Teaching English in Korea

EPIK, a division of the Korean Ministry of Education, has chosen ECI (Educational Consortium Institute), a California based educational nonprofit, to help recruit English teachers for their program. The following information is to help you decide if a teaching position in Korea is right for you. If you are people-oriented, outgoing, open to adventure, and love teaching or want to explore a career in teaching, you are the person we are looking for.

BACKGROUND-PURPOSE:

ENGLISH PROGRAM IN KOREA (EPIK)
The English Program in Korea is a division of the Korean Ministry of Education. It was established in 1995 with the mandate to improve the English speaking abilities of the students and teachers in Korea, to develop cultural exchanges, and to reform teaching methodologies in English.

EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIUM INSTITUTE (ECI)
Educational Consortium Institute (ECI) is a California-based, educational nonprofit that was selected by EPIK to help recruit qualified teachers for their program. ECI was the ONLY non-profit organization selected to recruit teachers for EPIK. ECI is dedicated to promoting educational and cultural exchange, and has been recruiting teachers since 1989. ECI will provide support for their recommended teachers from the time they start their contract to the conclusion of their contract.

As a US Department of State approved educational exchange organization, ECI can also provide programs and services to its teachers that no other for-profit organization can provide. ECI extends invitations to your students to attend any of our summer or exchange programs in the United States and can also bring American high school students to your campus. For teachers that want to organize study trips to the US with their students, ECI can provide or assist in providing classroom and dormitory space.

Contact ECI at: teachkorea@eci-ca.org

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER EPIK:
The English Program in Korea (EPIK) is operated by the Korean Ministry of Education and it is the ONLY program they support. We suggest that all applicants visit the US Embassy website (http://seoul.usembassy.gov/esl_positions.html) and view different descriptions of teaching positions in Korea. It can be very insightful in choosing the right teaching position. While all of the positions can have problems and can be rewarding, EPIK does offer advantages that none of the other positions can offer.

• Regular Hours and Vacation Time: All teachers work in public schools so there is no evening or weekend work. EPIK teachers are employed by the Korean government and thus take all national holidays off, in addition to 14 workdays paid vacation time.
• Job Security: As a government employee, your job is secure with EPIK. You will never be released because of “financial” reasons. You will always be paid on time and in full.
• Prestige: EPIK is the only national English teaching program sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education.
• Flexibility in Teaching: Most EPIK participants have autonomy over what they teach and do not have to adhere to rigid rules or pre-designed textbooks. EPIK participants have little administrative work and are not hindered by academic and test objectives.
• Career Advancement: Many EPIK teachers have opportunities to meet with high-ranking Korean educators that are interested in improving instructional methodologies.
• Networking: The 10-day orientation and the ECI internet-tree will provide many opportunities to meet other EPIK participant-teachers to share ideas and perspectives and develop professional networks.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TEACHING POSITIONS:

• Be a citizen of a country where English is the primary language.
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.
• Be mentally and physically healthy.
• Have a good command of the English language.
• Have the ability and willingness to adapt and learn about Korean culture and living.
• Applicants of Korean heritage that live in a country where English is the primary language must have studied from 7th grade level and resided for at least 10 years in the country where English is the primary language.
• Male citizens of the Republic of Korea under the age of 35 must have either completed mandatory military service or have received an official waiver.

TEACHER JOB DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES:

• To conduct English conversation 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 Korean teachers with their English classes and /or jointly conduct English classes.
• To perform other duties as specified by the host POE (Provincial Office of Education).

Benefits....

Settlement Allowance - 300,000 KRW (one-time payment)
All EPIK ELIs, regardless of level, will be provided with a settlement allowance of 300,000 KRW in the first month of their first contract.

Free Furnished Housing Provided - Single studio-type housing
Free furnished housing or a rent subsidy will be provided by the host POE. A leased house/apartment/studio-type room as well as basic household goods will be provided by the host POE. Basic household goods include: a bed, a table and chairs, a wardrobe, a gas stove, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave oven, and a TV set. Utilities are not provided for and are the responsibility of the EPIK ELI. Due to variations in housing costs in different regions of Korea, the size and location of the supplied housing can vary from POE to POE. If housing is unavailable, a monthly rent subsidy of 300,000 KRW will be provided in lieu of free furnished housing.

Severance Pay - Equal to approximately one month's salary
All EPIK ELIs, regardless of level, who successfully complete a one-year contract will be entitled to receive severance pay. Severance pay is equal to approximately one month's salary.

Airfare Reimbursement - One-way to Korea and One-way from Korea
During the 10-day orientation, all EPIK ELIs, regardless of level, will be provided with reimbursement for the cost of direct, one-way, economy-class airfare from their place of permanent residence to Korea. Reimbursement for return travel to their place of permanent residence is provided by way of a lump-sum payment upon successful completion of the contract.

Before the end of the 10-day orientation, the cost of airfare from your place of permanent residence to Korea will be reimbursed by the EPIK office. To be eligible for an airfare reimbursement during orientation, the following items must be submitted: the passenger's copy of your original flight ticket, the original purchase receipt from your travel agent or provider, and your original boarding pass(es).

To prevent early termination of contracts, incoming airfare reimbursement is issued in the form of a loan from the employer to the EPIK ELI.

This loan is in the amount of the actual purchase price of a direct, one-way, economy-class ticket from EPIK ELI's place of permanent residence to Incheon International Airport. Upon successful completion of the contract, the loan is waived. Flight itineraries that include unnecessary stopovers may not be eligible for reimbursement.

In the event that the contract is terminated within six (6) months of its implementation, including renewal contracts, regardless of course or grounds, the EPIK ELI will repay the above-mentioned loan to the EPIK office immediately.

Roundtrip Tickets
For those EPIK ELIs who purchase direct, roundtrip, economy-class tickets, 50% of the actual purchase price will be reimbursed before the end of orientation and the remaining 50% will be reimbursed upon the successful completion of the contract. To be eligible for an airfare reimbursement during orientation, the following items must be submitted: the passenger's copy of your original flight ticket, the original purchase receipt from your travel agent or provider, and your original boarding pass(es).

EPIK ELIs Hired in Korea
For those EPIK ELIs who apply and are hired in Korea, airfare reimbursement is based on the actual purchase price of a direct, one-way, economy-class ticket to Incheon International Airport.

However, for those EPIK ELIs who apply from within Korea but then return to their permanent residence, airfare reimbursement will be based on the actual purchase price of a direct, one-way, economy-class ticket from their permanent residence to Incheon International Airport. Flight itineraries that include unnecessary stopovers may not be eligible for reimbursement.

Upon successful completion of your contract, you may need to travel to a destination other than your place of permanent residence. If this is the case, your host POE may be able to reimburse you for your flight provided that the cost of this flight is equal to or less than the cost of a direct, one-way, economy-class ticket to your place of permanent residence. Arrangements for this reimbursement must be made in advance between you and your host POE.

For renewing ELIs, roundtrip airfare to their place of permanent residence will be provided upon successful completion and renewal of your contract. If you need to travel to a destination other than your place of permanent residence, your host POE may be able to reimburse you for your flight provided that the cost of this flight is equal to or less than the cost of a direct, one-way, economy-class ticket to your place of permanent residence. Arrangements for this reimbursement must be made in advance between Employee and Employer.

Tax Exemption - 2 years of income tax exemption (except Canadians)
With the exception of Canadians, all EPIK ELIs, regardless of ELI level, are exempt from paying Korean income tax for the first two years of their employment in Korea.

To be eligible for this tax exemption, you must submit official proof of residency in the form of Residency Certification from the relevant jurisdictional tax office of your country of permanent residence. This document must be submitted to the supervisor of your POE within one month of your arrival in Korea.

If you have previously worked for more than two years in Korea, you are ineligible for this income tax exemption.

Income tax exemption can be an exceptional benefit since, for example, in the USA, single persons with no dependents may need to pay one-third of their income as tax.

As there is no tax treaty between Canada and Korea, Canadian EPIK ELIs will be taxed between 2 and 4 percent on their Korean income depending on their EPIK ELI level.

Compulsory Medical Insurance - 50% of your premiums paid by your employer
Pursuant to the National Medical Insurance Act, 50% of your medical insurance premiums will be paid by your host POE.

Current medical insurance premiums total approximately 4.31% of your salary and are payable monthly. Half of this amount, about 2.1%, will be paid by your host POE, with the remaining amount being deducted from your monthly salary. This medical insurance will allow you to receive medical attention and prescription medicines at a fraction of their original cost.

In the event that EPIK ELIs have dependents living with them in Korea, their host POE will continue to pay 50% of their medical insurance premiums for both the ELI and his/her dependents.

National Pension Scheme - 50% of your compulsory contributions paid by your employer

(1) National Pension Scheme
Pursuant to the Korean National Pension Corporation Act, 50% of your compulsory pension contributions will be paid by your host POE. Current compulsory pension contributions total approximately 9% of your salary and are payable monthly. Half of this amount, about 4.5%, will be paid by your host POE, with the remaining amount being deducted from your monthly salary.

(2) National Pension Scheme Refunds
At present, only EPIK ELIs holding American or Canadian citizenship are eligible for a lump-sum pension refund upon successfully completing their contract and departing Korea. Information and documentation to apply for this refund can be found on the Korean National Pension Service website.

EPIK ELIs from countries other than the USA and Canada are only entitled to receive pension benefits in the case of retirement or tragedy. More information about pension benefits and refunds can be found on the Korean National Pension Service website.

10-Day EPIK Orientation - An excellent transition and networking opportunity.
All EPIK ELIs, regardless of level, will receive orientation and training related to living and teaching in Korea by way of a 10-day orientation program. During this orientation, EPIK ELIs will be exposed to various subject areas and activities.

The 10-day orientation is conducted by the Center for In-Service Education at the Korea National University of Education prior to your contract start date.

The orientation period is not included in the term of employment and as such is unpaid.

Orientation is mandatory for all EPIK ELIs. If you are not present at orientation, you will not be eligible for employment.

Transportation from Incheon International Airport to the orientation site at Korea National University of Education will be provided free of charge.

Upon the successful completion of orientation, transportation from the orientation site at Korea National University of Education to each EPIK ELI's respective POE will be provided free of charge.

SAMPLE CONTRACT: Can be found at EPIK website: (http://epik.knue.ac.kr/file/2007_EPIK_Contract_Form_Letter_size_.pdf)

 

Mail resume and cover to:

Educational Consortium Institute
PO Box 2434
Aptos, CA 95001 USA

Or send file to: teachkorea@eci-ca.org
See our website at: www.eci-ca.org