Daegu Metropolitan office of Education

English Program In Korea(EPIK) is conducted under the co-sponsorship of the Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development and the Provincial Offices of Education (POE) in cooperation with the EPIK Commission, which has been established to facilitate the program. The EPIK Commission has empowered the EPIK Office in Korea National University of Education to execute and manage the program.

1. PURPOSE OF EPIK

The EPIK is being implemented to improve the English speaking ability of Korea students and teachers, to develop cultural exchanges and to reform teaching methodologies in English as a mandate of globalization of Korea.
In order to carry out this program, Korean government is inviting English Language Instructors (ELIs) form six major English speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, to teach English in the school system, to train Korean English teachers, and to assist provincial officers of education.
It is hoped that through EPIK, new English language education will be able to produce open minded and well rounded Korean individuals capable of advancing Korea in this age of information and globalization. It is also expected that in doing so, we are more likely to promote a cultural exchange and foster strong ties between Koreans and ELIs.

2. ELIGIBILITY

There are three levels of employment for EPIK, and all applicants must have following basic requirements :

- Hold at least a Bachelor's degree.
- Be a citizen of one of the six major English speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. (Applicants form non-English backgrounds - either a citizen or a legal resident of one of the six major English speaking countries.)
- Be mentally and physically healthy.
- Have the  ability and willingness to adapt to Korean culture and living.
- If you are a male citizen of the Republic of Korea under the age of 35, you must have either completed mandatory military service or have received an official waiver.

- First Level ELI

In addition to the basic requirements, 1 st Level ELI must have one of the following:
=> A Teacher's Certificate, for Elementary or Secondary school, with at least two years of full time teaching experience at accredited institutions or a Teacher's Certificate with 100 weeks experience with EPIK.
=> A TESOL/TEFL Certificate comprised of a minimum of 100 course hours with at least two years of full time teaching experience at accredited institutions or a TESOL/TEEL Certificate comprised of a minimum of 100 course hours with EPIL.
=> A Master's degree with at least two years full time teaching experience at accredited institution or a Master's degree with 100 week experience with 100 week experience with EPIK.

- Second Level ELI

IN addition to the basic requirements, a 2 nd Level ELI must have one of the following: 
=> A Teacher's certificate for Elementary or Secondary School.
=> A TESOL/TEFL Certificate comprised of a minimum of 100 course hours.
=> A Master's degree.
=> A Bachelor's degree with at least one year of full time English teaching experience at accredited institutions or a Bachelor's degree with 50 weeks experience with EPIK.

- Third Level ELI

A 3 rd Level ELI must have basic qualifications listed at the beginning of this section.
3. REMUNERTION & BENEFITS

EPIK offers is participants comfortable living conditions.
In addition to monthly salary, many other benefits available for EPIK member are housing, medical insurance, tax exemption, contract The following amounts are effective 09/2002.

A. RCMUNERATION

Salaries will be paid in Korean currency corresponding to the appropriate levels of employment ;
- First Level ELI : 2,1000,000 won per month
- Second Level ELI : 1,900,000 won per month.
- Third Level ELI : 1,700,000 won per month.

B. ACCOMMODATION

A leased house / apartment as well as some basic household goods will be provided by the host POE. Utilities are not included and are responsibilities of an employee shoyld recognize that arrangements may vary among each host insritutions.
A leased house/ apartment to be shared by 2-3 ELIs will be provided.
If housing is unavailable to the employee, a rent subsidy will be provided in lieu of accommodations.

C. TRANAPORTATION

All transportation will be provided for each participant form place of residence to Korea, to the place of the orientation and to each Provincial Office of Education and return ticket back to his or her homeland when the contract has been satisfied. A round trip ticket to homeland will be provided for renewing members.
By the end of the orientation period, airfare from your country to Korea will be provided by EPIK. Airfare will be in a form of a loan, to the employee by the employer to ensure employers form having early termination of contracts.
The  airfare loan will be in the amount of your actual purchasing price of an economy class airfare on the most direct flight available from, the Korean Embassy/Consulate to which employee submitted his/her application, to Incheon. In order to get this loan processed during orientation, you will be required to submit your passenger tioket copy and the receipt of purchase (or invoice) form the vendor (Without both items, your loan can not be processed)
If you satisfy your contract term, this loan will be waived and your return ticket to home country will be provided.
If you purchase a round trip ticket, you will be reimbursed for half of your airfare by the end of the orientation period and the other half will be paid when your contract ends. It is advisable to shop around for the best fare and to purchase your ticket in advance. Please consult with the Korean Embassy/Consulate where you applied for the best possible routing and fare.
  Upon participant's arrival at Incheon International Airport, transportation by shuttle bus to Korea National University of Education, where orientation is held, will be provided.
  After the completion of orientation, transportation for participants to each Provincial Office of Education will be provided. 
 For renewing members, round trip airfare will be provided for a trip to his or her home country between contract periods.

D. TAX EXEMPTION

All participants, except Canadians, will be exempt from paying Korean income tax for the first two years.
  This can be a great benefit since, for example in USA, a person declared single with no dependent might be responsible for a third of one's income as tax.
  Canadian participants will be responsible for approximately 2-4% of their income as Korean income tax depending on the level of employment, since there is no tax treaty between Canada and Korea.

E. VACATION & PAID LEAVES

Total of 14 working days will be provided as official vacation days, to be taken 7 days during each semester with agreement from your employees.
  Employees will be off during all Korean national holidays.

F. OTHER EPIK ATTRACTIONS

-  A settlement allowance of 300,000 Korean won will be provided for the first year.
-  Medical insurance, which is approximately 4% of employee's salary, will be paid for by the employer. Medical insurance will allow you to get medical attention and prescribed medication at a fraction of a cost.
-  Pension fund is a payment implemented by government to protect the employee in case of a tragedy or retirement which are the only cases the money is refunded to the employee. This fund as comprised of 4.5% borne by the employer POE, and another 4.5% payment borne by the employee, deducted from monthly pay.
-  Round trip airfare for visiting their home country (not exceeding tow weeks) will be provided for employees who renew their contract.
*  The above items and lower living expenses in Korea will make savings possible.

4.DUTIES AND PLACEMENT

A. DUTIES
 
 The duties are carried out under the guidance of provincial officers of education. Duties of an EPIK participant are:

-  To conduct English conversational classes for Korean teachers and students.
-  To prepare teaching materials for English language education.
-  To assist in developing teaching materials for English language education.
- To assist with activities related to English language education and other  extracurricular activities. 
-  To assist and/or jointly conduct English classes with a Korean teacher.
-  To perform other duties specified by the host POE.

B. PLACE OF WORK

Participants will work at training centers, any other educational institutions, or a combination of these in one of 16 cities/provinces.
  Applicants can provide preferred POEs on the application form.
Applicants' preferences will be considered but cannot be guaranteed because of quotas to each POEs.
  Applicants applying together will be considered for a placement together.
  The host POEs in which employees are placed will be decided by the EPIK Commission.
  Rejection of placement will result in disqualification from the program.

5. LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT

The employment period shall be about 50 weeks.
  The starting date of the contract will commence on the first Monday after completion of an unpaid two-week orientation conducted by the EPIK Commission. The exact dates of employment period will be written on the contract.
  The foregoing employment period may be renewed by the mutual written agreement between the host POE and the employee, provided that each renewed employment term does not exceed one year.
  Early termination of the contract by the employee will cause inconvenience to the host POEs. All the employees are expected to fulfill the term of the contract.
  Employees shall work eight hours per day, five days per week excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Korean national holidays. Total instructional hours will not exceed 22 hours per week (effective 09/2002).
 
6. ORIENTATION

All successful applicants must attend an unpaid two-week orientation which will be held at the Training Center for In-service Education, Korea National University of Education before they leave for their host POEs.

◆ ORIENTATION PROGRAM

We believe that this orientation will help you adapt to living in Korea and will also ease the transition from western to eastern culture.
  The outline of the orientation program is as follows;
   -  Adapting to Life in Korea
   -  Understanding Korea
   -  English Education in 
   -  Korea Field Trip

7. APPLICATION

A. WHAT TO SUBMIT

All applicants will be required to submit:
 -  A completed application form (including two passport size photos),
 -  Personal essay,
 -  Medical form (Self Evaluation) and an Official Medical Report (must be submitted before interview),
 -  Two recommendation letters,
 -  Diploma & Transcript copies,
 -  A passport copy.
     An application form, a personal essay sheet, and a medical form should be download roaded from the website(http://epik.knue.ac.kr).

In addition, if you qualify for first or second level of employment, you are required to send in teaching certificate copies such as a Teacher's Certificate, or a TESOL/TEFL Certificate comprised of more than 100 course hours, and proof of teaching experience form your former employers.
  If English is not your first language (born in a non English speaking country), then you must provide proof of English education beginning from junior high school level. This can be in the form of a letter from the school or local education office.
  Please refer to Application Form Instructions for detailed information before filling out your application.

B. WHERE TO SEND DOCUMENTS

All your documents must be sent directly to a Korean Embassy/Consulate nearest you and where you can interview (Refer to the Offices to Apply). Applicants staying in Korea can send them directly to the EPIK Office in Korea National University of Education.
  The Korean Embassy/Consulate or the EPIK Office you are applying to is the office where you will interview