What are the bilingual and international education options for expat children in Korea, and how do I choose the right school?

Korea has several types of international education options. Fully international schools like Seoul International School, Korea International School, and Dulwich College Seoul follow IB or American curricula and are taught entirely in English. Tuition ranges from about 20 to 35 million won per year. These schools typically require at least one parent to hold a foreign passport.

For a bilingual approach, there are foreign language schools called 외국어고등학교 and some private bilingual academies that teach in both Korean and English. Jeju Global Education City has several international schools with slightly lower tuition and a beautiful campus environment. For younger children, bilingual kindergartens are available in most major cities. When choosing, consider the curriculum type (IB, AP, British, etc.), location and commute, the school community, and whether your child needs Korean language support. Most international schools have admissions offices that are happy to arrange tours and answer questions. The ISS (International Schools Services) website and forums like InterNations are good starting points for research and parent reviews.