Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

There is a reasonably balanced report on the condition of the EPIK program in today's JoongAng Ilbo, in the J-Style & Weekend section.

One interesting factoid: the less than 300 EPIK teachers make up less than 3% of the foreigners teaching in Korea.

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

taejonguy · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, Korea

here is the link...

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200407/25/200407252218570379900091009101.html

Thomas · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

The entire article is really good and pretty accurate from my experiences. Great article for anyone interested in EPIK.

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Here's part 2:

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200407/26/200407262231474809900091009101.html

Seoul Skye · Joined: 28 Feb 2003

The best report I've ever read on EPIK and the English education scene in Korea.

There really ought to be a million parent march on the Ministry of Education demanding better programs and accountability.

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

never heard on good thing about epik - ever.

Thomas · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

In the past,. I have posted some good things about EPIK and put a couple of articles on the Job Information Journal about it:

"4 Years of EPIK"
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:990769976-14433.txt
"4 Years of EPIK Follow Up"
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1011965755-2008.txt

The bottom line was that from 1997-2001, it really depended on where you were placed, who was in charge, and how independent you were. For me, I liked the freedom (read, no supervision as long as I did my job)... and got on well. I had my share of problems from the wirk and supervisors and from the cultural aspects, but in short, it was good. I gained lots of experience, made lots of money and had fun (as well as some bad days!).

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

"The screening process led to some alarming consequences as well. David Lenard, who was a teacher with EPIK at the same time as Ms. Roche, said in an e-mail interview, "My group included a psychologically unstable woman and a New Zealander with a completely indecipherable accent."
Other incidences of alcoholics and even pedophiles being hired finally led to the decision to require criminal background checks on applicants to find more qualified instructors, said Mr. Park. The measure, however, has only gone into effect this year."

Ouch.

And did you catch the part about how much housing allowance was skimmed from the teachers? 23 million per teacher in key money???? WOW!

mokpochica · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

And the Fulbright program got a mention. Yay Fulbright!

I'm proud of it as one foreign relations thing that the U.S. has gotten right. Very Happy

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The Fulbright Program seems to be relatively well run here, esp. compared to EPIK.

mokpochica · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

manlyboy · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 9:51 pm Post subject:

Well don't I feel like an idiot Shocked

! I'm following a few friends of mine into this program who have assured me the area we're going to is legit. Does anyone have anything positive to say about EPIK, or should I just go out and buy some kneeling pads right now?!!!

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap