The English Program in Korea (EPIK) was established in 1995 and operates under Korea's Ministry of Education through the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). It recruits native English speakers to work as co-teachers alongside Korean teachers in public elementary, middle, and high schools across the country. Teachers are placed by metropolitan and provincial offices of education, sign a one-year contract, and complete a mandatory orientation before starting. The program aims to raise the English ability of Korean students and teachers and to build cultural exchange between Korea and abroad. Recruitment runs twice a year, for the Spring and Fall terms.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly salary set by each Office of Education, roughly 2.1M-2.8M KRW depending on pay level; offices currently hire only at Level 2 or above (Level 2 is typically 2.2M-2.4M KRW).
- Provided single furnished accommodation (leased by the office of education) or, in some regions, a housing stipend; utilities and maintenance are the teacher's responsibility.
- One-time settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW in the first contract.
- Entrance allowance of 1,800,000 KRW (1,300,000 KRW in Chungbuk) and a contract-completion bonus of 1,300,000 KRW; renewal bonus of 700,000 KRW on each renewed contract.
- Severance of about one month's salary on completing the contract; enrolment in the National Pension and National Health Insurance, with the employer paying about 50% of health-insurance premiums.
- 26 paid vacation days plus Korean national holidays and 11 paid sick days; free lodging and meals during the mandatory orientation.
Eligibility
- Citizen of a designated country: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, or South Africa. Indian citizens are eligible under the CEPA agreement if they hold a valid teaching certificate in English education (a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate does not satisfy this requirement).
- Schooled in English from at least the 7th grade through university in a designated country; applicants from mixed-language regions must provide proof.
- Hold at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a designated country.
- Applicants without an education-related degree or teaching license must obtain a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate of 100+ hours, which may be finalized up to 6 weeks before arrival in Korea.
- A good command of English, good mental and physical health, and willingness to adapt to Korean life.
- Must obtain an E-2 teaching visa before arrival (holders of an F-4, F-6, or Korean passport are exempt).
Can you apply?
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Eligible nationalities
Australia · Canada · Ireland · New Zealand · UK · USA · South Africa · India
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Education required
Bachelor · Master · PhD
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Submit an application to EPIK directly or through an affiliated recruitment agency (Fall term: February-July; Spring term: August-January).
- 2Pass the initial screening, then complete an online interview with EPIK.
- 3Prepare and submit the required documents for review.
- 4The application is recommended to a metropolitan or provincial Office of Education, which makes the final placement decision.
- 5Receive the visa documents, apply for the E-2 visa at a Korean embassy or consulate, and arrange travel.
- 6Attend the mandatory EPIK orientation and begin the contract (late August for the Fall term, late February for the Spring term).
Program timeline
Fall term application window
February-July
Spring term application window
August-January
online interviews and document review
April-July / October-January
Fall term orientation and contract start
Late August
Spring term orientation and contract start
Late February