Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shane_ryan]

I found a lot of posts/threads on here that bashed the EPIK program quite badly, but they were 10+ years old.

1. Does EPIK still suck or have they improved?
2. I've never taught English abroad and I'd like to have my first experience be a good one.
3. I recently received an EPIK job application from my Oxford Seminars job placement counselor. Would this be worth filling out or should I pursue something else?

Thanks,
Shane

[kingplaya4]

EPIK is only for the financially desperate. If you can get a job elsewhere, I would not recommend it. You can do a search, and no, in most cases things haven't changed much.

If you want to get into teaching then work in your home country, and after you get three years of experience you could consider working at an international school.

The JET program in Japan might be an alternative if you really can't wait to go overseas, although I would ask on the Japan board to make sure it's still a good program.

[mleean]

I got an application from one of the Oxford Seminar recruiters as well. I haven't filled it out yet because honestly, I've still continued to hear bad things.

Epik mainly focuses on public schools, I hear. Which tend to have better working hours and such for foreigners.

Depending on your situation, I would just do a personal search at first. Other recruiters are out there, though a lot of them are pushy and such, some of them can be very nice and helpful.

Make sure you have all your visa required documents first though, before you start looking. Those are super important.

[shane_ryan]

[quote="kingplaya4"]If you want to get into teaching then work in your home country, and after you get three years of experience you could consider working at an international school.

To be honest I am not completely sure if teaching is a passion of mine as I've never done it before. At this point teaching abroad is just a means to an end; the end being traveling. I'm sure I'm not alone on this and the "real teachers" probably look down upon guys like me. But who knows, maybe I will love it and decide to make a career out of it. Thanks for the information on EPIK though I will definitely do some research and see what other options are out there.

[isitts]

[isitts]

[young_clinton]

EPIK essentially acts like a recruiter, they decide if you should be presented to the public school for hiring. The school you work at agrees to hire you, you are their employee not EPIK's employee. Unless you just have to work at a public school in Seoul or Busan best to avoid EPIK/GEPIK.

[Chaparrastique]