Is a 120-hour TEFL certificate enough for teaching in Korea?

Yes. 120 hours is the accepted standard for English teaching positions in South Korea. It meets the requirements for EPIK public schools and is widely accepted by private academies (hagwons). You do not need a 150 or 200-hour course for Korea — those are upsells with no practical benefit for the Korean job market.

Which TEFL course is better: Bridge or The TEFL Institute?

Choose Bridge TEFL if you want a U.S.-accredited program with a 39-year track record, detailed tutor feedback, and a credential eligible for college credit. It's the stronger option for EPIK applicants and teachers targeting well-established hagwon chains. Choose The TEFL Institute if your priority is price or flexibility. At $215, it's the most affordable accredited option on this page, and the mobile app lets you study offline anywhere. Both certificates carry equal weight with most Korean employers.

Does EPIK accept these specific TEFL courses?

Yes. EPIK does not require a specific provider — they require a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate of at least 100 hours from an accredited institution. Both Bridge TEFL and The TEFL Institute meet this requirement. OK Recruiting has successfully placed EPIK teachers certified by both providers.

Are there any discount codes available?

Yes. For Bridge TEFL, use code OKRECRUITING10 at checkout to get 10% off — bringing the price from $399 to $359.10. This code is available exclusively through OK Recruiting. For The TEFL Institute, the course is already discounted to $215 (from $545). No coupon needed.

Are these TEFL courses accredited?

Bridge TEFL is accredited by ACCET, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and is a member of AQUEDUTO. The TEFL Institute is accredited by ACDL and ODLQC, both established bodies in Ireland and the UK. Both certificates are accepted by Korean employers, EPIK, and immigration authorities.

How long does it take to complete either course?

Both courses are self-paced. Bridge TEFL typically takes 8–12 weeks when studying part-time. The TEFL Institute offers a fast-track option that some students complete in just a few weeks. If you have an upcoming application deadline, The TEFL Institute's mobile app format is the more flexible choice for accelerated completion.

TEFL guide for Korea · 2026

Get TEFL-certified — your first step to teaching in Korea.

A 120-hour certificate is all you need for EPIK and hagwons. Below are the two best-value, fully accredited courses. Recent grads — this is where it starts.

1 Get certified→2 Apply free→3 Teach abroad

Compare the two courses ↓

100% online

Study on your schedule — start this week.

No classroom, no fixed times. Most recent grads finish in a few weeks, then apply right away. All you need is a laptop and a goal.

Why get certified

No experience? A TEFL cert is your way in.

You don't need teaching experience — just the right certificate.

Schools expect it

Most reputable hagwons want a TEFL cert — it gets your application taken seriously.

Earn EPIK points

EPIK awards extra evaluation points to certified applicants — better pay and placements.

Teach anywhere

An accredited TEFL works worldwide — Korea today, anywhere you want next.

100% online — start today

Study self-paced from anywhere. Most finish in weeks, then apply right away.

The shortlist

Two great options. One clear difference.

Both are accepted across Korea. One is the most credentialed, US-recognized pick; the other is the best value with the most certified hours.

Top pick for EPIK

Bridge TEFL

120-Hour Master Certificate

$377.10$41910% OFF

with exclusive code OKRECRUITING10

ACCET accredited — recognized by the US Dept. of Education
Tutor feedback within 1 business day
College-credit eligible · AQUEDUTO member
Nearly 40 years of TEFL experience

Best for: EPIK applicants who want the most credentialed, US-recognized option.

Enroll in Bridge TEFL →

Best value

The TEFL Academy

120-Hour Level 3 Certificate

$225Sale

discount applied automatically — no code needed

UK & US accredited
264-hour bundle with 3 free Top-Up courses
Guaranteed pass — money-back guarantee
6 months of self-paced access

Best for: teachers on a budget who want the most certified hours for the lowest price.

View TEFL Academy Deal →

This guide is independently researched and curated by OK Recruiting. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you enroll through the links on this page — this does not influence our recommendations.

Side by side

Full comparison

Feature	Bridge TEFL	The TEFL Academy
Price (2026)	$377.10 (with code)	$225 (current sale)
Duration	120 hours	120 hours (Level 3)
Accreditation	ACCET (US Dept. of Ed.)	UK & US accredited
EPIK accepted	✓	✓
Hagwon accepted	✓	✓
College credit eligible	✓	—
Bonus study hours	—	264-hr bundle (3 free Top-Ups)
Tutor feedback speed	Within 1 business day	Standard turnaround
Completion time	8–12 weeks (part-time)	Self-paced (6-month access)
Pass guarantee	—	✓

FAQ

Common questions

Is 120 hours really enough for teaching in Korea?

Yes — 120 hours is the accepted standard for Korea. It fully meets EPIK requirements and is recognized by hagwons nationwide. 150 or 200-hour courses offer no practical advantage in the Korean market and are simply upsells.

Which course is better — Bridge or The TEFL Academy?

Choose Bridge TEFL if you want a US-accredited credential, detailed daily tutor feedback, and a certificate eligible for college credit — it carries more weight with EPIK evaluators and established hagwon chains. Choose The TEFL Academy if your priority is the lowest price and the most certified study hours for your money.

Do I need a TEFL certificate for the E-2 visa?

Not legally — the E-2 visa only requires a bachelor's degree and qualifying citizenship. However, most reputable schools expect TEFL certification, and EPIK awards additional evaluation points to certified applicants. In practice, applying without one significantly limits your options.

Is the OKRECRUITING10 code really exclusive?

Yes. The 10% Bridge TEFL discount via code OKRECRUITING10 is available through OK Recruiting's partnership with Bridge — apply it at checkout to bring the price from $419 to $377.10. For The TEFL Academy, the sale discount is already applied automatically — no code needed.

How long does it take to complete?

Both courses are self-paced. Bridge typically takes 8–12 weeks studying part-time. The TEFL Academy gives you 6 months of access to complete the course at your own pace — ideal whether you want to move quickly or study around a busy schedule.

Got your TEFL sorted? Now teach in Korea.

Apply with OK Recruiting — 100% free for teachers.

Apply to Teach in Korea →