Teach English in South Korea

Big city energy in Seoul. Beach weekends in Busan. Late-night street food, new routines, and a daily live that feels like a highlight reel. RVF helps you land a legit teaching role in South Korea, with real, human support through interviews, documents, and visa steps.

Explore public school and hagwon teaching options, typical pay and housing, and what you need for the E-2 visa process.

Direct EPIK Pathway

We partner directly with EPIK through a formal agreement with the Korean Ministry of Education, so you have a supported route into public school teaching.

South Korea Program Snapshot

Reimbursed Airfare – Flight + airport pick-up. Stipend varies by placement. Budget for personal spending and any upfront costs.

Life as an English Teacher in South Korea:

Teach, Travel, and Connect

As an English teacher in South Korea, you’ll step into structured public school role through the EPIK pathway. Expect clear schedules, built-in support, and a school system that’s designed for international teachers to succeed.

You’ll work full-time, then spend your off-hours exploring Korea; night markets, weekend trips, café culture, hiking days, beach escapes, and a totally new rhythm of life. RVF helps you understand the process and prepare the right way, so you can focus on the experience.

Everything Included in Your RVF Program

From program preparation to life in South Korea and beyond, we have every detail covered.

Before You Go:

Prep + Paperwork

When You Arrive:

Landing + Logistics

While You’re in South Korea:

Day-to-day support + community

Your Future:

Professional + long-term value

Not included
(so you can plan)

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about Teaching English in South Korea.

Is RVF officially connected to EPIK?

Yes, RVF works directly with EPIK through a formal cooperation agreement with the Korean Ministry of Education.

Do I choose my city?

Public school placements are assigned through the system. Preferences may be considered, but flexibility is part of the experience.

Is Housing Included?

Yes, free furnished housing is included for this program.

How long does the process take?

Most applicants should plan several months for preparation, documents, and interviews. We help you plan this clearly from the start.

Do I need teaching experience or Korean language skills?

Not usually. Most applicants can get started without prior teaching experience or Korean language skills. We’ll confirm eligibility based on your background.

Is TEFL required for EPIK or public-school roles?

Sometimes. TEFL can be helpful and is sometimes required depending on background. We’ll guide you based on your specific situation.

What kind of support does RVF offer?

From preparation to arrival, RVF provides structured guidance, honest advice, and real human support so you never feel like you’re guessing.

When will I find out where I will be living and teaching in South Korea?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and understandably so!

EPIK’s placement process takes place in two stages. Approximately two months before your contract begins, you will receive your provincial placement, which tells you the province or metropolitan city where you have been placed. For the Fall intake, this typically happens around June, while Spring applicants usually receive their provincial placement around December.

At this point, you will know the general region where you will be living, such as Gyeonggi-do, Busan, Daegu, or Jeollanam-do. However, you will not know your exact city, school, or housing assignment yet.

Your specific city, school, and housing assignment are provided during EPIK Orientation after you arrive in South Korea. For the Fall intake, orientation is typically held in late August, and for the Spring intake, it is typically held in late February. It is during orientation—not before—that you will learn the exact city where you will live and the school where you will teach.

While this surprises many applicants, it is completely normal and is the standard process used by EPIK for all teachers. Provincial Offices of Education finalize school placements shortly before the school year begins based on staffing needs, which is why exact placements are not available before arrival.

Although waiting can feel challenging, you can rest assured that every EPIK teacher goes through the same process. Once your orientation begins, you will receive your final placement details and will then travel to your new city and school to begin your teaching adventure in South Korea.

Want more details? View all FAQs.

What You’ll Need to Join

Simple requirements, big opportunities.

Placements Across South Korea

You’ll be placed in a public school role through the EPIK pathway. Placements vary from major cities to regional areas. Every location offers a deeply immersive experience, strong structure, and a real chance to experience the culture.

Metropolitan cities include: Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Uslan, and Sejong.

Provinces (Regions) include: Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Jeju.

Invest in the Journey of a Lifetime

One program cost. Flexible ways to pay.

RVF International is not a recruiting agency. We’re a service-based international education and exchange company providing real guidance and support step-by-step, so your move to Korea feels clear, structured, and human.

$1,899 USD (one-time)

Flexible Payment Options

We know every journey is unique, that’s why RVF offers flexible ways to pay:

You’re Not Doing South Korea Alone

RVF International is a real team that helps you teach English in South Korea with confidence, so you can focus on the life you came for.

We Handle the Stress…
Visa ConfidenceWe break the E-2 visa process into clear steps, in the right order, with reminders so nothing sneaks up on you.
Be Prepared Know what to expect before you go. From public school norms to budgeting on a teacher salary, we help you feel ready instead of guessing.
Interview Ready We help you prepare for interviews so you can show up confident, clear, and calm, not scrambled or stressed.
Document Timeline Support Background checks, apostilles, transcripts, forms, deadlines. This is the part that overwhelms most people. We keep you on track and help you sequence it correctly.
Housing Handled South Korea placements include housing, and we help you understand what “provided” typically looks like, how move-in works, and what to plan for during your first week.
Orientation and Arrival Support From airport pickup to orientation and training, you will know what happens when you land and what your first days will look like.
Real Human Support When you have questions, you are not stuck scrolling forms. You will have real people you can reach by email and virtually for guidance.
EPIK Pathway Clarity This program has structure for a reason. We explain how placements work, what you can control, what you cannot, and how to set expectations that keep you excited.
RVF only perks Connect with other RVF participants in your area, social competitions, and surprises throughout the year.

…So You Can Live the Dream
Feel ready on day one You will arrive with a plan, not a pile of unanswered questions.
Settle in faster The first month is smoother when you know what to expect and who to ask.
A place to belong Teaching abroad hits different when you are building community, not doing it solo.
Big energy and weekend escapes You will have the structure to thrive during the week and the freedom to explore on weekends.
Peace of mind Clear steps, realistic expectations, and real support make the experience feel lighter.
Connection Form cohort friends to local routines, you will find your people and your rhythm.
Extra magic The moments you cannot plan for, like late-night food runs, spontaneous trips, and “how is this my life” days, happen more easily when logistics are handled.
Feel confident with money With housing already taken care of, you will understand what your paycheck really looks like, what is worth budgeting for, and how to plan for trips without guilt.
Your future self wins You will walk away with more than memories, the kind of structure and benefits that make the year feel worth it long-term.

You will share your preferences, goals, and timeline. We will help you set realistic expectations, build a strong application, and feel confident every step of the way.

4 Simple Steps to Get Started

Your journey in South Korea, simplified.

STEP 1 — Apply

Submit Your Short Application

It only takes 1 minute to apply, and you’ll instantly know if you qualify.

Once accepted, you’ll get a link by email and text to schedule your first Zoom call.

STEP 2 — Discover RVF

Explore What's Possible With Our Support

Your Zoom call is a relaxed Discovery Session with one of our Program Specialists. We’ll walk through the program, the support you’ll receive, what life is like as an English teacher or assistant, and answer any questions you may have.

STEP 3 — Map Your Journey

Outline Your Next Steps

After your call, we’ll send you information about the program, timelines, requirements, and what happens after joining so you can make your decision with confidence.

STEP 4 — Enroll

Make It Official and Unlock Full Support

Once you’re ready to move forward, you’ll officially join RVF. Your dedicated Program Coordinator will then reach out to welcome you, kick off the onboarding process, and guide you step-by-step through placement, visa preparation, and your move to South Korea.

Why People Love It

Shared by teachers who’ve lived the adventure.

See More Reviews on GoOverseas and GoAbroad

Teaching in Korea Beyond Year One

When one year isn’t enough, RVF makes it simple to keep going.

If year one isn’t enough, there may be a path to renew. RVF will help you understand renewal timing, requirements, and next steps so you can continue in Korea with confidence.