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Paid Teaching in South Korea

Earn over USD20,000 plus free flights & accommodation!

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Paid Teaching in South Korea

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Group Size: Varies

Trip code: SKPT

Duration: 12 months or longer

Get paid as an English teacher
Gain a TEFL qualification
Be placed before you leave the UK

If you are a graduate aged 21-35 you can become a paid teacher in South Korea. Work for a year teaching English and earn USD20,000 a year! Accommodation is included, as is a 120 hour on-line TEFL course and a 40-hour cultural course to help you prepare for your paid teaching position. You'll also get an allowance to put towards your flight costs! With 3 cultural excursion weekends in Seoul also included, why not take this opportunity to add something impressive to your CV and have a wonderful year teaching abroad? If you want a well-paid adventure abroad, this is the programme for you!

Trip highlights

  • Get paid an excellent wage in a paid teaching position in South Korea: Secure a 1-year paid teaching contract before you travel, inspire kids in South Korea and gain brilliant experience for your CV
  • You can expect an amazing starting salary of at least USD20,000 per year, earning on average between 1700-2000 USD per month
  • You'll get an allowance to put towards your flight costs, and all accommodation is included while you are out there!
  • Gain a coveted 120-hour online TEFL qualification from the comfort of your own home, plus an all-inclusive 40-hour online cultural introduction course to be completed before you go
  • Three amazing cultural excursion weekends in Seoul are also included during your year abroad!
Gap 360 Trip Notes

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What's included
  • A job matching service to find you a paid teaching position before you travel
  • 120-hour online TEFL course (if you choose the TEFL option)
  • Starting salary of at least USD 20,000 per year
  • Airport pickup may be included (depending on individual school)
  • Accommodation
  • Flight Allowance
  • End of contract bonus
  • Medical Insurance (depending on school)
  • Paid holiday time during teaching placement
  • 40-hour mandatory culture, history & language course completed online before you go
  • 3 weekends of in-country cultural excursions, including Taekwondo lesson, Grand Palace visit, Insadong Tea tasting, Namson Park visit and cooking class
  • Accommodation for the Saturday nights of your cultural orientation weekends
  • Korean language lessons during cultural weekends
  • Full background check on school
  • Contract negotiation
  • Visa advice and support
  • Access to online teaching resource throughout your placement
  • 24 hour support
What's not included
  • Initial flight costs and anything above the allowance amount
  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals
  • Visa costs
  • TEFL course (unless you choose the inclusive TEFL option)
  • Accommodation utility costs
  • DBS (previously known as an enhanced CRB)
  • Courier costs
  • Transport to and from Seoul for cultural excursion weekends
  • Food and local transport costs during cultural excursion weekends
Further trip information

120-Hour Online TEFL Course

You can complete the online 120-Hour TEFL course from the comfort of your own home. Online TEFL courses begin on the first and third Mondays of each month, and last for 4 weeks in total.  You can choose your own flexible hours of study within this time period. Our courseis internationally accredited by the OTTSA - the Online TEFL and TESOL Standards Agency.

40-hour Online Culture, History & Language Course

This brilliant 1-week online course is designed to prepare you for your teaching adventure in South Korea. Once you have been offered a teaching placement you will be sent access to this mandatory course which is completed online before you go to Korea, usually a few weeks before your departure date. The course will give you an in-depth understanding of Korean culture and society, plus plenty of advice about how to live and work in Korea. It also offers the ideal opportunity to connect with other prospective teachers online so you’ll already have a network of new friends before you arrive.

On this online course you will be learning all about the following areas:

  • South Korean history
  • South Korean culture
  • Korean language
  • Korean lifestyle
  • How to successfully live and work in South Korea

A certificate will be awarded to you on successful completion of the course.

Paid Teaching Placements

Your paid teaching placement in South Korea is a one-year contract.

Itineraries will vary depending on your individual school placement. You can expect to work a 5-day week (around 30 hours per week in total, working 6 hours per day) with two consecutive days off per week. You will be eligible for paid holidays during your 12-month contract, and will also receive days off on national holidays.

Inclusive In-country Cultural Excursions & Language Classes

Twice a year all of our teaching participants have the opportunity to take part in amazing, all-inclusive cultural excursions and language classes. The expected start dates will be February/March and October/November each year, as these are popular times to begin the teaching placement.

These cultural weekends will build on what you have learned from your pre-arrival online courses, and broaden your understanding of South Korean culture and history. You’ll also learn a little of the wonderful language spoken locally! These experiences will assist your integration into South Korea and bring down cultural barriers between you and your students.

The course runs over three consecutive weekends in the capital of South Korea, Seoul. With accommodation included for each Saturday night, you can immerse yourself in Korean culture, make new mates, learn a little of the Korean language, and have fun!

The activities will include:

  • Korean Language Lessons. Learn the building blocks of this beautiful language, including Hangueal (The Korean alphabet), useful words and phrases, and how to be respectful in Korean.
  • Taekwondo Class. Enjoy a 90-minute introduction to this Korean marital art. You’ll be kicking, throwing, and blocking like a pro!
  • Cooking Class. Learn to whip up some delicious Korean delicacies and eat what you make! Some examples of the kind of food you may prepare include Dakjjim (braised chicken with vegetables), Pajeon (green onion pancake), and Kimchi Pancake, as well as some tasty skewers to nibble on while you cook!
  • Gyeongbokgung. Visit the stately Gyeongbokgung palace and marvel at its impressive courtyard and ornate architecture.
  • Tea Tasting. Head to Insa-dong, the artistic hub of Seoul. Sip on some tasty tea on a rooftop tea-house and fine tune your taste buds!
  • Namsong Park. Visit the highest point in Seoul and enjoy the view! Opt to ride the cable car from the base of Namson Mountain up to N Seoul Tower, get involved with some cultural activities such as trying on a hanbok, or simply soak up this stunning area!

Please note: Itineraries may be subject to change. Transport and meals are not included during the cultural excursions.

Real customer reviews
Facebook Group Discussion

Hi! I've just booked Best of South Korea March 22nd! Will be the first time travelling solo 😊 Anyone else booked?

Hi, is anyone going on/thinking about going on Best of South Korea tour in April 2024?

Hey. I’m booked for the Korean and Japan discovery trip on May 2nd 2024. Anyone else heading at that time? 🏯🎏

Booking options

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The 4 week online TEFL course begins on the first and third Monday of each month. The start date of your paid teaching placement will depend on when you receive a job offer, so when booking this programme please select the start date closest to when you would like to start, or select 'unknown start date'.

Online booking is unavailable for this trip

Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
Call us on: 01892 527392
Email us at: [email protected]
Arrival information

Your arrival destination will depend on your individually-arranged paid teaching job. An airport pickup is generally included, but this is at the discretion of each school.

Your will receive a flight allowance to put towards your flight costs. This will be typically be paid to you within a month of arrival in South Korea.

Accommodation & meals

Free housing is included as part of the paid teaching contract, in furnished, modern Western-style accommodation, usually located on or close to your school site. Utility bills and internet costs are not included. Utility costs average around USD100 per month, and internet usually costs about USD35 per month. Meals are not included as part of the programme.

You will have the chance to take part in four cultural weekends based in Seoul, which run twice-yearly. These may not co-incide with your individual teaching start date. A total of 4 Saturday nights’ of accommodation in Seoul is included, but food is at your own cost. Please note: Transport to and from Seoul is not included and you will have to make your own way to Seoul for the cultural orientation weekends.

Minimum age & eligibility

In order to be eligible for the paid teaching programme you must:

  • Be a degree holder with minimum of a bachelor degree in any field of study or a university diploma in English or Education
  • Complete the 120-hour TEFL course (or already hold this qualification)
  • Applicants must be native English speakers and passport holders of the following countries: The United States, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland
  • Be aged between 21-40
  • No criminal history
  • No visible tattoos or piercings
  • Be in good physical and mental health and complete a medical check up on arrival in South Korea
  • Be able to commit to a 12 month teaching contract

You do not need any previous teaching experience, and you do not need to have any Korean language skills to take part in this programme. A genuine wish to teach and mentor young people is a must, and you should be mature, responsible and feel confident to teach in a classroom environment. Previous experience in a professional teaching environment is desirable but not essential.

Please note: If you have not yet completed your degree you can still apply for this programme, however the placement team will not be able to start sending your application to schools until you have your degree certificates and other documentation ready.

Application Process

Step 1: Book your place with a £199 deposit.

Step 2: Send us a copy of your CV, a full-length photo, a copy of your degree certificate(s) and a copy of your passport so we can approve your application.

Step 3: You will have a telephone interview with our Gap 360 Teaching Coordinator.

Step 4: We will send your application to our partner company in South Korea, who will decide if you are suitable for the programme. If your application is successful, our partner company will approve your application within 24 hours.

Step 5: Once you have been accepted onto the programme, you will now need to pay the remainder of your final balance, which is non-refundable. Our partner in Korea will begin your job search.

Step 6: You should begin your 4 week online TEFL course as soon as you can.

Step 7: You will now need to put together a number of documents which are required by the South Korean government before they will approve your visa and application to teach. Please Note: The South Korean visa application process is very strict and your visa will not be granted unless all necessary documents are provided. Documents include:

  • Two copies of your University Degree with Appostille (legal certification by UK government office). Please request two sets and keep one for your records or as a backup. We can give you more advice on how to obtain an Appostille certification.
  • 4 x Passport photos (please make sure that all photos are in colour).
  • Photocopy of passport (information page and signature page).
  • DBS Enhanced Criminal Record Check dated less than 6 months old from time of entry to Korea (this must be Appostilled by your local Legislation Office). You will need to send the original plus a copy.
  • Original signed contract from school (you will receive this from your school employer in South Korea once your interview is successful).
  • Original signed Self Health check list (we will send you this to complete).

Step 8: Our partner company in South Korea will send your profile to potential school employers.  If a school expresses an interest in employing you, we will then schedule a Skype or telephone interview with the prospective employer.

Step 9: If your interview is successful and you are matched with a teaching job, we will send you a contract on behalf of the school. You need to sign this and send back a copy to us via e-mail. A teaching position will only be confirmed on signing the employment contract.

Step 10: You will be given the address of your new school employer and you will need to send them all your legally required documents (listed above) by courier. Courier costs must be paid by you and responsibility for the documents arriving safely lies with you. We recommend you use a reputable and reliable courier company.

Step 11: We will send you your visa number, which you will need to take to the South Korean Embassy to apply for your visa within 48 hours of receiving your number. Visas cost between USD40-50 and this price is extra to the trip cost.

Step 12: Once you have finalised your visa and your placement in South Korea has been confirmed, you should then arrange your flights. You will be paid a fixed flight allowance to put towards these costs within a month of arrival in South Korea.

Step 13: Before you leave you will be given a full briefing and pre-departure information.

Step 14: Within the first few days of arrival in South Korea, you will be required to undergo a medical check-up (this is at an extra cost of USD100).

Medical Check

Within a few days of your arrival in South Korea, all teachers are required to have a medical check-up. The medical check costs USD100 and this extra cost must be covered by you and is not included in the trip cost. In order to pass the medical it is important that there are no drugs in your system and there are not any medical conditions found that you have not disclosed prior to travel.

DBS

On this particular programme, as you’ll be working with children, you’ll need to undergo an enhanced DBS previously known as CRB, or Criminal Record Bureau check and will need to have a clean criminal record. This check must be dated less than 6 months old from your date of entry to Korea.

DBS checks may list past convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings, and if applicable will show whether or not you have been barred from working with certain vulnerable groups. Non-conviction information such as fixed penalties may also be included.

There is an addition cost for the DBS check, please speak to your travel advisor at the time of booking. The DBS process is in 3 stages:

1. Once we receive your booking payment, you will then be sent an online application link for the DBS check, which you will need to complete.

2. Once you have completed the application, the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) will need verification of your identity - to do this you will need to take 3 original documents to your nearest crown post office and use their DBS and ID verification service. This costs approximately £9 and is payable directly to the Post Office.

3. Once the post office verification is done it usually takes up to 2 weeks for your DBS to be processed, and your DBS will be sent to you directly in the post.