Teaching English in South Korea | A Look into Life as an EPIK Teacher

Ever wonder what's it is like to be an EPIK English Teacher in South Korea? This is various video footage taken through my entire year teaching English with the EPIK program in Shincheorwon at a middle school and high school in the province of Gangwon-do, South Korea. Enjoy!
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[@AnonymousThrowAwayAnon]

Such a beautiful and fun video. I wish I had a teacher like you growing up, you're so creative and patient.

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

Aww that's so sweet of you to say! I had a great time with my students!

[@brielle8383]

It looks like such a wonderful experience. I am impressed with the students, they seem to be very interactive. You must miss it there.

[@NegginandNatasha]

Your lessons look so creative and fun for the students! I absolutely love it. How did you go about planning out your lessons?

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

I tried to pull fun stuff from my college days (flip cup), yoga class, and American tv shows. I often ran into a creative block but having fun is important!

[@FionaKaluLenze]

Did the school provide for the props you used to teach? ex, did you buy the caps, stamp, food (tomatoes, bread) etc?

[@toksupmegu2212]

which class

[@myworldurworldourworld]

That ending was so nice and for some reason inspirational. I really liked the video! I hope you had fun there because from what I understand you already left(?)

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

That was the effect I was going for! Thanks for watching! I had an unforgettable experience there, but yes...I left exactly a year ago :)

[@rockandgraphics]

Yay, it's so cool that you made this "throwback" video. We can finally see your work. How were the students there ? What was the thing that you cherish the most from this time of your life ? The student who sing Flashlight is priceless. Haha.

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

It was definitely one of the most valuable life experiences I have had up to date. I cherish all the people I met during my year in South Korea. They are some of my closet companions now, and I still keep in close contact with them. :)

[@RandomDancer117]

I'm being immature but "shortness of breast" at 8:25 made me giggle

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

I tried not to giggle either and so many students messed that "TH" sound up!

[@lisajoseph9640]

Maggie Warburton she might be asthmatic

[@kirstyhill1493]

Prim Lopez um, i recommend watching the video. it was their mispronunciation :-)

[@lilmizeezee8350]

My cousin is a teacher here too 😊 and visiting her next Friday. From UK and cant wait x hope u having a lovely time

[@user-yo1ru1on7w]

Watching videos like this inspire me. I have always been interested by the culture and inspire to teach english to koreans. However it is much easier learning a language when you dont have a translator in the room. Therefore i have learnt korean and aspire to teach languages at a school in korea.

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. You'll do much better than I did, knowing the language to assist you. Good luck!

[@natali1856]

Your students were so well behaved! I find it difficult to engage middle school students. Like I could never get them to learn a song like that. They would either think it's boring or be too embarrassed to sing along. What's your secret?

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

I had difficulties with some students too. It's unrealistic to get every single student engaged in a class of 30 or more, but once I implemented a reward system (3 stamps=candy/prize), the students definitely work a lot harder and they get excited to be the first to finish their work. It's also important to find out what they like and the things they are interested in to incorporate that into the lesson plans and activities.

[@faithabbygailebejo4932]

Thank you for making this video. It inspires me and gave wisdom so much.

[@jrldpnrs4684]

You remind me of my english teachers back in High School, and they inspired me to become an english teacher. I'm passionate about teaching childrens and I'm so excited and looking forward for the experience although I have a long way to go and will study hard to achieve my dream.

[@blee1997]

This is so much fun. I wish I wanted to do this in my life.

[@cevichexconxpescado]

I love the worksheets in the videos. I made them using the Spanish language.

[@br_itt]

this was so entertaining and informative to watch!! thank you so much, and that's awesome they allowed you to film the students!!

[@mickeys9000]

Thank you so much for posting this! You seriously are a wonderful teacher. I am very envious of your patience! Can you speak about your overall experience teaching in Korea? Like what your social life was like, how much time you got to travel and what you did/ where you went? It looked like your school was on the outskirts of a big city-was it fun? Did you get into the city much? Was that fog in the beginning of the video or smog? Thanks!

[@ImaniChristine]

Awww this is so cute! You are so creative!

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

Thanks Imani! Hope you're still having fun with your students in Spain!

[@bayleesmith5045]

This was such a great video!

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

Thanks for watching :)

[@kpopperprincess]

This was great to watch. It felt raw and nice!

[@mic-keysteacheskeys9956]

your flip cup game had me laughing so hard

[@znoqamza]

This definitely looks like something I'd enjoy doing. I can't wait to finish my PGCE and come over.

[@abrahammm]

Nice going. I remember watching your Korea videos and seeing that you really enjoyed your experience, both the good and the bad. I used to go work with EPIK now I am working in an academy in Seoul. It is definitely an improvement over the micro management and tedium of working with EPIK. Would you consider coming back to Korea??

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

I have considered going back to Korea, but maybe after I give a sincere shot at finding a job in the business field in the U.S. I think if I ever come back to Korea, I would definitely try an alternate route with a hagwon in a bigger city. However, I don't regret the EPIK experience at all. It was a good time for a first time teacher like myself. I just hear that most academies give less time off and could work you to death too, it's either hit or miss usually right?

[@abrahammm]

Kimmyonaquest yea! absolutely correct. I had an awful experience my first year in Korea with an academy. That's the reason why I decided to get a job with GEPIK. However, I found the national curriculum dull and i couldn't stand all the bureaucratic rules and micro managing/baby sitting. Additionally, I sat in an empty building for an entire month during the winter for desk warming. It was torture. I was hesitant about going back to an academy but I found an amazing one and I truly love it.

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

Glad you found yourself a good one! I had the opposite problem, no management at all! I think it all really depends on the school and the people who work there so it's difficult to generalize the whole program. Desk warming sucked!! A lot of this video was filmed during my desk warming hours during the summer!

[@cheriiessr]

Sorry to highjack your comment from so long ago, but when you say you work at an academy, is that a hagwon? I'm looking to teach in Korea next year and am considering whether EPIK or private is a better choice.

[@rupertojordan5193]

This video inspired me to blog my book "English for Millennials: A Conversational English for Non-Native Speakers. It contains lessons I prepared for Koreans students in Pagsanjan, Laguna in 2009.

[@theoriginaljackal8196]

I loved teaching in SK, Love this video, you seem more organized than the other American teachers that worked in the school I worked at.

[@cattsamm.]

What a nice video. You speak so fluent in English and the way you teach seems very friendly in a way tho a bit strict.

[@jonaslayug8723]

video is fun to watch .. i think you're really great .. wish i had a teacher like you ❤❤❤

[@MidnightLibraryx]

You are such a great teacher! I'm so nervous to do that but I really want to lol do you come up with all of the lesson plans yourself?

[@stephanie064wooz7]

you are probly the best teacher, and what school is this

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

Aww thanks! Shincheorwon Middle and High school in Gangwon-do, South Korea.

[@Faethie95]

I'm really gonna have to remember that water balloon continent game for if I end up teaching English it looks so fun lol great video!

[@faithabbygailebejo4932]

Your really an effective and creative teacher.

[@harshmishra8464]

Hii .. I've a doubt if you can clarify please... Can we teach English in South Korea if we've an English honours degree and we haven't done B ed

[@eiflo6985]

Youre an awesome teacher! Epic!!!

[@LoverMusify]

I love your videos!! Can you please tell me what is required to be a Epik teacher? I don't have my Bachelors degree only my Associates and I am really thinking of traveling to S. Korea and working as an English teacher. Is the application process difficult? Thanks!!

[@pikachubread]

she was correct by writing 'say' at 7:53 (although teachers didn't need an apostrophe): it should have been 'you should listen to what teachers say," not says! and schools in the us usually do have recess outside after lunch :) i never had gym outdoors though, haha. your lessons look so fun for the students! how did you plan them? :)

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

I tried to pull fun stuff from my college days (flip cup), yoga class, and American tv shows. I often ran into a creative block but having fun is important!

[@BlackCammeh]

Very insporational, make me want to be an TEFL teacher even more! :)

[@chaiitea3012]

What did you major & minor in college?

[@twiggytube]

I have been looking into teaching in Korea and would like to apply for EPIK when I am done with college which will be in about 3 years. I have always been super shy and feel it would be good to do something crazy and teach in a foreign country. It’d finally allow me to come out my shell and experience something totally out of my comfort zone. Although I often feel discouraged since the people around me doubt me because of being so quiet, I was wondering if the whole thing is really worth it?

[@a.a9939]

Couldn't you use your hotspot on your phone to get internet 4 your laptop?

[@kieranshae]

do you think it's more challenging teaching HS?? Most videos I have seen on here are teaching younger kids

[@phlemix_]

I like how you turned a drinking game into an educational one lol, very creative.

[@anfalkhan1827]

This really felt so good to watch.I loved the way you taught. Did you have to come up with the lessons all by yourself?

[@gurjeet2292]

ur lessons are really good and cute

[@frecklesflower]

Hi! Thank you for the awesome video. I am thinking of applying for EPIK, but I was wondering about the placement process. Did you receive your location preference?

[@Kubatko]

nostalgia

[@sharonesharone8131]

Great teacher! superb!❤️❤️❤️

[@user-bh4vp7bv5y]

really creative, love it :)

[@jplondonkorea]

I'm planning on doing Epik next year I hope I find a person like you to spend my days with in Korea IF I do get in😂😭

[@iamkristina]

Why an earth there is a food waste inside on the fridge freezer

[@enlig3596]

does the school you teach at give you lesson plans or ideas?? or do you buy your own material to teach? do you come up with your creative lesson plans all on your own?! or do you have some help? (please say help because you set the standards so high haha)

[@enlig3596]

do korean schools often have material for you when you arrive? from past teachers?

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

I did not buy any material that I used to teach. Many of the lessons you see in this video were from my own original lesson plans. I take ideas from tv shows, music, and other various activities I used growing up in the USA. I also bounced ideas off other fellow teachers in the area and the internet is a great source for ideas.

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. I wouldn't count on it. There's also activities and lessons in the textbooks, but they can be a bit too boring for the kids since they get drilled with that content all the time.

[@enlig3596]

thankyou!!!!!!

[@lannamanalang8808]

Parang basic poyung tinuturo nyo dyan kesa po dito sa pinas noh? Sa bagay kulang pala yung letters nila kaya hirap sa english

[@TheMaskedThearpist]

Where do you get your ideas for activities?

[@ricotan5347]

maam how to apply? im really interested to teach english in korea

[@EllaShii]

Omg you're a cool teacher!

[@arikim4326]

What Qualification does we need to teach English in Korea...Please😄

[@rae8961]

There's a page on the EPIK website that will tell you. But basics - bachelor's degree - education certificate or it could be your bachelor's degree - be born in an English speaking country

[@mattsworld2162]

Awesome

[@dsparks5308]

Amazing

[@RR-ik3kg]

I am also a EPIK Teacher in Gangwando, are you still here?

[@rutheeachviajeadventura8462]

Hello teacher Are you sa Filipina? Thanks

[@estherlyberdsot5603]

Oh wow,,, Nice!!!

[@rae8961]

Korean schools seem a lot more lively than American schools. The only excitement we get is fights in the lunchroom or watching the teachers catch kids vaping in the bathroom.

[@johnkennedymorabe2038]

May i ask what is your nationality Miss Kim? :)

[@truebergshow2435]

Nice.!

[@loadeddiperz]

Dont they use bicycles? Its common is Japan.

[@chrollolucilfer517]

Pilipino ba sya? Hmmm..?? Hindi ko feel search Filipino teaching English and then nakita ko to..

[@enrique4968]

yelTM rendon siguro po mukha diyang afro asian. Kaya siguro

[@oliviaolive4953]

i like your eyebrows

[@lovelydomanico6546]

What is your nationality?

[@zzzzzsleeping]

Seems that they love you, they love Filipino teacher??

[@bingorichards7914]

hey teacher where you from?

[@Goldenretriever-k8m]

How do you call your mom? Do you use wifi to make a call?

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

T-mobile has unlimited data in a lot of countries and South Korea is one of them. I called my family and friend using my data on FaceTime video and audio. KakaoTalk also uses data.

[@delmapatriciavelardezatara5309]

favorrrr pon sub en español saludos desde Mexico

[@inuelp.]

You only talk English there ??

[@raymondsantiago4750]

Are you filipino? Is there filipino teacher in korea?

[@marissacampolet8462]

Lots

[@enrique4968]

Marami po? Ano po mga company or chu chu na nag rerecuit ?

[@user-wi9ki1hy2p]

ᜉᜒᜎᜒᜉᜒᜈᜓ ᜊ ᜆ᜔᜶ ᜋᜓᜃ᜔ᜑ ᜃᜐᜒᜅ᜔ ᜉᜒᜈᜌ᜔ ᜁᜑ᜔ ᜑᜑ᜶

[@raymondsantiago4750]

are you filipino?

[@ivygrace1773]

Where you actually from?

[@Kimmyonaquest11]

Ivy Wenceslao Atlanta, Georgia, USA

[@imanevampy9233]

Excuse me what is epik

[@dblankenship88]

Second

[@user-zl8js5sd3k]

English lesson in Korean school is way more interesting and entertaining than here in. Thailand what the fuck🤔🤔😭 I'm jealous how English is getting attention in Korea

[@nurulmaisarahbintimohdibra1090]

Can you put Malaysia too after this HAHAHA

[@davidp1017]

First

[@coconut07100]

do covid games

[@jvlixn]

i hope you figured out how to use the ethernet lol

[@reioky4625]

“Ah Korean sugar and tomatoes.” 😂

[@jungo5387]

interesting how teachers eat better food than students!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!gee - I think older teens have an awkwardness of doing silly songs....like generally the whole world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!