How to Understand English Teaching Contracts in South Korea

So you have gone through the whole drill. You have done hours of research online to find the best recruiter to find you the best job in Korea. You have even gone through the awkward interview with the very nice school director who barely spoke English yet somehow still found the words to promise a home-cooked meal every other night in Korea.

You have gotten the job, but now you are staring at the contract. What does it all mean? How will you know the school will stay good on its word? What should be your demands and what should you not worry about?

Picking up and moving to a foreign country can be scary for anyone. Doing so is especially the case when you do not speak the same language as the locals. It is important to know and understand your contract and know what to expect of your school and what your school expects of you.

Here is a breakdown of a typical contract in Korea (please not my comments in blue). Most contracts tend to look the same, as most school principals and academy (or hogwan as it is called in Korea) directors go online to find a sample contract and use it as their own.

The employer:
School name
The employee:
Your name:
Passport number:

Sometimes the School Name is left blank. Do not worry. It is just likely the school found this contract and printed it off the internet. Ask your recruiter for the school’s name.

1) The employee is hired by the employer and both parties agree as follows:

    The Employer wishes to engage service of the employee for him/her to work as an English teacher at the Employer’s school from _____________ to ______________ for 1 year and the Employee agrees to work under the terms and conditions of this contract and the Employee should finish Student Evaluation when the semester ends.

Make sure you ask your recruiter the start date. Do not stress about this date. It is very likely to change if your E2 visa application takes longer than expected.
  1. Conduction professional, well-planned English conversation as a special subject.
  2. Performing all duties related to the classroom work, such as Lesson preparation, Student Evaluation, Monthly Schedules, new student interviews, teacher meetings and workshops.
  3. One hour is 40 minutes.
  4. 35 classes a week (from first to 6th class is 40 minutes a day, 7th class is 50 minutes from Monday to Friday)
  5. After finishing the semester, the employee evaluates the students’ scores and comments by the established form.
Ask your school what time you are required to be at work and what time you will leave, including any required prep time. This is not usually stated in a contract.

    The employer will pay the teacher a total monthly basic salary of ___________________ including four insurance payment (National pension, Medical insurance, Korean income tax, etc.) and taxes.

Most salaries range between 1.8 and 3 million won (US1,800-US$2,400). Bigger schools will direct deposit the money into your account once a month.
If you break your contract before 12 months, you will receive no severance pay.

  1. The employer will provide furnished living accommodations and electronic utilities.
  2. The employee has to pay public taxes (ex. Electric charges, mobile phone charges, cable service and water rates.)

The provided apartment in most cases will be ready for you when you arrive. Some schools will take photos of it and send to you. You can always ask. Your school will set you up with a bank account, internet, and anything else you might need.

Two weeks of vacation which must be taken when the school is closed, generally during the winter and summer vacations.

Ten days Is the average vacation time at most academies. Public schools often offer more. Make sure to check with the school before you sign the contract to see if holidays are included in your 10 days of vacation.

Teachers will not be allowed to teach private lessons outside of the place of employment without permission of the Employer.

Private lessons are illegal in Korea unless you get permission from your employer.
  1. The staff of school can observe and estimate an employee’s classes.
  2. The employer can advise the employee to improve the curriculum and teaching methods. The employee should allow them.
  1. In case of inevitable change of environment or institution, the employer an employee can change the contract by mutual agreement.
  2. If the employee terminates the contract or doesn’t accomplish regular lectures, the employee has to compensate for loss.

    The employer has the right to terminate in whole or in parts as follows.

In case of observing rules in school and degrading him/herself as the elementary school teacher. In case of changing teaching curriculum and contents without consultation with staff of the school. In case of disturbing the teacher’s classes intentionally. 1) The employer will coordinate with the employee by mutual agreement.

a) The matters which are not mentioned above.

b) Each matters and other special agreements can be adjusted.

Most schools are very good about following their contracts. Should a problem arise, talk to your school or your recruiter for help.
1) This contract is valid for one year and shall commence on the first day of employment.

a) The employer will prepare for two contracts and share with the employee individually.

b) The employer will inform the school schedule to the employee.

The laws of the Republic of Korea shall govern this document.

The following Employment Agreement is made between the following two parties.

Employer/President _______________________ date________________________
Employee _______________________________ date ________________________

Notice any strange words or misspellings? Don't worry. This is completely common in Korean contracts written in English.

If you break your contract, there are a few things you should understand.

Lindsay Nash taught English in Korea for two years and is was owner of Say Kimchi Recruiting, a firm connecting native English speakers around the globe to teaching jobs in Korea. Interested in learning more?