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

Program Details

Qualifications
  • Native-level 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 OR Education degree is required (CIEE’s 150-hour TEFL certification course is included in the Teach in South Korea program fee)
  • Applications must be younger than 50 years of age
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood Elementary
Housing
Apartment
Weekly Classroom Hours
30
Age Min.
20
Age Max
50

Pricing

Salary / Benefits
- Competitive monthly salary of 2.1 million to 3.0 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 provided
Starting Price
1350
Price Details
Our program fee is:
$1,350 for candidates who already have their own TEFL/Education credentials
$1,950 to include the CIEE TEFL 150-Hour Certification Course along with our placement, preparation, and support services
What's Included
Accommodation Airfare Airport Transfers Travel Insurance
What's Included (Extra)

Expenses-paid Weekend Retreat in Seoul

Sep 11, 2024
Jan 13, 2025
68 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 will help you secure a teaching position with either the Korean government's EPIK program (we are an official recruitment partner), or with our reputable private school partners, as you prefer!

You'll get all the preparation you need before departure with CIEE TEFL's 150 hour Certification course, visa guidance and comprehensive practical and cultural advice. After arriving in South Korea, you'll join a CIEE weekend retreat in Seoul where you'll meet other CIEE teachers and grow your network of new friends. CIEE staff in Korea can advise you on day-to-day questions, and are available 24/7 for emergencies.

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

  • Choose the type of job you want - whether its public schools or private, get step-by-step guidance
  • Weekend Retreat in Seoul for CIEE teachers - Hotel, transport, meals, and activities provided
  • Enrollment in CIEE TEFL's 150-hour certification course
  • Expertise and Experience - Our staff offer honest advice and individual support
  • International insurance with 24-hour emergency assistance services

Program Reviews

4.55 Rating
based on 113 reviews
  • 5 rating 69.91%
  • 4 rating 24.78%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0.88%
  • 1 rating 4.42%
  • Benefits 4.4
  • Support 4.45
  • Fun 4.45
  • Facilities 4.3
  • Safety 4.7
Showing 57 - 64 of 113 reviews
Claudia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Year in Korea

I would definitely recommend finding a teaching position in South Korea or just anywhere with CIEE. They are honestly so helpful throughout the ENTIRE process of searching and making sure you have all documentation. Essentially they simplify everything so you don't have to be stressed out. I love my school placement and the coordinators try to make sure that your school and area is a good fit for you. This program is a great chance to get out of your comfort zone and experience a very different culture than what most participants generally come from! Also, there is no need to worry about prior teaching experience because CIEE also provides you with great training beforehand through their online TEFL course. Going straight after college I think is definitely a great adventure into the adult world in a very unique way.

103 people found this review helpful.
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Tristan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Opportunity

After studying abroad for one semester in 2015, I came back to Korea with CIEE to teach at a private school. The support I have received and continue to receive from the staff is nothing short of remarkable. The local representative is available 24/7 for any questions, comments or concerns I may have. My school placement is fantastic and offers excellent benefits. Without CIEE, I wouldn't have known where to start or with whom to get TEFL certified. I am very impressed with this program and would enthusiastically recommend it to others.
Because of this placement, I have developed a strong network consisting of other CIEE participants. I am confident I will continue to rely on their connections in order to advance in the English teaching community. I am excited to see where else CIEE can take me around the world.

103 people found this review helpful.
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Brian
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Teach In South Korea

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106 people found this review helpful.
Melissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Expat in South Korea

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What would you improve about this program?
Perhaps more social events during the year for current expats
104 people found this review helpful.
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Timothy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Program

I have nothing but good things to say about CIEE Teach in Korea! This is a good program for any prospective ESL teacher who is interested in teaching in Korea. CIEE helps you all the way through (there is a lot of paperwork) to make it easier for you. The in-country support is second to none, and their locations are some of the best that I have seen. They will pick you up from the airport, and help you get to your location. Brad and Yumi are super friendly and always available if you have any questions. When you begin a new adventure in a different country, it's natural to have a lot of questions, but they are there to help you every step of the way. Korea itself is a wonderful and beautiful country and culture, rich with history, culture, and amazing food to eat. I would highly recommend it!

104 people found this review helpful.
Corey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hagwon Teaching in Daegu

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107 people found this review helpful.
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Alexandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Straight out of University

I came to Korea to test run being a teacher. I’ve always loved kids, and loved working with kids as for the most part it’s all I’ve ever done. When I leave Korea, I’m not going to be returning to the states to be a teacher. But that makes it sound like my experience here has been negative, and it’s been the opposite of such. This experience has been and continues to be the best thing I’ve ever done with my life. It’s not easy teaching English to young students, but it’s extraordinarily rewarding. After my time here is up (one year and counting) I’m going to leave here with an entirely different outlook on life, work, travel and so much more. I can’t recommend an experience like this enough.

Oh, and the food is to die for here.

107 people found this review helpful.
Kayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I love it here!

I have been in Korea for 3 months and i was placed in a small city (Bongdam) near Suwon. So far, i absolutely love my area- i was easily able to join a gym within walking distance and i can get to Suwon train station in about 20 mins by bus.

Shortly after we arrived in Korea, my fellow teacher and i had a small issue with our employer and CIEE was immediately offering to help us, which they did. Since then i have been enjoying my job at a local academy working with kids that are ages 5-15.

I am so glad that i made the decision to try teaching abroad here, it is such a rewarding experience and i also love being able to explore a new culture that i have never seen before. CIEE made this a much easier prices than i could've done by struggling to find a job and an apartment by myself. I greatly appreciate the CIEE program and i would definitely recommend that you try using them! They're awesome :)

What would you improve about this program?
I'm not sure how else they can improve other than trying to get together more often?
99 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.