Korean Job Discussion Forums

Toolman · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Location: USA

I'm coming to Korea to find a job in Jan. and have been trying to research all the information in advance. Nothing much showed up on the search about Epic and Gepic. Are these Public School jobs? I went to their web site and they don't sound too bad. Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance for you advise, Don

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

But you can also get a Public School job without going through Epic or Gepic. The office of Education in my area used a recruiter directly.
You don't have that buffer between you and the Office of Education but maybe you won't need one. I don't. Very Happy

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

From overseas it's much easier to go through EPIK, GIPEK or SMOE. All three are a real crap shoot. It's much easier to find a good public school job by accepting a job at a school you can actually visit and see for yourself. However, you sort of have to be in Korea to do that.

Toolman · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Location: USA

My son and daughter-in-law teach in the Osan area, so I plan to come over and stay with them and look for a job. They are not much help because they work for U.S. Government schools and are not that experienced with Korean systems.

OK, when I get in country,, how do I locate open jobs?

From what I've read on this forum, I think I would prefer to work in a public school system. Do I still need to go through EPIK, considering that I'm a newbie?

By the way,,, this is a great web site and all you experienced people who take the time to offer advise deserve a thank you. Thanks

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Toolman · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Location: USA

Should I start applying before I get to Korea or wait until I'm in country?

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Toolman · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Location: USA

I have a BSE in Elem Ed w/ 6 years teaching middle school (5 - 8 ) science. I also have an expired teaching certificate for Elem Ed w/ middle school endorsements in math, science and soc studies. I'm 59 years old.
Old man Smile

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

If you like elementary kids I'd suggest your first choice be a private elementary school - not a private language academy but a real school that's privately owned and run. At age 59 there may be some discrimination against you even in the public school system; however, anyone who hires you will do so because they actually want an experienced, mature educator.

Just so you know, in Korea elementary is the rough equivalent of grades 1-6 in America, middle school grades 7-9, and high school 10-12. There's quite a difference between primary and secondary education in Korea.