Each i-Garten teacher is assigned to one homeroom class, where they teach core subjects for most of the day. I teach the 5-year-olds. The school day consists of six 35-minute classes, with a 5-minute break between each. After the first four lessons, there is a one-hour lunch break.

During lunch, teachers stay with the students and eat together. The first 30 minutes are spent eating and cleaning up, while the remaining 30 minutes are devoted to activities such as movie time, coloring, playroom time, or “Reading Buddies.” During “Reading Buddies,” 7-year-olds read to 5-year-olds in the library — a special activity designed to build connections between the age groups.

In terms of class structure, teachers typically share responsibilities within their age groups. While I am the homeroom teacher and lead most of the lessons, I work alongside a Korean co-teacher. As the English teacher, I’m responsible for the academic side of things, while my co-teacher helps with classroom management, discipline, and bridging the language gap when needed.

After prepping for your morning mocks, take it a step further by practicing out loud. Rehearsing the material aloud will help boost your confidence and internalize the curriculum.

TIP #3: During my own training week I would mock teach in front of the mirror in my hotel room. It was awkward at first but helped me get the extra practice I needed.

Preparing to teach in a foreign country can be daunting, but the training week was a game changer and helped me to seamlessly transition into the classroom with confidence. When I landed in Korea my training started about 2 days after. The training was for one week. The training covered everything from the lesson plans, classroom management, expectations, and more. My trainer was super friendly and very helpful to me throughout my training week. 

The price of getting a TEFL certificate can differ significantly based on various factors: such as the length of the course, the accreditation of the course and if the certificate is online or in person.

In general, you can anticipate spending anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on a TEFL certificate program. Online courses are usually more cost-effective, while in-person courses may have higher fees due to extra expenses like facilities rentals and classroom materials. Keep an eye out for discounted certificates on platforms such as Groupon, etc – just make sure that they are from a trustworthy organization!!  

As someone who wants to be doing everything all at once, this tip hurts a little bit, which probably means it’s the most important one. Everyone decides to teach in Korea for slightly different reasons. For me, I really wanted to experience a new culture and travel the world, so in my spare time, I’ve prioritized taking language classes and taking day trips from Seoul. Others might move to Korea because they’re passionate about teaching and K-pop. For those people, they might prioritize concerts and take extra work opportunities when they arise to build up their teaching skills. Once you figure out what’s important to you, balancing life in Korea becomes so much easier.