EPIK - English Program in Korea - Public School Jobs in Korea

Teaching at Public Schools in Korea - EPIK

Teach Away Inc. is an official recruitment provider for the Korean National Institute for International Education Development (NIIED). Teach Away works with the Ministries of Education in Korea to place English Language Instructors (ELIs) in teaching jobs at public schools in Korea through the renowned EPIK program. The EPIK program offers teachers a unique experience by allowing them to share their culture and knowledge with students while gaining experience teaching ESL in Public Schools across Korea.

EPIK offers one of the best employment packages in Asia:

• Salary up to 2.7 million won/month (avg. is 2.0-2.2 million Korean won)
• Over 5 weeks of vacation
• 1.3 million won entrance and exit allowance for flight
• Free Furnished Apartment

What is EPIK?

EPIK stands for English Program in Korea, a program sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education. The EPIK program was established in 1995 with the mandate to improve the English speaking abilities of students and teachers in Korea and to develop cultural exchanges.  Through the EPIK Program over 1000 teachers are placed in ESL teaching jobs every year.

Who is Eligible to Teach in Korean Public Schools?

Applicants must have:
• Completed a bachelors degree or equivalent at an accredited college or university
• Be a citizen of a country where the primary language is English
• Be fluent in English
• Meet the requirements for an E-2 or F-4 visa

Teaching Job Openings at Public Schools in Korea

A POE is a Provincial Office of Education.  There are a number of POEs in Korea.  You can indicate which POE you would like to work for, but there are no guarantees that teachers will be granted their first choice.   Teach Away has the following openings for August 2010 placements:

NOTE: All August 2010 jobs have been filled. We are now accepting applications for February/March 2011 start date.

*Positions in Seoul are limited to teachers that are Level 2 and higher

(please see chart below).

EPIK Placement Locations

EPIK teachers can work in almost any province of Korea. Location preference is granted on a first come-first served basis. Once your documents are received in Korea, EPIK will decide which Provincial Office of Education (POE) a teacher will work for.  Then, the POE will determine which school the teacher will be placed at.  Teachers will work at primary and secondary schools within a designated POE, but some may be asked to also work at other educational facilities within the POE system.

Salary for EPIK teachers

A teachers' salary is based on a combination of qualifications and experience.  Comprehensive salary guidelines have been put in place for English teachers working for EPIK.  The table below will outline each salary level:

EPIK Working Hours and Benefits

Period of employment is for 1 year (September 2009-September 2010).  A typical working day is 8 hours, with actual class instruction up to 22 hours/week.  Overtime pay is available if teachers are asked to work outside of their designated hours.  ELIs work only Monday to Friday, and enjoy the weekends off.

Additional Benefits

All EPIK teachers will be entitled to the following benefits:
- Free single housing (utilities not included)
- Entrance Allowance of 1.3 mil won to purchase a one-way ticket
- Exit Allowance of 1.3 mil won or Renewal Bonus of 2.0 mil won for resigning
- Training in Korea
- Transportation to placement location
- Airport pick-up
- Settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW
- One month salary severance pay upon completion of contract
- Paid vacation for 18 working days + 13-15 National Holidays
- 50% medical insurance and pension
- rural bonus and multiple school bonus

Responsibilities of English teachers working for EPIK

All English teachers with jobs in Korean Public Schools work under the guidance of a supervisor designated by a specific Provincial Office of Education (POE).  Teachers are responsible for conducting English classes in cooperation with Korean teachers.  As an ELI you will assist with the development of teaching materials, and activities related to English language education.

Training in Korea

All EPIK English Language Instructors (ELIs) are required to attend a mandatory 10 day professional training session which may be held in Seoul.  The training is often conducted by the Center for In-service Education at the Korean National University of Education, but it may be held at a different location. The orientation period is not included in the term of employment and as such is unpaid.  Teachers will learn about the Korean Public School system, their role as English teachers, living in Korea, and many other useful topics.  Attendance at orientation is a mandatory condition of employment.

What is an ELI?

An ELI is an English Language Instructor hired by the Korean Ministry of Education.  ELIs usually work together with Korean co-teachers in a classroom on a daily basis.  ELIs are responsible for conducting English conversation classes for Korean primary and secondary public school students as part of the Korean government's aim to promote and strengthen English language education.

NOTE: ELI's are often referred to as GETs - Guest English Teachers