Welcome to ESL Job Link.com, Your Local Recruiter for Teaching Jobs in South Korea.

Because teaching at private and public schools in Korea is different in many ways, it is beneficial for the candidates to know these differences while conducting their job research. Without a proper understanding, the candidates can be confused and end up feeling that they made a wrong decision.

From our experience of placements, there are reasons some people prefer to teach at a private school and others at a public school. However, their decisions heavily depend on their own personal preferences. Therefore, ESL Job Link wants to help all candidates understand the differences between working at private and public schools and make sure they apply to the system that best suits them.

Class size: A private school’s class size is much smaller than a public school’s. A typical class size at a private school ranges between 10 and 12 students whereas there are 30 to 40 students in a public school class. However, at public schools, a foreign teacher co-teaches with a Korean English teacher. All issues related to classwork need to be consulted with the Korean co-teacher. In conclusion, you will teach a smaller group of students at a private school.

Cohort: If it’s not a small privately owned school, most private schools hire more than 1 foreign teacher. A public school’s policy is to hire 1 foreign teacher for each public school. In conclusion, you will be around more foreigners such as yourself at private schools.

Teacher support: Most private franchised English schools have a better support system for foreign teachers compared with public schools. There are Korean staff who will be working with foreign teachers on issues ranging from classwork to everyday life. In conclusion, generally speaking, there is a better support system at private schools.

Student age group: Most private schools teach kindergarten and elementary school students. Public schools don’t teach kindergarten, but do teach elementary, middle school and high school students. In conclusion, public schools have a variety of student age groups.

Contract hours: Public school hours and teaching hours are shorter than most private schools’. Typical school hours at a public school are 8 to 4 (8 hours/day), while school hours at a private school are usually 9:30 to 6:30 (9 hours/day). Contract teaching hours are 22 hours per week at public schools, but 30 hours per week at most private schools. In conclusion, the workload is generally heavier at private schools.

Vacation: Private schools usually give foreign teachers two weeks of paid vacation a year: one week of summer vacation that starts at the end of July or early August and the other week of winter vacation that begins at Christmas until January 1. Public schools give foreign teachers 4 to 5 weeks of paid vacation during public schools’ summer and winter breaks. In conclusion, there are more vacation days at public schools.

Income tax: The income tax rate for foreign teachers is between 3 and 5 % of their monthly salary at private schools. However, American teachers at public schools can get income tax exemption for the first two years. Teachers who want to get income tax exemption should submit a residency certificate after they arrive in Korea. In conclusion, you pay no income tax for two years at public schools.

TEFL certificate and teaching experience: Korean public and private schools hire many non-education majors who have no teaching credentials. However, as an increasing number of applicants apply for teaching positions in South Korea, competition has been rising in recent years. Even though candidates getting TEFL certified is not mandatory, public and private schools now strongly recommend getting TEFL certified and volunteering in youth teaching programs in their community. In conclusion, having a TEFL certificate and some volunteer experience gives you an advantage.

Location: Private schools are usually located in more of a city setting, hence more public transportation etc. Candidates will know exactly what school they are going to and where it is located when they apply to private schools. However, they will not know what city they are going to until they receive a signed contract and notice of appointment from public schools 2 to 3 months after they apply to EPIK, and will finally know what school they are going to at the orientation meeting in Korea. In conclusion, locationwise, private schools will give you a clearer picture upfront.

Positions for couples: Only married couples can be joint applicants and apply for couple housing. EPIK cannot guarantee placement in the same location for non-married applicants any more. Private schools also have positions for couples, but the number is limited.

Salary: A teacher’s salary will vary depending on degrees, majors, certificates and/or full-time teaching experiences at public schools. Private schools normally pay 2.1 or 2.2 million Korean won to non-education majors holding a Bachelor’s degree. Education majors normally earn 100,000 won more per month than non-education majors. Please note that some private schools offer a higher salary when you sign on for longer teaching hours.

Pension plan: All public schools pay half of the national pension plan contribution (4.5% of teacher’s monthly salary). The teacher will pay the other half. When the teacher returns home, the Korean national pension plan committee will wire the whole sum of the pension plan to the teacher’s US account. Some private schools do not pay the national pension plan for teachers, but might pay a higher salary to compensate for not providing the pension plan.

Settlement allowance: A settlement allowance is pocket money you can get when you teach at a public school. Public schools pay teachers a settlement allowance of 300,000 won after they arrive at the school. Private schools do not pay a settlement allowance.

Airfare: Both public and private schools pay for the teacher’s round-trip airfare. Teachers going to public schools will pay for their arrival flight out of pocket and be given 1.3 million won regardless of cost as entrance allowance upon arrival. When they finish their contracts, they are paid another 1.3 million won before their return flight. Since one-way airfare to Korea usually costs less than 1.3 million won, going to a public school financially benefits you a little better. Private schools handle the airfare costs up front.

Renewal allowance: Public schools pay teachers a contract renewal bonus of 2.0 million won if they renew their contract at the same POE for another year. In this case, the school considers the returning ticket, entrance allowance, and settlement allowance covered in the 2.0 million won. When renewing a contract with a private school, all is up for negotiation: salary, vacation between old and new contract, and flights.