Teach English in South Korea

Teach in South Korea and immerse yourself in its unique culture! Amazing food, rich history, and cultural traditions, Korea is truly a one-of-a-kind country.

Greenheart Travel’s program is ideal if you:

• Want to make a positive impact on lives of students
• Want to experience a culture completely different than what you are used to
• Can’t wait to embrace Korean culture. Bring it on!

Program at a Glance:

• 12-month contracts
• Guaranteed paid English teaching positions
• Average salary $1,600 to $1,750/month
• Cultural orientation*
• Year-round start dates
• Two months of comprehensive medical travel insurance
• Pre-departure and in-country support
• Visa document support

*TESOL participants will take part in a 1-week orientation, placement only participants will take part in orientation weekends

TESOL+ Placement Program at a Glance: 

Get TESOL certified in Incheon. After graduation, we’ll assist you with finding a hagwon (private school) job so you can stay in South Korea and teach English.

• Intensive 3-week in-person TESOL/TEFL certification course in Incheon, South Korea
  • 120-hours of coursework
  • 16 hours of practicum
  • Taught by highly qualified instructors
• 1-week cultural orientation upon arrival
  • Korean culture and language lessons
  • Taekwondo
  • Palace visits
  • Korean cooking lessons
• Assistance finding paid work in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Thailand or Myanmar following your successful course completion
• Accommodation during course

Placement Only Program Start Dates:

Private language schools in Korea (hagwons) hire throughout the year. The largest number of jobs become available around February and August (beginning of the first and second semester). May and November (the halfway point in each semester) are also a popular time to hire. As such, applications for placement only are accepted on a rolling basis. Keep in mind that working in Korea involves gathering the documents you need for your visa, which can take up to 3 months to obtain. Apply at least 4 months in advance from when you would like to start.

TESOL Course + Placement Program Start Dates:

For those planning to work in Korea after the course, you will start the job search process after your registration. This involves gathering the documents you need for your visa, which can take up to 3 months to obtain. If you want to work in Korea after the course, you need to register at least 4 months in advance.

TESOL Course Start Dates: 

• Start Date
• July 22, 2024 
• September 23, 2024
• January 20, 2025 – New course date!
• March 24, 2025 – New course date!
• May 19, 2025 – New course date!
• July 28, 2025 – New course date!
• September 22, 2025 – New course date!
• October 27, 2025 – New course date!

Placement Only/TESOL +Placement

• Native English speaker
• BA or 4-year equivalent
• Citizen of the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand 
• Must have studied in one of the above seven citizenship countries since the 7th grade (no later)
• 21-49 years old
• NO criminal record (besides very minor traffic offenses like speeding) including underage drinking charges, DUIs, misdemeanors, etc. 
• Knowledge of and access to Google Drive or Microsoft Word
• Have a laptop to complete coursework (tablets not acceptable)
• Must be in good physical and mental health
  • South Korea is extremely strict on medication, so when filling out your application, please disclose any and all medication you are currently taking

TESOL Course only – Placement in Thailand/Myanmar
We cannot place those without a BA in South Korea, but we are able to place TEFL course-only students without degrees in Thailand and Myanmar

• Fluent English speaker
• Citizen of the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand 
• High school diploma
• 20-60 years old
• NO criminal record (besides very minor traffic offenses like speeding) including underage drinking charges, DUIs, misdemeanors, etc. 
• Knowledge of and access to Google Drive or Microsoft Word
• Have a laptop to complete coursework (tablets not acceptable)

All students must show a serious commitment to learning and a willingness to plan and teach in groups and to work reflectively. In order to make sure you gain all of the tools and practice you need to teach English, the course is intensive and involves long days in the classroom, plus homework on nights and weekends.

Teaching Placement Only: $1,780 USD
Ideal if you’re already TESOL certified or have teaching credentials

Teaching Placement +  Online TESOL certification course: $2,130 USD
Ideal if you don’t have a TESOL yet, or don’t have classroom experience

Teaching Placement +  TESOL certification course: $2,980 USD (Offering a $100 discount on this option for all 2024 start dates)
Ideal if you don’t have a TESOL yet, or don’t have classroom experience

What’s Included:

• 3 weeks of intensive TESOL/TEFL training in Incheon (if chosen) or 4 week Online TESOL training
  • 120 hours of classwork
  • 16 hours of student teaching
• 1-week cultural orientation upon arrival
• 1 months accommodation during the course (shared housing)
• 3 months international medical and accident insurance 
• Airport pickup and transfer
• Job, visa and housing assistance 

Additional Expenses You’ll Need to Cover (Estimates):

• Airfare to Korea ($800-$1000)
  • Private school teachers will receive a flight reimbursement from their school
• Visa fee or any costs associated with obtaining documents required for the visa ($200-$250)
• Meals and daily transportation in Korea ($20-$25/day)
• A deposit for your orientation or course accommodation electricity and water usage ($100). Just don’t use your air conditioning like crazy and you should get most of this back 🙂
• A laptop:  Teachers are responsible for bringing a laptop computer to Korea with them for lesson planning
• Startup cash to hold you over until your first paycheck ($1500-$2000)

Payment Details:

• $300 Application Deposit due to move onto the interview  
  • Refunded if you are not accepted 
• $300 Commitment Deposit due after acceptance 
  • Confirms your spot on a start date 
• Remaining Balance Due 60 Days Prior to Start Date:
  • Placement Only: $1,130
  • With TESOL course: $2,270

Accommodation during the TESOL Course: 

Shared housing in a guesthouse in Incheon is included in your program fee for the month of your course. You will be within a short distance of a metro stop, the TESOL school as well as various restaurants. The exact guesthouse you will be staying in will depend on availability – your accommodation details will be confirmed about three weeks before you arrive in Korea. 

You should expect to share a room with at least one other student, but you may share a room with up to four other students. This will be booked and paid for on your behalf, but you will need to submit a refundable deposit when you arrive which you will get back as long as the room is not damaged.

The accommodations will be equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning and heating. Although there may not be a daily cleaning service, there will be one mid-way throughout the course. You may have access to a communal kitchen space and shared living areas where you can study, read, and hang out, but this will depend on what accommodation is available at the time of your course. Laundry may be available at your accommodation; but if not, there are inexpensive laundromats nearby.

Accommodation during your Placement: 

One of the many benefits of teaching in Korea! You do not have to worry about rent 🙂 Your school will provide an apartment for you. Apartments differ from school to school, but they are typically a basic, furnished, studio. The deposit and monthly rental fee are paid for by your school. The only expenses will be monthly utilities, such as gas, electricity, internet, etc.

This course is an intense three weeks and students should expect to be at school for the majority of the day, Monday – Friday, and to complete homework assignments every night. Hours at the school are typically 9:00am – 6:30pm. You will do your student teaching either at night after the course or during the day on one of the Saturdays.

Here is a typical daily schedule:

Although this course should not be taken lightly, as long as you go to class and get your homework done each night, you will do great! It is rare for students to fail this course, but you should be prepared for an intensive three weeks of classes, teaching practice and homework.

Accreditation ensures that your certification course meets quality standards in the level of instruction, the quality of the curriculum, inclusion of a practicum, extent of training and other areas. It ensures that the course’s quality and ethical standards are maintained, and recognizes professional acceptance and recognition in the international job market.

This course is internationally accredited by Accreditat and meets international TESOL/TEFL course standards.

International Standards

Most schools, language institutes and Ministries of Education recognize TESOL/TEFL certifications that meet certain basic standards that are also recommended by leading bodies in the field, including the British Council. These standards reflect those incorporated into a standard, accredited intensive four-week TESOL/TEFL class and include:

• At least 100 hours of coursework and training
• At least 6-20 hours of live practice teaching and observation involving actual ESL students (not peers – no role-playing)
• External validation and accreditation by a recognized, independent body within the field

Job Market at a Glance:

• Peak hiring season in the spring and fall
• Legal work permits required
• Both private school and public school positions (public schools have a strict application process with exact deadlines, so please enquire if public schools are your preference)
• ~$1,600 to $1,750/month, depending on current exchange rate
• 12-month contracts

South Korea is has a huge demand for certified native English-speaking teachers in both public and private schools. The majority of South Korea TESOL student graduates will work in private schools, or hagwons, as the private school hiring season is longer and not as competitive as the public school program, EPIK. However, there are some opportunities to work in public schools that hire teachers directly, outside of EPIK.

Korea offers some of the best benefits available to TESOL-certified English teachers – salaries typically start at $1500 USD/month. Along with this salary, most schools will also offer a free, furnished apartment, flight reimbursement, contract bonuses and health insurance. With only utilities and personal spending to worry about, many teachers can save up to $1000 USD every month!

Jobs are available with students of all ages between kindergarten all the way through 12th grade.

Though you may be able to find a hagwon that offers a 6-month contract, most schools will require a 12-month commitment from teachers. It’s very easy to re-sign and stay longer than your initial contract – many teachers end up living in Korea for much longer than they had originally anticipated!

Here’s a bit more about our South Korea TESOL Course and job placement:

Greenheart Travel has been working in South Korea for many years, and there are advantages of applying for this program through us:

• 33 years of experience with cultural exchange programs
• Friendly, responsive, and professional support from your program manager who has taught English abroad in Asia and has visited Korea.
• Connect with alumni and others on the program via our Greenheart Travel only Facebook forums, before you even leave!
• Greenheart Atlas Program. The Greenheart Travel Atlas is a cultural training interactive guidebook alongside five videos where you will find three main topics covered: Personal/Professional Development, Cultural Understanding, & Environmental Awareness.
• Our alumni recommend us! GoOverseas.com Reviews // GoAbroad.com Reviews
• Hands-on support and personal attention every step of the way
• 24/7 emergency phone number to reach a staff member at any time
• Pre-departure “Culture Shock and Adjustment” Webinar before you leave
• Discounts for future Greenheart Travel programs
• We are a non-profit, mission-based organization
• Continued support throughout your contract

We also have some unique offerings to our Greenheart Travel teachers and alumni!

Greenheart Grants

Greenheart Grants are funds awarded to Greenheart Travel participants to use for community development projects in their host or home country. A Greenheart Grant is the opportunity to create, improve, or maintain an impactful, community-focused project abroad or at home. Grant funds could be applied to supporting women’s cooperatives, schools, community centers, or health clinics, for example. Grant winners will be featured on our website, social media, and blog. You can see our past winners on our blog here.

Greenheart Alumni Program

We created the Greenheart Travel Alumni Program to provide resources and a community to support alumni in their advancement as global leaders, and a way to celebrate and reward our participants for being ambitious, inspiring catalysts of cultural exchange!

Greenheart Global Leaders Conference

Each August Greenheart offers full ride scholarships to over 40 alumni to attend our annual conference in Washington, DC. Participants even get a chance to advocate for cultural exchange in a presentation to the US Department of State. You can see more about what GGLC is and what you could do at the conference here.

1. Start Your Application Here. You will be sent more information as well as the link to our application portal to begin your formal application.

2. Submit Basic Program Information: The first step in our application portal will be basic things like your chosen start date, etc.

3. Submit your Application Fee: A $300 application fee is required in order to apply for the program. This is subtracted from your total program fee. If we are unable to accept you following your interview (very unlikely!) we will refund your application fee in full.

4. Schedule your Video Interview! Once you have submitted your online application and paid your application fee, you will be asked to schedule a video interview with a Greenheart Travel representative.

5. You’re Accepted! Woohoo! We are usually able to accept people within a 1-2 weeks of their interviews.

6. Commitment Payment: Once you are accepted to the program, you will need to submit a $300 commitment payment within 14 days to confirm your spot on the program. Once you submit your commitment payment you will unlock the acceptance portion of your portal, which includes things like pre-departure videos, travel and arrival information, the Greenheart Travel Atlas, and more.

7. Submit your Placement Documents: We’ll need a short video and a new resume in our defined format after you’re accepted, and we’ll send you the instructions on completing them after you’re accepted.

8. Balance: Your remaining tuition balance will be due 60 days prior to your program start date.