TEFL Certificate
What You Need To Know To Teach In Korea – TEFL Certificate: Is It Required?
What is a TEFL Certificate?
As you begin exploring opportunities to teach in South Korea, you may have come across the term TEFL in your research. What is a TEFL certificate, what are the benefits of getting a TEFL certificate, and is it necessary to have one to teach English in South Korea?
What is a TEFL Certificate?
TEFL, which stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, is a certificate that will
provide you with the tools to become a successful English teacher! During the TEFL course, you explore topics such as:
- Supporting English language learners
- Creating dynamic lesson plans
- Managing classroom interactions
- Evaluating language abilities
- Enhancing teaching methods
Do I Need a TEFL certificate to Teach in South Korea?
A TEFL certificate is not a requirement to teach in South Korea! However, it is highly recommended to help you better prepare to teach abroad.
Our Top Choice: The TEFL Academy
There are many different TEFL certifications available, but we highly suggest The TEFL Academy. Known for its in depth courses and internationally recognized certification, The TEFL Academy effectively prepares teachers for success in their classroom!
What are the Benefits of Having a TEFL?
If you are thinking about teaching in South Korea, getting a TEFL certificate is a great idea!
Additionally, earning a TEFL certificate helps your resume stand out in a sea of applications! It shows your dedication to professional growth which is something that employers in South Korea greatly appreciate. Regardless of whether you're a new graduate or an experienced teacher looking for new opportunities, a TEFL certificate is extremely valuable and will help set you up for success!
How Much Does a TEFL Certificate Cost?
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!
Why Teachers trust Aclipse To Teach in Korea
A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Teacher in Korea
Step 1. Application
If you meet the requirements to be an English teacher in Korea, please apply on our website.
Step 2. Interview
If you pass our screening requirements, a recruiter will be in touch with you for an interview.
Step 3. General Offer
If you pass the interview, the recruiter will send you a general offer with the pay and conditions and detailed visa instructions.
Step 4. Document Collection
You will need to start the document collection in order to obtain a working visa in Korea. This could sometimes take a few months.
Step 5. Contract
Once your documents are complete and you are accepted by a location, you will receive a contract and the recruiter will go over the finer details.
Step 6. Visa Processing (E-2)
The visa code will be issued 1-2 weeks after applying to the Korean Immigration office. You will then take this code to the nearest Korean Consulate to complete the process.
Step 7. Arrival & Training
You will check into the hotel the weekend before the training date. Training will take place from Monday to Friday.
What's It Like Teaching In Korea?
Frequently asked questions about teaching English in South Korea
What degree do I need to teach In Korea?
Any college major works for teaching in Korea; it's not limited to just English or Education.
No prior teaching experience is necessary in most cases as employers offer training programs in Korea, providing additional teaching support from other teachers in your school or your Korean co-teacher (in the case of public school programs).
In order to apply with Aclipse, however, Your Bachelor's degree needs to be from an English-speaking country, and Associate's degrees are not accepted.
How much can I make teaching in Korea?
You can earn a starting monthly salary ranging from 2.4 to 4.0 Million KRW while teaching in Korea. Additionally, you'll enjoy perks like paid vacation, national holidays and your flight to Korea will be reimbursed.
For more information on teacher benefits, visit this link
Do English teachers In Korea get free housing?
Housing is provided for English teachers in Korea.
If housing is not provided, you will receive a higher salary.
Apartments may vary in size based on your teaching location, but they typically come with essential amenities such as a washer, closet, storage space, stove, refrigerator, and a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower.
Do I need to speak Korean in order to teach in Korea?
No, you don't need to be a native speaker or even know Korean to teach English in Korea.
In classrooms, only English is used for teaching. Students are not allowed to speak Korean during lessons, creating an all-English learning environment.
Can I experience this opportunity with a friend or partner?
We will accept applications and interview candidates with dependents, but these candidates should know that we cannot offer additional assistance with their dependents, and the employers will not assist in any way. Unfortunately, benefits are for employees only. Therefore, people bringing dependents like children, spouses, or partners will need to find their own accommodations, secure the visa for these dependents, pay for their flight, and secure schooling for any children. International schools can be very expensive. If you are bringing dependents, you will need to be placed in a city like Seoul, where it is easier to find apartments, schools, and support networks. Some employers do not accept applications from people with dependents so we will advise you on which employers do and do not.
I'm thinking of enrolling in a TESL/CELTA course. Will that help?
Only certain programs (100+ hours of study) will qualify teachers to receive extra salary. It is not a requirement of the job to have a TESL/CELTA certificate, but it is definitely excellent preparation for an ESL teaching position. You can check out one of our partners if you're interested: https://www.
What are we expected to teach?
Lesson plans are based on the curriculum. During training, teachers will learn how to teach the material. Teachers are encouraged to use their own creativity and individual teaching styles to engage students in the lesson material/content.
What Our Teacher's Have To Say...
My time with CDI was a real blessing. I can not stress how much I loved the kids!
It's the best part of the job and they make time fly by! I didn't have much experience working with kids beforehand so I was definitely nervous coming in, but I'm glad I had the chance to experience this opportunity.
Luis Gonzalez
Location in Korea: CheonanI'm having an amazing time so far.
I love my apartment and the area is actually lots of fun even though it's quite a ways from the center on public transport. My branch seems great so far and everyone's been very welcoming, I don't start teaching until tomorrow but I'm really excited!
Erin Barton
Location in Korea: JunggyeWe have had a great first week and a few days! Training was great!
he mocks are very helpful because you get feedback right away that you can use to improve your teaching. We had a great trainer that was willing to help us and not afraid to tell us how to make changes.
Abbey Jacobson
Location in Korea: DaechiIn the past month, we went through a very helpful online and in-person training that helped me feel significantly more prepared and less intimidated about teaching in front of a classroom! I moved into a great apartment in Gangnam, and got to explore a little bit of the surrounding areas! We’ve visited the Coex mall, the Bukchon Hanok Village, Ssamzigil market, Ikseondong, and explored all the shops and cafes in our neighborhood.