When people are asked where they would like to travel next, South Korea is widely underrated and not on many people’s bucket lists. That’s too bad because South Korea is a wonderful country to discover, especially by car. Unfortunately, travelling isn’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean that your trip to South Korea will break your bank account. There are several ways to earn money while you travel, and one of them is by teaching English. Here is a list of ways to teach English while on the road in South Korea.
Why Visit South Korea?
South Korea is known for its culture, food, beautiful temples, stunning nature, and a surprising amount of modern architecture. Not only does South Korea have 11 (!) UNESCO sites, you can find beautiful nature like mountains, beaches, and islands, ancient cities with wonderful architecture, great festivals for culture, and the best authentic Korean food. While we’re at it, let’s not forget about K-pop and the exciting theme parks this country has to offer. The capital of South Korea, Seoul, is also definitely worth a visit for its food, modern art, and incredible fashion and technology.
The best time to travel to South Korea depends on what kind of climate you want. South Korea has four seasons: Siberian cold winters, humid summers with typhoons, and cool and sunny spring and autumn. Don’t forget to factor in where you’ll be travelling too because it can be a lot colder high up in the mountains than on the beach.
Ways to Teach English on The Road
If you plan to teach English on the road, then you are most likely talking about teaching English online, since you are not staying in one place long enough to get a “normal” teaching job. With online teaching, all you need is a laptop, a stable internet connection, and a good cyber security program.
Finding an online teaching job might seem a bit daunting at first, but that’s just because it’s something new you are not familiar with. Don’t be afraid, though! Many have taken this road before you, so there are more than enough tips and tricks to get that first online teaching job.
Before you can start applying for jobs, you need a valid certification. That’s right, not a degree, but a certification. While some countries or institutions might ask for an additional English or teaching degree, most often it is enough to have a TEFL-certification. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The TEFL Org has a great section on their site on teaching English in South Korea if you wish to learn more about being a teacher there.
Use a Tutoring Platform
One of the easiest ways to get started with teaching English online is by applying to an online tutoring platform. The platform takes care of all the logistics: providing lesson plans, finding students, and payments. In return for providing these services, they take a cut from your paycheck.
China used to have a huge private tutoring sector, but a new regulation in 2021 prohibited tutoring companies from making a profit from teaching core subjects. As always with supply and demand, other countries took this as an opportunity to step in. Hong Kong’s Starkid and the US-based Protostar are such examples.
Deciding which platform to use depends on their requirements and what you need from them. Some platforms require teaching or an English degree, while others are happy with certification and some experience. Most platforms also ask for a minimum amount of hours you can teach per week. This cuts into your freedom, but it does provide a more stable income. Lastly, there is the salary question. There is a vast difference in hourly pay with online tutoring platforms, so do your research before you commit to a certain platform.
Start Your Own Business
Don’t want to rely on a platform? Then the other option is to start your own tutoring business. Freelance tutoring is always in high demand, and the advantages are that you are completely free to choose when and where you want to teach. Of course, the disadvantage of freelance tutoring is that you have no stable paycheck, and you are responsible for finding your own students. This can be tough, especially in the beginning when you don’t have any references yet.
Freelance websites such as Fiverr, Cambly, or Upwork provide a platform that brings together freelancers and clients. These websites also offer services like protected payment systems and making invoices. Nothing is free though, so just like online tutoring platforms, they ask for a fee in return for these services.
Using a freelance website both has advantages and disadvantages. The platform brings you into contact with potential clients, but there is also a lot of competition on these platforms. You need to build a strong profile and showcase you have the necessary skills that make you the perfect candidate for a job.
You don’t have to work with a freelancing platform, though. You can place your own ad on the internet or find open positions on vacancy websites. LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and even Craigslist are great places to start. Once you get some experience and happy clients, ask them to put the word out. Nothing beats word-of-mouth marketing from a happy customer.
Conclusion
South Korea is a beautiful country that deserves a visit with its culture, food, beautiful temples, stunning nature, and surprisingly modern architecture. Earning a little money while you travel doesn’t hurt either, and teaching English online is perfect when you are on the road in South Korea.
You can teach English online via an online tutoring platform or by starting your own freelancing business. Either way, teaching online gives you the opportunity to teach young minds and earn some money wherever you are.
Images credit: Shutterstock
COMMENTS