Teach English in Seoul! Secure and reliable public school positions available through the Korean Ministry of Education sponsored public school program. 💚✨
Teach English in Seoul's public schools through EPIK, Korea's government programme. Mostly elementary schools, a Korean co-teacher in every class, and no placement fee through ESLstarter.
Seoul is the most requested location on EPIK, the English Program in Korea. Seoul's places are run by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE), which puts English teachers into public schools across all 25 districts of the city.
You'll teach up to 22 lessons a week alongside a Korean co-teacher, mostly with elementary school children. Housing is free, the hours are regular, and you're living in one of the most exciting cities in Asia. You don't need teaching experience, just a degree and a TEFL.
Figures for the current intake. Your exact salary depends on your qualification grade.
Monthly salary. Most new teachers start on 2.3M, or 2.4M with a year's experience
Furnished single apartment, or a rent subsidy where housing isn't available
Entrance allowance towards your flight, plus an exit allowance when you finish
Settlement allowance to help you set up
Severance pay at the end of your 12-month contract, plus a bonus if you renew
Summer and winter vacation plus Korean national holidays
You'll work Monday to Friday on a normal school day, with weekends and Korean national holidays off. Your co-teacher handles the curriculum and classroom management, and you bring the speaking practice.
Elementary lessons are 40 minutes, middle school 45 and high school 50.
No TEFL yet, or want to strengthen your application? See the courses we recommend for Seoul.
Every Seoul applicant needs a TEFL, so yours won't set you apart on its own. What you can talk about at interview will: real classroom practice, or a regulated qualification at the same level as CELTA. Book through ESLstarter for our discounted prices with partner TEFL UK.
£133£279
ESLstarter price, only when you book here
£239
ESLstarter price, only when you book here
Good to know: any TEFL of 100+ hours meets EPIK's requirement and starts you on the same pay grade, so these courses won't change your Seoul salary. They make your application stronger and you better prepared. Just need the minimum? The 120-hour TEFL from £63 meets EPIK's requirement.
Send the form below. We'll check your eligibility and documents.
We help you polish your application, with Seoul as your first choice.
A video interview with EPIK, with tips from us beforehand.
Receive your offer and apply for your E-2 visa with our document checks.
Orientation, then your first classes in spring or autumn.
Jessica shares what teaching in Korea is really like.
Not set on Seoul? See EPIK jobs across Korea or private academy jobs.
Palaces and mountain trails, Korean BBQ in Gangnam, bargains in the Dongdaemun markets and tea in Insadong. Seoul runs from dawn to dawn, and the weekends are yours.
If you want the best information about the best jobs in Korea, this is the place to go. I am 7 months into my contract now with the public schools in Seoul and I'm having the time of my life!
Jesse Germinario, SMOE, Seoul
The quick turnaround & full responses to enquiries is something I have never come across with any recruitment consultants. Claire's attitude and honesty is extremely refreshing and her helpfulness sets ESLstarter apart from all the rest.
Lisa Davies, EPIK, Seoul
Seoul pays KRW 2.3 to 3.0 million a month, set by your qualification grade. Most first-time teachers with a degree and a TEFL start on KRW 2.3 million, or KRW 2.4 million with a year of full-time teaching experience. On top of salary you get free furnished housing or a rent subsidy, an entrance allowance towards your flight, a settlement allowance and severance pay.
Yes, unless you have an education degree or a teaching licence. Seoul doesn't hire at the degree-only level, so you need a TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 100 hours. You can apply while you study, as long as you're certified before you arrive.
Any TEFL of 100+ hours meets EPIK's requirement and puts you on the same starting pay grade. The 170-hour TEFL adds 20 hours of assessed teaching practice with real students, and the Level 5 TEFL is an Ofqual-regulated qualification at the same level as CELTA. Neither changes your EPIK pay grade, but both give you more to talk about at interview and more confidence in your first classes.
You apply through EPIK and list Seoul (SMOE) as your preferred location. Seoul is the most requested location, so it's best to apply early. Your school within Seoul is assigned by SMOE, and if Seoul is full you can also be considered for other regions.
Most Seoul positions are in public elementary schools, so expect to teach younger learners. You'll always have a Korean co-teacher in your classes.
No. First-time teachers with a degree and a TEFL can apply. You'll have orientation before you start and a co-teacher in every class.
No. Our recruitment service for EPIK and Seoul is completely free for teachers.
Applications are open for the next intake. It takes five minutes, and our service is free.
