Finding English Teaching Jobs in South Korea
South Korea’s hagwon market hires year-round — but timing, school vetting, and contract review are everything. This guide covers how to find positions, how to assess them, and what your contract must include.
When to apply for teaching jobs in South Korea
Hagwons hire year-round — this is a genuine advantage over public schools, which have rigid March and September intakes. However, the largest waves of positions open at specific times that align with the Korean academic calendar.
| Period | Start date | Job volume | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| March intake | March 1 | Highest | Highest — most popular window |
| September intake | September 1 | High | High — second most popular |
| May intake | Mid-year supplement | Moderate | Lower — good window for later starters |
| November intake | Mid-year supplement | Moderate | Lower — less competition |
| Rolling / any time | Variable | Continuous | Variable by city and school |
Allow 10–12 weeks from application to departure. Document preparation (apostilled background check, degree) takes 8–12 weeks. Add 2–4 weeks for the visa process. If you want a March intake, begin your documents and application in November at the latest. TEFL Heaven’s program coordinates this timeline for you.
How to find hagwon jobs in South Korea
TEFL Heaven placement (recommended)
TEFL Heaven’s South Korea program provides guaranteed placement with a vetted hagwon — meaning school quality, contract terms, and working conditions are reviewed before you sign. Eliminates the risk of ending up at a problematic school, and significantly reduces the time and stress of the independent job search process.
View the program →Independent job boards
Dave’s ESL Cafe Korea Job Board — the longest-established English teaching job board in Korea. Korvia, Gone2Korea, Footprints Recruiting — Korea-specialist recruitment agencies. ESLCafe.com Korea forum for community-reviewed school information. Apply directly through school websites for chain academies (Chungdahm, Avalon, YBM).
Community resources
r/teachinginkorea on Reddit is the most active English teacher community for South Korea. Blacklist threads, school reviews, and job tips are posted regularly. Facebook groups (Teaching English in Korea, Seoul/Busan English Teachers) also carry job posts and school reviews. These community sources are invaluable for independent school vetting.
In-country job searching
Teachers already in Korea on a D-10 job seeker visa can walk into hagwons directly. This approach gives you the ability to visit the school, meet the director, and assess the environment before accepting. Requires sufficient savings to support yourself during the search (typically 4–8 weeks). Not the recommended first-time approach for TEFL Heaven participants.
Hagwon interview process
Most hagwon interviews happen via video call (Zoom or Skype) between you and the school director or director of studies. The process is typically straightforward for first-time teachers — schools are more interested in your personality, energy, and reliability than your classroom credentials at entry level.
What Korean hagwons look for
- Energy and enthusiasm — Korean students respond well to enthusiastic teachers. Demonstrate genuine interest in working with children (or adults, for adult-focused hagwons).
- Reliability signals — a history of commitment, follow-through, and stability. Schools want to know you will complete your 12-month contract.
- Professional presentation — dress professionally for video interviews. First impressions carry significant weight in Korean hiring culture.
- Teaching sample — some schools ask for a brief demonstration lesson. Prepare a 5–10 minute lesson on a simple English topic relevant to their student age group.
- Questions about the school — asking about student ages, class sizes, and curriculum shows you’re serious and professional.
How to vet a school before accepting
Request contact with a current or former foreign teacher
Ask the school directly for this. Any reputable hagwon will provide it immediately. If they refuse, that is disqualifying. Ask the teacher: Is salary paid on time? Is housing as described? Are teaching hours as contracted? How does management handle problems? Would you work here again?
Search the school on r/teachinginkorea and Dave’s ESL Cafe
Both maintain community-sourced school reviews and blacklists. Search the school’s exact name. Multiple independent negative reports about late payment, housing misrepresentation, or contract violations are reliable warning signs. One negative review from years ago with many positives is less concerning than recent repeated issues.
Have the contract reviewed before signing
TEFL Heaven reviews all contracts for program participants. For independent applicants, KOTESOL (Korea TESOL) and Korean immigration law resources define what must be in a valid contract. The key items: salary, payment date, housing, flights, severance, pension, health insurance, working hours, vacation days. All must be explicitly stated. See the contract guide below.
TEFL Heaven places teachers in South Korea
Accredited TEFL certification, guaranteed hagwon placement, full E2 visa support, and in-country backing throughout your contract.
What your hagwon contract must include
| Contract item | What to check | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly salary | Amount clearly stated in KRW | Vague ranges or “depends on performance” |
| Salary payment date | Specific date each month (e.g. 15th) | No date specified |
| Housing | Direct provision OR allowance amount specified | “Housing will be arranged” with no specifics |
| Flight reimbursement | Arrival amount, departure amount, timing of payment | Absent or “at school’s discretion” |
| Severance pay | One month salary, paid on contract completion | Missing — this is illegal. Disqualifying. |
| Pension + health insurance | Enrollment in national schemes stated | Absent — illegal. Disqualifying. |
| Teaching hours | Maximum teaching hours per day and week | Absent or “as required by school” |
| Vacation days | Number of paid days and when they can be taken | Absent or less than 7 days for a 12-month contract |
| Contract duration | 12 months (standard) | Rolling / undefined duration |
| Termination clauses | Mutual terms, notice period | Only school can terminate, or immediate dismissal clauses |
Jobs FAQ
Can I find a job before arriving in South Korea?
Yes — and this is the standard approach. Most teachers arrange their hagwon placement remotely, sign a contract, submit visa documents, and arrive in Korea with everything in place. TEFL Heaven’s South Korea program does this entirely remotely, from TEFL certification through to your E2 visa and arrival day. You arrive in Korea with a job waiting.
How long does the job search take independently?
Typically 2–6 weeks from active job searching to receiving a contract offer for well-qualified candidates (degree, 120hr TEFL, clean background). Add 6–8 weeks for visa processing once you have a contract. Total lead time from “I want to go” to “I’m in Korea” is typically 10–14 weeks. TEFL Heaven’s program streamlines this significantly by coordinating placement and visa documents in parallel.
What happens if my hagwon breaches the contract?
Korean labour law provides significant protections for workers. If your school fails to pay salary, violates housing arrangements, or otherwise breaches the contract, you can file a complaint with the Korean Labour Board (Ministry of Employment and Labour). TEFL Heaven provides in-contract support for all program participants to help navigate these situations if they arise.
Teach English in South Korea with TEFL Heaven
Accredited TEFL certification, guaranteed hagwon placement, full E2 visa support, free housing coordination, and in-country backing. The structured way into South Korea’s market.
TEFL Heaven · Placing teachers in South Korea since 2007 · 3,000+ teachers placed worldwide