The Benefits Of Teaching English In Korea

By Pete Malcolm


If you want to teach English in Korea, you will be able to find a lot of job opportunities due to the scarcity of English speaking teachers on that side of the world. Many employers are currently advertising for TEFL jobs in South Korea - TEFL is an abbreviation for: teaching English as a foreign language. Most teaching jobs in relation to TEFL have some very good employment benefits. In addition to your wages, you will not have to spend a lot of money on job related expenses. For instance, you are provided with a place to live and transportation to and from Korea are also included. You also will have an attractive job package that includes benefits such as severance pay.

There is a far greater demand for English speaking teachers than the current supply has in Korea. It is not difficult to qualify for one of these positions, if you have a 4 year teaching degree. It's important to note that you are expected to contribute a portion of your wages to a national pension fund, although, many teachers from Canada or the US are refunded this contribution. Your South Korean teaching job comes with excellent wages considering that a lot of your main expenses are already covered. Most starting teachers earn an average of 2 million won ($1800 US) per month. These wages can increase to approximately 3 million ($2700 US). Considering the Korean cost of living, these are exceptional wages.

Make sure that you investigate and research all job offers from foreign sources, and be sure that they are reputable, to ensure that they will provide all the things that they promised. The wisest thing to do is work with a reputable recruitment agency that has had success and a track record arranging positions. Some of your benefits may include medical insurance and paid vacation time. Be sure that you are well versed about the procedure for applying for work visas, before you enter the country. A bachelor's degree in teaching is the usual perquisite for someone interested in a TEFL certification but It is also a good idea to have substantial training in the Korean language. It is important to know that there is a difference between TESL and TEFL -- TESL is about teaching English as a second language in your native country while TEFL is teaching in a foreign country.

Your training for a Korean TEFL certification starts with a bachelor degree in teaching. It may not be necessary to be fluent in Korean, but it is a good idea to have training in the language. These courses are usually all in the classroom, so there is no need for a thesis or extensive research work. When applying for training, remember that TEFL is not the same as TESL. TESL concerns teaching English as a second language in your home country, whereas TEFL teachers live and work in other countries. It would be helpful if you know as much about South Korean culture and customs as possible. After all, you will be living there for a period of time. Grammar courses and studies in classroom curriculum and planning are also required for TEFL programs. After completion, you may decide to teach adults or perhaps specialize in children.

If you would like to live and work in South Korea, you might consider a TEFL position. These jobs can provide you with good wages and an excellent living standard. You will not have to pay for housing and travel expenses, and in the end the whole experience would be an unforgettable and amazing one. Most positions last for about one year, however, if you like the job, you can stay much longer.




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