TEFL Heaven · South Korea · 2026 & 2027 · English Companion Program

Live with a family in South Korea.

Everything you need to know about the English Companion Program — the family, the money, the visa, and how to apply. Jump to any section, or just scroll.

01Welcome
English Companion Program

Live with a Korean family.
Help their kids
speak English.

A guaranteed family placement in South Korea — no degree, no TEFL, no teaching experience needed.

₩1.2–1.4Ma month
No degreeneeded
6 monthsrenewable
South Korea
2026 & 2027 intakes
02Five ways into Korea
Before you read on

Korea has five programs.

You're reading this oneEnglish Companion Program

Live with a Korean family and help their kids practice English. No degree, no TEFL.

In-Person TEFL + Placement

Not certified yet? Train in Korea, then a guaranteed teaching job with a free apartment.

Placement Program

Already TEFL-certified? Straight into a guaranteed teaching job.

Education Assistant Program

Support teachers in a Korean school — a different route in without a degree.

There's also a 6-Month Placement for TEFL-certified degree-holders. Not sure which fits? Ask us at your interview.

TEFL Heaven
03A word from Mike
Mike Maitland, TEFL Heaven founder
A word from our founder

"Feel the fear and do it anyway."

TEFL Heaven started when I invited myself on a girl's flight to Bangkok. She said yes — and seventeen years later we've sent more than 3,000 teachers abroad, and it's still a family business.

The Companion Program is the gentlest way into Korea we offer — no degree, no certificate, just a family waiting for you.

TEFL Heaven
04Why TEFL Heaven
Why go with us

Seventeen years of putting people on planes.

2007placing teachers since
3,000+teachers placed
10countries
150+video testimonials

"Over 17 years we've placed more than 3,000 English teachers in classrooms from Bangkok to Buenos Aires." A family business, still run by the person who started it.

TEFL Heaven
05Why this program
Why the Companion Program

Korea from the inside.

Getting around Korea
Getting around
Your people
Your people
Weekend escapes
Weekend escapes

Get paid ₩1.2M–₩1.4M a month ($850–$1,000) to live inside a Korean home. You're not a tourist and not a classroom teacher — you're part of a family, with your evenings' work done by dinner and every weekend free.

TEFL Heaven
06Your first weeks
Your first weeks

From your sofa to Seoul, step by step.

  • Before you fly— a 40-hour online Korean culture and language course
  • Land in Korea— airport pickup and 4 nights' shared accommodation
  • 3-day orientation— Korean lessons, a cooking class, a Hanbok experience and a palace tour
  • Then your family— a guaranteed placement, anywhere in Korea

No degree, no TEFL, no teaching experience needed. You're a companion, not a classroom teacher — the job is conversation, homework help and being part of the household.

TEFL Heaven
07Your days
Your days

Mornings and evenings. The middle is yours.

Mornings1–2 hours

English practice before school — usually something like 7–9am.

Afternoons & evenings3–4 hours

Homework help and conversation after school — usually something like 4–7pm.

Usually 1–3 kids in one family, most aged 3–12. Monday to Friday, up to 25 hours a week — a visa rule (Canadians have no limit). Weekends and public holidays are yours, plus one paid day off a month from your second month. Contracts run 6 months, and you can renew.

TEFL Heaven
08What you’ll earn
What you'll earn

Paid to be part of the family.

Salary₩1.2M – 1.4M / month
In dollars$850 – $1,000
Typical savings$100 – $300 / month
If your family gives you a roomYour salary may be adjusted to reflect itRent-free living
TaxJust 6%
Time offFrom your second month — plus weekends and public holidays1 paid day / month
South Korea
TEFL Heaven
09Intake dates
Intake dates · Seats checked 2 Sep 2026

Ten Mondays a year.

2026
19 Jan2026
23 Feb2026
23 Mar2026
27 Apr2026
18 May2026
27 Jul2026
31 Aug2026Last seats
28 Sep2026
26 Oct2026
23 Nov2026
2027
25 Jan2027
22 Feb2027
22 Mar2027
26 Apr2027
17 May2027
26 Jul2027
23 Aug2027
27 Sep2027
25 Oct2027
22 Nov2027

Every intake starts on a Monday. Sign up at least 3 months ahead, and move your intake free with 35+ days' notice.

TEFL Heaven
10Your investment
Your investment

Two payments. Months apart.

When you book$695

Your place is held and the work starts — family matching and visa guidance.

90 days before you fly$1,302

Invoiced well ahead. Nothing else falls due after this.

$695 + $1,302 = $1,997 — the whole price. The deposit is part of it, never extra on top.

And the program can pay you back. $200 every time someone books through your affiliate link — free place on our Digital Marketing Program.

Apply free — it commits you to nothing →
TEFL Heaven
11What’s included
What's included

What your fee covers.

  • A guaranteed family placement— usually 1–3 kids in one household
  • 40-hour online Korean culture course— plus language basics
  • 3-day in-country orientation— Korean lessons, cooking class, Hanbok experience, palace tour
  • 4 nights' accommodation + airport pickup— a shared room when you land, pickup on the arrival day
  • Help finding long-term accommodation
  • CV, video and interview help
  • Full visa guidance + 24/7 support line— through the Working Holiday process, step by step
  • Free place on our Digital Marketing Program — earn $200 per booking through your affiliate link, plus paid content work

Not included: flights, medical insurance, long-term housing, visa fees, food, fun and daily transport. Bring travel insurance for your full stay — you'll need it for the visa.

TEFL Heaven
12Money to bring
Read this before you book

Bring enough to reach your first paycheck.

$3,500–4,500to bring with you

It covers you until your first paycheck lands. You don't spend it all — most of it stays yours. But if your family doesn't give you a room, remember a rental deposit here usually runs $2,000–$3,500, with rent of $300–$450 a month.

We're telling you this early on purpose. If that number isn't realistic right now, you should know today — not after you've paid.

TEFL Heaven
13Can you apply?
Can you apply?

The easiest Korea rules we place for.

  • Aged 20 – 30— Canada and the UK up to 35, several countries up to 34; Japan to 25
  • A high school diploma— no degree needed
  • No TEFL needed
  • A passport from one of 25 eligible countries— USA, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and more
  • Fluent English
  • Clean police check
  • No partners, kids or pets— the Working Holiday route doesn't allow them

US applicants: you must be in college or within a year of graduating, with proof. Small visible tattoos may be fine — tell us at signup. Religious dress isn't allowed on this program.

Tick these? Apply free →
TEFL Heaven
14The visa
The visa

The Working Holiday visa, step by step.

Visa typeH-1 Working Holiday
Who appliesWe guide you through every stepYou do
Valid forNo visa trip needed1 year
Some countries needCheck with us at signupA doctor's note
Visa feesNot included
Passport and paperwork
TEFL Heaven
15The honest bit
The honest bit

A cultural exchange first, a salary second.

  • This isn't teacher money. $850–$1,000 a month, saving $100–$300 — less than our Korea teaching routes. You're here for the family and the country, not to bank a fortune.
  • Housing depends on your family. Some give you a room (your salary may be adjusted). If not, rent and a $2,000–$3,500 deposit are yours to pay.
  • The visa paperwork is yours to do. We guide you through the H-1 step by step, but you make the application.
  • The medical rules mirror our other Korea programs. Epilepsy, TB, HIV, severe asthma and several other conditions can disqualify you — talk to us before booking if this touches you.
  • Split shifts are real. Mornings and evenings on school days — your free time sits in the middle of the day and on weekends.
  • Change your intake free with 35+ days' notice — inside 35 days a $250 change fee applies. All payments for the program are non-refundable.

We'd rather you knew all of this today than at the airport.

TEFL Heaven
16What TEFL Heaven alumni say
From TEFL Heaven alumni

Reviews — in their words. ★★★★★

"TEFL Heaven appealed to me most because they answer you so quick, that was a big plus to me. I had tons of questions and I feel like they go out of their way to help you and also that they really understand your situation."

Jamie Jones — Vietnam program

"I loved that it provided a community of future teachers and friends. I also loved that the trainers had experience teaching in Thailand and could answer the many questions that we asked."

Siobhan Wetzel — Thailand program

"The course was well structured, the trainers were thorough and knowledgeable. You are never alone after the TEFL course, you are always welcome to go back and visit your trainers if you need help or ideas with your lessons. The friends you make from the course is priceless, you become close like family."

Sharmani Cheng — Madrid program

More video and written reviews — from our alumni, on teflheaven.com.

Read them in full on our site
TEFL Heaven
17Get paid to talk about it
Get paid to talk about it

Your free place on our Digital Marketing Program.

You’re going to post about this anyway — this pays you for it.

What you earn
Someone books through your affiliate link$200
Instagram takeover, two weeks$50
A day-in-the-life story$50
Podcast, uni talk, or a call$30
Photo bundle · written review$20 · $10
What you learn
  • Full marketing training — courses, workshops, live sessions
  • A Digital Marketing Certificate when you finish
  • A private group and a monthly mastermind

Plenty of our people are still earning from this years after they came home.

$200 per booking, no cap
TEFL Heaven
18How to apply
South Korea
How to apply

Three steps to your classroom.

  • Apply online — five minutes
  • Video call interview — thirty minutes, everything answered honestly
  • Accepted? Book your place — the $695 deposit holds it and the work starts

From there it’s guided the whole way — visa help, placement prep and your countdown to fly-out.

Start my application →
TEFL Heaven
19Common questions
Questions we get every week

The short answers.

Do I need a degree?

No — a high school diploma is enough. US applicants must be in college or within a year of graduating.

Do I need a TEFL?

No — no certificate of any kind is needed for this program.

When do I pay?

$1,997 total: $695 books it, the remaining $1,302 is due 90 days before you fly.

Where will I live?

4 nights' shared accommodation when you arrive. Some families give you a room — if not, we help you find your own, around $300–$450 a month.

How many hours will I work?

Up to 25 a week — a visa rule (no limit for Canadians). Monday to Friday, split between mornings and evenings.

Can I stay longer?

Contracts run 6 months and you can renew. The Working Holiday visa is valid for a year.

TEFL Heaven
20Next step
Next step

Apply now. Talk to us.
Decide after.

Apply, then talk to us — the interview is where it becomes real — your intake, your family, your route in.

$1,997total — that's everything
$695of it books your place
$1,302the rest, 90 days before
Apply now →
Places fill fast — spots are held in arrival order
TEFL Heaven