Pros & Cons Of Teaching English In South Korea | EPIK Spring 2022

Hey Gorgeous Girlies🌻
So I moved to South Korea over a month ago and have been teaching English in Daegu at two elementary schools ever since. I absolutely love it! However with everything good in life, there are also things to consider that are not so great! This video is an honest review of my experience with the English Programme In Korea (EPIK). I hope you enjoyed it and gained some insight!
1:29 - Pros of EPIK
7:21 - Cons of EPIK
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to drop a message below in the comments, drop me a message on Instagram, or send me an email!
Instagram: @itsalexmark
Email: [e-mail]
Donate A Coffee: ko-fi.com/itsalexmark
If you're applying for EPIK in the future - GOOD LUCK!
Also, I hope you have a fantastic day!

[@LettyMapstheWorld]

When you said “I teach 22 lessons a day.” You left me shook!😂🤣 Another great and informative video.

[@itsalexmark]

Haha! I was shook when I said it too! Have a great day my lovely :)

[@liampadayachee4858]

NEED MORE POSITIVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THE WORLD!

[@itsalexmark]

Haha! Thanks!

[@ravendumas2250]

I love how you said that it is perfect for first time teachers and first time people living abroad. It gave me peace of mind. I’m currently in the process of applying and I’m meeting my recruiter tonight to help me get started. Congratulations to you and I hope to be there soon!! You have a great vibe👏🏽

[@itsalexmark]

Ahh amazing! Best of luck with the whole process - I'm sure you'll ace it! You'll be in Korea in absolutely no time :)

[@al20031]

Congratulations, Alex. Thank you for this informative video and I wish you the very best of luck with your new adventure

[@itsalexmark]

Thank you!

[@nompilosibiya8373]

I will definitely hit you up about the application process😅🥰 thank you for availing yourself

[@itsalexmark]

No problem! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@brent_skywalker]

I'm not even joking... U have the cutest eyes EVERRR!🥺😍 😂✨🫧 and also...thank u for the info!😇

[@itsalexmark]

Haha! Thank you so much😀

[@CarlosMiau]

Gracias for this video amigo 😻

[@itsalexmark]

Glad you enjoyed it!😀

[@charlieoneill5086]

I completely agree with all your points :) I came to Korea the same time as you and actually with the whole visa situations- my visa was approved the morning of my original flight day!!! Luckily I lived in London so was able to go pick up the visa in person quickly and then move my flight to the next day but I know a few people who for them it didn't come in time and they had to come almost a week later than everyone else (we were national school placements) I spoke to EPIK about the visa situation for English EPIK candidates as it was national school placement people who were affected by this situation (something to do with a different signature on our contracts to whom they were expecting) and they said it has been resolved and it wont happen again! Good luck to any future applicants- TRUST ME ITS WORTH IT!!

[@itsalexmark]

Wow! The visa process is so stressful, right!? I hope you're loving Korea just as much as me :) I always say - if you can get through the whole visa process then honestly EPIK is so easy! I hope you have a great day :)

[@kacey1174]

Love this video and your positive outlook in life! Excited to watch your other ones and journey to come :) Not sure if you’re planning to make an application tip video but was wondering how far in advance you started working with your recruiter to get your application in the day it opened and who you went to for letters of recommendation?

[@itsalexmark]

Hey Kacey! Thank you so much for being so kind - I'm glad you're loving the videos! So I started working with my recruiter just before applications opened (applications open 6 month in advance - so for Spring intake they open in August, to leave the following February, for Fall intake they open in February to leave the following August.) So I started working with my recruiter July 2021 for Spring 2022 intake. And for letter of recommendations I got one from my lecturer at University, and one from the director when I worked at an American Summer Camp in 2019. Any professional reference will do, however the more specific to working with children (if possible) the better. Wishing you the best of luck with the application process and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask! Watch this space for a potential application tips video :)

[@kacey1174]

@@itsalexmark thank you so much for the detailed answers! And thank you! Definitely here for your videos to come :)

[@americantonese91]

Hi! Thanks for the video! I am planning to apply to EPIK for next year 2023 and I really want to be in Seoul, but you mentioned that we will most likely to be put in the countryside? I guess Seoul would be hard since everybody probably would want to go there, right?

[@itsalexmark]

Hey😀 I hope you’re having a great day! Exciting news that you want to apply for next year! It’s not impossible to be given Seoul, even in your first year, however just bare in mind even if you are given ‘Seoul’ it may very much be on the very outskirts, in the countryside, and take you a long time to actually get in to the centre. Best of luck with everything and if you have anymore questions just let me know☺️

[@megstandeven9572]

This was such a great vid! Apologies if someone has already asked this question but how did you find your recruiter in the UK? I'm hoping to apply at some point in the next year and feel like a recruiter will be best but don't know where to look! Thanks :)

[@itsalexmark]

Hey Meg! Thank you so much for the lovely message! You're so sweet! So in terms of recruiters, I went with a company called "Korean Horizons" however unfortunately, it was the last intake they were working with EPIK applicants. There are other companies that are very similar also - such as Korvia - which you can apply online. All recruiters are free (so please don't get paying anyone any money!!) but yes, have a look and see which recruiter works best for you. However, most people I know applied through Korvia and said they were very helpful :) Good Luck!!

[@floren879]

Great vid

[@itsalexmark]

Thank you so much!

[@nompilosibiya8373]

I didn't know about the holiday thing🥺🥺my gosh from 26 to 11🙆🙆

[@itsalexmark]

Yes! Make sure you do your research before you come as nothing is 100% confirmed as of yet.

[@alexmill2979]

Hey Alex, thanks for the videos, it's so interesting seeing your journey so far in Korea! I just had a question about the change to the holiday allowance - WOW that's a big change 😖 Where did you hear about the drop from 26 days to 11 days? I'm currently applying for the Fall 2022 intake but can't find anything online that says it - even on the EPIK website it still says 26 days but I'm wondering if they just haven't updated it yet and are keeping it secret 😂 Thanks so much in advance!

[@itsalexmark]

Hey Alex! Thank you so much for the lovely comment😁 I’m glad you’re enjoying them! So the reduction in holidays hours🥺 So I got this news from my recruiter, with the rule being implemented from May 1st 2022. It doesn’t affect people coming in late Spring 2022 intake OR people that are renewing their contracts. It’s just a new rule that is coming in for either 1.) 1st Year applicants OR 2.) If someone who is already doing EPIK wants to renew but with a different school/location. I can private message you some more information on Instagram if you wanted (@itsalexmark) as I’ve struggled to find any information online myself however maybe my recruiter has some sort of inside scoop(?!) Regardless - best of luck with your application and hopefully you’ll make it to Korea in the near furutre😁

[@alexmill2979]

@@itsalexmark thanks Alex, that’s all super helpful! Ahhhh I see, I suspected it might be a recruiter with some inside goss! I might ask at the end of the interview (if I get one 😂😂) and see what they say, thanks again and looking forward to more videos! 😊

[@MsCruzan]

Thanks for the infomative video. I've heard from some folks there that EPIK was decreasing the vacation time and that just makes it a no for me. I wanted to be able to travel around and see the country and 11 days won't allow me to do that. I can't believe someone thought this was a good idea. I'm so bummed out about this.

[@itsalexmark]

@@MsCruzan Hey! It is a real bummer for sure!! Even with the current 26 days, it’s still a lot less than native Korean teachers, so you are working a lot unfortunately. However, this being said, it just makes you appreciate the weekend even more. I’ve tried to travel as much as I can during the weekends and with the great public transport it’s been relatively easy. If you have any more questions or help with anything - let me know❤️🌻

[@LiamLewisofficial]

Thanks for the info, Ive been in china for four years teaching and would love to try south Korea. Is there any other ways of becoming a teacher besides EPIK? I want to explore all options 😀

[@itsalexmark]

Hey Liam! It's so cool that you've been in China for 4 years! In terms of other options, the only way to teach in a public school is through EPIK however if you wanted to go privately (places called Hagwon's) then they are available also. I'd recommend looking on Facebook job pages to find the best jobs that suit you. Either that or simply word of mouth is the best way. Best of luck in the future and hopefully you end up in South Korea soon!

[@LiamLewisofficial]

@@itsalexmark thank you ❤️

[@itsd._.d]

Hey Alex! I'm hoping to apply for the Spring 2023 intake. I was wondering what you would recommend I have ready or already started by the time I apply (besides the obvious like letters of recommendation, photos, etc)? I've heard of people already starting on getting their fingerprints and apostilled/notarized documents by the time the applications open. Also great video! Happy to hear you're enjoying your life abroad :)

[@itsalexmark]

Hello my lovely😁 I’m so glad you enjoyed the video! So a couple of things I got together before my application was my apostilled degree certificates and also you need two sealed transcripts from your university too. Sometimes they can be difficult to get hold of so you could always make a start on getting those too! Also - for you application - you’ll be asked to provide a full length lesson plan. Maybe have some ideas of a lesson you’d want to put together. I’d also recommend targeting your lesson plan to the age you most prefer to teach (elementary/middle/high school) as they factor this in when placing you in your schools😊 Best of luck with applying and if you have anymore questions just let me know😁 Maybe I’ll even see you next year😀😀

[@itsd._.d]

@@itsalexmark thank you so much for the in depth answer! And yes, maybe I'll see you next year✨

[@rzcrzc1449]

About the holidays... did you still have the option of going on summer holiday? Or were you forced to do the desk warming? Very informative video!

[@itsalexmark]

Hey! I'm glad you enjoyed the video - thank you for watching! So you get 13 days holiday in the summer vacation, however the students are off school for one month. Unfortunately, because of your contract, the rest of the time outside of these 13 days must be at your desk. It's so frustrating and makes no sense. It would be great to simply not go to school despite getting no holiday pay but unfortunately you can't. Any more questions just let me know :)

[@rzcrzc1449]

@@itsalexmark Thanks for the response! So do you get paid for the other 13 days that you aren't on holiday? That just seems wrong - going in to work but you're not getting paid. Are you allowed to read/ watch videos? Or do you have to pretend that you're busy? Lastly, what about winter vacation? Surely more time off? Sorry for all the questions, but the holiday situation is really making me rethink!

[@rzcrzc1449]

@@itsalexmark Oh, I'm guessing winter time is the end of your contract?

[@itsalexmark]

@@rzcrzc1449 So currently I get 13 days paid holiday in summer vacation, and 13 days paid holiday in the winter vacation. The rest of the time I'll be at my desk, keeping myself busy. In the summer when I'm at my desk it would be a good time to catch up on lesson planing and stuff for the following semester, however in the winter, especially if you are only doing one year, it may seem pointless to do anything work based. This being said however - sorry to put a dampener on things - but I'm certain the holiday allowance has gone down for new EPIK applicants to 13 paid holidays over the whole year. Please double check this as I don't want to give out any false information - but yeah, it can be tough!

[@itsalexmark]

@@rzcrzc1449 So if you apply for "Spring Intake" your contract ends at the end of February, and if you apply for "Fall Intake" your contract ends at the end of August. Regardless of what intake you come in, each contract is for a year.

[@davidgoodliff4486]

You seem a cheerful chappie! Tell me, which mobile phone do you use? Did you just take the one you had in England or buy a local mobile?

[@itsalexmark]

Thanks David! So in terms of sim cards, I'd highly recommend getting a pre-paid sim before you come to Korea. I personally went with Trazy and they deliver it to your address before flying out. You can get different plans that suit your budget/preferences but I personally got the 1 month one, as after you get your ARC card and bank account set up, you can get a Korean contract. Let me know if you need any more advice!

[@MyLifeThai371]

Who did you get your TEFL through? Did you do the 120 hr or 168 hr certificate? Did you do the 100% online, or did you do face to face certification, before you got your TEFL certificate.

[@itsalexmark]

Hey! So I got my TEFL course through "tefluk" which are specific to UK residents, however similar courses are elsewhere for international people too. All of mine was 100% online due to the pandemic, and in-person hours aren't actually needed to teach in Korea. Some might say it's an advantage, but in all honesty, I didn't find that to be the case. As long as you take a course that's more than 120 hours you will be more than fine! Have a great day!

[@january_faerie]

Hi Alex! Just discovered your videos - they are SO helpful. It’s been super fun to learn about your EPIK journey 🇰🇷 I’m working a job that I love at the moment but the contract finishes in May 2025, so I’m hoping to apply for the Fall 2025 intake. When would you recommend starting the whole application process?

[@itsalexmark]

Hey😁 Wow! That’s super cool that you found my videos helpful and so exciting that you’re planning on moving to Korea☺️ So applications usually open 6 months before - so applications for Fall 2025 would open around February/March time of the same year☺️ I hope that helps!

[@january_faerie]

@@itsalexmark This is great, thank you so much! Your content is great and as a fellow Manchester girly, I appreciate all the references 🥰 In terms of getting documentation legalised/apostilled, do you think it would be too early to make a start on this now? And even references?

[@itsalexmark]

@@january_faerie Ahhh a Manchester girlie too! So it's never too early to get your documents apostiled, however, I would personally wait to send all your documents at the same time to save on costs. With your criminal record/DBS check this needs to be valid within 6 months of starting your jobs - so I would apply for the DBS, once that's received and you have all your references/other documents pre-prepared, then it's usually good to go. The whole apostiling process usually takes up to 1 week to complete so don't stress too much! Best of luck!

[@january_faerie]

@@itsalexmark Thank you so much, you’ve been such a star!! So lovely to see you having all these amazing experiences around the world and living your best life 🫶

[@samuelakuneme7139]

Hello Alex so I just completed my TEFL but I am finding it difficult to apply to one of this school in Asia hopefully you can assist me with jobs link in south Korea.. I would appreciate this.. loved this content hope to see more 👍

[@itsalexmark]

Hey Sam! Great news on completing your TEFL course - that's a big step all done! In terms of finding jobs, especially in South Korea, and in particular through EPIK, I would definitely recommend going through a recruiter. I personally went through "Korean Horizons" however unfortunately it was the last year they were operating with EPIK so I'd recommend going through "Korvia". Recruiters are completely free too. If you wanted to explore the Hagwon (private school) route then your best option is simply Facebook groups! Try giving them a search and you can specify what location you want too and hopefully that will help! Best of luck and hopefully you'll get over here in the near future!

[@madasinwat2]

Come to Vietnam, plenty of work available

[@toyamaria2786]

I've only just found your channel because I'm starting of thinking this journey.... But for September 2023 intake 😂 is this wholly unrealistic in terms of paperwork visas finding recruiters and is location first come first served? Given that I'm pretty late I'm terrified I'll be stuck with the short straw and maybe I should postpone for Feb 2024...😅Any opinions welcome I'm STRESSED

[@andiswamokoena9380]

Hi Alex. I just passed my interview. My coordinator asked me to revise my lesson plan and I’m really struggling. Can you help edit it for me🙏🏾

[@itsalexmark]

Amazing news that you just passed your interview! What parts of the lesson plan did they ask you to revise? There's some amazing examples already online that you can get ideas from too :)

[@nompilosibiya8373]

Congratulations boo 💕😘

[@sallywong780]

Hi Alex, Do successful English teachers in Korea usually have an outgoing personality? It seems like it would be difficult to connect with primary and middle school students if you are shy.

[@itsalexmark]

Hey Sally! I think as long as your confident in your ability - then you should be absolutely fine. No mater if you have a quiet personality or an outgoing on, I think middle schoolers are more difficult to engage over that of elementary schools. But you've got this! Best of luck!

[@sallywong780]

@@itsalexmark Thanks!

[@leprincessuu]

How far in advance before leaving did you apply for your visa?

[@itsalexmark]

So I applied for my visa about a month before I flew! It is all dependent on when you get your contract however your visa will be sure ready in time before you come to Korea!

[@j4yc8]

Hi, Do you have to pay taxes as part of your employment?

[@itsalexmark]

Hey🤗 So in terms of taxes, you do have to pay them however you claim them back/get relief at the end of your contract. You also pay some slight additional costs too - such as school lunches and into a “teachers fund” for meals out/snacks (although these are optional)😊

[@j4yc8]

@@itsalexmark Thank you. Hope everything goes well for you.

[@candle55]

Did you ask to get placed in elementary? Or did you get lucky?

[@itsalexmark]

So I got lucky! I put elementary as my preference, and did my lesson plan for an elementary school, however the whole process is very much who suits what place best. I’m sure if you manifest elementary - you’ll get it❤️

[@darrelljohnston562]

Do they employ older teachers?

[@itsalexmark]

Yes they do! There's no age barrier towards teachers :)

[@darrelljohnston562]

@@itsalexmark that's good, I'm also tempted to try an English village, seems to have less cons than hagwons and publics

[@itsalexmark]

@@darrelljohnston562 yes! Just make sure you do you research and choose what's right for you. I'm sure you'll be over here in no time :)

[@ayszhang]

Your glasses make your eyes look HUGE 😂

[@itsalexmark]

not THIS your girlie is BLIND hahahahaha

[@noxolosikakane8257]

11 days?? 😭😭😭nooo💔

[@itsalexmark]

I know right😣 Definitely do some research about this before you leave though the rules are forever changing!

[@potelbat]

Do I need experience as a teacher?

[@itsalexmark]

Hey Charlie! So you need at least a TEFL certificate and a bachelors degree (in any subject). You don't need any explicit experience as a teacher :) Best of luck!