How to Prepare for EPIK Spring 2023 Online Application
EPIK application procedure has been updated and will continue to be processed online (Online Application Form). For those who are planning to apply for the Spring 2023 term, you must be aware of the information below.
1. EPIK application is processed Online
The online application must be completed through the link provided on the ‘Apply Now’ section of the website. You have to create an account to start the application.
You must be precise since you can submit only one application per term (Multiple submissions will not be considered). Also, you will not be able to modify your application once you submit it.
Please don’t forget to select “Classification” as Agency / Korvia Consulting when you are completing EPIK online application form (Korvia team can’t access and review your application if you fail to select the correct classification).
2. Things to be careful of when filling in the application
– Professional Photo
You must upload a passport-sized photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm) which is from the shoulders up and facing forward. The background should be a solid color and you may wear glasses as long as they are clear lens glasses necessary for sight correction (Sunglasses, hats, scarves, etc X). Any facial piercings (lip, nose, etc.) should also be removed. Personal photos such as those from Facebook or other social media sites will not be accepted. You may smile to give a good impression. For more information please visit the Passport Photo Guide.
– Sample Lesson Plan
You will be required to fill out a sample lesson plan that matches either Elementary, Middle, or High School levels. Attachments such as handouts or PPTs are optional but recommended. For more information please visit the Sample Lesson Plan Guide.
– Personal Essay
A personal essay consists of three parts and will be between 300-400 words for each section. The essay must address three topics: Why you wish to teach in Korea, your teaching philosophy, and how you will deal with cultural differences/shock. For more information please visit the Personal Essay Guide.
– Tattoo Photos
Photos of all tattoos and photos showing the method to keep the tattoos covered must be submitted (You can only upload 1 file).
3. Letters of Recommendation
EPIK requires two letters of recommendation from academic professors or previous/current employers regarding your work ethic and abilities. The letters of recommendation must be uploaded in PDF format (Scans are acceptable). If the letter of recommendation requires multiple pages, separate it by combining the pages into a single PDF file or creating a ZIP file (The original and ink-signed hard copies will also need to be submitted following a successful interview only).
The required contents and format for the letters are very specific so please pay careful attention to the requirements outlined below:
– Letters must be on letterhead OR the referee’s business card must be attached (Scan of the business card should be submitted as a PDF file zipped with the letter of recommendation PDF file(s)).
– Letters must be signed. Digital signatures will be accepted for the initial application only (Following a successful interview, the originals with real, pen-to-paper ink-signature will need to be submitted).
For more information please visit the Letters of Recommendation Guide.
4. Criminal Background Check
Criminal Background checks are not required for the initial application stage, BUT we highly advise starting the process as soon as the online application is available. Depending on where you live, some could take a few days while others could take several weeks. On top of that, you will need to get the document apostilled as well (Canadians have their documents verified by the Korean consulate).
For more information, check out our Criminal Background Check Guide
*CBC must be dated August 1st, 2022 or later
5. Sign Up For TEFL
To apply for the EPIK, you have to be TEFL certified or in the process of obtaining one. Holding a TEFL certification also enables you to have a high possibility of being eligible for higher salary levels than those who do not. So sign up for TEFL now and get a certification.
6. Current Contract End Date Page (for those currently working in Korea)
To confirm an applicant’s current contract end date and to best be able to handle the needs of each applicant, we require the scanned contract end date page of your current employment contract (Only a scan of the page(s) showing the contract end date is needed).
7. Proof of English Education
If matching one of the categories listed below, applicants will be required to submit a Proof of English Education letter. The Proof of English Education must be uploaded in PDF format. If multiple pages are required, you may combine the pages into one single, properly aligned PDF file OR submit a ZIP file with multiple PDF pages for each of the pages necessary.
– For Korean Citizens
– For South Africa/Quebec, etc. Applicants
– For Those Who Attended Schools outside the Designated Countries
Click here for a sample template
8. Birth Certificate for United Kingdom and Australia
For those who are either citizens from the United Kingdom or Australia, be aware that you will need to submit an official copy of your Birth Certificate with an apostille after you have passed your interview with EPK.
* For applicants applying through Korvia Consulting, please consult directly with our professionals before starting your application.
[How to prepare Initial Documents]
[How to prepare Final Documents]
Thank you very much for the detailed information!
The personal essay guidelines link hasn’t been updated since 2015, do you have any idea what the current formatting/word count requirements are for EPIK?
Hello,
I don’t know why but a comment of mine may have been moderated from a different article. Perhaps this is a better place for it since the focus is on applications? Have any of the provinces given any decision that can be made public on vacation/paid personal time off for the second half of 2022 and later? As people apply, they may want to be aware of the changes as it may influence where they want to go in terms of location (or even private). Also, potentially transferring teachers may make decisions to stay/go based on what effect it would have on them.