FAQ

Your criminal background check is only valid for 6 months from its issuance date and must be still valid when you submit your documents to Korean immigration.  Therefore, if you are applying for a September 1^st start date, we recommend having your criminal record check in your hands by no earlier than April.  If you are applying for a March 1^st start, we recommend having your criminal record check in your hands by no earlier than in September

Yes. Applicants are allowed to apply as couples, and there are possibilities they can get placed in the same institution or apartment. When you apply along with your friends, it is possible for the employer to post you to the same city, but the separate institution and residential areas. Although we can’t give a total guarantee, your case will be treated with the utmost priority.

You will receive your first paycheck in Korea for about one month after arriving, so you should bring enough money to spend on your first month. About 1 Million Won (approximately $900) should be enough for one month.

- South Korea has four distinct seasons. Spring is warm and pleasant while summer is short, humid and hot. Autumn is cool, dry and pleasant while winter is long, dry and cold. Seoul's average temperature in January is -5 degrees Celsius to - 2.5° Celsius (23°- 27,5° Fahrenheit) and in July the average temperature is about 22.5° C to 25° C (71°- 75° Fahrenheit).

There are multiple ways to transfer money back to your home country. Wire transferring is the safest and quickest way to send money home. You will need your passport and Alien Registration Card (ARC), your home bank’s SWIFT code, your home bank account number, your home bank address, and your Korean address and phone number. The bank teller will assist you with the process. Because the sending bank and receiving bank may both charge transferring fees, it is best to send more substantial sums of money at a time.   You can also set up a direct transfer account with banks that offer Overseas Remittance Services. The money you put into this account will be directly wired to your home account. There are also fees for using this service.   Lastly, Citibank offers free wire-transfers to US Citibank accounts. If you have a Citibank Account at home, this may be a choice worth looking into.

Visitors to Korea often buy cute character socks, traditional Korean objects such as handheld fans, cosmetics, clothes, Korean snacks, and drinks.  

No, you do not need to be able to speak Korean for work. However, it is preferable for you to be familiar with everyday life Korean phrases such as 'Hello' or 'how much is it'. By living in Korea, you will pick up some survival Korean, but it is always better to be ready.

Utilities include gas and water, electricity, maintenance, and internet/cable TV. Monthly expenses will vary depending on the size and location of your apartment. If you have a studio apartment you can expect to pay between approximately $150. The bill may vary according to your usage amount.

No, you do not need to be able to speak Korean for work. However, it is preferable for you to be familiar with everyday life Korean phrases such as 'Hello' or 'how much is it'. By living in Korea, you will pick up some survival Korean, but it is always better to be ready.

For emergencies, you can call the police by dialing 112 or the fire department at 119. For medical emergencies, you can call 1339, who will help connect you with the nearest hospital. Many hospitals in Korea are staffed with medical professionals who are fluent in English.   For non-life-threatening emergencies such as transportation inquiries or interpretation services, call the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline, operated by the Korea Tourism Organization. This one-stop helpline is available as a public service for both local and international travelers.

It will have all the basics, including a bed, dresser, fridge, table, chairs, tv, microwave, etc. You’ll likely want to add some decorations once you get settled to ‘make it your own’.

Of course, virtually all teaching placements in China or Korea require applicants to have a TEFL/CELTA certificate (a minimum of 120 hours). You can also apply for the placement while your program is ongoing or close to completion.

Yes, overtime work will be paid. However, the payment will be different depending on the schools.

Smart casual is the usual dress code at most schools. For men, collar t-shirt or button shirts, and khaki pants are usually worn. For women, miniskirts that are too short, or shirts that show cleavage is not preferred. Beach-wear, sandals, blue jeans are usually not allowed as well. Having tattoos and piercings is not preferred, but many aspects of the dress code would depend on the school style.  

Yes, enrolling in a TEFL or CELTA course is beneficial for those looking to teach English in Korea. Public schools in South Korea, especially for teaching jobs in Seoul, require at least a 100-hour teaching certificate. While private English academies don't require a certificate, they prefer candidates who have one. These certifications enhance your skills and increase your job prospects, making you a more competitive candidate.

Yes, it’s very easy and inexpensive to travel around Korea.  Trains, buses, and taxis are very affordable and run at all hours.  There is plenty to see and weekend getaways to anywhere in the country are possible as Korea is not very large geographically.

For public schools, the biggest recruiting season is during late-February and late-August before the beginning of the new semester. - For private schools, there is no specific recruiting season. Private schools seek teachers all year round.

To begin the EPIK application process, applicants need to submit a completed application, and 2 scanned letters of recommendation to us at epik@seoulesl.com.   More info.

The EPIK does not have a set application deadline for any given term. Depending on the number of positions and the number of applications received, the closing date can vary from term to term. That being said, the application process can be quite lengthy, and those who apply sooner have a definite advantage over those who apply late.

If you want to change locations within your provincial or metropolitan office of education, you should speak with your MOE/POE supervisor as they will handle all internal transfers. If you want to change offices of education entirely (going from Ulsan to Seoul for example), you will need to reapply directly to EPIK, but the process will be more streamlined.

As all terms are independent of each other, you would have to reapply to the program for the following term should you withdraw from the current term and wish to apply for the next term. Please note that withdrawal after final placement would result in the inability to apply for the following two terms.

Applying early and having your documents ready and advance can assist in this situation. While the EPIK cannot guarantee that you will be placed near one another, the likelihood of both of you being placed in the same office of education is better if you apply and submit final documents early. Placements within a specific office of education are handled by the Office of Education and they will make the final determination but will take an applicants' situation into consideration.

As SOME are part of EPIK, if you are interested in applying SOME you will have to apply to EPIK.  You can apply to EPIK, GEPIK, GOE at the same time however each program will require you to submit a set of documents when securing a position.

Teachers will apply for the standard E-2 visa after final placement with the program. Ethnic Koreans are eligible for either an F-4 visa which can be obtained without documentation from EPIK or for an E-2 visa which requires EPIK provided visa documentation following placement. Applicants with Korean spouses are also eligible for an F-6 visa.

You cannot apply for the visa until after we send you the necessary documents for the visa application. Typically, these are sent to you in January (Spring term) or July (Fall term). Those applying for an F4 or F6 visa may apply at any time as long as the period of their visa will be valid for the duration of their EPIK contract.

For those without a degree in education, a valid teacher's license/certificate, or a year of TaLK experience, a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/etc. certification of at least 100 or more hours would be required to qualify as level 2.Applicants may apply for the program before they have completed any of the above requirements but must meet one of these requirements and submit proof of such no later than 1.5 months prior to the contract start date.