plan your next step.
Work Culture
Schools are one of the few workplaces where one can maintain a good work-life balance. The co-workers and students will be generally friendly, but there are issues centered around time management. There is a standard in Korea for moving in a rush — called bali-bali (“hurry hurry”). This pace is useful in a restaurant because food arrives almost immediately; however, it causes problems in the workplace. Decisions feel last-minute. Classes get canceled, moved around, or sudden assignments pop up with no notice. Being a foreign teacher means always being the last to know, even if it directly affects your work. It can be stressful, so maintaining flexibility and being proactive in learning the schedule is key to handling these situations before they arise.
I’m saying these things with the hope that those who decide to pursue teaching abroad fully understand that this isn’t a dream job, at least not for everyone. I feel that I was luckier than most. I got my preferred location, in Seoul, at a great school with wonderful co-workers and students. I’m grateful for the experience Korea gave me. The relationships I forged and the experiences I had transformed me as a person. My language skills and understanding of Korean culture improved immensely. But the more time I spent in Korea, the more I could recognize the social issues specific to Korean society, how they affected the education system, and the role I played in it.
Ultimately, it’s up to you. Some people find this is their niche: they love watching the students grow and designing lessons for them and plan to make it their career. For others, it feels like a moment in time.
So, again, was it worth it?
I would say YES, for all the reasons, both positive and negative. I came to understand another culture and myself on a much deeper level than I thought possible. My public speaking skills improved. I discovered new passions and became confident in my abilities.
It is not a job to take lightly. There is no perfect place to work. But if you are looking to discover more about the world and yourself, I highly recommend giving it a thought.
