How Much Do We Get Paid As ESL Teachers in Korea

Hello Beautiful People 😊
On this week's video I break down the EPIK pay scale based on my experience as well as how much I got paid while working in a private academy (Hagwon).
Please note that this is more general information based on my experience in my years as an English Teacher in Korea.
Feel free to leave a comment or send me a message if you have any questions.
Enjoy, Like and Subscribe :)
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Insta: / justnolu

[@wandawanda9027]

I taught in South Korea for all of 2005 and saved $10,000. I met a young woman who had been there 9 years when I arrived. She had a 10-year plan to pay her student loans, learn the Korean language, and save money. She accomplished her goals and become a professional interpreter. 🌻

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

It's very possible but we can't deny that Korean ESL salaries are very stagnant while the cost of living continues to sky rocket. I was also able to save money to go back to university but it was not easy at all.

[@Ausher45]

U saved only $10000 since 2005? I think the pay is not that much

[@hanstans7309]

@@Ausher45i think they meant “all of 2005” as a single year, so they saved 10 000$ in one year

[@MelissaLimes]

I'm actually obsessed with your storytelling and delivery. I'm captivated!

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Thank you soooooo much! This can be quite intimidating.

[@iam_mmangalisoo7679]

Oh My God, she's back with another banger. This is what made me fall in love with your content. You have a unique style of delivering information, You captivate me to an extent of forgetting that i must blink and breath, the selection of your music matches the tone and rhythm of the voice you use, Hey! the quality of your video is top notch, the quality of the video sound is so so good. I love love love this video. I can't wait for another one.

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

So happy to have you here, your comments are always genuine and motivational. I really appreciate you!

[@mphompshe384]

I love listening to you, you have a very calming tone, I love it

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

I need to start looking for voice gigs 🤔 lol

[@dubagentselekions8221]

안녕하세요 I'm a student in Pretoria, was doing my last year in 2018 & was supposed to leave 2019 but i got into car accident missed my exams and failed then lost my bursary. During COVID i learnt some Korean/ Cambodian etc..on my own 2022 trying to complete University without bursary..it's hard. Hopefully i'll move to Korea/Cambodia soon.

[@miahconnell23]

Taiwan could be a good choice as well. Do your research and don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of ! ❤️

[@yamkelamajikela1915]

Good luck 🥺❤️🤲

[@inezamy9523]

Please do tell us if you made it

[@Angiesensei.]

how is it going? Did you get it?

[@utibeokon6215]

Very informative. I love your delivery.

[@DLilMonsterr]

Thanks for the great advice 💖

[@r.h.4748]

I saw this only today. Loved your other videos. Just to explain the gas bill. The bill also includes the hot water for your shower in most places, so your bill likely reflects your cleanliness too.

[@peaceodumeru]

I'm researching how to start teaching in Korea. Financial stability is essential for me, and I'm grateful for the video.

[@DeliaF-gw3oc]

Darling, the camera loves you :)

[@newmankidman5763]

Thank you Nolu. By the way, your arms and shoulders are beautiful

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Thank you 😊

[@Hey_Its_Mikki]

Hey Nolu✨Thank you for this video. I’d just like to ask if it’s easy to get a job that pays you by the hour?

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

It is not hard but I would not recommend to someone coming here for the first time. There is a lot you need to figure out before taking that route.

[@yeshenpillay]

Thank you for this 🙌🏼

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

You're so welcome! 😊

[@MshikaDotCom]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kasembopriscilla-gd7bh]

Thank you 😊

[@whisy012]

Hello Nolu, back in 2009 I lived in Busan and was a athlete at the university as far as I remember I was unable to get a part time visa to teach esl as nobody wants to sponsor a part timer. In the end I lived off my savings. I really want to return to Korea as I want to continue my love of learning the language. Are you saying it is possible to get sponsored part time to teach English but you just need to pay your own accommodation cost?

[@ssss-ch3fs]

You need to add a merchandise. You could make extra money xx

[@EllaLucy-ku5hk]

This video helped alot

[@nelliehyder2658]

Very interesting video.

[@PatienceMajasi]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@NathanDuP]

Hi Nolu, hope you are doing well! I just wanted to find out which university you are going to be studying through? UNISA or a South Korean university? Thanks for the information in the video! Just a couple questions if you could help me out? How many times a month do you eat take out? Which is the best pre-paid transport card to get T-money? Best mobile operator? How much does a gym contract cost or a crossfit box? Cheers from South Africa.

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

I will be sharing more information about my university in future videos. I ate out regularly but not the best financial choice, it can add up to a lot quickly so cooking is cheaper. I used my bank card for public transportation; you can link your public transportation to deduct directly from your bank. Gym depends on your city. Seoul is more expensive; I paid 360,000 for a year membership in Busan.

[@NathanDuP]

@@Nolusindiso_Hleko Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. Looking out for the new videos :)

[@julianporter7222]

Interesting....

[@buttergurls6401]

Shes sooo cute on this vid

[@Charlotte-oe3hl]

Hey Nolu I have a question. Are they still taking in people even during this covid crisis? I want to apply for next year, please help.

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Yes! They still do and it's still a relaxed process but of cause you have to quarantine when you arrive but you can totally come.

[@Vegami]

Hi girl I love your energy❤ Can i ask where to apply for legit schools in SK?

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Check Dave's ESL Cafe, Koreabridge and some Facebook groups. I really love Koreabridge because you can also get directly hired.

[@Vegami]

@@Nolusindiso_Hleko Aww. thank you for the info. Imma try to see now!

[@khanyisilendelu2696]

OMG hey Nolu😊, it's been a while Are you good?

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

I am wonderful, thank you 😊

[@aliciab9429]

I want to be a teacher in south korea...I have a bachelor's in English till now I didn't do anything more is preparing for other studies...I have 1.5 yrs gap...may I apply or what I have to do for being a teacher in SK and what is the admission process???? And also my gap will be problemetic???? Also will my gap be problemetic???? I am from India Please help me out

[@tumelomakabolane9011]

How do you apply, which website do you use. Can I still do part time in South Africa

[@mhlenginyawomthokozisi3582]

What do agents expect from you during a call to land you a job in Korea?

[@chrisvineis740]

Could your gas bill have to do with your heaters?

[@ramiyo3606]

I guess gas is depending on season, winter costs much than other seasons for house heating.

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

My apartment is heated with electricity and not gas... so still haven't figured out how this works

[@philaniphungula7100]

In hagons do they still offer this thing of get paid hourly?

[@Merkyis]

Do hagwons pay the same as EPIK does?

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Yes and No, Starting salaries are the same but unlike public schools, Hagwon salaries are not capped and there is always room for negotiations but in public schools you just take what you're given.

[@user-jf2zi9tv1v]

Hey my Bridget from Kenya .i was asking what are the requirements for me to teach in south Korea

[@nondumisodlamini6973]

Please share which schools can one apply to with a tefel certificate only no degree

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Unfortunately you cannot work in Korea if you do not have a degree 😞

[@nontsikelelonoruwanahealth8035]

Beautiful girl I must say lady

[@PrimyTirelo]

Hello may I kindly ask I applied through website called gloii and I have been asked to submit my documents wanted to ask if you know anything about it is it legit

[@KingPorter]

How does this translate to U.S dollars?

[@harothaya2263]

God, you are so beautiful 😍

[@LA-ck4qu]

are vaccinations mandatory for Foreign teachers coming into South Korea?

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Nope!

[@LA-ck4qu]

@@Nolusindiso_Hleko mandatory for teaching?

[@nontsikelelonoruwanahealth8035]

Take it in you are beautiful please

[@user-pi2kf3kl2u]

Hey🙋 can you pls help me .I just finished the 120 hour TEFL course through teacher record and it was free .the problem is I haven received my certificate and I'm getting worried because I'm hearing people say they received theirs in 24 hours .pls help me guys cz now I'm feeling like I wasted my time😢

[@sofiaondemand]

Sometimes contract phone are bad for you

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Especially if you have a full functioning phone! no need to get a new one just because...

[@shawno2380]

If you opt to not pay tax here you will have to pay tax back home. So you may want to opt to pay taxes here. You will lose about 10 per cent of your salary. Living pay check to pay check is because Korea is more expensive than you think. The EPIK payscale was last adjusted in 2009. You could live your best life in the past and still be able to save a lot. Korea's living cost was much cheaper and the exchange rates were better. You can save if you live a low poor quality life eating instant noodles. But who wants to live like that? Getting paid in the low 2 millions won in 2022, you are getting ripped off. To have the same quality of life and savings potential as teachers in the past you really need to make over 3 million won a month. The pay in Korea is garbage nowadays and really not worth it. Of course it also depends on whether or not you have student loans to repay. If you need to repay that each month you really will not have much left over to show compared to the past. South Africans are discriminated against as far as not getting pensions. Everyone else gets one. China is the place to be for pay though covid may have you wanting to avoid for another year or so. But salaries are ranging from 3 to 5 million won a month with free flights and housing or housing allowance. They also have a cheaper living cost. You can bank much much more. Korea has gone down the toilet as far as pay goes.

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

No, we are tax exempt in Korea for the first 2 year (public schools) and don't have to pay tax back home either. However, we have to apply for the exemption. I agree with you that Korean salaries are garbage and it doesn't help that many people keep accepting these offers. It won't change soon. Saving can be hard but it's doable and needs a lot of disciple. South Africans are not discriminated against in terms of pension, there is no pension agreement in place for South Africans as well as English people. China does pay better but also not a place I would recommend to anyone these days. Maybe in about 2 years

[@priscillaoilc4625]

Hi l need more insight about teaching in Korea..please help

[@queenprecious8619]

Can you help me get a teaching job in korea please?

[@rantselineo9333]

Hi Nolu

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Molo Neo

[@clairecain1292]

What day of the month do u get paid

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

It defers! Some on the 10th, 20th, 25th.

[@TooFunny474]

Is she talking about monthly salary or yearly here in the video..?

[@hlengiwemagagula2911]

Monthly

[@jaywhy1773]

Is it the experience of just going to Korea why ppl go? Seems to be better opportunities in many other places in the world

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Well that's true but some people just love Korea 🤷‍♀️

[@lindc1070]

They might not qualify for the better places too

[@jaywhy1773]

@@lindc1070 that’s definitely the correct answer

[@lindc1070]

@@jaywhy1773 in my country Singapore , 2 million.won is what work permit( blue collar) workers would earn. To be eligible for a professional work pass like the S pass or Employment pass a foreigner would have to earn a few times that amount. But firstly our cost of living is high and secondly there are more stringent qualification requirements. We dont hire kindergarten teachers. They would need to be qualified sufficiently from reputable recognised universities and able to teach at least elementary level if they are teaching in International schs. Local schools do not need to hire foreigners . Our medium of instruction is in English so expectations are much higher. Country of origin is also a consideration. I am just providing this detail as an example. Each country has its own requirements. Generally people go wherever is open to them.

[@stephanieworld]

Is this a yearly or monthly salary?

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Monthly

[@ednamasiza6033]

Hi, if I may ask that R2000 000 salary is monthly?

[@yamkelamajikela1915]

heyy...the salary isn't 2mil I'm Rands , but Korean currency , which is won

[@triciakekana]

It's in ₩ not in R

[@KozmicKami]

If you find a job that pays 2 mil rand, please let me know 😂

[@saralola456]

Do you speak Korean,??is it that hard

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Just a little bit and yeah it’s a little bit challenging

[@claudbrown4080]

Is the 2 million in USA dollars?

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Korean Won

[@claudbrown4080]

@@Nolusindiso_Hleko Thank you. How are they treating you over there as a foreigner?

[@thandekantuli8080]

how does one apply

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Do you have a degree?

[@thandekantuli8080]

Nop

[@philaniphungula7100]

​@@thandekantuli8080you can't Apply if you don't have a degree

[@zuzuh5755]

Eish,I dont understand South Korean money,better if its translated to rands or dollars.😊

[@zraiarz9301]

I just got an offer to work over at Korea and will be in Daegu I suppose in February. I will be started at 2.3M Won. Is this good? I had not prior professional experience as well

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

That is a decent first time offer but do your research on the school, that's more important than money

[@nanaboadi17]

Hey which site did you apply on?

[@zraiarz9301]

@@nanaboadi17 I applied through The Tefl Academy which is where I'm also about to finish my certification. It wasn't the placement company I applied to though that offered me more but rather the school themselves directly telling the placement company they would offer me more. From the little bit I have heard of they arent the only placement company that the school uses but the company was called Gloii. I was quick to accept though because being offered more than the standard of no experience is not typical in Korea but it was either the interview or my art background that probably helped out, though I did squeeze them a *little* unintentionally as well

[@AZ-gw4mt]

@@zraiarz9301 name of the website in which u did ur tefl please?

[@emilyoldland8402]

I am moving to Seoul in Feb, and that will be what I get too :)

[@tloutlou2655]

So you are a millionaire there

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

LOL 💯 expect they tend to not stretch that far.

[@user-bn5pq7bh5g]

HAHA

[@Trollz-jq7ht]

your top lip keeps moving like they have two separate layers combined into one single organism yet trying to move apart from each other.

[@chanyu406]

Seriously what no sense comment

[@mthembeniluna794]

Greetings Nolu. How can one contact you? I was hoping for your email address. To discuss something that might be of interest

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Find me on Instagram

[@tloutlou2655]

So you are a millionaire there

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

Rolling with the 6 figures lol 😂

[@tloutlou2655]

Yea 🤣🤣

[@tloutlou2655]

So you are a millionaire there

[@Nolusindiso_Hleko]

💯 😂 doesn't feel like it though

[@tloutlou2655]

@@Nolusindiso_Hleko lol ok 🤣, i see your salary is 7 figures