Private School Teaching Jobs in Korea
Gain TEFL experience and teach English to small classes of learners at well established private language schools with branches throughout Korea. 💚🌏
Teach English at private schools in Korea
Teach small classes at well-established language schools with branches across Korea. Start any time of year, with training, a flight to Korea and no placement fee through ESLstarter.
Private school teaching jobs in Korea
Korea's private language schools, known as hagwons, are where most English teachers in the country work. You'll join a well-established school that's part of its local community, teaching small classes of kindergarten children, primary students, teenagers or adults.
The full curriculum and training are provided, so you can focus on helping your students speak English with confidence. Most schools have a team of foreign teachers, which makes settling in much easier.
Prefer a public school with spring and autumn intakes? See our EPIK public school jobs.
Your Korea package
Salary depends on your school, qualifications and experience.
Monthly salary
A furnished single apartment of your own
One-way airfare to start your contract
Severance pay when you complete your contract
Plus Korean national holidays
Health cover throughout your contract
Met on arrival and taken to your new town or city
Orientation and a full curriculum provided
Kindergarten, primary, teens and adults
Who can apply?
- A bachelor's degree in any subject
- Fluent English
- A passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa
- A TEFL or TESOL certificate is preferred
- Enthusiasm and an openness to a new culture
- No teaching experience needed
No TEFL yet? Schools prefer TEFL-qualified teachers, and it can help you get a better offer. Get the 120-hour TEFL online from just £63 with our partner TEFL UK, or go further with the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL from £239.
Get TEFL certified from £63Where you could teach
Schools have branches throughout Korea, including:
- Seoul
- Incheon
- Busan
- Daejeon
- Ilsan
- Gyeonggi-do
Plus many other towns and cities across the country.
How it works
Apply with ESLstarter
Send the form below. One of our advisors will check your eligibility and be in touch.
Start your visa documents
Order your apostilled criminal record check and degree early. Schools favour teachers whose paperwork is under way.
Interview with schools
We match you with schools that suit you, with tips before each interview.
Offer and E-2 visa
Accept your offer and apply for your E-2 teaching visa with our support.
Fly to Korea
You're met at the airport, then training and orientation before your first classes.
From hanok villages and mountain temples to late nights in Seoul and beaches on the east coast, Korea is an easy place to fall in love with.
With paid vacation and national holidays, you'll have time to explore it. · Read teacher stories
Teaching in Korea: your questions answered
When can I start teaching at a private school in Korea?
Schools hire all year round, so you can start at any time on a 12-month contract. There are openings in towns and cities across Korea.
What is the schedule for private school teaching jobs in Korea?
Schools usually run one of two shifts: mornings and afternoons for young learners in kindergarten and primary, or afternoons and evenings for older learners, from primary and middle school to adults.
How long is a typical class?
Classes usually last 40 to 60 minutes depending on the age of the students. Younger learners have shorter classes.
Will there be other foreign teachers at my school?
In about 95% of cases, yes. Many private schools in Korea employ several foreign teachers, and the larger city schools can have a big international team. Some smaller schools in provincial areas hire one or two.
Is an airport pick-up provided?
Yes. New teachers are met at the airport and transferred to their host town or city.
Are tattoos accepted for teaching in Korea?
Yes, as long as they can be covered in class.
How can I speed up my application?
Start your visa documents as soon as you apply. Many schools prefer teachers whose paperwork is already under way, and having your apostilled criminal record check and apostilled degree ready makes a big difference. We can talk you through every document.
Does ESLstarter charge a fee?
No. Our recruitment service for private school jobs in Korea is completely free for teachers.
Ready to teach in Korea?
We're hiring now for start dates all year. Applying takes five minutes, and our service is free.
