Korean Job Discussion Forums

[igotthisguitar]

C. The EPIK program is a government sponsored program. Initially we listed it alongside JET and NET programs as an excellent employer. A series of events supported by evidence suggests EPIK may no longer be an employer that honors its promises. It should be noted that the EPIK Commission hands control of the teacher over to Provincial Offices of Education. It is, in fact, the POEs who have ignored the Contractual obligations of the EPIK Commission, and at times unfairly discriminated against its teachers. Currently one POE is openly calling it's EPIK employees as "...all unqualified to teach..." despite evidence to the contrary. We believe the EPIK Commission should NOT appoint POE EPIK supervisors who are openly 'anti-foreigner' and who treat EPIK employees in contravention of Korean ratified conventions.

http://www.efl-law.com/KETA.html

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>. All that glitters is not gold.

In Korea this expression seems especially applicable. I had considered looking into taking part in the EPIK program.
MY growing sense however is it's pretty much a gov't sponsored cult-like sham.

Among other things, the 10 day orientation session is nothing more than a free English lesson for Koreans

[schwa]

[Mosley]

Don't think he's being silly-just tongue in cheek.

What's the point of the 2-week unpaid orientation anyway, schwa? After 2 years, I've heard BS justification for it, but never a bona fide defensible reason for it.

To readers, I would advise you to remember this about schwa when(if) he replies: this is a guy who thinks teaching elementary students for free is an ideal way to spend a Saturday morning.

[Paddycakes]

Hey "I Got this Guitar"...

Which POE is openly "anti-foreigner"? Can you give us a hint?

Mosley... what exactly do you hate about EPIK so much other than the 2 week unpaid thing and being paid late the odd time.

Can you give specific examples about what else is wrong with the program?

I could give some (mostly co-teachers who barely speak English and problems associated with EPIK's massive level of decentralization) but that's about it.

[adventureman]

[Mosley]

Paddycakes: check out the FAQ Forum for last year's discussion(or, bloodbath, if you like) of EPIK's shortcomings from Mody Ba(RIP) and I. Also check out all the EPIK Pages links at EFL-LAW and the Job Information Journal here. In one year, the EFL-LAW rating of the program went from A- to F!

If I had to sum up my discontent in one sentence....


EPIK is far too unlike Japan's excellent JET Programme.

Incidentally, the POE w/the xenophobic supervisor was not identified. I don't think it's mine though...but how the hell would I know? I've spent 20 mins. w/him in 2 yrs.

[schwa]

The main problem when it comes to discussion of epik is there is no overarching 'program.' So you get the 6 blind guys describing an elephant. A fair few have legitimate grievances with their provincial or local administrators while others seem to get along satisfactorily in well-run districts. So who's right?

The lotto-like distribution of positions seems wrong to me. In fact, I think epik has served its function to convince reluctant school administrators of the need for a native speaker presence. Some have handled it well, others have fumbled the ball. Now its time to let individual districts & schools advertise, interview, & join the general hiring fray. Quite a few are starting to do exactly that. Theres no reason applicants shouldnt know where they're applying to, & be able to contact present & former teachers. Make the supervisors accountable.

Just my thoughts -- I dont expect any overnight overhaul. But meanwhile, if youre miserable, why on earth re-contract? Its just a job like any other.

[Mosley]

Well, schwa, we certainly agree that EPIK is not a 'program'. I guess we disagree on the importance of that, i.e., I see that as the fatal flaw while you see it(I think) as minor or even a benefit. To me, the lack of centralization, uniformity and standardization is the beginning point of all my criticisms of EPIK.

Why did/would I re-contract? Fair question. It sure as hell wasn't for the money. A large part of the reason (and the snorts, giggles & guffaws will now follow) was idealism, however misguided. I think, well, thought, that an "activist" approach was the way to go in order to make the EPIK nabobs realize that they'll either have to take the bull by the horns & reform things drastically or just p*** on the fire & call in the dog. Will I re-contract? A slight chance, but I doubt it(I've got less than a week to decide). Truth is, I've become plumb tuckered out & discouraged from fighting the system. Let me explain a little....

As an ex-JET, I simply can't help but compare the GIGANTIC gap between JET & EPIK. Hell, those w/o that experience are POed at EPIK-imagine how I feel. In the last year, I should've gone from beleaguered to triumphant here at Dave's. Consider the change: my opponents, who called me everything but a white man, have been silenced. Major sites like EFL-LAW have come solidly on my side. It's been vindication. But I realize that I'm successful now only in preaching to the choir. I've come across older sites about EPIK that voice complaints that could've been written by me. Initially, that had been encouraging, but as I face the fact that they were written in 1998, 2001, etc., it's become painfully clear that things haven't changed a whit-even become worse.

Here's a hell of a contrast:1987-1990; JET was flooded w/complaints strikingly similar to EPIK now. The Japanese authorities, though, took the bull by the horns & radically reformed the program-to MAKE it a program. Result? By 1992 Jap. embassies were flooded w/applications & it remains fiercely competitive to this day. Today's EPIK? There are many would-be applicants that make a rational choice of choosing HAKWONS(!) over EPIK. In the Japanese comparison, an NS applicant who chose a private school over JET would have to have his head examined.

One final irony I'd like to mention: despite whatever reputation I've acquired as a s*** disturber, I was allowed to renew last year & can this year. An EPIK that I had private correspondence w/last year engaged me in arguments about EPIK management. He thought they were rapidly seeing things "our" way & I said "BS." Well, w/only a month to go in his contract, & thinking everything was peachy, he was unceremoniously dumped w/o explanation or warning by his POE. He was not allowed to renew-someone(?) hadn't taken a liking to him & was too gutless to say why. Needless to say, I had an instant convert to my side....

[adventureman]

..

[Mosley]

If you re-read my post, A-man, I think you'll gather that my "idealism" can pretty well be considered a thing of the past.

The only time I was "starry-eyed" in the past 25 yrs. was during my JET days-I was dazzled.

[schwa]

[littlegirlfromtheprairies]

i seem to be posting an off-topic post. but the EPIK deadline subject seems to me to make it a bit more relevant.

i am applying for EPIK and i am currently working on jeju-do.

just for the record... i have many friends here on jeju that work for EPIK. even though EPIK still is extremely korean in its way of getting things accomplished (something that would be hard to avoid, given that we are IN korea) it seems to be a great place to work here. compared to hagwans.

i'm a canadian citizen so i was looking at the RCMP website and the process to get a criminal check seems outrageous!!

is there an easier way of getting a criminal check done then having to get fingerprints taken then waiting for 150 days??

last year there was a form to print and send in. i am unable to find this form now on their site.

[schwa]

Also Canadian, I came up with just a local criminal check through my hometown police office & that seemed to satisfy my supervisors. I did it all through email & fax, & it was easy & free. That was a few years ago, but might still be the way to go.

[littlegirlfromtheprairies]

cheerz, thanks for that.
i will try calling the local cops at home.
dunno how that'll work tho with me living in korea. and being a korean resident.
*shrug*
cant hurt to give it a try.