Is Korea The Best Place For Teaching ESL?
ESL is a booming industry in South Korea. Every year, thousands of native speakers arrive in Korea as English teachers. Teaching English is popular all over Southeast Asia. So what makes Korea a good place to live and work as an English teacher.
In this post, we will look at a few reasons that make Korea one of THE best places to teach English.
Salary
Demand for English in South Korea is on the rise. The salary is pretty good. Typically, the starting salary for ESL teachers in Korea is between 2million KRW to 2.2million KRW (around $2,000) a month. buy levitra nz bayer Unarguably not one of the highest paying but it’s not bad either. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you can earn more.
Benefits
Along with a good salary, Korea also offers some awesome benefits. The C.T.C includes free housing, contract completion bonus, healthcare, pension benefits and airfare reimbursement.
The contract completion bonus together with the pension refunds can add another month or two worth of income. Plus you will have various opportunities for overtime and private work.
No Experience Required
Another good thing is that Korea takes first-time teachers. A lot of recent college graduates are attracted to Korea because for many ESL jobs in Korea especially in private schools/hagwons, you don’t need any experience. For the EPIK, GEPIK, or SMOE programs, a minimum of a TEFL certificate and bachelor’s degree is all that’s needed.
Many countries like Saudi Arabia require the candidates to have additional qualifications, including a TEFL or TESOL in order to apply for an ESL job. However, in Korea many public school positions and almost all private hagwon jobs require minimal to no experience.
In fact, Korean government started Teach and Learn in Korea (TaLK) program for individuals who have an Associate’s Degree or are enrolled in a B.A. Degree acheter viagra Program(3rd year or higher). It’s a Korean Government scholarship program where you teach after-school English classes to elementary school students. You teach 15 hours per week.
Benefits include a monthly stipend of KRW 1.5 million (approx. $1,300), a settling-in allowance of KRW 300,000 (approx. $250), an entrance and exit allowance of 1,300,000 KRW (approx. acheter viagra $1,100), accommodation, health insurance. The only downside is that you have to work in a rural area of South Korea.
This is an excellent opportunity for those who plan to pursue a teaching career at home or abroad and also for those who want to explore another culture.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in Korea is comparatively cheaper. Technically, Japan and Korea offer similar salary and benefit package. However, the cost of living in Korea is cheaper compared to Japan. Working as an English teacher in South Korea you can save up to 75% of your wages, especially if you live on a budget and do not overspend. Most people are able to pay off a substantial portion of their student loans plus have enough money for traveling.
Travel Options
If you want to travel around Southeast Asia, Korea is a good place to be at. Airline tickets to the neighboring Southeast Asian countries like: Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Hong Kong etc. are dirt cheap. 
Also you have the option to take a ferry to Japan and China. Taking the ferry is an inexpensive and very unique way to travel internationally.
Relatively Safe
Korea is also comparatively safe. This is not to say that crimes do not occur in South Korea. However, the frequency and the number of crimes is much lower when compared to other countries.
Korea is a good place to live in. The cost of living is low, the food is delicious and people are pleasant and friendly. If you work as an English teacher in Korea, you can enjoy a nice lifestyle. With all this and a lot more to offer, South Korea is one of the best destinations for teaching English abroad.