English Program on Korea (EPIK)Outline The English Program in Korea (EPIK) is sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education and is the country's response to the hugely successful JET
Programme in Japan. Initiated in 1995 under the acronym KORETTA (Korean English Teacher Training Assistant Program), EPIK serves as an intermediary between foreign teachers and local Provincial Offices of Education (POEs) looking to hire native English speakers to help teach in Korean public schools and government-run language centers. English teachers apply through the main EPIK office at Korea National University of Education
in Cheongju and if accepted, are hired by one of the fifteen Provincial Offices of Education in Korea. Objective According to their website the purpose of the EPIK Program is to foster primary and secondary students' ability to communicate in English, provide
training in English conversation to Korean teachers, develop English materials and textbooks, improve English teaching methodologies in Korea, encourage cultural awareness, and "[better] Korea's image." Eligibility Requirements for participating in EPIK include being a citizen of one of the six
designated English-speaking countries (ESC), having lived in an ESC for at least ten years, studying in an ESC since the 7th grade, holding a bachelor's degree in any field, being in mental and physical health, and possessing a good command of the English language. Male citizens of South Korea must also have either completed the mandatory military service or received a wavier if they are under the age of 35. Duties
Responsibilities for participants of the EPIK Program include a 40-hour work week, 22 of which are spent teaching. Most EPIK teachers are placed in public elementary, middle, and high schools and assist and/or jointly conduct English classes with Korean teachers. Teachers may also be required to
prepare and assist in developing English language education materials, assist with activities related to English education and other curricular activities, and "perform other duties as specified by their host POE." The contract period is for 1 year and may be renewed upon mutual written agreement between the foreign teacher and their POE. Remuneration There are four basic levels of pay for the EPIK Program. ELI 3, ELI 2, ELI 1 and ELI 1+ have monthly salaries of 1.8 million, 2.0 million, 2.3 million, and 2.5 million won respectively. ELI levels are based on education degrees, teaching credentials and experience, and how long you have been with the
same POE. Teaching in one of the POEs designated as 'non-urban' will give you and extra 100.000 or 200,000 won per month. Finally, you will receive a special allowance of 200,000 won at the beginning of your third consecutive year as an ELI 1 with the same POE.
Other benefits of the program include a one-time settlement allowance of 300,000 won, round-trip airfare reimbursement, free furnished housing, severance
pay of approximately one month's salary, 50% of compulsory medical insurance premiums, 50% of compulsory national pension scheme (100% of which is refunded for Americans and Canadians), and an unpaid ten-day EPIK orientation at Korea National University of Education. Vacation time includes seven days in the winter and another seven in the summer. There are also an additional fourteen days of paid sick leave. Schools
Most EPIK teachers work at an average of 3-5 public elementary, middle, and high schools but there are rare instances where you may have as little as 1 or as many as 13. Schools are divvied up by weekday and are often visited only once per week. Classes In addition to your 22 hours of classes you may be asked to teach
supplementary English lessons to students and/or Korean teachers. You will be paid extra for this and the amount will vary according to your school and POE. Some schools charge students for these classes that take place after regular school hours, in which case you may get some or all of the fees collected. These extra classes can be a substantial way to supplement your regular salary but keep in mind that the system is different for each POE and is completely up to the school involved.
EPIK Experience The EPIK Program is different for everyone and, among other things, will depend upon your personality and ability to adapt to Korean culture, as well as where you are placed. If you are prepared to make an effort to learn about Korea and ways of doing things that are different from your own, teaching English in Korea can be very rewarding experience. That being said, many foreigners have difficulty adapting to the local culture so make sure to research about living in Korea if you are considering applying to EPIK. School Vacations
Public schools in Korea have winter, spring, and summer vacations that add up to about 3 months in total. According to the contract, EPIK teachers are obliged to go to work except during the official 14 days of vacation and 14 sick days. Therefore, many or all of your schools may require you to go to work over the school vacations even if you have no classes. At the same time, many schools organize English camps and extra classes for their students and teachers over vacation periods. Some of them are paid and some are not; it is all up to the individual school. For these reasons, some EPIK teachers are required to teach throughout the school vacations, while others have the time completely off. Finally, these vacations do not apply for
people working at government language centers, who will teach their normal schedule of classes during these times. Criticisms Although the program has improved overall during the past decade there are still many problems raised by participants. One of the biggest issues with EPIK
is that although applicants are led to believe that they will be teaching alongside a Korean English teacher, many Korean co-teachers do not come to class and foreigners often find themselves alone in a room-full of Korean students with little or no real English communicative ability. This situation can be very stressful and even overwhelming for young teachers just out of university with no teaching experience or background in education. Another criticism of the EPIK program is that local POEs are often not prepared to receive their foreign teachers. Rent for housing in Korea is generally paid a full year in advance so local governments can be hesitant to procure housing before a foreign teacher arrives, especially as some foreign teaches have quit the program just prior to coming to Korea or shortly after their arrival. EPIK participants whose housing has not been secured may have to stay in a hotel or in the house of a Korean teacher until an apartment has been found. Your POE will cover any hotel costs should the situation arise and real issues with housing, though still exist, have decreased in recent years. Conclusion Although the EPIK program has improved over the past 10 years there are still many problems that foreign participants face. When considering the program, it is important to keep in mind that the contract is for one year. If you get discouraged easily or are not prepared to deal with numerous problems including but not limited to the ones mentioned above, you may want to think twice before signing your name. Issa Cohen taught and studied in Japan for 3.5 years and has an MA in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii. He currently teaches on the EPIK program and maintains his website about living and teaching English in Asia.
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