Getting Started

The first step towards working in Korea is to send us your cover letter, resume, and picture. At this time you should also be assembling all the necessary documents. Once we have received your cover letter and resume, we will contact you if you meet the requirements for employment in Korea. We will then set up either a face-to-face or phone interview with you depending on where you live. 

After we have decided that you would be a good candidate for teaching at one of the SLA English Academies we contact the schools in Korea and try find a location and start date that match your preferences. Often our partner schools will also want to interview you directly. We will set up a time when they will call you. This interview is often quite short and informal.  

Once a school has agreed to hire you we will put you in contact with current or past teachers of that school to help you make your decision. We will also go over the contract and explain any parts of it that you have questions about. Once you are satisfied with the contract you will need to decide if you want to accept the job offer. 

When you accept the job you must send the required documents and the signed contract directly to the school. Once the school receives your package they will take it to the immigration office and get you a visa confirmation number.  They will email us the number, at which point we will pass it along to you and you can start the final visa process stage. This final stage involves a visa application form, a fee, and an interview at the Korean Consulate. Please see our Visa Process page to see these steps in more detail.

Before Leaving

About a week before leaving we will send you a pre-paid plane ticket from your city to Seoul. Travel from the airport in Seoul to your apartment will also be pre-arranged. Before departure we'll inform you who will be meeting you at the airport. You should also check with your airline about baggage limits, as there are exorbitant charges for over-weight baggage. If you are flying with two different airlines with a stop-over be sure to check the limits for both airlines.

During this time, you'll also want to get some travel insurance. Once you arrive in Korea your employer will file the papers to get you Korean medical coverage. Since this process usually takes between two and four weeks, it's best to get travel insurance for this period of time. If you are taking prescription medication, you should also get enough to get you through this transition. Some people even choose to buy enough for the entire year. This is a fine solution, but also keep in mind that most prescription medication is available in South Korea.

You may also want to inform your banks, credit cards, etc. of your address change.  Since your first paycheck comes at the end of your first month of teaching, you'll want to bring enough money to see you through.  While there are some bank machines that accept international cards, outside of big cities they are hard to find.  The same applies for international credit cards.  By far the most reliable are traveler's checks as they can be cashed at any bank for a small fee (be aware that stores do not accept them). 

After Arriving

Within a few days of arrival, someone from your school will take you to get your alien registration card. This card is your Korean identification and should be carried with you at all times. You'll also need this card to get medical insurance and sign up for a bank account. Someone from your school will guide you through these processes. 

It is also a smart idea to register with your country's embassy in Seoul (this can be done over the internet). In case of emergencies either at home or in Korea, your embassy will be able to locate you. They are also a good source of information for local laws, regulations, and travel advisories. Click here for online registration:

You should also receive an orientation to the school and the classes you will be teaching. This might involve you observing other teacher's classes. It is highly recommended for you to view classes before teaching them as it will give you an idea of the students' level and some ideas on how to run your classroom. It's a lot to take in (we know, we've been there!), but the key is to remain positive and open-minded and you'll be on your way to having a great year!