English Program in Korea (EPIK)

I's picture
Submitted by I on

The English Program in Korea (aka the EPIK Program, EPIK, or EPIK Korea) is a Korean Ministry of Education sponsored program that places native speakers of English in public schools throughout Korea to (theoretically) teach English alongside Korean English teachers.

Established in 1995 under the name KORETTA, EPIK was created to improve the English speaking ability of students and teachers in Korea, to foster international exchanges, and to reform teaching methodologies employed in Korean schools.

Basic requirements for the program include being a citizen of one of the six English speaking countries designated by the program and holding at least a Bachelor's degree. Click here for more info on EPIK requirements.
Salaries range from 1.8 million - 2.9 million won depending on qualifications, which province you teach in, and how long you have been with the program.

Be sure to check out our EPIK Forum to hear what EPIKers say about the program.

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Comments

Teach Korea's picture

While it's definitely true

Submitted by Teach Korea (not verified) on

While it's definitely true that many people from the Philippines speak fluent English, that is unfortunately not the perception in Korea. Most Korean schools and private academies will only hire teachers who were born and raised in one of the "Big 6" English-speaking countries:

Australia
USA
Canada
UK
New Zealand
South Africa

Anony mous's picture

Well......I see another blinded by small money.

Submitted by Anony mous (not verified) on

MANY people from the Philippines speak fluent english??? English is the main language spoken in the Philippines. Tagalog is second. Koreans do not want them to teach as they view them as barely second class, and not suitable to teach them. They speak english with an American accent, which is what is desired in Korea. Unfortunately, their racist views hold them back once again.
MANY people from the Philippines speak fluent english??? English is the main language spoken in the Philippines. Tagalog is second. Koreans do not want them to teach as they view them as barely second class, and not suitable to teach them. They speak english with an American accent, which is what is desired in Korea. Unfortunately, their racist views hold them back once again.
Lived in Korea for 20+ years, and taught english there, I know.

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