Location
  • South Korea
    • Seoul
    • Busan
    • Gwangju
Length
52+ weeks
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood

Program Details

Qualifications
  • Native English speaker
  • A bachelor’s degree in any field
  • Citizenship in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, or the United Kingdom
  • A commitment to 12 months of employment
  • TEFL certification is required for public schools and strongly recommended for private schools (CIEE’s 150-hour TEFL certification course is included in the Teach in South Korea program fee)
  • Applications must be 52 years of age or younger in order to receive a work visa
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood
Housing
Apartment
Weekly Classroom Hours
30
Age Max
52

Pricing

Salary / Benefits
- Competitive monthly salary of 2.0 million to 2.7 million won
- Rent-free studio apartment from your employer
- Contract completion bonus (1 month's salary)
- Schools either buy or reimburse a one-way ticket
- Health Insurance
Starting Price
1350
What's Included
Accommodation Airfare Airport Transfers Travel Insurance
Jan 09, 2023
Jan 18, 2023
50 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

CIEE's Teach in South Korea program will support you through every step of teaching English in South Korea. CIEE is an official recruitment partner of the Korean government's EPIK program and will help you secure a teaching position in public or private schools.

You'll get all the preparation you need before departure with CIEE TEFL's 150 hour Certification course, visa assistance and an online preparation course. After arriving in South Korea, you'll join a CIEE networking weekend in Seoul where you'll meet other CIEE teachers and build a network of new friends. You'll also receive 24/7 support from CIEE staff in Korea.

South Korea offers you the opportunity to gain teaching experience and see the world while earning a competitive salary and enjoying rent-free housing. Placements are available in major urban areas throughout Korea, including greater Seoul!

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Job placement at private or public schools (CIEE is an official EPIK partner)
  • Networking weekend in Seoul with other CIEE teachers so you can build a network of new friends
  • Enrollment in CIEE TEFL's 150-hour certification course
  • Expert visa assistance and 24/7 support from CIEE staff in Korea
  • International insurance with 24-hour emergency assistance services

Current Teaching Jobs

View the latest teaching job postings by CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL.

Program Reviews

4.55 Rating
based on 108 reviews
  • 5 rating 70.37%
  • 4 rating 24.07%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0.93%
  • 1 rating 4.63%
  • Benefits 4.4
  • Support 4.5
  • Fun 4.45
  • Facilities 4.3
  • Safety 4.75
Showing 65 - 72 of 108 reviews
Default avatar
Chrissy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Korea

I'm about 3 months in to my job at a private school and so far I'm loving it! In general, private schools put a lot of pressure on both student and teacher performance because the parents are investing a lot of money in the school. But for me the job so far has been very low stress and a lot of fun. Korea is insanely safe, and I have never once felt uncomfortable walking alone. There's a lot to explore, and every weekend I've been able to see a new part of Seoul or take trips to different areas of Korea. I think if you ever get bored here, you're doing something wrong.
One thing I have really appreciated about CIEE is their constant and quick communication. I always felt supported and knew that I could trust them to help me move halfway across the world.

What would you improve about this program?
I think it would be nice to be put in contact with other people at my school before arriving. CIEE has placed a number of teachers at my school specifically over the years, so getting some advice/knowing what to expect would have been useful.
40 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brianda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Why I chose CIEE

I chose CIEE for the various programs it offered. You can only apply to one program at a time. If you are do not get into the program you want, you can choose another one. I like that CIEE gives you various options and allows you to transfer your application to another program, if you do not get it. I also liked that you could choose to work at a private or public school (EPIK). I chose the EPIK option. The application thru EPIK does take time and can be nerve-racking to hear back the results. CIEE also provides a TEFL course (if you need it), a preparation course, and iNext insurance (supplemental insurance).
With EPIK you can request a location, I chose to be flexible on the location. I like the area I am in. It's a quiet town but it is close to other cities in the Jeonnam providence, that I can go to the cities on weekends.

What would you improve about this program?
The price of the program is high, like others have said.
38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life in Koera

I have been in Korea for just over 2 months now and I love it. I am glad I chose CIEE. This program has helped me a lot. Before coming here they helped me with all the questions I had and if I would be able to even come. Even after coming here they are always here for me when I have trouble with work. At first my job was not going so good but now it is. I am glad that we have support here and we are not alone. I enjoy the location that I am at. I am in a small city and I can walk everywhere. It is not huge like Seoul. I feel like I am helping a lot here cause there are not many people that speak English fluently here.

Through this program I have made awesome friends. Even though we do not live by each other we are always supporting each other. We even planned trips to travel around the country together. It is nice to have other English speaking friends in a foreign place. I will cherish the friendships I made through this program.

38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Crystal
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Korea with CIEE

This has been a very good experience for me so far. I was very happy when I found out CIEE had teaching abroad programs available and that included a credible TEFL certificate. I like how CIEE has both the public school option, where they are partnered with EPIK, and a private school option. So if one doesn't work out you can have another alternative. I'm glad I chose the public school option and that it worked out!

The staff helped me a lot throughout the lengthy process. They were very quick to send emails as well as updates and answer any questions that I had. I also liked how they interviewed me beforehand so I could prepare more for the actual interview and get more practice. The staff in Korea is also great and willing to help with any issues you come across. I like how they have an on-site orientation so you can meet other teachers and ask questions regarding about teaching. It is a good way to make friends and to get tips!

I'm really grateful to CIEE for I love my job and I'm having a great time! For anyone considering teaching abroad in Korea, there are so many benefits and the kids are absolutely precious! The pay is good, housing is rent free, and you have lots of aid from coworkers as well a other English teachers. I would recommend anyone to check out this program!

What would you improve about this program?
I do agree with everyone else when they say the program is a bit pricey. But for me it is worth it because CIEE is a credible program and it also includes a TEFL certificate. Although it's possible to find cheaper TEFL programs the question would be if they are credible and if your current program would accept that certificate. With CIEE, you have the benefits of a recruiter who knows the process and you get a credible TEFL certificate.
38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Carolyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So far, so good - Teaching in Jeonju, South Korea

I had been to South Korea before, but for staying a year and actually working a real job, I'm glad that I chose CIEE. The program is pretty pricey, but that includes a rather extensive TEFL certification, so that should be taken into account. South Korea is known for paying its English teachers very well, so even though the initial cost of CIEE's program is a lot, you can earn that money back within the first few months after you start working. In my experience, CIEE's staff is very quick to respond to questions (both when I was in the U.S. applying and now in Korea). I have a personal interest in the country, so it's been very exciting to be here as aspects of Korean culture get more popular overseas and as the North and South come to more friendly terms with one another. It's a cool front row seat to history, but with the full in-country support of CIEE to make living in a country (where you don't speak the language!) a lot less intimidating. South Korea isn't that big and has a good public transportation system, so you can travel around and get to know the country pretty well within a year and still be able to visit neighboring countries during winter or summer break.

What would you improve about this program?
Like everyone else has been saying, the only real issue with this program is the rather steep price. If you plan to teach abroad with CIEE, I recommend Korea because the nice salary helps offset the money spent getting there.
37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
cory
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Korea

I absolutely love Korea. I'm so glad I decided to come here with the help of CIEE. I have lived in here for about 3 months and I think I am adjusting nicely. I was able to meet a couple great friends through the orientation offered by CIEE and we have traveled around together a few times in the last couple months. The orientation helped new teachers become accustomed to the everyday life and teaching culture in Korea, which is so different than in the United States.

Before coming, CIEE offered a lot of support. I was so anxious going through the visa process, but CIEE was there every step of the way with their expertise. It made me feel so at ease. I talked with a coworker that did not come with a recruiter and she said she felt like she was drowning throughout the whole process. They help you find a placement and work with you to try and place you in an area you want to be in. Though I am not in love with my home city since it is very small, I am only 30 minutes away from Busan and one hour away from Changwon, another larger city in my province. I'm glad CIEE was there for me and offered their help! CIEE ensures you receive a fair salary and working conditions. The staff is there for you and can help you if any problems arise with your school or life in Korea. I feel comfortable living here and that I have support because of CIEE.

39 people found this review helpful.
Jordan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life in South Korea

When you take a deep breath and you are looking at colorful gems and you are naked and sweating. You know you are at a 찜질방. I spent most of the weekends of my first year in Korea in these saunas because I didn't have much money and I loved traveling. I could sleep in the floor for $10 - $15 dollars in just about every city. Now I'm in my second year, I paid off my student loans, and I really enjoy South Korea. I've adjusted to the culture and I think it's made me a far more worldly person. In my experience it was hard to understand true Korean culture until I started speaking a decent amount of Korean which has just happened recently. There is still excitement and mystery for me and for the right personality teaching in SK could be there best thing you have done with your life. I know it's the best decision I've made for my life.

What would you improve about this program?
I think more social opportunities could exist. During my first year I was placed in a very rural area and was quite lonely. I wouldn't trade my experience there but I have to say i do remember it being difficult.
37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Daegu

Teaching abroad through CIEE is one of the best decisions I have ever made. As a fresh college graduate, the decision was a no-brainer: living abroad with a comfy salary, rent-free housing, insurance, and the promise of adventure? Perfect formula for something exciting.

The pre-departure support that the program offers was invaluable to me in navigating interviews, contracts, and visa paperwork. It takes away the anxiety of hoping that the hiring school is offering livable wages and competitive benefits - it's harder to advocate for those things yourself when you don't speak the local language well! I applied to private language schools (hagwons, in Korean) only, rather than to the Korean EPIK public school program. These two tracks are very different, so make sure you do your research before choosing how to apply!

Once you arrive in-country, the level of support that is needed from the program varies. I personally was placed in a hagwon that is incredibly communicative and welcoming. My supervisors and co-workers all speak English, and there is a large community of expats in the greater area, so I did not need extra help from CIEE in adjusting to my new home. But if your placement is different (i.e., if you're the only foreigner at your school, which happens sometimes!), CIEE is there to help mitigate any disputes and assist with your adjustment to life abroad. It's a great comfort to know that if problems arise, there is a team prepared to help at any time.

Program benefits also vary from placement to placement. My studio apartment is safe, modern, and comfortable, but be warned: many Korean landlords/building managers don't require prior tenants to clean the place before they leave, so your apartment might need a deep-clean when you arrive. The apartment is about fifteen minutes' walk away from my school, which is typical compared to other expats in my area. Your utilities payments, insurance payments, and pension plan payments all depend on your contract with your school, so be prepared to contribute to these. Working hours also vary greatly; my hours are 1pm to 9pm, but I have also worked morning shifts, and I have worked across multiple branches of my employer's company. Be flexible!

My home away from home, Daegu, is a beautiful mountainous city in the southern part of the country. Perhaps I'm biased, but if you're thinking about coming to Korea, there really is no better place to be than Daegu! Just be prepared for some really heavy satoori (local dialect, different from the Korean they speak in Seoul!) and some whispers and stares from the locals - it's kind of a conservative city!

38 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Yes, you need at least a bachelor's degree in any subject to teach abroad.

So you can start applying in May, but unless it's for a special program it's not always necessary. You can easily wait until after graduation to apply to schools (one less thing to worry about at that time). Korean schools, hagwon (private academy)'s tend to hire at the end of every term. So the hiring process is fairly constant. To complete the visa and hiring process you do need your diploma to...

Unfortunatley you cannot teach English in a Korea if you are not from an English speaking country. Schools seek individuals from a limited amount of countries, all of which are English speaking countries. However, South Africans can get an E-2 (teaching) visa.

I was told that you could not bring pets, nor were you allowed to get a pet once you were here. However, I have heard of several instances where teachers got pets in Korea. I think it might depend on your area and living situation because I'm sure some landlords will not allow it.