Teaching English in South Korea

• Gain hands-on teaching experience in South Korea
• Learn the fundamentals of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• Travel and explore South Korea on the weekends
• KU students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply for the Freeman Foundation Scholarship for East Asia Internships, with awards of up to $4,000 available for the summer term. 

Dates for Summer 2027

• Depart the U.S. on May 27, 2027
• Arrive in Seoul, South Korea on May 28, 2027
• Depart Seoul /Return to the U.S. on June 24, 2027

During this 4-week summer program, students will teach English at the Kyung Hwa Private Girls’ School in South Korea while earning practicum credit. The program will begin with several on-campus workshops offered in advance of travel to introduce KU students to the Korean language, engage students in cross-cultural activities relevant to South Korea, and provide an opportunity for students to learn more about the school and their Korean hosts. 

The program as a whole will engage students in a study of theories of second language acquisition and models of English as a Foreign Language practice.  In addition, students will have exposure to issues related to English as an International Language, with a particular focus on the role of English in contemporary South Korea. 

While in South Korea, students will participate in two group excursions.  In prior years, this has included a weekend visit to Seoul and a weekend excursion to the coastal city of Sokcho.

South Korea has a 5,000 year history with ancient palaces, pagodas and stunning green landscape with majestic mountain tops. It also has ultra-modern skyscrapers and a fast paced city life. In addition, it is one of the world’s most technologically and scientifically advanced countries due to companies such as Samsung and LG serving as global leaders in electronics.

Seoul, with a population of over 20 million in its metropolitan area, is one of Asia’s largest cities and is the political, financial and cultural center of Korea.

The Kyung Hwa Girls’ Private School campus is located in Gwangju Gyeonggi, a southeastern suburb of Seoul. The residential school comprises a high school, a middle school, and an English business high school. The campus is on a hillside overlooking the city and well-appointed with classrooms, dormitories, dining facilities, gardens, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and gymnasium.

Students will earn six (6) hours of undergraduate or graduate level credit from the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program. 

Undergraduate students will enroll in the following courses:

• C&T 491 ESOL Practicum for Endorsement (3 credits)
• C&T 598 Special Course: ESOL Pedagogy (3 credits)

Graduate students will enroll in the following courses:

• C&T 825 Practicum for TESOL (3 credits)
• C&T 798 Special Course: ESOL Pedagogy (3 credits)

Education students who have already taken one of the two practicum courses may opt to enroll in an independent study course.

In addition, students enrolled in KU Core 34 can complete the Global Culture goal and earn an additional three hours of course credit by completing the Global Business & Entrepreneurship study abroad experience and UNIV 342: Sponsored Educational Experience.  UNIV 342 is a 3-credit hour asynchronous course that, when combined with a study abroad experience, satisfies the Global Culture goal of KU Core 34. 

Students will be housed on or near the Kyung Hwa Girls' Private School campus in shared dormitory rooms (approximately 4 people per dorm room). 

Breakfast and lunch will be provided in the Kyung Hwa dining room from Monday - Friday.  Meals in the Kyung Hwa dining facilty are typically Korean but may also include western choices.  Participants are responsible for their dinner each day and for all meals on the weekends and while on independent travel. Meal options near the housing facility are abundant.

All students have unique things to consider when studying abroad. A Traveler Profile is a set of personal factors, characteristics or life experiences that could impact daily life abroad. Your individual Traveler Profile may include things such as your age, foreign language proficiency, gender, medical history, medication use, mental health, mobility, piercings and tattoos, travel experience, and more. 

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Before selecting a program, consider how your Traveler Profile may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process. 

Check our Traveler Profile pages linked below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program. 

• Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
• First Generation Students
• Physical and Mental Health Histories
• Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
• Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Students of Color Abroad
• Students with Children
• Students with Financial Need
• Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC
• Visible and Invisible Disabilities 

All KU undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of their major, are eligible to apply for the program. Prior knowledge of the Korean language is not required.

Minimum 2.75 GPA required.  

The priority application deadline is December 15, 2026.  Students are encouraged to submit their application by this date for early notification of admission to the program. 

Program Cost for Teaching English in Korea 

Hyesun Cho, Ph.D.
Professor, TESOL
​hcho@ku.edu

Department of Curriculum and Teaching
University of Kansas
1122 W. Campus Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66045

Study Abroad Program Coordinator: Angela Perryman 
Have a quick question or interested in setting up an appointment? 
Email me at: aperryman@ku.edu