The Truth About International Schools in Korea (and How to Avoid a Scam)

Accredited vs. Fake International Schools in Korea: The Ultimate 2025 Survival Guide for Teachers

So, you're thinking about teaching in South Korea—maybe it’s a gap year plan, maybe you're burned out and craving something new, or maybe you're just itching to explore Asia without draining your savings. Teaching abroad sounds like the dream, right? A chance to experience a vibrant culture, eat kimchi by the ocean, hike volcanic peaks on the weekends, and still pay the bills.

And hey, maybe you’ve even set your sights on landing a job at an “international school.” Sounds fancy, right? Like you’ll be sipping iced americanos during break, grading essays in a sleek, tech-packed classroom, and catching a school musical in a real auditorium. But hold up—before you ship your life overseas, there's something you really need to know:

Not all “international schools” in Korea are what they claim to be. In fact, some are just glorified hagwons with fancy logos, rented office space, and zero real credentials. That polished website? Might be masking chaotic management, underpaid teachers, and a curriculum built on vibes and Google Docs.

Let’s dig deep into the smoke-and-mirrors world of Korean “international” schools—and how to separate the real deals from the glorified daycare centers trying to hustle your passport and your patience.

🚨 Why This Matters (More Than You Think)

If you land at a legit international school, you’re golden:
✅ Competitive salary (3.5–5.0 million₩/month)
✅ Proper visa (usually E7 or F-series)
✅ Summer/winter vacations (not glorified “camps”)
✅ Real curriculum and resources
✅ Foreign teaching staff and leadership
✅ No random contract changes or getting ghosted on payday

But if you land at a fake one?
❌ Visa violations
❌ Zero teaching resources
❌ Long hours with no overtime
❌ "Director" who’s never taught a day in their life
❌ Possible deportation
Yup. That bad.

📚 What Even Is an International School in Korea?

A real international school in Korea meets all of the following:

• Accredited by a globally recognized body (think WASC, MSA-CESS, CIS, Cognia)
• Approved by Korea’s Ministry of Education (MOE)
• Teachers must have teaching licenses and classroom experience
• Operates under an education license, not as a business or hagwon
• Follows a Western calendar with proper school holidays

A fake international school:

• Is registered as a hagwon (학원) or miscellaneous business
• Often claims to be "in the process of accreditation" (for 10 years straight)
• Staffed mostly by unlicensed or underqualified teachers
• Uses the word “International” to attract students and foreign hires but offers none of the structure
• May land you in legal hot water if you’re on the wrong visa teaching the wrong subject

🕵️‍♀️ Red Flags to Watch For

• No License Requirement: They don’t ask for a teaching license? Walk away.
• Short Teaching History: Newer schools with no accreditation = red flag.
• No Real Campus: Rented office building in Gangnam ≠ school.
• “We’re Getting Accredited Soon”: They’ve probably said that for a decade.
• Staff Are Mostly Korean: Nothing wrong with Korean teachers—but where’s the international part?
• E-2 Visa for Non-English Subjects: That's actually illegal and deportable.
• Weird Curriculum: No standard, no planning support? You’re about to invent the wheel from scratch.
• Living on Campus: It’s giving cult vibes. You need a life outside of work.
• Shady Website: If the site says “학원” or there’s no accreditation listed—be suspicious.
• Discipline? What Discipline?: If they’re scared to upset paying parents, your classroom will be chaos.

🧾 Do Your Homework: Real vs. Fake Accreditation

Real Accreditations to Look For:

• WASC – Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• CIS – Council of International Schools
• MSA-CESS – Middle States Association
• NCPSA – National Council for Private School Accreditation
• Cognia (formerly AdvancED)
• EARCOS – East Asia Regional Council of Schools

Sketchy or “bought” accreditations may include unheard-of orgs that send you a .PNG badge for your website after you pay a few hundred bucks.

🏫 A Quick List of REAL Schools (as of 2025)

These schools are considered legit (check again before applying, things change!):

• Yongsan International School of Seoul
• Dulwich College Seoul
• Korea International School (Seoul & Pangyo)
• Chadwick International
• Seoul Foreign School
• Asia Pacific International School
• Dwight School Seoul
• Gyeonggi Suwon International School
• CMIS (Songdo)
• Branksome Hall Asia (Jeju)
• North London Collegiate School (Jeju)

If it’s not on this list and it sounds too good to be true—Google it, check ISR (International School Review), check r/HagwonBlacklistKorea, and always ask what license they operate under.

💬 What to Ask in Your Interview

• What accreditation does the school have? (Get proof!)
• What type of visa do teachers use?
• Is a teaching license required?
• How long has the school operated under its current name?
• Can I tour the school (in person or virtually)?
• Is there a school library, gym, and lab?
• What is the student discipline policy?
• Can I speak to a current teacher?

If the interviewer dodges any of these questions—red flag, friend.

f you're heading to Korea to teach, be smart and skeptical. You owe it to yourself to find a school that values your talent and treats you with respect.

Stay informed. Stay safe. Stay empowered—with Isla Guru.

#TeachingInKorea #InternationalSchoolKorea #FakeSchoolsKorea #HagwonSurvival #IslaGuru