Getting hired to teach English at a Korean hagwon isn’t just about having a degree and a passport from an approved country. The interview stage is where schools decide whether you’re the right personality fit, whether you can hold a classroom’s attention, and whether you’ll actually show up ready to work. With hundreds of applicants competing for popular positions in Seoul, Busan, and other major cities, a strong interview can be the deciding factor between a great placement and a rejection email. Here’s how to prepare.
Understand the Interview Format
Most hagwon interviews happen over video call — commonly Skype, Zoom, or KakaoTalk — since the majority of applicants are still abroad at the time of hiring. Expect the interview to be relatively short, often 20 to 40 minutes, and to involve one or more of the following:
- A conversation with a recruiter (if you’re using a recruiting agency) as a screening step before the actual school interview
- A direct interview with the hagwon director or a Korean co-teacher
- A short demo lesson or teaching demonstration, either live or pre-recorded
- Questions about your availability, visa eligibility, and start date
Some schools combine all of this into a single call; others spread it across two or three separate conversations. It’s worth asking your recruiter in advance what format to expect so you’re not caught off guard.
Research the School Before You Log On
Directors notice when candidates have clearly done their homework. Before your interview, try to find out:
- The age group and level you’d be teaching (kindergarten, elementary, middle school, or a mix)
- Class sizes, since this affects how you’ll answer classroom management questions
- The curriculum or textbook series the school uses, if you can find it
- Reviews from current or former teachers, via Facebook groups or forums, which can tip you off to red flags or give you talking points to ask about
Showing up with a couple of specific, informed questions signals genuine interest rather than a scattershot job search.
Common Interview Questions and How to Approach Them
While every hagwon is different, certain questions come up again and again. Preparing thoughtful, specific answers — rather than generic ones — makes a real difference.
“Why do you want to teach in Korea?”
Avoid answers that sound purely transactional (“I want to travel and save money”). Directors want to hear genuine interest in teaching and in Korean culture specifically, even if travel and finances are part of your motivation too.
“Do you have any teaching experience?”
If you don’t have formal experience, talk about related experience: tutoring, coaching, camp counseling, public speaking, or any role where you managed or taught a group. Confidence and enthusiasm matter more than a long résumé for entry-level hagwon positions.
“How would you handle a disruptive student?”
This question tests classroom management instincts. Give a concrete, calm example rather than a vague answer — schools want to know you won’t panic or lose control of a room of ten-year-olds.
“What’s your teaching style?”
Directors are often listening for energy and adaptability here. Mentioning specific techniques — games, TPR (Total Physical Response), call-and-response drills, or positive reinforcement systems — shows you’ve thought about how you’ll actually run a lesson, not just that you want the job.
“Are you comfortable working with young children / teenagers?”
Answer honestly, but frame your answer around strengths. If you prefer older students, say so diplomatically while emphasizing flexibility.
“When can you start?”
Have a clear, realistic answer ready, including visa processing time if you’re applying from outside Korea.
Nail the Demo Lesson
Many hagwons ask candidates to prepare a short demo lesson, sometimes on the spot and sometimes with a few days’ notice. This is one of the most important parts of the process, since it’s the closest thing to an actual audition.
A few tips:
- Keep it simple and interactive. A short vocabulary game, a phonics drill, or a mini role-play works better than an ambitious lesson plan you can’t execute smoothly in five minutes.
- Speak slowly and clearly, and use gestures and visual aids even in a video interview — this shows you understand how to communicate with English language learners.
- Bring energy. Hagwon classrooms, especially with younger kids, reward teachers who are animated, expressive, and enthusiastic. A flat delivery over video can read as a lack of classroom presence.
- Show classroom management technique, even in a simulated setting — for example, demonstrating how you’d get students’ attention or transition between activities.
- Practice out loud beforehand, ideally in front of a friend or on camera, so you’re not discovering pacing issues in the actual interview.
Presentation and Technical Setup
Since most interviews happen over video call, technical and visual details matter more than candidates often expect:
- Test your internet connection, camera, and microphone in advance
- Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background
- Dress the way you would for an in-person professional interview — business casual is a safe default
- Have a copy of your résumé, TEFL/TESOL certificate, and any reference letters easily accessible in case they’re referenced during the call
Small technical hiccups happen and most interviewers are understanding, but showing up prepared communicates reliability — a trait directors care about deeply, since hagwons depend on consistent staffing.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
An interview is a two-way conversation, and asking good questions shows maturity and helps you avoid a bad placement. Consider asking about:
- Typical class sizes and student levels
- Housing arrangements and what’s included
- Contract renewal bonuses or severance pay
- Turnover rate among foreign teachers (a high turnover rate can be a red flag)
- Co-teacher support and lesson planning resources
- Working hours, including any split shifts or Saturday classes
Avoid leading with questions about vacation days or pay in the very first exchange — save those for later in the conversation, once genuine interest has been established.
Follow-Up Etiquette
After the interview, a short, polite thank-you email or message reiterating your interest in the position can help you stand out, especially if the school is deciding between a few finalists. Keep it brief — a few sentences thanking them for their time and reaffirming your enthusiasm is enough.
Final Thoughts
Hagwon interviews reward candidates who show energy, preparation, and genuine curiosity about the role — not necessarily the most polished résumé. Directors are ultimately trying to answer one question: will this person walk into a classroom of Korean students and make it work? Demonstrating that you understand the job, have thought through how you’d teach, and are asking smart questions in return goes a long way toward answering “yes.”
