City guide

Teach English in Busan, South Korea

Beach city with lower competition than Seoul and a tight expat community.

Busan offers a slower-paced alternative to Seoul. Hagwons are concentrated in Haeundae and Seomyeon. Pay is roughly equivalent to Seoul, but cost of living is lower and the beach is 20 minutes from most teaching jobs.

Best for

Teachers who want a coastal lifestyle and a smaller expat network where you actually know people.

South Korea at a glance

Salary: Public schools: 2.0M to 2.7M KRW per month with housing. Hagwons: 2.1M to 2.8M KRW with housing or stipend. Universities: 2.3M to 3.5M KRW with shorter contact hours.

Visa: E-2 visa for most roles. Requires a bachelor's degree, a clean criminal record check, and citizenship from one of seven approved countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa). A 120-hour TEFL certificate is standard, sometimes required.

Full South Korea guide →