120-Hour Premier Online TEFL Course

Build a practical teaching foundation and prepare for opportunities in South Korea. The TEFL Org's 120-Hour Premier Online TEFL Course combines flexible online training with personal tutor support and career resources. It is a strong starting point for fluent English speakers who want to develop classroom skills before exploring public-school, private-academy or online teaching roles.

Study from anywhere and progress at your own pace. The course is delivered entirely online and can be accessed from different devices. You can organise the training around work, university or travel plans while building the core knowledge needed to begin teaching English as a foreign language.

Why choose this South Korea pathway?

• The TEFL Org's best-selling 120-hour online course is designed for first-time teachers.
• Complete internationally recognised training through a course approved under the DEAC Approved Quality Curriculum scheme.
• Learn through videos, quizzes, practical assignments and observed teaching examples.
• Receive support and assignment feedback from an experienced EFL tutor.
• Gain lifetime access to The TEFL Org Jobs Centre after certification.
• Prepare for public-school and private language-academy opportunities in South Korea.
• Receive personalised employment-readiness and destination guidance from Asia Pathway.

Program at a glance

Course: 120-Hour Premier Online TEFL Course

Provider: The TEFL Org

Delivery: 100% online and self-paced

Training time: 120 hours across five modules

Course access: Six months

Typical completion time: Approximately 10 to 12 weeks; learners with more study time may finish in around 4 to 6 weeks

Tutor support: Personal support from an experienced EFL tutor, with assignment marking targeted within 48 hours

Destination focus: Teaching opportunities in South Korea

Start date: Flexible enrolment with no fixed classroom start date

What you will study

50-hour English Language Teaching Methodology. Develop skills in lesson planning, classroom management, teaching vocabulary and language functions, correcting errors, phonology, receptive and productive skills, and teaching young learners, business English and one-to-one lessons.

30-hour Grammar and Language Awareness. Strengthen your understanding of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, tenses, conditionals and other language structures so you can explain English accurately and confidently.

20-hour Video Observation. Observe different teaching situations and examine how experienced teachers manage lessons, present functional language, teach skills and respond to classroom challenges.

10-hour Teaching Online. Learn the foundations of online English teaching, including lesson planning, lesson delivery, class management and practical next steps for an online job search.

10-hour Teaching Large Classes. Explore classroom organisation, student engagement and discipline strategies for larger groups, providing useful preparation for school environments in South Korea.

A supportive and flexible learning experience

The course combines independent study with access to a dedicated tutor who can answer questions, mark assignments and provide constructive feedback. Course access lasts six months, giving you time to work through the modules at a sustainable pace. Extension options may be available directly from The TEFL Org if additional time is needed.

Certification and accreditation

Successful learners receive The TEFL Org's 120-hour TEFL certificate. The course is approved under the Distance Education Accrediting Commission's Approved Quality Curriculum scheme and provides an internationally recognised entry-level TEFL qualification.

This certificate is different from The TEFL Org's 250-hour Level 5 qualification. Students seeking a more advanced regulated qualification, a deeper academic workload or access to a wider range of competitive vacancies should compare both routes with Asia Pathway before enrolling.

Course entry requirements

• No previous teaching experience is required.
• No prior teaching qualification is required.
• Applicants should speak English fluently.
• Learners need sufficient English proficiency to understand the materials, complete written assignments and apply teaching terminology accurately.
• A suitable device and reliable internet connection are required for online study.

Preparing to teach English in South Korea

The 120-hour course provides the teaching foundation commonly requested by Korean employers and can strengthen applications from candidates without prior classroom experience. TEFL certification is not, by itself, a legal guarantee of eligibility for an English-teaching visa or a teaching position.

South Korea offers several employment routes. Public-school positions are commonly accessed through programmes such as EPIK, while private language academies, known as hagwons, recruit throughout the year. Licensed and experienced teachers may also explore international-school opportunities, which normally have substantially higher professional requirements.

Common South Korea employment and visa conditions

Most international teachers working in public schools or private language academies require an employer-sponsored E-2 foreign-language instructor visa. Common eligibility and document requirements include:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• A valid passport and eligibility connected to the language being taught.
• A clean national criminal-record or background check.
• Authenticated degree and supporting documents.
• A signed employment contract and sponsorship documents from the Korean employer.
• Completion of the required health statement and post-arrival medical or drug screening.
• Meeting the nationality, education and language-background rules of the employer, visa category and recruitment programme.

For many native-English teaching routes, applicants are normally citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. Limited exceptions may apply in specific circumstances. Immigration and employer rules can change, so Asia Pathway checks each applicant's profile before recommending a South Korea job pathway.

Public schools, EPIK and private academies

Public schools and EPIK. Public-school teachers generally work weekday daytime schedules and may teach alongside a Korean co-teacher. EPIK applicants normally need a bachelor's degree and must satisfy its citizenship, education, health and document rules. A recognised TEFL course of at least 100 hours is commonly required for applicants who do not hold an education-related degree, teaching licence or accepted teaching qualification.

Private academies. Hagwons are a major source of entry-level English-teaching roles and often recruit throughout the year. Schedules are commonly weighted toward afternoons and evenings. Contracts, teaching hours, housing arrangements and workplace quality vary, so every offer should be reviewed carefully.

International schools. These roles usually require professional teacher licensure, relevant classroom experience and sometimes an advanced degree. A 120-hour TEFL certificate alone is not normally sufficient for licensed international-school teaching positions.

Typical salary and benefits in South Korea

Public-school and hagwon teachers commonly see advertised monthly salaries in the approximate range of KRW 2.1 million to KRW 3.2 million, depending on the employer, location, qualifications and experience. Packages may also include provided accommodation or a housing allowance, airfare support, national health insurance, paid leave and a contract-completion benefit.

Salary, deductions and benefits must be confirmed in the individual employment contract. Asia Pathway can help candidates understand an offer and compare the overall package, but neither course completion nor certification guarantees employment, salary, accommodation or visa approval.

What is included

• Six months of online course access.
• Five modules totalling 120 hours of TEFL training.
• Video content, quizzes and assessed assignments.
• Support from an experienced EFL tutor.
• A hard-copy certificate after successful completion.
• Lifetime access to The TEFL Org Jobs Centre.
• Access to relevant career resources and international teaching vacancies.

Who is this program for?

This pathway is well suited to fluent English speakers who are new to TEFL, hold or expect to complete a bachelor's degree, and want a flexible qualification before applying for teaching opportunities in South Korea. It can also support candidates who want to teach English online while preparing for an overseas move.

Plan your South Korea teaching journey with Asia Pathway

Asia Pathway can help you choose the appropriate TEFL qualification, assess your likely South Korea employment and E-2 visa eligibility, prepare application documents, understand public-school and hagwon recruitment, and review the practical steps from certification to departure. Contact our team for a personalised assessment before you enrol or accept a teaching contract.