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
- Listen to a student describe her experience on the Teaching English in Korea program.
- Study Abroad & Global Engagement is offering up to 20 Freeman Foundation East Asia Internship Scholarships to participants in this program. KU students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply. Scholarships range from $2,500 - $5,000 for summer 2025.
During this 6-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 during the spring semester and designed 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.
Students will be housed on or near the Kyung Hwa Girls' Private School campus in shared dormitory rooms (approximately 4 people per dorm room).
Meals will be provided in the Kyung Hwa dining room. Three meals will be offered each day, excluding weekends. Meals are typically Korean but may also include western choices. Participants are responsible for their own meals on the weekends and while on independent travel.
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.
Hyesun Cho, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Curriculum and Teaching
hcho@ku.edu
Josh Hayes, PhD Candidate
Curriculum and Teaching
josh_hayes359@ku.edu
Department of Curriculum and Teaching
University of Kansas
1122 W. Campus Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66045