 Are public or private schools better for teaching English in South Korea? As one of the most modern and highly developed countries in Asia and in the world, South Korea has a continually strong demand for English language instruction. Many thousands of new and experienced teachers head to the country every year where they enjoy comfortable working conditions, a very competitive salary, and attractive benefit packages. If you plan to join this number, one decision you will need to make is what type of school you would prefer to work in. The vast majority of teachers who work in South Korea are employed by either a government-run public school or a private language school known as a hagwon. Both types of employers offer good salaries and other benefits, but there are a few differences that might sway your decision either way. Hiring process Most public and private school positions are filled in advance, meaning you will apply and interview for the job before you leave your home country. The hiring process for public schools generally follows a set timetable that includes two regular start dates. Online applications begin in April for start dates in August or September and in October for start dates in February and March. A large number of teachers in public schools are hired through government recruitment programs such as EPIC, English Program in Korea. These programs offer a limited number of places and competition can be very strong, so early application is advised. As they do not follow a set academic calendar and there are far more positions to fill, private language schools tend to hire year-round. Although it is worth noting that the process of applying, interviewing and arranging a work visa can take up to four months to complete. Salaries Although both types of schools generally offer a very competitive salary, private schools typically pay slightly more than public schools. The average monthly salary is as follows. Public schools First-time teachers 1.8 to 2 million Korean won Experienced teachers Between 2 and 2.7 million Korean won Private schools First-time teachers Between 2 and 2.1 million won Experienced teachers Between 2.1 and 3 million Korean won Extra benefits If you are hired in advance from within your home country for either type of school, you should receive a benefit package that includes paid return airfare, free accommodation and a month's bonus on completion of the contract. Working hours Typically private school teachers should expect to work slightly longer hours than those working in public schools. As public schools operate a standard school day, teachers normally work from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, which equates to around 24 hours of actual class time. Private language schools run classes at various times, so working hours can vary considerably. Some teachers work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while others might work from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Private school teachers may also be expected to work on weekends. Vacation Public school teachers normally receive more paid vacation time than those working in private schools. All teachers receive between 13 and 15 national holidays per year, as well as 18 extra days for public school teachers and 7 to 10 days extra for private school teachers. Other factors The size of the class you teach will vary depending on the type of school you work at. Public school classes can number anywhere between 20 and 30 students, while private classes tend to number under 15 students. The identity of your fellow teachers is another factor that may differ between schools. Public schools typically only have one foreign teacher on the books, while private schools may have anywhere up to 50 foreign teachers or even more.