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Teach English in South Korea

South Korea is one of the top destinations to teach English abroad, combining high salaries with vibrant cities, reliable infrastructure, and deep cultural experiences. Our TEFL South Korea program offers guaranteed job placement, pre-departure training, and 24/7 in-country support. Whether you're teaching in Seoul, Busan, or smaller towns, you'll gain meaningful classroom experience and earn a strong South Korea ESL salary, all while living in one of Asia’s most modern and safe countries.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.39  (31 reviews)

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Salary & Dates

Teach English in South Korea!

South Korea is vibrant, fast-paced, and full of opportunity, which means it’s the perfect place to teach, earn, and explore. 

Whether you’re soaking up the energy of the neon-lit streets, embracing the warmth of local hospitality, or diving into a world of delicious food (yes, the hype about Korean BBQ is real), you’ll never run out of things to experience. 

And, with high salaries, unique contract benefits, and a deep respect for education, teaching here isn’t just a job – it’s a chance to build a life in one of the most dynamic countries in the world.

 

South Korea Map

What to Expect

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Climate

Korea has four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers (71–76°F) and cold, dry winters (23 to 36°F).

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Language

Korean is the national language. It’s written in Hangul – a simple, logical alphabet you can learn to read in only a day.

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Location

South Korea is in East Asia, sharing a border with North Korea, surrounded by China, Japan, and the Yellow and East Seas

Why Teach English in South Korea?

With structured contracts, generous benefits, and a strong demand for English teachers, South Korea offers a stable and exciting path for new educators. Our program includes a 120-hour TEFL certification in South Korea, or online, giving you the foundation to thrive. You’ll be matched with English teaching jobs in South Korea that suit your preferences, from bustling urban centers to quiet countryside schools. South Korea’s respect for education and well-developed school system make it a great fit for first-time or experienced teachers alike

Salary

Teachers in South Korea typically earn between $1,600–$1,900/month, with additional perks like free housing, paid vacation, airfare reimbursement, and a severance bonus after completing your contract.

Application Deadlines & Dates
SOUTH KOREA IN-CLASS TEFL DEADLINE TO APPLY (12 WEEKS PRIOR)
Monday 22 September 2025 Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday 24 November 2025 Monday, September 01, 2025
Monday 19 January 2026 Monday, October 27, 2025
Monday 23 March 2026 Monday, December 29, 2025
Monday 18 May 2026 Monday, February 23, 2026
Monday 27 July 2026 Monday, May 04, 2026
Monday 31 August 2026 Monday, June 08, 2026
Monday 26 October 2026 Monday, August 03, 2026

School

You’ll be placed in a structured, supportive private (Hagwon) or public school.

What Support is Included with Our South Korea TEFL Program?

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Choosing Your Program

We help you select the perfect teaching destination and program.


 You: Fill out your application.

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Gauranteed Job Placement

We secure your job placement before you leave.


 You: Sign your contract.

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Visa & Paperwork Support

We guide you through the visa application and help with all required documents.


 You: Submit your documents and pay fees.

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TEFL Course (if applicable)

We arrange your internationally recognized TEFL course.


 You: Complete your TEFL course.

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Pre-Departure Support

We provide everything you need to prepare for your journey.


 You: Pack your bags.

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Airport Pickup & Arrival Assistance

We’ll be there to meet you when you arrive at the airport.


 You: Show up.

2,400+ Participants (Instagram Post) (5)

Ongoing Support

We continue to support you while you’re abroad, from housing to emergencies.


You: Enjoy your experience and teach with confidence!

Welcome dinner Medium

Our in-class TEFL teachers enjoy a delicious welcome dinner in Incheon

Cooking class Medium

You’ll receive an immersive cultural orientation with the TravelBud program, including an awesome cooking class celebrating local cuisine

Prac 1 Medium

Get hands-on teaching experience with the practical component during our in-class TEFL option

Prac 2 Medium

Change the lives of your students through English- one game at a time!

5 Reasons to Teach English in South Korea with TravelBud

  1. You’re eager to experience Korean culture firsthand.

  1. You want to explore vibrant cities like Seoul while earning a competitive salary.

  1. You’re looking for a stress-free process with guaranteed job placement and support from start to finish.

  1. You’re excited about working with young learners in a supportive, fun environment.

  1. You’re ready to dive into a world of opportunity with benefits like paid vacation and housing assistance.

How to Start Teaching English in South Korea with TravelBud

We know the idea of teaching abroad can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve broken it down into five simple steps so that you can skip the stress and head straight to the adventure.

1

Inquire & Find the right program for you

Click Get Started. Chat to one of our dynamic Enrollment Team members to figure out the right fit for you!
2

Complete the Application Process

Follow a few easy steps and submit your application form, a few basic teacher profile documents, and speak with our Enrollment Team for your consultation.
3

Officially Enroll with TravelBud

Once you're accepted onto the program, you can get officially enrolled. You'll settle your initial enrollment fee and be welcomed officially!

4

Pre-Departure Support

Our incredible, award-winning support team will guide you through all the steps you need before you leave your home country. They'll assist you with document collection, visa applications, and all the information you need to get ready for this epic journey!

5

Your Teach Abroad Journey Begins!

Our support and in-country teams will ensure that you are supported once you arrive in country. From airport pickups, cultural orientations, guaranteed job placement and ongoing in-country support- you're in the best hands to have a successful teach abroad journey!

Compare South Korea TEFL Program Options

Not sure which program suits your needs? We’ve broken our pricing down so you can easily choose the one that aligns with your experience, time, and goals.

In-Class TEFL & Placement

$30990 120 Hour In-Class TEFL

What you get:

  • 120-hour in-class TEFL course with practical training
  • Guaranteed job placement & 24/7 in-country support
  • Shared accommodation (1st month) + airport pickup
  • Lifetime placement guarantee & cultural orientation
Get Started

Online TEFL & Placement

$23988 120 Hours /month

What You Get:

  • 120-hour online TEFL course
  • Guaranteed job placement & ongoing support
  • Cultural orientation weekend + resource library
  • Lifetime placement guarantee
Get Started

Placement Only

$189916 /month

What You Get:

  • Guaranteed job placement
  • Pre-departure & in-country support
  • Cultural orientation weekend
  • Lifetime placement guarantee
Get Started

In-Class TEFL & Placement

Online TEFL & Placement

Placement Only

Enrollment Fee
TEFL & Placement
$599 USD In-Class TEFL & Placement
$599 USD Online TEFL & Placement
$599 USD Placement
Payment Schedule
Due upon acceptance and you would like to officially enroll
Due upon acceptance and you would like to officially enroll
Due upon acceptance and you would like to officially enroll
Explanation
The enrollment fee kickstarts your journey with TravelBud. You will start working with your assigned support coordinator for your pre-departure support, TEFL & Placement
The enrollment fee kickstarts your journey with TravelBud. You will start working with your assigned support coordinator for your pre-departure support
The enrollment fee kickstarts your journey with TravelBud. You will start working with your assigned support coordinator for your pre-departure support
Inclusions
✔️ Pre-Departure support

✔️ Securing of your spot on the program

✔️ Securing your place on the in-class TEFL start date of your choice
✔️ Pre-Departure support

✔️ Securing of your spot on the program
✔️ Pre-Departure support

✔️ Securing of your spot on the program

✔️ Securing your place on the start date of your choice

Online TEFL Fee
TEFL & Placement
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$499USD Online TEFL & Placement
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Payment Schedule
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Due 2 weeks prior to your chosen Online TEFL start date (they start every first Monday of each month and run for 5 consecutive weeks)
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Explanation
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This is your payment for our in-house Internationally Accreddited 120 hour Online TEFL through our partners
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Inclusions
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✔️ 120 Hour Online TEFL course that is Internationally Accredited
-

Final Fees
TEFL & Placement
$2500 USD In-Class TEFL & Placement
Part 1: $650 USD Part 2: $650 USD
Part 1: $650 USD Part 2: $650 USD
Payment Schedule
Due 12 weeks prior to your chosen start date (or as a lumpsum alongside your enrolment fee if the 12-week prior deadline has passed)
Part 1: Due 10 weeks after your initial enrolment date Part 2: Due upon receipt of your contract offer letter
Part 1: Due 10 weeks after your initial enrolment date Part 2: Due upon receipt of your contract offer letter
Inclusions
✔️ Internationally accredited 120 hour in-class TEFL course in Incheon.

✔️ Airport pick-up

✔️ Immersive Cultural orientation

✔️ Shared accommodation for 4 weeks

✔️ Guaranteed Job Placement

✔️ 24/7 in-country support

✔️ Lifetime Placement Guarantee on program Line A
✔️ Airport pick-up

✔️ Immersive Cultural orientation

✔️ Shared accommodation for your week of orientation

✔️ Guaranteed Job Placement

✔️ 24/7 in-country support

✔️ Lifetime Placement Guarantee on program Line A
✔️ Airport pick-up

✔️ Immersive Cultural orientation

✔️ Shared accommodation for your week of orientation

✔️ Guaranteed Job Placement

✔️ 24/7 in-country support

✔️ Lifetime Placement Guarantee on program Line A

Totals
$3,099 USD
$2,398 USD
$1,899 USD

Eligibility Requirements

You don’t need to have any teaching experience to teach English in South Korea. 

But, what you do need is:

Let's Do This

A passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

Any bachelor’s degree issued in one of the seven designated English-speaking countries.
To be a Native English Speaker.
100% Clear criminal background check, with no reflections whatsoever.
No major medical or mental health diagnosis or medication in the past 5 years.
Be between the ages of 21-40. 
No visible tattoos (such as on the face, neck and hands).

See Why 2,400+ Participants Chose Us

If you need more proof of why we’re the best at what we do, look no further than the thousands of people we’ve helped live, teach, and travel abroad. 

TravelBud - Teaching in Korea and Renewing

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I've been teaching in Korea for about 3 years now. Travelbud was very helpful in helping me prepare and getting me settled with the in-country placement team. Saskia and Kim have helped me so much and always answer my questions. Over these years Kim has been a great support. I appreciate her help and guidance especially when it came to considering where to teach. No matter how much time has passed since our last chat it always refreshing and comfortable to speak about anything. :)

Korea has been such an amazing experience and I'm forever changed from my time here.

Continue reading >

A Dream Come True

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

From the first inquiry to now, this program has been incredible. I have felt heard, seen, understood, supported and cared for this entire process. It is not an easy thing to move across the world, but my coordinators, Kim, SJ and Emma have made an unforgettable impact on my life. Their transparency, patience, relatability, reliability and dedication, to me, is worth more than I can even write into words.

When I first came to Korea, on my first day I experienced a medical emergency. They were so attentive and helped me with everything from the taxi to ensuring I submitted medical claims properly.
My best memory so far is wearing a Hanbok. I really enjoyed connecting with other expats living here.

Second, the school they partnered me with has been a wonderful experience. I love my kids dearly and I have been able to see them grow not only in their academics but socially as well.

I can't thank you enough for helping my dream come true ❤️.
감사합니다~

TravelBud

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
TravelBud was super helpful in helping me become an English teacher in South Korea and made the transition moving to a different country very easy and smooth! Moving to a different country and learning a completely new culture can be very difficult but TravelBud helped me find a very comfortable job and put me in contact with all the right people so when I arrived here my transition has been very smooth and really enjoyable! Would definitely recommend for anyone thinking of teaching English abroad for their first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about teaching in South Korea? Here are some of the most common ones we hear from applicants.

Yes, you must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized English-speaking country (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland) and be a native English speaker. Teaching experience is not required, but you will need to complete a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL qualification if your degree isn’t related to education or English.
You’ll typically earn between US $1,600–$1,900 per month, depending on placement. Teachers also receive free furnished accommodation, airfare reimbursement, paid vacation & public holidays, and a severance bonus (~1 month’s pay) at the end of a successful contract. Benefits may differ slightly if only doing a 6 month contract.
Contracts are usually 6–12 months, with the option to extend. The full application and document process, including TESOL certification, typically takes a minimum of 3 months. To secure your spot, we advise applying as far in advance as possible.
TravelBud arranges placements in both public schools (e.g. through EPIK) and private language centers (hagwons), depending on program option and availability. You can express rural vs urban and public vs private preferences during the application.
Absolutely. South Korea is considered very safe with low crime rates, reliable public infrastructure, and a respectful teaching culture. TravelBud’s local support includes cultural orientation and 24/7 in-country assistance to help you settle in comfortably.
Yes, many teachers save US $500–$800 per month, even after covering living costs. With generous benefits like free housing, flight reimbursement, and contract bonuses, the South Korea program is one of the highest saving teaching paths offered.

Got more questions? Check out our Knowledge Base!