Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose where I will be placed?
This depends on many factors – such as whether or not current instructors renew their contracts and where the teachers are needed.  We will work with you to find a placement that “fits” for you.  This includes physical placement as well as grade-level placement.

Can I apply if I don’t hold a U.S. passport?
Yes, but you must hold a passport from an English speaking country.  English must also be your native language.  Special circumstances will require additional approval from South Korea’s Office of Education.

How will I be paid?
Typically, you will be paid in South Korean Won each month, and this money will be deposited directly into a Korean bank account that you will open when you arrive.

What if I want to bring my spouse?
The provinces will work with you to place you and your spouse together.  There is space on the application to indicate if you are applying with a spouse.  Your workplace may not be exactly the same, but you will be provided housing together.

What if I want to work/live with a friend?
It is not possible to guarantee that you will be placed with a friend, but we will communicate this desire to the Office of Education in Korea so that they can try to find you placements near each other, if possible.

What are they looking for in a criminal background check?
South Korea is quite strict in its policy to hire only individuals with a clean background.  A “clean” background (for their purposes only) is one that has no convictions OR arrests.  The South Korean government will deny teaching employment to anyone with drug or alcohol arrests, abuse records or violent offenses noted on their records.

What is an apostille?
This is a certificate by the Secretary of State that proves that a document is official by state standards.  The one given in the state of Missouri looks like this:


Will I have opportunities to travel?
For the most part, you will have weekends to travel nearby. You will also receive pay and time off for national holidays in addition to your two weeks of vacation. It is up to you to coordinate your schedule with your fellow co-workers when you desire time off for travel.

Please also keep in mind that this is a serious job. Your work must come first, and your dedication must be to teaching and following through on your job responsibilities prior to your desire to travel.

Will I need insurance?
As part of your contract, you will have access to the National Korean Health Plan after a few weeks of work, and you will receive a deeply discounted rate for general physician visits, exams, and most prescriptions. However like most countries, if you need to see a specialist, you will need a referral from your primary doctor. It is strongly advisable that you talk to your current medical insurance provider, explain your situation and ask for their input. Keep in mind that you will not be covered while in transit to and from the US, or while you are traveling in other countries.

What will be required of me financially before I go?
You will be responsible for obtaining and paying for your own E-2 visa for Korea. This typically requires a short trip to the Korean Consulate in Chicago. Please visit their website for more information http://www.chicagoconsulate.org/en/index.php. You will also be responsible for obtaining your criminal background check and apostille from the State.

What will be required of me financially after I arrive? Although your housing will be paid for, you will be responsible for your utilities. Instructors in the past say that this runs somewhere between USD $75 and $100 per month. You will also have Korean income taxes taken out of your paycheck, but this is a very small percentage – approximately 3%. You will be responsible for meals and local transportation while you are living there.

Do I need to speak Korean? No, you do not need to be proficient in Korean for your job. You will find, however, that the more you learn, the easier it will be to get around. It is uncommon for average residents to be able to communicate in English, thus making communication more challenging. However, those who speak both Korean and English will be more than willing to help you with what you need.

How much experience should I have in the classroom?
The most important aspect of this job is the desire to educate and work with youth. You will be paired with a Korean English teacher, so you will have as much direction as you need. You will also be expected to work with this teacher to develop lesson plans that complement each other and provide meaningful learning opportunities for the children.

Who takes care of travel arrangements to and from Korea?
This will be your responsibility so that you can plan your trip based on what works for you, and we will help advise you, should you need it. You will be reimbursed for your one-way ticket to Korea once you arrive, but you will be unable to purchase a roundtrip ticket, as the contract period is just over one year. The school will assist you in purchasing your return ticket closer to the time you leave Korea.