Korean Job Discussion Forums

humbom · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Portland, OR

Hi,
I have a B.A. and am interested in applying to EPIK, Is it rather difficult to get accepted? Is it a good program? Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

It's not difficult at all. Assuming you can obtain a visa, you'd almost be guaranteed of being accepted.

As for whether it's good or not, that will ultimately depend on in which school you are placed.

EPIK is just the umbrella organization to oversee/fund foreign English teachers. There a two other large umbrella organizations: SMOE (for Seoul) and GEPIK (for Gyeonggi-do - the province surrounding Seoul). Several of the large metropolitan cities have their own administrative organizations as well. Virtually all the funding comes from the Ministry of Education through EPIK.

You can apply through EPIC directly and they will try to place you in the city of your choice. However, they will not even guarantee the province in which you may be placed.

You can also apply through a multitude of recruiters all of whom can at least guarantee the province. Some can guarantee the city, and still others can guarantee the actual school. It depends on the policies of the province in which they are placing you i.e. you will be hired by the specific, Provincial Office of Education (PoE), but under an EPIK contract.

Your best bet is to first decide where you want to work then contact recruiters (several) that can place you there.

See posts in this forum on the relative merits of public school vs private hogwans. I would not recommend a PS job to someone new to Korea and with no teaching experience. Culture shock combined with huge classes of kids who for the most part don't want to learn English and (relative) isolation - you'll be the only English-speaking foreigner at work, and in rural areas perhaps in the town/city or whole county - can be a recipe for disaster. That being said, you may be fine, 'fit right in' and just love it. Only you know yourself.

Taking a public school job is a crapshoot unless you are already in Korea and know (or can visit to find out) the school/students and attitudes of the principal and v.p. toward a foreign English teacher.

Good luck!

Mirabilis85 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

I worked under EPIK last year and though my school was warm and welcoming--I was the first foreign teacher ever placed there--the students were problematic. Im switiching to a hagwon this year; I dont know how anything could be worse than 40 teenaged boys going bananas while youre trying to teach. So yes, your experience will really be based on what school youre placed at. Good luck.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

I would STRONGLY RETHINK that theory..... what's worse? How about being reared up the ass by a Korean director 5 day's a week that doesn't pay you on time, not even for the overtime you did... or how about not getting a severence... oh and not paying into pension.
Public Schools are infinitely better than those cess-pool hagwons! You've been warned!!!!

Mirabilis85 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

Ive done my research. There are some good hagwons if you look hard enough. That said, I would never go back to a public school. Public education is a farce in Korea and even the Korean teachers know it.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

And do you think the teaching style is going to that different from public schools? Take it from me, your going to be a repetitive monkey. I was handed my set of books on Day 1 and told to have them do XX page and repeat..... do it again than repeat.

I agree that the teaching methodologies here are a joke and for that reason the student's don't learn much. I'm just saying that PS treat you alot better than most hagwons. Maybe you'll be the exception and find one that lives up to what it says. Another thing to consider, given the current finacial meltdown are you sure you want to be in a private business that's sole aim is for profit.

When I left my hagwon, enrollment was down alot. Just some food for thought.

Mirabilis85 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

In my opinion, there is a difference between the students forced to take English in public schools and students in a hagwon who are at least somewhat motivated to learn (by interest or their parents who foot the bill). I prefer the latter. Like I said, my public school was great in terms of atmosphere, but classes were a joke (not even the co-teachers could control the students). I couldnt stay in that kind of situation. Now that I'm somewhat familiar with the Korean landscape I dug around Seoul for a month or so and think Ill be quite happy with my choice. Yes these are tough times, but Im hoping for the best.