EPIK programme in South Korea

If you were to list the most popular places to teach English abroad, South Korea would rank exceptionally highly. And why not? With its incredible architecture and immensely popular culture, along with reverence and respect for its spiritual past, there are astonishing sights to behold along almost every corner of the nation.

South Korea has been an attractive destination for tourists and TEFL-ers alike for a long, long time. Its culture, in particular, is having a transcendent moment, with K-pop (Korean Pop) dominating the charts in the West. Not only that, South Korean products have become household names from Seoul to Seattle, with companies including Samsung, LG and Hyundai amongst the most established names that Korean industry has to offer.

The demand for English in South Korea is considerably high. As a modern centre for technology and industry, the need to speak English - the language of business - is obvious to the Korean government. That means there are plenty of opportunities for TEFL teachers in Korea, perhaps most notably in cities like Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Daegu, but also off the beaten track in more rural areas. Any foreign teacher aiming to teach abroad will find plenty of opportunities to explore in the country.

Perhaps due to that high demand, the rewards for teaching in South Korea are numerous. Teachers working in South Korea often speak of flight reimbursement, free accommodation, healthcare bonuses, paid holidays and some of the best TEFL wages the world has to offer. Whether working in hagwons or the public school system, South Korea values its ESL teachers very highly.

So, how does one get into this exciting South Korean world of English teaching? One very popular route is the EPIK Programme. So what’s it all about?

What are the requirements for the EPIK programme?

So, what does a prospective EPIK applicant need to be accepted into the programme? Luckily, the entry requirements aren’t too restrictive, meaning there’s a very good chance for any number of applicants!

You’ll need to:

• Be a citizen of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, or South Africa.
• Have at least a BA degree in any discipline from a university located in one of the above countries.
• If English is not your first language you must provide proof that your education was conducted in English from junior high level (7th Grade).
• Have at least a 100-hour TEFL qualification from an accredited provider (this is not required if your degree was education-focused)

EPIK programme - Pros and Cons 

Of course, there are very obvious plus points to the EPIK programme, but is it for everyone? Let’s discuss why the programme might be a great fit, or perhaps just not quite right, depending on your circumstances.

Pros of the EPIK Programme

First and foremost, the opportunity to live and help to conduct English classes in South Korea is not something to be missed. As we’ve covered, it’s a fascinating country, one with an excellent standard of living, great health care, fantastic culture and a great audience for English teaching and enlightening cultural exchanges.

The benefits are considerable. Salaries on the EPIK programme are comparable with full-time teaching wages elsewhere, while accommodation, paid vacation, welcome and severance payments and orientation are all included.

From a teaching perspective, the EPIK programme has a lot to offer. While you won’t necessarily be running the show in Korean classrooms, you’ll get excellent insight into teaching in South Korean public schools, experience performing auxiliary tasks in the classroom, engagement with students and the chance to impart some vital knowledge to eager English learners.

In terms of CV building, the EPIK programme is hard to beat. The requirements, as covered, mean that not everyone can get onto the programme, and applications are thorough. Having experience with EPIK on your Curriculum Vitae will make any future employer cast favourable glances. 

It’s also a chance to engage with public schools and fellow teachers. Networking is a huge part of building a successful teaching career, and if you’re able to impress in South Korea, you could feasibly stay there longer term, as a full-time teacher. 

Cons of the EPIK Programme 

The cons of the EPIK Programme are perhaps harder to identify, but they are there.

Principally, you won’t be working as a teacher outright, but as an ELA. That might not necessarily be the experience you’re after, especially if you’re looking to make a bold first step into a lifetime of teaching.

Secondly, it can be hard to get into, and requires a great deal of admin to apply. If you don’t have a degree, you’ll have no chance of getting in - hardly ideal for the teacher who’s looking to make a career change. A great many TEFL teachers would argue that degrees aren’t a necessity to be an outstanding ESL teacher.

Not only that, you need to have a degree from an English-speaking country, as well as a clean health and criminal record check. These terms, of course, do exclude people who could be equally talented teachers to successful EPIK applicants, if not more so.

While the EPIK Programme does have fantastic benefits, some TEFL teachers might want to forge a different path, even within South Korea. Jobs in hagwons, for example, could pay more and have (slightly) less restrictive criteria.

The EPIK Programme is also extremely limited for non-native English speakers. While non-native speakers can apply, you’ll need to have extensive schooling in English as well as a degree from an English-speaking country. That can restrict plenty of talented non-native English-speakers who have the requisite skills to teach English in South Korea, if not the paperwork.

If you're considering teaching English abroad, make sure to explore the top-rated programs that offer the best teaching opportunities worldwide in The TEFL Org.