Do I Need A Korean Visa

Teaching English in South Korea is a popular option for many individuals looking to live and work abroad. To be eligible to teach English in South Korea, there are several requirements that you must meet. First and foremost, you must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in any field. This is a non-negotiable requirement set by the South Korean government for obtaining a work visa. Additionally, having a degree in English, education, or a related field may give you a competitive edge in the job market. Another crucial requirement is obtaining a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. While not always mandatory, many schools and language institutes in South Korea prefer candidates with a TEFL certificate as it demonstrates your commitment to teaching...  [Read more]

In the vast majority of cases, ESL teachers will need to obtain some form of visa to enter their destination country. What specific visa you need is wholly dependent on the rules and regulations of your host country, so you should contact the relevant embassy or take a look at their website to make sure you have all the correct information. Below we outline the most common forms of visa you are likely to come across. Tourist visas are typically issued to people who only plan on a short visit and do not intend to work or study. This type of visa comes in many different forms depending on the host country and your own country of origin. The 'upon entry' tourist visa is the most common and this is issued upon arrival at the airport immigration desk. For example, US citizens arriving in...  [Read more]

In some countries where teaching ESL is popular there is a clear path for obtaining a work visa or permit that allows you to live and work long term, while in others the process can be overly complicated, expensive or simply nonexistent. However, as the demand for teachers is so high in many countries, the need for a work visa can often be ignored by employers. The truth is that thousands of people are currently working as ESL teachers in countries worldwide without a formal work visa or work permit. In two of the most popular ESL teaching destinations in Europe, Italy and Spain, it is very common for Americans and other non-EU nationals to start work as teachers with nothing more than a tourist visa in their passport. A standard tourist visa is valid for 90 days and there is no...  [Read more]

One of the reasons why Mexico is an increasingly popular teaching destination is the fact that it is possible for most foreign teachers to get a work visa. Also, there is no requirement for you to possess a degree or to be a native English speaker in order to apply for one. As long as you possess a TESOL certification from a reputable provider, you are eligible for a work visa in Mexico. The great news for foreign ESL teachers is that there are very few restrictions on who can apply for a work visa for teaching English in Mexico. The only nationalities that are not eligible to apply are those from North Korea and Iran and there are no age limits either. A TESOL certificate is required, but there is no need to have a college degree or any previous teaching experience. The only other...  [Read more]

  Teaching English in South Korea has become increasingly popular over the last decade and it is no secret that the country offers some of the best salaries for foreign teachers to be found anywhere in the world. English teachers in Korea can expect to earn between $1,500 and $3,000 US per month and it is certainly possible to save up to half of this depending on your lifestyle. On top of the basic salary you can also expect other benefits such as paid airfares, free housing and an end of contract bonus. Unsurprisingly, the high salaries and good benefits on offer have led to a high level of competition for the best jobs. If you have any teaching qualifications and experience in the classroom, you will find you have the pick of the available jobs. However, thanks to a continually...  [Read more]

South Korea has become one of the most popular countries in the world for teaching English abroad as demand is high and so are the salaries. The average monthly pay is around $1,500 to $3,000 and most teachers are able to save a considerable percentage of this each month. Many jobs also include a range of extra benefits such as return airfares, free housing and a bonus for completing the contract. The EPIK Program is a government backed scheme that recruits foreign teachers to work in public schools across the country. This is a very popular option is all the details are sorted out before you need to leave your own country. Other common options include private language institutes, universities and even international schools. Regardless of the type of school you choose to work for...  [Read more]

Some of the biggest markets for foreign ESL teachers are restricted to native English speakers only, including Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. However, if your first language is not English there are still many exciting destinations all over the world where there are no such restrictions. It is worth noting that the term 'native English speaker' typically refers to teachers from the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. As the demand for foreign ESL teachers is very high in most parts of Asia, there are a wide range of options for non-native English speakers. Thailand is a particularly popular choice due to its widely popular culture and cuisine, and the beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. In order to get a work permit you need...  [Read more]

Although it is not particularly unusual for teachers with children to head overseas to live and work, there are several important things to carefully consider before you decide if it is the right option for your family. Wherever you live in the world, bringing up children is typically an expensive undertaking. With that in mind, you need to make sure that teaching English abroad is financially viable for you before deciding to leave home. Teacher?s salaries vary greatly from one country to the next so where you decide to teach can have a huge impact on your prospects. Popular regions such as Europe and Latin America have plenty of job opportunities, but most teachers would find it hard to earn enough to support children in these areas. In contrast, Asian countries such as China,...  [Read more]

Having adequate health insurance is clearly an important issue wherever you are living and working around the world. Whether health insurance is covered by your employer or not is something that varies from one situation to the next so it is important to confirm this whenever you are interviewed for a teaching position. Here we take a brief look at health insurance within the ESL teaching world. In most of the big ESL job markets across Asia such as China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam, health insurance is typically included in a teaching contract. In most cases the cost will be fully covered by the employer, although a small sum might be deducted from your salary in certain situations. In other less developed markets, health insurance is less likely to be...  [Read more]

Due to the ever-increasing popularity of English as a second language, there are dozens of great options when it comes to picking a destination for teaching abroad. There are popular destinations on every continent (maybe not Antartica), where jobs are widespread and the quality of life you can expect as a teacher is above the local average. However, there are some places that are easier to get set up in than others. We have looked at a wide range of criteria such as job availability, the visa process, average income compared to average outgoings, how welcome you will feel on arrival, and even the local cuisine, to come up with the following list of great destinations for teaching English abroad. To provide a range of options we have limited it to one country per region. There are...  [Read more]

Securing a TESOL teaching job in a high-demand region can vary in terms of timing depending on several factors. Generally speaking, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Let's break it down: First and foremost, it is essential to have the necessary qualifications to teach English as a foreign language. This typically includes a TESOL or TEFL certification, a bachelor's degree in any field, and sometimes relevant teaching experience. If you already possess these qualifications, you are off to a good start. Next, you will need to research high-demand regions for English language teachers. Countries like China, South Korea, Japan, and the Middle East often have a high demand for English teachers. Once you have identified your target region, start looking for job...  [Read more]

Located the country’s eastern region, Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, is its biggest city with around two and a half million people calling it home. It is also the most populated city in Central Asia. Tashkent became the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan when the country became independent in 1991. Uzbekistan’s long and interesting history can be witnessed in the fascinating architecture of Tashkent. The exhibition halls and metro stations, in particular, are very good examples to look out for. If you want to experience real local life in Tashkent, then you should pay a visit to one of the many local markets, which are thriving social centers for the local inhabitants. Uzbek cuisine consists mainly of bread and noodles with mutton being a staple part of the diet due to the...  [Read more]

Asia attracts tens of thousands of TESOL qualified teachers every year, however, some countries have certain restrictions in place that you need to be aware of before choosing a destination. For example, a 4-year university degree is required in some countries and others will only issue work permits to native English speakers. Another issue that teachers might need to be aware of is that there are age restrictions that apply in some situations. Some of the most popular TESOL destinations in Asia have a strict retirement policy that applies to both local and foreign teachers. In countries such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, government schools are not allowed to sponsor work visas for teachers who have reached the retirement age of that country. The retirement age...  [Read more]

ITTT is dedicated to assisting you throughout your TESOL training and to providing you with a means of support during your ensuing teaching career. If you have any questions regarding our courses, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below. Our TESOL FAQs should be able to answer most of your questions, but if you have any other queries do not hesitate to contact us by submitting them using the form at the bottom of this page. What does TESOL mean?   The acronym TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The term is commonly used when referring to certification courses that provide the skills necessary to teach the English language to non-native speakers in your own country or abroad. Read more What is the difference between TESOL...  [Read more]

Singapore is a thriving, modern city-state located on the Malay Peninsula. This former British colony was once known as the “Jewel of the British Empire” and although the country has developed rapidly since independence, the island’s British history can be seen throughout in its monuments and architecture. As a busy transport hub, Singapore sees visitors from all over the world, with direct flights from hundreds of countries as well as ferries bringing passengers from the numerous ports in the region. Singapore is also a major shopping destination for visitors from other Southeast Asian countries and the world famous Orchard Road is home to a large number of shopping centers as well as numerous hotels. The city has a busy night life scene with plenty of clubs and in the Orchard Road,...  [Read more]

The ancient city of Corinth is home to our Greek TESOL international training facility. Here we can offer an internationally recognized certificate for successful students, which is for 120 hours over a four week course with 10 hours of teaching practice. Our course is run by fully qualified, experienced trainers in an environment conducive to successful learning. Your course fees will cover the course, all materials required to plan and produce your lessons, accommodation and a ‘meet and greet’ at Corinth railway station. Once you have successfully completed the course, we will offer assistance in gaining employment. Known as the gateway of the Peloponnese, Corinth is the second largest city in the Peloponnese region and is situated 50 miles from the Greek capital, Athens. Typically...  [Read more]

Most foreign ESL teachers working in South Korea are employed by government run public schools or private language academies known as hagwons. Both of these employers typically offer a good salary and a range of extra benefits, but there are some differences between the two that might lead you to choose one over the other. Both types of employers hire the majority of their teachers in advance from within their own country. Public school recruitment follows a set timetable that has two start dates each year. Applications for the start date in August/September need to be filed online beginning in April. The application process for the February/March start date begins in October. A large percentage of teachers who work in public schools are recruited via a government program known as...  [Read more]

Santorini is as Greek as greece gets. Generally referred to it as a single island, Santorini is actually a series of five islands. Santorini (Thira) is the main island and around it Thirasia and Aspronisi (parts of the ancient Stroggili) and the two volcanic islands Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni. Jules Verne made Santorini famous with his books, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island where captain Nemo and his crew watch a volcano erupt. Verne was on Thira during the eruptions of 1866 - 1870 and wrote his novel soon after. The volcano dominates the landscape, and the caldera view is stunning. The Santorini Caldera is famed for its 300-foot cliffs with villages perched on top. The cliff is the wall of a submerged volcano crater caused by the devastating eruption of...  [Read more]

Among the many benefits of teaching English abroad is the ability to select not only the region in which you want to work, but also the specific country or city. Some teachers are drawn to the history and culture of Europe, while others are drawn to exotic destinations in Asia or Latin America. However, before you book your plane ticket, keep in mind that the requirements for foreign teachers differ wildly between countries, which may limit your options. You should conduct extensive research to determine whether any of the following issues apply to your preferred destination. In some countries, language schools can only hire teachers who are citizens of a native English-speaking country due to visa restrictions. These are generally the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom,...  [Read more]

If you plan to Teach English as a Second Language (TESOL) in your home country, overseas, or online, you will find there are usually a few requirements laid down by employers that can vary from country to country or job to job. In some cases, teaching positions can be restricted to native English speakers only. However, the good news is that the demand for English teachers is very high in many areas, which means there are typically plenty of jobs available for all fluent English speakers. So what are the main requirements when it comes to non-native English speakers teaching ESL? Before you start looking at potential jobs around the world, the first thing you will need to do is complete a TESOL certification course. With a TESOL qualification in your back pocket you will be taken...  [Read more]