FAQs

When we are hiring, we're looking for experienced candidates to fill positions as non-tenure track Assistant Professor of English as a Foreign Language, starting in either the Spring or Fall semesters. Our semesters begin around either March 1 or September 1, though you will need to be in Daejeon earlier than that to complete some on-boarding requirements. 

We're also looking for people who meet the Korean government's requirements for an E-1 visa, though those with an active Korean F-2, F-4, F-5, or F-6 visa, or a Korean E-1 visa, are encouraged to apply as well. The local government requires E-1 English professors to hold passports from either Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States of America.

What are Woosong's requirements?

Qualified candidates will meet the Korean government's requirements for an E-1 visa and possess: 

• a master's degree (education, English, TEFL, linguistics, or a related field preferred) and 24-36 months of verifiable university English teaching experience, OR

• a Ph. D. or Ed. D. (with experience taken into account but not required).

Teaching experience at the primary or secondary level, with a government-issued teaching license, is acceptable, but it must come from the country that issued the applicant’s passport.

For master's degree applicants, it is necessary for the qualifying degree and qualifying work experience to total at least 48 months without overlapping (e. g. a two-year/24-month MA program and 24 months of relevant work experience). If your master's degree took fewer than 24 months to complete, more work experience is required (e. g. a 1.5 year/18-month MA program would necessitate 2.5 years/30 months of relevant experience). 

Work/teaching experience must be: 

• Full-time English teaching at a university, college or as an in-house corporate trainer (not from private academies, international public schools, EPiK, Korean high schools, etc.), and

• Verifiable through letters from employers with explicit dates or certificates of employment.

In some cases, a person's doctoral coursework can be counted as relevant work experience, but this depends on numerous factors, so it's best to contact us about that. Adjunct or part-time teaching experience will be counted at 50% for qualification purposes.

• Verification of employment (VOE) letters must have explicit start and finish dates, be on official letterhead, and they must be signed. They must also include the date on which the letter was written. Each institution's Department of Human Resources (or equivalent) is a good starting point for these letters, as the departments are usually familiar with employment verification letters.

• If the letter is from your current employer, please ensure it states "(candidate's name) has worked at (XYZ School) from (start date) until present as a full-time/part-time/adjunct/etc. (job title)". 

• If the letter is from a previous employer, please ensure it states "(candidate's name) worked at (XYZ School) from (start date) until (finish date) as a full-time/part-time/adjunct/etc. (job title)".

• Successful applicants will complete an in-country medical exam upon arrival at Woosong. This exam includes a drug test. Successful applicants will also need to submit apostilled criminal records checks after accepting our job offer.

• Some of our preferred qualifications include: fluency in the Korean language; being on a current E-1, or F visa; relevant non-teaching experience (academic administration, corporate or private sector employment, etc.); academic research and publishing experience; TEFL or TESOL certification; and/or other academic certificates.

Assistant Professors of EFL teach a variety of credit- and non-credit bearing courses, though the majority are credit-bearing university or college general education courses in English conversation and listening, or reading and writing. 

Some professors may be approached about teaching at one of our international schools:

• Solbridge International School of Business

• Endicott College of International Studies

• J. W. Kim College of Future Studies

Additionally, professors in the GEL program have the opportunity to propose and teach elective courses in a field in which they hold at least a bachelor's degree. Some of the elective we have on offer currently include drama, film studies, culture, politics, writing and poetry, and learning English through reading and drawing comics. Though Woosong does not have an English major or minor, the GEL program does have a certificate program called Global Business Communication Skills (GBCS), which introduces students to more-advanced study in English, beyond the general education level.

We use a variety of standard American and British ESL/EFL textbooks from publishers such as Oxford University Press and National Geographic. In addition, teachers are encouraged to make use of their own activities which compliment the materials in the textbooks. Many of our teachers produce and share class materials through an internal Google Drive, so there is no lack of teaching materials for the classroom. Specialized classes might use other textbooks or may use teachers' materials rather than a textbook.

As an example, the majority of general education courses in the GEL program used the Prism series of textbooks since roughly 2017 till 2023.

The number of students in each class will vary, though first- and second-year GEL classes have between 20 and 30 students, with an enrollment cap around 30. Some classes are smaller and some are larger. 

Though they comprise the minority, some university classes can have up to 30-40 students. Some classes, such as electives and non-credit classes for adults at Woosong Language Institute, can be much smaller.

As was the case around the world, we transitioned the vast majority of our English classes to an online environment due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our online classes were taught live via Zoom. 

As of April 2022, Woosong has returned to in-person classes. There are cases where some students have been unable to travel to Korea due to visa issuance delay, so there is the possibility that you may teach individual students within classes online in a hybrid situation for the first few weeks of the semester. Some electives are also offered online during the short semesters. 

Although we are currently teaching offline, face-to-face classes, if the COVID-19 situation ever changed, we may offer online classes once again. If you have questions or concerns it is best to contact us for more up-to-date information.

There is a kindergarten on Woosong's West Campus, but only teachers who volunteer to teach some classes at the kindergarten do so. On the rare occasion that one of Woosong's facilities decides to run a summer or winter camp program, the camp may include middle or high school students. These situations are not common though, and most of our students are university-age or older. 

Our classrooms are equipped with computers, projectors, and speakers. Each professor is assigned to a shared office space, but will have their own cubicle with desk, chair, and their own computer, which is linked to a common printer. Photocopying is also available in an on-campus print shop, which is staffed by student workers. We share information and collaborate across a wide variety of digital platforms, including a Woosong-branded Google Drive account, on which colleagues share teaching materials and other resources. You will also have access to:

• our proprietary learning management system (LMS);

• our attendance and scheduling website;

• the university's library, which has subscriptions to both Korean and international scholarly databases.

There are cafeterias on campus, as well as restaurants that are operated by students in our culinary arts programs (these restaurants are their practicum projects.) There are also fitness centers on campus, which professors can join at a discount. There are many other resources not listed here, including via the local chapter of KoreaTESOL, which is quite active. Woosong even hosts the annual chapter conference each autumn.

Assistant Professors of English as a Foreign Language are contracted for a maximum of 20 teaching hours per week (averaged over the semester).  If you are involved in a project, you will be given some project hours in lieu of teaching hours. If your teaching schedule is below 20 hours, you may be asked to contribute to faculty projects. In addition to your 20 teaching hours, you must complete four office hours each week. You can schedule these hours around your teaching schedule; though students may visit your office occasionally, most professors use this time to prepare for their classes. 

Most classes will be within a 15-minute walk of your office, though some, such as those at SolBridge, are farther away. All of our campuses are located in the Dong-gu neighborhood of Daejeon.

Occasionally there are opportunities offered through Woosong to make extra money, but these are rare. Woosong's contracts for Assistant Professors of English as a Foreign Language, and usually their visa status as well, prohibit working for anyone other than the University.

Teachers are paid monthly. Your salary is directly deposited into your Korean bank account on the 20th of every month (in the case that the 20th falls on a weekend, the money will be deposited on the Friday preceding). For extra work, such as teaching a special class, payment may not fall on the 20th, but your regular salary should be paid on the 20th.

We have a payscale for incoming teachers, which is a matrix of their highest degree and relevant experience. That payscale maxes-out at 10 years of experience. Starting salary is between 2.7 - 3.5 million Korean won per month, with a housing stipend of 400,000 KRW for single applicants and 500,000 KRW for married applicants if the spouse comes to Korea to live with them. In the event that two Woosong Professors are married to each other, they will each receive 400,000 KRW as a housing stipend (for a total of 800,000 KRW monthly).

Some bonuses and pay raises are available as well; these depend upon your annual performance evaluation (APE) results.

Woosong University teachers enjoy the Korean National Health Insurance Plan, which includes dental insurance and provides basic coverage. You will contribute approximately 6% of  your salary per month. There is a small fee (approximately 3000 – 4000 won) with each visit to the doctor, and sometimes certain procedures are not covered by insurance, but overall the program is comprehensive, affordable, and high quality. There are several English speaking doctors and dentists around Daejeon, and some hospitals offer English-language translation service.

Woosong University teachers also benefit from participation in a mandatory private pension plan: the Korea Teachers' Pension. Approximately 9% of your pay will be deducted every month from your account.. This contribution increases incrementally with length of service until you are fully vested after 5 years of contributions. When your employment is completed at Woosong and you are not renewing your contract, your pension reimbursement will be deposited or remitted into your bank account. This process takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

In their first contract year(s), single faculty members will live in a semi-furnished, Woosong-owned apartment, the monthly cost of which is covered by a housing stipend of 400,000 KRW monthly (upon availability). 

Married professors will receive a housing stipend of 500,000 KRW monthly; if two professors are married to each other and both are working at Woosong, they will each receive a housing stipend of 400,000 KRW monthly (for a total of 800,000 KRW monthly). If professors choose not to live in Woosong housing, they will normally receive only part of the housing stipend (see contract for specific details).

The housing stipend does not include key money (deposit), and Woosong University will not provide key money, pay advances, or loans to its employees. The housing stipend is in addition to the professor's base starting salary (e. g. a professor could have a base salary of 3.0 million won and a stipend of 500,000 KRW, for a total of 3.5 million KRW monthly). Private apartment contracts often require a deposit of anywhere from 2 to 10 million KRW.

Location: Most Woosong University-owned apartments are within a short walking distance of our campuses.

Size: Sizes vary according to exact location.

Amenities: The apartments are semi-furnished with a refrigerator, a bed, and a gas/electric range, but a TV is not included. Most have heated floors, as is standard in Korean housing; some have external wall heaters.  All apartments have air conditioning. Some apartments have washing machines, while others share communal washing facilities. Tenants must supply their own bedding, dishes, cookware, and so on.

Allocation: The allocation of apartments is determined by what is available when new professors arrive. 

Utilities and other bills: Utilities vary according to location.  In general, professors are responsible for their own water, gas, Internet, and electricity bills. There is a 300,000 KRW housing deposit, which is withheld from your first pay check. Your housing deposit balance will be reimbursed via a bank deposit or remittance after you vacate your Woosong-provided housing, as long as it is left in the same condition you found it and your utility bills have been paid. Apartments are checked before you leave. Money needed to repair or clean the apartment (if the damage is caused by you) will be taken from the deposit, but more severe damage would incur higher charges.

Real estate agent contact information: At your request, the hiring team can put you in touch with an English speaking real estate agent. We cannot guarantee any results from the agent, but we have referred people to in the past with favorable results. 

Benefits

• housing (upon availability) 

• up to 500,000 won partial flight reimbursement bonus (for applicants coming to Korea from abroad)

• applicants coming to Korea from abroad will also receive a settlement allowance of 40,000 won per day that they arrive before their start date, up to a maximum of 7 days  

• Bonuses and salary raises commensurate with annual performance evaluation (APE) results.

• Six weeks of paid vacation each year. 

• Basic health insurance: National Health Insurance plan (monthy contribution: approximately 6% of your salary).

• Private Pension Fund (monthly contribution: approximately 9% of your salary).

• New faculty mentoring program for all incoming professors.

• Faculty discount of 40% at Woosong Kindergarten for professors with children.

• Opportunities for financial compensation for publishing in recognized peer-reviewed journals

Standard two-year contracts are usually offered. 

Graduate Degree Program Offerings

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) graduate degree program at our international business school, SolBridge. The program is taught solely in English. Scholarships and discounts are also available for Woosong employees and their families at our other institutions.

There are numerous documents to submit during the application process.

Application

• Résumé and cover letter;

• Scans of your bachelor’s, master’s, and/or doctoral degree diplomas;

• Scans of all university transcripts; 

• Scans of proofs of employment (employment verification letters); and 

• A scan of the photo/information and signature pages of your passport.

  • If you possess a Korean ARC, please send us a scan of the front and back of it. Please ensure your passport is signed.

We will contact applicants whose qualifications meet our requirements. If you do not currently possess scans of your employment verification letters, we can accept them later. Due to the volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to everyone. We appreciate your understanding.

Successful Applicants

Applicants who are offered a position will need to submit the following documents:

All applicants

• a photocopy, which is apostilled, of their highest degree’s diploma;

• an apostilled criminal records check from their home country. 

Applicants with, or who will have, an E-1 visa

Successful applicants for whom Woosong University will sponsor an E-1 visa (new or transfer) will also need to submit:

• an apostilled criminal records check from their home country.

• Note: Criminal Background checks can come any time within the first 6 months of employment at Woosong.

Clothing:

Korea has four distinct seasons.  Spring and fall temperatures are moderate; summer is very hot and humid, with a monsoon season in July; and winter is cold but without a lot of snow. The climate is similar to the midwestern states in the US. Some of the older school buildings are not centrally heated and you may find them cold and damp in winter.  You will want a wardrobe for all these conditions. You may wish to mail off-season clothing.

Generally speaking, westerners have difficulty finding larger sizes and proper sleeve lengths when shopping in Korea.  As in the west, the fashion industry is geared toward the young and thin. Many clothing options seem to fit differently, so please be prepared, and please remember that Asian sizes tend to run much smaller than Western sizes (e. g. an XL t-shirt in the west would be a XXXL in Asian sizing, and would still fit differently).

You will be expected to dress professionally and conservatively in the classroom. Dress shirts and pants are a must.

Footwear:

If you have large or wide feet, you may have difficulty buying shoes.  You are advised to bring a  selection of conservative and comfortable shoes. Good shoes are not cheaper here than at home. Sports shoes are readily available.

It is the Korean custom to remove shoes at the door for homes, some restaurants and other businesses. Slip-on shoes are a lot more convenient in this situation.

Toiletries:

While you can buy most things in Korea, when you cannot speak or read the language, it is sometimes difficult to communicate what you want.  Bring your favorite products to last several months.  Antiperspirants, deodorants, and vitamins are not always readily available, but this situation is changing. Many over-the-counter items in the west (e.g., Tylenol, Nexium, etc.) are available from doctors and pharmacists.

Bedding: 

Korean bedding is a different style and is packaged in sets, so it's a good idea to bring at least one pillow case, flat sheet, and fitted sheet, sized for a double bed. It might also be a good idea to bring a blanket to help you settle in (until you can buy one of your own). Your favorite bath towels, face cloths, a few hand or tea towels, and some dish towels will spare you some shopping on arrival as well.

Electrical Appliances:

University housing has 220 volt outlets. Some off-campus housing has both 110 and 220 volts. Converters are very cheap (under US$10).  You can buy any appliance easily, including smart phones and computers.

There are internet cafés (called PC Bang) everywhere in Korea and it is very cheap to use them.  You will also have access to a computer in your office.  For these reasons, it is suggested that you not ship computer equipment.  If you bring your laptop, carry it with you on your flight.

Kitchen Utensils, etc:

University apartments are only semi-furnished and there are no dishes or pots and pans provided. You may wish to bring a fork and spoon, and at least and a few kitchen utensils, to save the trouble of buying them. You will not have an oven in your housing as these are not common in Korea, but you can buy a toaster oven easily. You may wish to bring a small saucepan or kettle and a mug or glass to use upon arrival. However, kitchen utensils can easily be obtained for a good price in Korea should you wish.

Food:

Some teachers find there is not a great selection of spices available in korea, though again this is changing.  Bring your favorites with you.  Herbal teas are also different.  Taco seasoning, gravy mix, etc. are all good.  If you have a favorite dish, learn to cook it… it may be hard to find a restaurant that serves it here.  If it requires any uncommon ingredients, bring them with you (provided it isn’t restricted by border controls).

Mobile Phones:

If you have one of the latest generation, unlocked, smart phones which support LTE data operating on bands 3, 8, and 26, chances are your phone will work with a Korean carrier SIM card.  Once you have your Residence Card, you will be able to get a contract with a Korean carrier.  Some people choose second hand phones and pay-as-you-go programs, some choose new phones, which usually come as a package with a contract.  Contracts come in one and two year increments, with more benefits going to the two year package.

Computers:

Previous voltage warnings apply.  Apple support used to be hard to come by, but is becoming more common and there are a number of official Apple stores in Seoul.  In general, computers are cheaper in your home country than they are here, especially Macs and Samsung devices. Internet is blazing fast, relatively cheap, and easy to set up. Upon arrival, you will be able to send emails either from your office, or from a internet café, which is very cheap.

Others:

Bring a travel alarm clock, sewing kit, razors.

Pets: 

There is a no-pets policy in university housing.

Mailing Personal Items

Please do not mail any personal items to Woosong University before your arrival. Upon your arrival, you can have items mailed to your residential address. We do not have secure storage facilities to store any items before you arrive. 

If you have any concerns which are not addressed here, please contact us.