First Impressions of ESL teacher teaching English in South Korea

It’s not everyday that you get to interview your girlfriend.  Since meeting Audrey a couple of months ago in Korea we’ve been exploring Seoul and other areas in Gyeonggi.  I’m extremely biased but I think she has one of the best travel sites in the world over at That Backpacker.  It’s incredible how obsessed we both are with backpacking as we try to tackle as much of Korea as we can on the weekends before heading off on an extended around the world adventure next year.  

Teaching English In Korea Interview

She was born in Canada, raised in Argentina and has visited many far off corners of the world.  With extensive experience as a backpacker, expat and adventurer, I wanted to know what her first impressions of Korea were given that this is the first time she’s been based in Asia:

First Impressions Of Korea

Q1) If you can remember way back to when you first arrived in Korea, what were some of your first impressions?

In an unfiltered stream of thoughts: Noraebang is a blast. Why have I never sang karaoke at the top of my lungs for a room full of strangers? — I’m going to save a fortune by eating dumplings and ramyeon! — Why is the restaurant serving me the fat instead of the meat? — Soju is potent. — What’s with the helicopters and fighter jets flying over my city twice a day? — Did someone just spit inside the building? Yes, they did. That’s what I just stepped on and fell. – Welcome to Korea!

Why Teach English In Korea vs Other Destinations?

Q2) There are numerous destinations, within Asia alone, to consider teaching English as a second language. What brought you to Korea of all places?

The cha-ching! Korea has one of the best ESL markets. There’s a high demand, most jobs cover your apartment and airfare, it’s easy to save with your salary, and the whole application process was relatively easy.

Korean Culture Shock For Backpackers

Q3) As an experienced backpacker, how would you rate Korea in terms of its potential culture shock value relative to other places you’ve visited?

It all depends on where in Korea you find yourself. The capital of Seoul has it all – culture, history, architecture, bars and restaurants. The only thing that shocked me were the hoards of people moving en masse down the streets. Definitely more crowded than were I’m from!

Now if you find yourself in a more rural location, surrounded by farmland, and being the only English speaker around, I’m sure you’ll be in for a more shocking experience!

Your Favourite Places To Visit in South Korea

Q4) When it comes to travel in Korea, where are your favourite destinations you’ve currently visited and where else would you like to go during your time in the Hermit Kingdom?

Travelling by train to the southwestern province of Jeollanam has been one of the highlights. Picture rice paddies with mountains in the horizon, a man riding his bike down a lonely dirt road, traditional homes dotting the fields. It was visual poetry!

As for places to visit, I have my eye on Busan where I hope do indulge in some fresh hwae (raw fish), and Seoraksan for what is meant to be one of the most beautiful hikes in Korea.

Lost In Translation Moments While Living In Korea

Q5) Have you had any lost in translation moments where something regarding the culture, food, or people has totally left you feeling stumped?

Most of my lost in translation moments happen in the classroom during games of Bingo. The way the game works is that you ask students to list cities/jobs/animals that begin with a certain letter. During a recent game one of my students was shouting “c thing – cat” and what I understood was “shitting cat”…

I’ve also told my students to take off their jackets because I thought they were complaining about it being ‘hot’; they were really telling me the lesson was ‘hard’.

Favourite Korean Food So Far

Q6) What Korean food have you sampled since arriving? Any particular favorites? On the other hand, is there something that was of the one time only variety?

My favourite Korean meal thus far has been shabu shabu, mostly because it’s a fun meal to prepare. Who doesn’t want to toss beef, noodles and vegetables into a boiling cauldron? That’s one thing I appreciate about Korean cuisine – the ability to play chef at your own table!

As for the strangest thing I’ve eaten so far – grilled eel. It oozed white goo as I cooked it over the fire…not the most visually enticing, but it didn’t taste bad either.

My students also tell me fish eyeballs are tasty, but I don’t think I’ll be going near those anytime soon.

Random Moments In The Classroom Teaching In Korea

Q7) I think it would be fair to suggest anybody who has taught English overseas has plenty of good stories to tell about humorous events that take place in the classroom. What are some of the most random moments you’ve experienced?

Oh dear, where do I begin?

I’ve had children try to poke me in arse. Apparently it’s a game and the students feel it’s totally acceptable to do that to their foreign teacher…I was horrified.

I’ve had students pull out x-acto knives to ‘play’ with each other. I’ve had a student catch a bee and place it in a gum wrapper as a gift for me. I’ve watched my students smell each others shoes, pick their noses, burp in my face… But then they bring me treats, and because food is the way to this girl’s heart, all is forgiven.

Missing Home While Teaching In Korea

Q8) Life overseas can be stimulating and exciting but it also means certain things are left behind. What do you miss the most about being away from home these days?

Is it bad that I don’t miss home yet? Honestly, I feel more in my element walking around a city where I don’t speak the language and everything is foreign.

Okay, no, actually I can think of one thing I miss – reasonable prices for fresh produce. The other day I paid a whopping $9 for 6 measly brown apples…

Do You Recommend Teaching In Korea?

Q9) Would you recommend teaching English in Korea for an individual considering teaching overseas for the very first time?

Absolutely! Korea has perks like no other country, but if you value your vacation time, take a lesson from this girl and go the public school route as opposed to private academies (otherwise you’ll hardly get a break).

Quirky Encounters In Korea

Q10) Aside from the hilarious moments you’ve experienced in the classroom, what are some quirky encounters you’ve had outside of working hours?

Since I can be a hazard in the kitchen I do takeout for most of my meals. As a result many of the restaurant owners have gotten to know me well. A few weeks ago one of the owners poured me a free half a pint of beer and started chatting while I waited for my order to be up. Not wanting to decline his hospitality, I chugged it down on an empty stomach and ended up stumbling back home slightly tipsy. Korea likes to get you drunk.

Why Korea Works So Well As A First ESL Destination

If you’re toying with the idea of teaching English overseas, Korea is one of those places that quietly ticks a lot of boxes at once. Good salaries, free housing in many cases, cheap local food, fast transport, and just enough culture shock to keep you on your toes without completely knocking you over.

You can have a very “city life” experience in Seoul or Busan, or lean into countryside temples and rice paddies on the weekends. You can save money, travel a ton, or use your year to figure out what you want next.

The big secret? The experience you have in Korea depends far more on where you live and what kind of job you take than on anything else. Once you sort those two things, the rest starts to fall into place.

Choosing Where To Live And Teach In Korea

You’ll hear this question constantly from other teachers:

“Are you in Seoul, a smaller city, or the middle of nowhere?”

Each option comes with its own personality.

Seoul & Gyeonggi: Maximum Energy, Easy Weekends

Living in Seoul or nearby Gyeonggi (Suwon, Bundang, Ilsan, etc.) means:

• Easy access to concerts, museums, cafés, quirky neighborhoods
• Endless food options, from street tteokbokki to fancy fusion
• Great subway and bus network that runs late
• Plenty of other expats to hang out with when you’re feeling overwhelmed

The trade-off?

• Higher temptation to spend money
• Slightly more competition for “dream jobs”
• Smaller apartments and more people everywhere

If you’re social, love city walks, and don’t mind crowds, this area feels like a giant playground you dip into after school.

Busan & Other Big Cities: Beach Life Or “Just Big Enough”

Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju—they’re all big enough to have malls, cinemas, cafés and decent expat communities, but small enough that you might bump into your students at the supermarket.

You get:

• Slightly slower pace than Seoul
• Lower rents and more space in some cases
• Easier access to nature or the coast (Busan especially)

If you like having things to do but don’t need 500 bar options, a larger regional city can be a really comfortable middle ground.

Smaller Cities & Rural Towns: Deep Korea

In smaller cities and rural areas, life changes shape:

• You’ll probably be one of very few foreigners in town
• People remember you at the local restaurant after one visit
• English is less common, which pushes your Korean to improve quickly
• Weekends feel more like mini expeditions than casual hangouts

You might have fewer nightlife options, but more chances to join local festivals, wander quiet paths, and actually hear birds in the morning.

Where Should You Go? A Quick Decision Table

None of these options is “right” for everyone. Think about what you actually enjoy after work and on weekends, because that’s where most of your Korean life happens.

Public School vs Hagwon: The Choice That Shapes Your Year

You already know Korea is a strong ESL market. The real fork in the road is whether you end up in public schools or hagwons (private academies). The job posting might be flashy, but the details make all the difference.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

If you care deeply about time off and long weekends for travel, lean toward public schools. If you’d rather sleep in, don’t mind working evenings, and love small classes, some hagwons can be fantastic—especially well-established ones with good reputations among teachers.

Talking to current or former teachers from the same school is worth its weight in gold.

Cost Of Living & Saving Potential

One of the main reasons people come to Korea is the ability to live well on a modest budget and still save. You won’t feel wealthy, but you can pay off debt, build a travel fund, or sock away money for whatever comes next.

Most teaching jobs include:

• A rent-free one-room apartment or housing allowance
• Part or full reimbursement of flights
• Severance pay at the end of your contract

Of course, apples sometimes cost $9. You learn to adapt.

Very Rough Monthly Budget Snapshot

Assuming housing is covered and you’re living alone:

With a bit of discipline, it’s realistic to:

• Live comfortably
• Travel a fair bit inside Korea
• Still send money home or build savings

The danger zone is going out every weekend, living at cafés, and impulse-buying everything cute you see in stationery shops. Korea is very good at tempting you.

Daily Life Rhythm As An ESL Teacher

The novelty of kimchi and neon signs is great, but your daily routine is what makes a place feel like home.

A Typical Public School Day

• Morning – Wake up, squeeze onto the bus or stroll to school, coffee in hand.
• School hours – A few teaching blocks, some desk-warming, planning lessons, chatting with co-teachers.
• Afternoon – Finish early enough to run errands, go to a café, hit the gym, or catch a bus into a nearby town.
• Evening – Dinner at a local restaurant or grabbing something at a pojangmacha (street stall), maybe a quiet night with dramas or a sudden noraebang session with friends.

A Typical Hagwon Day

• Late morning/early afternoon – Slow start. Time for brunch, errands, language study, or YouTube rabbit holes.
• Mid-afternoon to evening – Classes back-to-back, usually with shorter breaks. Energy needs to stay high.
• Late evening – Dinner after work, sometimes socializing with other night-owl teachers.

Neither schedule is perfect; they just suit different lifestyles. If you’re naturally a night person, finishing at 9 or 10 p.m. won’t feel strange. If you love sunrises and early morning walks, public school hours feel more natural.

Making The Most Of Weekends In Korea

The real perk of teaching in Korea is what you can do with your Saturdays and Sundays. You’re in a country where trains and buses can whisk you from mega-city to mountain temple in a few hours.

Easy Weekend Ideas From Seoul / Gyeonggi

If you’re based near the capital, life is almost too convenient:

• Historic fortresses & old towns – Stroll city walls, temples, and markets in places within a short train ride.
• Hiking escapes – Korea is a country of mountains. There’s always a hiking trail a short bus ride away, from gentle hills to steep national park trails.
• Beach fix – On long weekends, you can head east or south for a dose of sea air and seafood.
• Theme cafés & neighborhoods – Cat cafés, board game cafés, and artsy streets are everywhere. Perfect for lazy afternoons when you don’t want to travel far.

Longer Weekends: National Parks & Islands

On public holidays or chunks of vacation time, you can stretch your radius:

• National parks with proper day hikes and cable cars
• Temple stays, where you sleep in temple lodgings and wake up with monks’ chants
• Islands with rocky shores, quiet fishing villages, and seafood feasts

Book transport early on big holidays. Half the country has the same idea you do.

Settling In: Housing, Neighbourhoods & Everyday Errands

Most first-time teachers get some version of a one-room apartment:

• Small but self-contained
• Bed, tiny wardrobe, compact kitchen, washing machine
• Sometimes a bathroom where the showerhead just lives over the sink and everything gets soaked

It’s not glamorous, but it’s your little base camp.

What To Expect In Your Apartment

• Ondol heating – Glorious heated floors in winter. You’ll never look at radiators the same way again.
• Limited storage – Pack light. Wardrobes are usually minimal.
• Thin walls – Karaoke in the distance, traffic, neighbor’s TV. Earplugs are a wise investment.

Everyday Errands Become Your Routine

Within a few weeks you’ll have:

• A favorite convenience store where you grab kimbap and banana milk
• A corner vegetable shop and fruit stand (where you wince occasionally at prices)
• A local ramyeon joint or BBQ place where they recognize you

Learning just a handful of basic Korean phrases suddenly makes everything smoother: greetings, “one of this, please”, and “thank you” go a long way.

Social Life, Language & Staying Sane

Teaching overseas comes with killer highs and the occasional “what am I doing with my life?” low. Building some kind of support net makes a huge difference.

Making Friends

You’ve got a few natural friend funnels:

• Other teachers at your school or in your district
• Friends-of-friends chains that start with one person and suddenly turn into a crew
• Language exchanges and casual meetups
• Hobby groups: hiking, photography, board games, anything you’re into

You don’t have to become the life of every expat bar. Even a small circle of people who “get it” makes Korea feel less overwhelming.

Learning Korean (Enough To Function)

You don’t need to become fluent in a year; you really don’t.

But:

• Learning Hangul, the alphabet, is a game changer
• Picking up restaurant phrases, directions, and numbers makes daily life easier
• Your students and co-teachers will light up when they see you trying

Instead of thinking “I have to be fluent,” treat Korean like seasoning. A little bit sprinkled into your life makes everything taste better.

Practical Tips & Common Mistakes To Avoid

A year in Korea can fly by. These little adjustments help it feel less like a blur and more like a chapter you actually lived fully.

Smart Moves

• Photocopy everything – Passport, contract, ARC card, bank details. Keep digital backups.
• Arrive with some cushion money – First paychecks can take a few weeks. You’ll want cash for groceries and little essentials.
• Say yes early on – First month? Accept more invitations than you decline. After you’ve built a base, you can become choosier.
• Pick a savings target – Decide what your monthly “non-negotiable savings” is and automate it. Let everything else adjust around that.
• Create tiny rituals – A certain café on Fridays, a weekly market visit, a Sunday walk. Routines anchor you when everything else feels new.

Things That Trip People Up

• Not reading the contract carefully – Especially about working hours, vacation days, and kindergarten duties.
• Assuming all hagwons are the same – Some are fantastic, some are chaos. Reviews from previous teachers matter.
• Treating the year like extended vacation – You’re working full-time. If you try to travel like a backpacker on top of that every weekend, burnout hits fast.
• Ignoring your health – Soju nights, convenience store dinners, and no exercise is a combo that catches up with you quickly.
• Waiting too long to explore – It’s easy to say, “I have a whole year.” Suddenly you’re staring at your flight home wondering where the time went.

Teaching English In South Korea: Real-World Questions, Honest Answers & First-Timer Tips

Is South Korea actually a good choice for a first-time ESL teacher?

Absolutely. If you’re looking for a place where you can earn a solid salary, often get free housing, have decent vacation time, and still feel like you’re on an adventure, Korea checks a lot of boxes. The learning curve is real—new language, new work culture, new classroom dynamics—but the infrastructure is friendly to first-timers. Buses and subways are easy to use, day-to-day life is convenient, and there’s already a big community of other teachers who’ve gone through the same “what am I doing with my life?” phase and come out the other side smiling.

What qualifications do I usually need to teach English in Korea?

It depends. Most mainstream teaching jobs want you to have a university degree, a clean background check, and the right work visa for English teaching. A TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate isn’t always mandatory, but it definitely helps you stand out and feel less lost when you first walk into a classroom. The exact requirements can shift over time and vary slightly by program or school type, so it’s worth double-checking visa and hiring rules with a reputable recruiter or directly with the program before you commit.

How much money can I realistically save in a year teaching in Korea?

Short answer: more than you probably think, if you’re intentional. With housing often covered and everyday things like local transport and basic Korean meals staying pretty affordable, a lot of teachers manage to live comfortably and still send money home or build a travel fund. The big variables are nightlife, café habits, online shopping, and constant weekend trips. If you’re okay with mostly simple meals, low-key nights out, and a couple of bigger trips, you can finish a year with savings that feel genuinely satisfying.

Should I try to teach in Seoul, Busan, or a smaller city?

There’s no universally “best” answer—it comes down to your personality. Big cities like Seoul or Busan give you nightlife, endless cafés, concerts, museums, and a larger expat community. Smaller cities and rural areas trade that buzz for quieter streets, more Korean-only spaces, and cheaper, slower-paced living. If you love crowds, late-night options, and being able to hop on a subway to anywhere, aim for the big hubs. If you’re drawn to mountain views, slower evenings, and deeper day-to-day immersion, a smaller place can be a really rewarding first step.

Is it better to work at a public school or a hagwon (private academy)?

It depends. Public schools usually mean earlier hours, more structured vacation, and a bit more predictability. Hagwons often mean later starts, smaller class sizes, and more direct interaction with students and parents, but they can also be more hit-or-miss depending on the owner and management. If time off and a regular routine are your top priorities, public schools tend to win. If you’re more of a night owl, don’t mind evening shifts, and like teaching in smaller groups, a well-reviewed hagwon can be a great fit—as long as you do your homework on that specific school.

What does a typical workday look like for an ESL teacher in Korea?

Most days end up feeling surprisingly “normal,” just in a different language bubble. In public schools, you’re usually heading in early, teaching several classes with breaks for planning and desk time, and finishing in the mid-afternoon. In hagwons, you often have your slow start to the morning, then a solid block of lessons from mid-afternoon into the evening. After work, you might grab dinner at a local restaurant, pick up convenience-store kimbap, hit the gym, meet friends for noraebang, or just crash at home with Korean dramas. The rhythm settles in faster than you’d expect.

How intense is the culture shock when you first move to Korea?

Honestly, it can feel like a lot at first. Neon signs, new smells, tiny alleys crammed with restaurants, different manners around personal space, and a language you can’t read yet all pile on at once. But it’s rarely all negative. One minute you’re confused by a classroom game or a random street custom, and the next minute someone’s pressing free food into your hands just because you walked into their restaurant twice. The shock tends to mellow into fascination as you build routines and learn enough Korean to navigate the basics.

Do I need to speak Korean before I move there to teach?

Nope. You don’t need Korean to land a job or survive your first few weeks. That said, learning Hangul—the Korean alphabet—should be one of the very first things you do. It’s logical, not too hard to pick up, and once you can read signs and menus, the whole country feels less overwhelming. Even simple phrases like “hello,” “thank you,” and “one of this, please” make your daily life smoother and show your students and co-workers that you’re genuinely trying.

How easy is it to make friends and have a social life as a teacher?

Easier than you might fear, especially in cities. Your first circle often comes from other teachers at your school, people in your neighborhood, or friends-of-friends you meet at language exchanges, meetups, or casual bar nights. Some people fall into big social scenes; others build a small core group they see regularly. The biggest thing is saying “yes” more than “no” at the start—accepting those early invitations gives you momentum. Once you’ve found “your” people, you can scale back and choose how busy or quiet you want your social calendar to be.

Is South Korea safe for foreign teachers living alone?

Yes. Day-to-day, Korea generally feels very safe to walk around, even at night, and that’s something a lot of teachers end up loving about their life there. That doesn’t mean you turn your brain off—late-night drinking areas, super crowded places, or empty streets still call for basic common sense. But compared to many countries, petty crime rates are low, violent incidents are rare in everyday life, and the bigger risk is usually tripping over a curb while staring at neon signs instead of where you’re walking.

What are some classroom surprises first-time teachers should be ready for?

Kids are kids everywhere, but Korean classrooms come with their own brand of chaos. You might see students napping at their desks, sharing snacks mid-lesson, bursting into laughter over a word that sounds funny in Korean, or suddenly going silent when you ask for volunteers. You’ll also get those “I did not see that coming” moments—unexpected pranks, very direct questions about your age or appearance, and cultural habits that feel unusual at first. The key is learning when to laugh, when to gently redirect, and when to be firm so they still know you’re in charge.

How long should I plan to stay in Korea for my first teaching contract?

For most people, one year is the sweet spot for a first contract. It’s long enough to get through the culture shock, find your stride in the classroom, travel a bit, and actually feel like you “lived” in Korea rather than just passed through. Around the halfway mark, you’ll know whether you’re the “one and done” type or the “sign me up for another year” type. Some teachers originally plan for just twelve months and end up staying several years, but giving yourself that first full year is a good starting commitment.

What should I pack from home that’s hard to find in Korea?

Not really a lot—but a few things can make your first months more comfortable. If you have specific shoes in larger sizes, favorite deodorant brands, particular makeup shades, or medications you rely on, bring those. Clothes-wise, you’ll eventually find options in Korea, but fit and style can be different from what you’re used to. A small stash of comfort snacks, a few photos from home, and any tech gear you love (like a good laptop and noise-cancelling headphones) also go a long way when everything else feels unfamiliar.

How much time will I actually have to travel around Korea while teaching?

More than zero, less than a backpacker. You’re working full-time, so weekdays are mostly spoken for, but weekends and holidays add up. You can do plenty of day trips and overnight getaways from most cities—hikes, coastal towns, market-filled neighborhoods, and temple stays are all doable without burning vacation days. Public school jobs tend to give you longer blocks of time off for bigger trips, while hagwon schedules are more variable. If you’re intentional with your weekends and plan a few longer escapes, you can see a surprising amount in a year.

Can teaching English in Korea lead to other opportunities later?

Absolutely. A year or two in Korea can become a springboard into all kinds of things: more teaching elsewhere in Asia, international school jobs, remote work, graduate studies, travel blogging or vlogging, or even careers that benefit from your experience navigating another culture. You’ll leave with stronger communication skills, plenty of stories, resilience from surviving classroom chaos, and a clearer sense of what you enjoy in daily life. Even if you don’t stay in education, that combination ends up being more valuable than it looks on paper.

Teaching English in Korea comes with helicopter flyovers, surprise soju, classroom chaos, and the occasional white-goo eel situation. But it also gives you night walks under neon signs, mountains on your doorstep, weekends that feel like mini trips, and a front-row seat to a culture that’s constantly surprising you.

If you’re willing to show up, laugh at yourself, and lean into both the weird and the wonderful, that first contract can be the beginning of a very long story.

You can follow all of Audrey’s adventures by checking out her travel blog That Backpacker, liking her facebook fan page and following her on twitter.