Teach in South Korea with EPIK

What is EPIK?

The English Program in Korea (EPIK) is a government-sponsored initiative that places foreign teachers in public schools across South Korea. As an EPIK teacher, you'll have the opportunity to experience Korean culture, develop your teaching skills, and make a meaningful impact on students’ English education. EPIK has added a new option to their program: EPIK Plus, which provides priority processing and higher chances of placement specifically in rural schools throughout the Jeju and Jeollanam provinces. Click here for official EPIK website

Why Choose EPIK?

Competitive Salary – Earn between 2.0 – 2.8 million KRW per month. , depending on qualifications and placement click to see pay scale
Paid Accommodation – Rent-free furnished apartment.
Airfare Reimbursement – Flight allowance to help with travel costs.
Settlement Allowance – 300,000 KRW upon arrival.
Renewal Bonus – Extra pay for contract renewals.
Cultural Immersion – Experience Korea’s rich culture.
Support & Training – One-week orientation.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for EPIK, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Hold a Bachelor’s degree (any field)
Be a native English speaker from America, Britain, Ireland, Austalia, Canada, New Zealand or South Africa (preferred)
Have a clean criminal background check
Obtain a TEFL/TESOL certificate if your degree is not in education
Be in good physical and mental health
Have a strong interest in teaching and cultural exchange

Placement Locations

EPIK places teachers in public schools across South Korea, including:

Seoul
Busan
Daegu
Daejeon, Incheon, Gwangju
Rural Areas & Small Towns
Jeju Island
Jeollanam-do

When to Apply

Spring Intake (February/March)

Applications open: August
Interviews conducted: October - December
Final placements confirmed: December - January

Fall Intake (August/September)

Applications open: February
Interviews conducted: April - June
Final placements confirmed: June - July

Best Time to Apply: Apply early as positions fill on a first-come, first-served basis, especially for popular regions.

EPIK Program Application Process

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Start collecting the required documents to avoid delays later.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

Write your personal statement and ESL lesson plan before submitting your application.

Step 3: Submit Your Application & Interview

Submit your application, schedule an interview, and wait for confirmation.

Step 4: Send Required Documents

Send all required documents to EPIK for processing.

Step 5: Placement & Contract Signing

Confirm your placement and sign your contract.

Step 6: Apply for Your E-2 Visa

Submit the required visa documents for approval.

Step 7: Prepare for Departure

Book your flight, attend orientation, and move into your accommodation.

Gathering Your Documents: A Step-by-Step Roadmap for South Africans

For South African applicants, here are the five essential documents required:

Apostilled PCC (Police Clearance Certificate)
South African Passport
SAQA Verification Letter
Apostilled Bachelor’s Degree
TEFL/TESOL Certificate

Each document requires specific steps to obtain, verify, and authenticate. Below is a detailed breakdown:

Step 1: South African Passport

Your South African passport is essential as your primary travel document. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 12 months before departure. If you do not have a passport, apply for one through the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 2: Apostilled Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

To start, you need to obtain a police clearance certificate from the South African Police Service (SAPS). This certificate is proof that you don’t have a criminal record. Go apply for it at your local police station or at the head office in Pretoria which will be processed much quicker

Step 3: SAQA Verification Letter

South African qualifications must be verified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This process can take up to eight weeks, so start early. The verification letter will confirm that your degree is equivalent to a recognized international qualification.

Process, required documents and cost can be found here

Step 4: Apostille your documents

Your documents must be apostilled to be recognized by EPIK and the South Korean government. This step ensures your documents are verified and legally recognized internationally. To do this you’ll need to take your documents to DIRCO. Once you have your PCC and SAQA verification letter take this to DIRCO for the apostille. Details on where to go, times and process can be found here

Step 5: copy of TEFL/TESOL Certificate or SACE license

Edit info: Having a TEFL/TESOL certificate is crucial if your degree isn’t in education. This certificate demonstrates that you’re qualified to teach English as a foreign language. If your degree is in education your SACE teaching license qualifies you to teach. A copy of your SACE or TEFL (those who don’t have SACE) will need to be sent to EPIK. If you don’t have a TEFL/TESOL You can complete a TEFL/TESOL course online or in person. Click here for some TEFL course options.

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