There are many opportunities to teach English in Korea and the most common is either working in a public school or in a private a language institute. The following sample contract outlines the general working conditions and benefits for native English teacher. If you'd like to know the differences between teaching in public or private schools, please read the following information.
The difference between public school and private institutes
1. The job
You will be teaching conversational English to eager students.
In Korea, many institutes and public schools focus on school-aged children. However, you can also teach adults or university level students. You can be a successful teacher if you like children, like educating, are good at explaining concepts and have a lot of patience. You will be required to prepare lesson plans, assign and correct homework, test students level of English comprehension, and participate in staff meetings. The number of regular teaching hours will be thirty hours per week.
2. Contract period
The term of employment is for one year (365/days) which shall begin on mm/dd/yy and end on mm/dd/yy.
3. Airfare
The purchase price of the airfare for the employee’s flight to Korea shall be reimbursed by the employer within a month (30 days) of arrival. The arifare is based on economy class and is the most direct flight available from his/her residence to the Incheon International Airport in Korea.
a. Teachers residing outside of Korea: A one-way ticket to Korea will be reimbursed after employee’s arrival in Korea within a month (30 days), and upon completion of the contract, a one way ticket home will be provided.
b. Teacher residing in Korea: Teachers hired while in Korea will make the E2 visa issuance trip to the nearest country to Korea, and will have the round trip airfare reimbursed by the employer upon commencement of work at the school within a month (30 days). Upon completion of the contract, a one-way ticket to the employee’s foreign residence shall be provided.
4. Salary
The salary varies from school to school but is usually from 2.0M won~2.8M won. (Roughly US $2000 ~ $2800 / CA $2300 ~ $3200).
5. Severance Pay
Upon completion of a one-year contract, the employer shall pay the Employee an extra 30 days average wage as severance pay for the employee’s continuous employment of one year.
6. Holidays
The employee shall be entitled to paid leave for a total of fourteen (14) working days during the term of, employment. Paid leave may be taken when school is not in session, and must be approved by the schools principal at least 15 days in advance. Saturdays and Sundays do not count as vacation days, and are not deducted the total of fourteen (14) working days.
7. Sick leave
The employee shall be entitled to a paid sick leave if an illness or injury prevents him/her from performing the duties under this contract, provided, however, that he/she obtains the employer’s prior consent.
8. Housing
The employer shall provide the employee with housing. All efforts will be made to provide an apartment within walking distance to the school, or to transport facilities as indicated by the Employee.
9. Medical insurance
The Employer shall provide the Employee with medical insurance pursuant to The National Health Insurance Act of Korea (The National Health Insurance Act states all government employees will be liable for 50% of costs).
10. Income Tax and Pension Plan
Korean Income Tax (approx. 5% is exempted for foreigners, except for Canadians, for the first two employment years in Korea) and the National Pension Contribution (approx. 9%, of which the Employer pays for half, refundable for US and Canadian citizens only at the end of tje contract term) will be deducted from your pay as per a normal government employee.
11. Housing deposit
The employee shall be responsible for, and protect the employer from, any liability or damages arising from, or in relation to any negligent, faulty, or illegal activity during the Term of Employment under this contract. For safety deposit, 300,000 Korean won per month will be deducted from the employee’s salary for the first 3 months of employment until it amounts to a total of 900,000 Korean won. In This protects the employer from any liability or damages. The employee shall be refunded the whole amount before the termination of the contract.
