Most private language schools/institutes are located in commercial or residential areas of cities and towns. In larger cities, the typical language school may operate from a floor of a medium-rise commercial building.

In addition to classrooms, the schools consist of a teacher's office where lessons are prepared and teaching materials are stored. Some schools contain a sort of gymnasium that is also used as a theatre when students perform presentations for the other students, the teachers, and their families. There is typically a front office with secretaries who can help with business services. Telephone service and Internet connections are commonplace. You can use free domestic phone and internet at school. And you can have your internet line at home.

 

In the countryside, school facilities may be more rustic. Advantages include a cleaner and quieter environment, less traffic, and closer contact with families. However, you must be prepared to accept a relatively higher degree of cultural isolation. Some foreign teachers prefer the more rural environment. If this is the case with you, please let us know early in the process so that we may locate such an opportunity for you.

Curriculum materials are always available. All the teaching materials are provided by school. Over time, the schools have worked out relationships with textbook suppliers and have found materials that they feel are most beneficial for their students.

Language schools operate on a term basis. A term is usually one-calendar month, and the institutes are open all year. Teachers record attendance. Teachers are also expected to prepare student evaluations that are sent to student's home with the students at the end of each term.

The students typically range in age from kindergarten through junior high, sometimes including high school students. Others have adult education programs for businesspersons, college students and housewives. Your school day will vary depending on the kind of students you have. Younger children arrive in the mornings, and older children come after school. Adults come in the early mornings and evenings.

Upon arrival at the school, you will go through an orientation/observation for several days, where you will learn how to teach, what to teach, and etc. There are Korean-English teachers working for the school who will be happy to assist you.

You do not have to speak Korean to teach English. Some of your classes are conducted with a Korean teacher present in your classroom to help you. Sometimes you teach the class by yourself, and the students are not allowed to speak Korean. There is no formal Korean language training for ESL (English as Second Language) teachers because it is not necessary. You will inevitably learn some Korean. In fact, you will find that your students will be your very willing teachers!

While it varies from school to school, in most schools/institutes, you are supposed to teach 110~120 teaching hours a month as a full time employee (that is 144~160 class times, one class time equals 40 to 50 minutes). Anything above and beyond will be overtime, for which you will get paid extra above your base compensation.

Class size is usually small (5 to 10 students) when you teach at private institute and larger (30 to 40 students) when you teach at public school.