Applicants must meet the following basic requirements to be eligible for the EPIK Program:
- Be a citizen of one of the 6 designated English speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America
- Have lived in one of the 6 designated English speaking countries for at least 10 years
- Have studied in one of the six designated English speaking countries from the junior high school level (7th grade)
- Hold at least a Bachelor's degree
- Be mentally and physically healthy
- Possess a good command of the English language
- Have a clean criminal record
- Have desire and ability to adapt to living in Korea
* Male citizens of the Republic of Korea under the age of 35 must have completed mandatory service in the Korean military or have received a waiver.











Basic Requirements
Good Day!
It is true that any applicant coming from a Native English Speaking country are well verse in speaking English. You are accepting any bachelors degree holder. Teaching is some kind of a skill. That only education graduate has the ability to transfer learning I am speaking as a whole. As a teacher for 10 years in public elementary, we have done a lot of in service trainings to improve our teaching strategies and approaches in spite and despite of we are already teacher by profession. Every teachers here in the Philippines are basically required to teach English as a Second Language. Its not easy to face learners baring no experiences in teaching, otherwise this teacher will be wondering away with the subject matter and the effect, learners will go home nothing retained in their mind. So I would suggest, open your door not just for the native English with any bachelors degree holder but also for those who has the ability, knowledge and skills to transfer learning.
Thank you very much
Elvira J. Palec
Requirements for teaching English in Korea
Thank you for your comment.
The EPIK Program is sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education and TeachEnglishInAsia.net is not affiliated with EPIK or any other program.
Please contact the EPIK Office directly regarding questions and concerns about requirements for participation in the program.
Elvira...
It's really hard to drive home a point when the reader is lost on all the errors in your short post. You would have done a better job arguing if you were a better representative. It just kinda justifies their strict requirements don't you think?
GOOD DAY
Rather than your comments perhaps it would be beneficial for you Elvira to learn better gramatical English before lecturing the Korean Authorities on what they should be doing with their doors.
Rather than your comments[']
Rather than your comments['] perhaps it would be beneficial for you[,] Elvira[,] to learn better gramatical[grammatical] English before lecturing the Korean Authorities[authorities] on what they should be doing with their doors.["doors."]
Let thee who has not sinned, cast the first stone! LMAO!
Don't worry
Elvira Palec,
Your English writing is very meek. I would suggest you learn to improve your writing skills so so that the average reader can understand what you are trying to convey my dear. Don't be discouraged there are plenty of people around the world who don't speak English and are required to learn the most important language in the world.
Yours truly,
Jimmy
QUESTION!
The basic requirements to teach English in foreign countries seem reasonable. I'm interested, but I was hoping to go there after I graduate from my private college. I guess I can't since I'll be graduating with an Associates Degree. Does anyone know if they are lenient with that requirement? Or if there are any way around it? My English is considered advanced compared to other native students (and some adults) in America. I know they do admission tests, right? Is there a website that has all that information?
A former employee at the store I work at used to teach Korea after she graduated college. I don't think she has a degree. I remembered her mentioning that she left college to teach. She's Korean though, but she mentioned that it's possible for me to teach since I'm a born citizen. She said my speaking skills are good compared to other teachers there. Maybe it's because she's Korean? I don't know, but can someone PLEASE inform me if there's any way I can with just an Associates Degree?
Thanks,
Felicia.
Teaching in Korea with Associates Degree
Hello Felicia,
The Epik program is pretty strict about having a Bachelor's Degree. However, there is another program for students with at least an associates degree.
The TALK program only requires an associates degree. The pay is a little less, but still pretty good. The main difference between the two programs, is EPIK teaches students during regular schooling hours, and TALK is an after school program. Hope this was helpful. Good luck
on your plans.
William
enquiries
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a professional teacher trained in one of the best Teacher Training colleges in Ghana. i have taught for four years and i would like to apply and teach English Language in your country. My problem is that, I am not a native speaker of the English Language, so I want to enquire whether I can apply or not.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Richard Boakoh
Your letter proves EPIK's position...
Dear Elvira,
I understand your frustration, however, the letter you wrote and posted here proves EPIK's position on the matter to be a wise one. There is no substitute for fluency. The next time you try to present your view in a forum-type setting like this, you really ought to have a native speaker of English proof what you wrote and correct all of the mistakes first!
Best wishes and keep studying!
Jase
EPIK Requirements change
There has been a change in EPIK requirements. In order to advance to higher level salaries, you are now required to have at least a TESL/CELTA certificate or a degree in Education or English and English Literature. I think the Level 3 requirements have remained the same, but it is now much more difficult to advance higher. This of course, is an issue that is still being debated by not only those involved in the EPIK program but also those involved in educational policy.
to Jimy, Elvira, others
Elvira writing mistakes does not contradict her opinions..teaching requires specific preparation and that is absolutely true.
Jimmy…”English the most important language in the world”…it sounds too arrogant and totally subjective opinion, so I think this comment is out of scope. However, I would like my children when learning a language (what implies a foreign culture) have a teacher who teaches values, responsibility, be a better person, respect people no matter color, race, “language”, be tolerant. Regrettably I don’t feel the latter in some responses here.
Learn English is important? I think so, in this hypercompetitive world. But why this world is so hypercompetivitve?, what countries fueled this situation? Should be just one language “considered” important?, this hyper globalization promoted by some countries (or interests?) has made the world better?. Again out of scope, but just I raise this issue.
My opinion: Who must teach English or any language? Whoever has the preparation and the right command of the language. And preparation implies also ethical values and willingness to adapt host country. No nationality is important.
My assumption is learning language is a plus in current education and I would like my children know how to read, write, speak and listen the foreign language he is learning in a adequate way. That’s all. I would impose exaggerate pressure to my children if I want him speak Spanish as “Spanish priest”, or English as “BBC reporter”. That is not necessary neither important. In fact for some languages is extremely convenient to have different accents, dealing with Indian nationals when working abroad make think about this.
Who am I?, I am Peruvian, I learnt English with Peruvian teachers but basically by myself. I got 7 in IELTS and 253 in Toefl, without any native speaker as teacher. For sure I am not bilingual at all, just quite intermediate level but enough to work for in International Organization at Washington D.C., where you can meet thousands of high qualified foreigners most probably top in each country they represent, speaking fluent English featuring the most diverse accents you could imagine; certainly it was not their accent what make them work there.
You tell them!
You tell them!
evision
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