Work hours and teaching times vary from school to school. For most schools, teaching would be from 3:00pm to 9:00pm, Monday to Friday. A typical class is 40 to 50 minutes long with a 10 minute break between classes. Your boss or manager will expect you to arrive 1 to 2 hours before your first class to prepare for the day.

Most classes are geared towards elementary level students after their regular school. So, classes run from mid-afternoon into the evening. Some schools have kindergarten or adult classes in the morning as well.

The hours will be set out in your contract, so you will have a good idea of what to expect before signing. 

The average is 120 hours a month, which is 30 hours per week.  This ends up being less at some schools, as they consider a 40-50 minute class as one hour.  Again, your contract will specify these details.

You will also have an average of one hour a day of preparing for class, photocopying, and correcting.

You can but it isn’t necessary. All schools will provide English books to teach and work from. Your students, employers and Korean friends will be very interested in your life back home in your country. Feel free to bring pictures, souvenirs to give out, and magazines to show- anything from your own pop cultural.

I would classify typical attire as “dressy casual” but this does differ from school to school. My former employer was fine with jeans and a buttoned shirt. It is best advisable that you look respectable given that Korea is a very conservative country. I would recommend hiding piercings and tattoos if possible.

  Most of the students in Korea have a basic understanding of English. The students in grade 10 will speak better English than the students in grade 4. Some classes you may focus on phonics such as ABC's and the sounds of the letters. While other classes, you may be working on reading, writing and conversation.

Yes, all schools have fluently bilingual staff.  Usually your Director speaks English, but if not, there will always be someone there to translate and assist. Most schools have a number of native English speaking teachers.

 Typically, there are 10-15 students in each class. The class sizes are small so that each student can get individual attention.

Your school will provide all the material required, including text books, work books, teaching aids and curriculum. All you have to do is follow the program they have laid out for you.

 Your day begins with teaching elementary school aged kids. Your last class of the day will be high school students.

You are always welcome to bring any teaching aides you choose. Any children’s games you can find are always a hit with the children! The internet is a great place to find different activities to incorporate into your lessons. (link to books and games)

  No, unless you have agreed to do so in your contract. Typically there are opportunities to teach extra classes on the weekends or during the week to earn more money. This is a decision you can make down the road should you want to pick up some extra money.

 Any overtime you decide to do is optional. Many people want to work overtime as the typical rate is at least $20 an hour. Talk to your director if you are interested in pursuing these opportunities.

 Depending on the school, most work hours are Monday to Friday 3-9pm. You have the day to yourself! Occasionally, there are opportunities to teach English at large corporations where a typical teaching day would run from 9am to 5pm.

 Yes, you will likely be working with other foreign teachers. Most ESL schools have a few foreigners.

The English fluency levels vary. The students are grouped by age and skill level.  Your first class is usually with young children and at the end of the day your class will most likely consist of older high school level students.

Most schools have all levels of students.  Since you will be teaching a lot of different groups, you will be exposed to various skill levels.