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Online TEFL Certificate & Teach English Korea

American TESOL Institute brings an amazing opportunity of doing a TESOL online course and teaching English as Second Language in the exotic country of South Korea. Korea has a very high demand of ESL teachers and the eligible teachers can exploit this opportunity easily with the help of American TESOL Institute.

FAQ for TEFL Course & ESL Jobs Korea

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General query

What is ‘Travel and Teach Project’ of ATI?

The ‘Travel and Teach Project’ of ATI is a wonderful opportunity for eligible teachers to get as assured ESL job in the oriental countries after completing an online TEFL course from ATI. This comes at a mere price of USD 500 and the teachers will be able to earn enough from the schools to cover their course fee and also travel around.

Can I save money or pay off student loans while working in Korean schools?

Korea has the most lucrative ESL job market and the teachers are paid very well. The teachers are paid about USD 1500 per month, which is enough to survive in Korea. The accommodations are provided by the schools and also Medical insurance. The apartments have all necessary amenities and are near the schools so the candidates can avoid communication cost. If the teachers choose not to.

When will I get the TEFL certificate?

The TEFL certificate will be given to the candidates after they complete the ESL job contract with American TESOL Institute.

Do I have a choice of city or schools?

No, there is no choice of a city or schools you will have to take a job which we provide through our job placement agencies.

What is the climate like in Korea? What kind of clothes should I bring?

South Korea has four distinct seasons. It is very cold during the winter months and during summer months, it is quite warm. As the ESL teachers will be staying for a year in South Korea it is better to bring clothes for both summers and winters. Western clothes are very popular in this country and even in the stores you will find all the western lines of clothing.

What shall I so if I get sick in South Korea?

There are a number of good hospitals in South Korea, where you can good medical attention. There are enough western facilities and the doctors are very helpful. The school authority can help the teachers in getting medical treatment.

How is the food in Korea?

Korean food is extremely spicy but delicious. The food habit in Korea is very healthy and it involved lots of sea food and vegetables. In the main cities you will find restaurants serving international food but will have to pay a price for it.

How safe is South Korea?

South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world. It has very low crime rate.

How is the nightlife in Korea?

Nightlife in South Korea is definitely not like the western countries. However, in the main cities there are a number of pubs and clubs where you can visit to have a gala time.

How about sing credit cards in South Korea?

The ATMs in South Korea do not accept foreign cards. There are some special global ATMs for this purpose which are mainly in airports or subway stations of the main cities. Credit cards are well accepted in all the big hotels and restaurants.

How is the Internet service in Korea?

South Korea has great Internet service and cyber cafes are all over the place known as PC bang. You can check your mails and the Internet for just one thousand or two thousand won per hour.

How is the telephone connection in South Korea?

The country code of South Korea is 82. There is no GSM network in South Korea so roaming will not be possible mostly. LG TeleCom and SK Telecom offer prepaid mobile phone services (pre-paid service, PPS) in South Korea. Incoming calls are free. Phones and prepaid services can be acquired at any LG TeleCom and SK Telecom retail locations.
SK Telecom and KTF also offer mobile phone rental services, and some handsets support GSM SIM roaming. Both companies have outlets at the airports in Seoul, Busan and Jeju and charges start from W2000/day. Reserve in advance via Tour2Korea (the official Korea Tourism Organization site) for a discount and guaranteed availability.


 ESL queries

Will the schools provide Visa and Work permit?

The schools will not provide E2 Visa and work permit. It is the responsibility of the teacher to get it done before. The schools might provide assistance in the process.

Will the airfare be reimbursed?

Yes. The airfare up to USD 900 will be reimbursed once the teachers reach Korea and after the completion of the one year contract the teachers will be given USD 900 for their flight back home.

Is there a pick up facility from the airport?

Yes, there is s pick up facility from Incheon International Airport. For the pick up facility the details will have to provided before hand. The details are
  • Name of the airline
  • Number of Flight
  • Departure from and date and time
  • Any information on transit

When do I get the salary? What are the terms and conditions?

The teachers will get their salaries on the 25th of each month. If it is a holiday on that day, the teachers will be given it the next working day. In case of absence from work, the salary will be deducted. Thirty days of wage will be given to the teachers after completing one year contract.

Employee shall not claim against Employer any compensation and/or payment other than those provided for in Contract.

The category 1 Employee whose contract is renewed for a second term or subsequent terms at the same school may be eligible for salary raise up to the maximum GEPIK limit of 2,500,000 won by 100,000 won per year respectively. The increase is at the discretion of Employer, neither automatic nor guaranteed, according to Employee’s teaching performance and contributions made toward the achievement of the educational goals of GPOE.

If a teacher obtains further qualifications such as a Masters degree or TESOL certificate (with over 100 course-hours) during the contract term, if applicable, he/she will be promoted to the next employment category (with corresponding raise in salary) the month following the date of course completion. However, promotions shall be limited to one pay category increase per year. (ie. Category 3 to 2, or Category 2 to 1; not Category 3 to 1)
The Korean income tax (approx. 3% which is exempted for foreigners, except for Canadians, for the first two employment years in Korea) and the national pension contribution (approx. 9%, of which Employer pays for the half, refundable for the US and Canadian citizens at the end of Contract term) and the national health scheme (approx. 5%, of which Employer pays for the half) as required under Korean law shall be withheld each month from Employee’s salary.
The pay scale is as follows; category one for 2.3 mill. KRW; category two for 2.1 mill. KRW ; category three for 2 mill. KRW)

Can I renew my contract?

Yes, the contract can be renewed mutually between the ESL teacher and the school. A notice will be given the teacher regarding renewal of contract and termination of contract two months before the contract closes. If the contract is renewed the teacher will be given a vacation of fourteen days all inclusive of national holidays. In this case, a round trip airfare will be provided by the school to the teacher.

What kinds of leaves shall I get in the job?

Paid leave of fourteen days will be given to the employee during the term of the employment. It has to be approved by the schools principal before 15 days and one cannot take it when the schools are in session. In case of maternity leave, the first 60 calendar days shall be paid leave by employer. If there is unused paid leave the teachers can transfer it to the next session.
The employees are entitled to seven sick leaves. A doctor’s report has to be submitted to the employee. The paid sick leave in a term cannot be more than 15 days. After that, the sick leaves will be without pay. The total paid and unpaid sick leaves of the employees are thirty. For special cases like marriages or deaths in the family the ESL teachers will be allowed some special leaves.

Rules regarding termination

The job contract of the teacher can be terminated by the school under the following circumstances.
  • If employee violates the laws of the Republic of Korea
  • If Employee fails to perform or unsatisfactorily perform any of the duties stipulated in this contract.
  • If Employee fails to perform continuously his/her duties for more than a week without any excuse.
  • If any of the information provided in Employee’s application is found to intentionally false or inaccurate.

A written notification will be given to the teacher 15 days before the contract is to be terminated. The visa of the employee will be cancelled and he will be paid for the number of days he has served.

What if you want to quit the job?

If the employee wants to quit the job, it has to give a sixty days notice to the employer stating the reason behind the resignation. The E2 Visa will be cancelled with the resignation of the job. If the teacher serves less than six months, he or she has to return the airfare, which was reimbursed, and if they serve more than six months the Employer might wave of the pay back of the airfare.