Is it possible to sign a contract for less than one year?

Some Schools will allow you to do this, but usually only if they are desperately in need of a teacher. It is not good for the students, nor appreciated by the parents, to have a new teacher for their kids ever few months, which is why this is not regularly practiced. You will also not receive the full benefits (plane tickets, severance pay, etc.), that are offered in the one year contract.

Is it possible to extend my contract for another year after I am done my first year?

Yes it is. If you want to stay with the same school, you will not have to leave Korea to get another visa.

I just finished my one year contract – can I transfer to a different school without getting another visa?

No, you can’t. You will need to take a visa run, usually to Japan, to get another visa with your new school. There are only two cases where you don’t have to leave Korea to get a new visa: One is if you re-sign with your school and the other is if your school files for bankruptcy and you have an offer from another school.

How do I get out of my contract if I don’t like the school that I am currently working for (therefore breaking my contract)?

You will need a letter of release from your current school. With this, you will be allowed to work at another school, but you will still have to go through the visa process again.

Who will buy my plane ticket for me?

The school will pay you back for your plane ticket about two weeks after you arrive in Korea. In the past, schools would buy tickets for their teachers in advance, but some people took advantage of this and took the free flight to Korea without ever showing up at their school, which is why teachers are to buy the ticket first now.

Am I allowed to take on side jobs or work part-time for another school while I am working for my school that I signed a contract with?

The short answer is no. In your contract, it will state that you are not to work for anyone other than your school. In some cases, schools will allow their teachers to work part-time elsewhere, but this will require some paperwork for both schools and they are usually not willing to do this.

Am I allowed to stay in Korea for a little while after I am finished my contract or do I have to leave the country as soon as my visa expires?

You are allowed to stay in Korea for an additional 30 days if you report to the immigration office and make them aware that you are doing this. You will need your passport, alien registration card and your plane tickets that specify which dates you will be leaving. Note that it will be illegal for you to work during this period.