Qualifications to Teach English in Korea

Qualifications

Do You Qualify to Teach English in Korea?

   The minimum requirements for teaching English in Korea are that you have an earned degree from a university in an approved English speaking country*; are a ‘native speaker’ of the English language, are in general good health both physically and mentally and do not have a criminal record.  The maximum age limit for an E-2 teaching VISA application is 55 as the mandatory retirement age in Korea is 60. 

  We want to encourage all who are motivated to teach English in Korea to apply.  We will support you in your efforts if you qualify. 

1. 1. Have you completed a Bachelors degree or higher from an approved university
   

2. 2. Are you a native born speaker of English from one of the approved countries* (or have you been speaking English from childhood?)
   

3. 3. Are you in general good health both physically and mentally? 
   

4. 4. Do you have a passport from one of the following countries?
   

*The United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, or Great Britain

  In addition, we require three personal recommendations. There will be a criminal background check before you are finally approved.  That is standard procedure when applying for a teaching position in Korea or anywhere.

  If you meet all of the qualifications, and are approved, our agency will help smooth the path toward your employment as well as help you obtain your visa.  We can open the doors for your placement in a quality English teaching position in Korea.  We believe that we can help you obtain the best positions so that you have a great experience in Korea.  Otherwise, we would not have undertaken this important responsibility.  We work directly with the schools and with you.  We have their trust and hope to earn yours.   

What are the various schools looking for?

  Put yourself in the schools position. If you were a school with the responsibility of hiring someone from a foreign country to teach English to the children you are responsible for, and please their parents in the process, would you hire you? 

  That question and your answer to it is your major test.  Do you have the confidence in yourself to succeed at teaching English in Korea?  The schools are looking for someone with confidence.  They are also looking for someone who has a good work ethic and enjoys being with children.  They will not overwork you as they did our daughter, we won’t place you into those positions. However, they are looking for people who will take their teaching responsibilities seriously.

Some Questions and Answers.

  Q. Is working with children the only teaching option?

  A.  While most schools are looking for teachers to work with children, there are other options including teaching English to adult professionals and even university employment if you qualify.

  Q. Are some schools looking for younger teachers? 

  A. Probably, but the operative word is “some”.  Some schools have specific requirements as to age and even gender but there are thousands of teaching positions in Korea.     

  Q. Do some schools only want teachers from the USA? 

  A. Again this is a “some” answer.  It is possible that some schools are looking specifically for teachers from the USA.  The ultimate goal for many parents is to have their children pass the SAT and TOEFL exams for entrance into an American university.  However, we can find good teaching placements for you if your passport is from an approved country.  We do not discriminate nor play favorites based on age, nationality, race  or gender.

  Q. Do some schools only want teachers with teaching degrees? 

  A. Again this is a “some” answer. 

  Q. Are schools looking only for those with English or ESL as a major?   

  A. Some schools are only looking for English or ESL majors. 

  Q. Does that mean that others should not apply? 

  A. Absolutely not.  There are thousands of English teaching positions in Korea at quality schools both private and public. 

   If you meet the qualifications to teach English in Korea, we encourage you to apply.  Remember when I mentioned confidence and a work ethic and ‘enjoys being with children’?  Those are the real keys.          

  Frankly, it isn’t difficult to qualify.  If you think you are ready, register and we will send you an application.  Complete the application and we’ll call you.  The first call will be simply to say hello and to try to answer any questions you might have.  After that initial phone call, and you decide to move forward, you will send us your credentials.  On receiving your credentials and reviewing them we will contact you by e-mail to schedule an official interview.   It may be in person, if we have an interviewer in you area, or by phone or over SKYPE.  Once you have been approved to be one of our clients, and after assessing your strengths and desires, we will identify a school or schools for you and send them your application.  If a school approves you, we will schedule another interview between you and the school over SKYPE or by phone. This last interview is usually a formality before your contract is signed and you are on your way to Korea.  

  If you are part of a university recruitment meeting, much of the above can take place in a very short period of time. 

We encourage you to register for an adventure of a lifetime - teaching English in Korea.