EPIK application & interview | spring 2020

okay...so I'm about to list a ton of info that should really just be put in a blog post but whatever. if I miss anything or you want more clarification or you're going through the process and need some motivation, leave a comment and I'll reply~

again, this info mainly applies to US direct applicants but it's also helpful to applicants from other countries. I applied directly to EPIK and didn't use any agency. If you do want to apply through an agency, I've heard great things about Korvia!

initial application: 0:25
interview: 8:52
final documents: 14:52
horror story: 21:17

EPIK official website: http://www.epik.go.kr/contents.do?con...

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INITIAL APPLICATION

1. online application form: on EPIK website
2. ESL Lesson Plan examples:
http://www.talk.go.kr/data/upFile/tal...
https://www.esllibrary.com/courses
3. teaching philosophy tips and examples:
https://www.thoughtco.com/teaching-ph...
https://ucat.osu.edu/professional-dev...
http://wp.cune.edu/accreditation/file...
4. passport size photo: took mine on my phone (because I'm cheap lol) also used Oddprints (https://www.oddprints.com) to order multiple copies
5. pdf copies of 2 letters of recommendation

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INTERVIEW questions:

1. Why do you want to teach in Korea/teach ESL?
2. How do you feel about having co-teachers?
3. What do you expect will be the most difficult part about working/living in Korea?
4. What age of students do you think you can teach the best? Or what's your preference (primary/secondary/high)?
5. What does EPIK stand for? (please know this...)
6. Have you ever gone abroad? If so, how did you deal with cultural differences?
7. What stresses you out? How do you deal with stress?
8. How would you handle a classroom with multiple levels (language levels)?
9. How would you manage a large class/what's your classroom management like?
10. What is your 3-5 year plan?
(I said I'd only add 10 but I'll add 5 more~)
11. What qualities do you think are most important in being a teacher?
12. What makes you unique from other applicants?
13. What do you know about EPIK/Korea?
14. What do you expect to get out of this program?
15. Do you have any questions? (you don't need to have any questions but the coordinator will ask this at the very end and if you want clarification on anything I highly recommend to ask at this point during the interview!)

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FINAL DOCUMENTS
(remember you'll need the 'original' set along with a copy of all the documents except your sealed transcripts)

1. corrected/completed online application form
2. passport size photo
3. Apostille COPY of Bachelor's Degree
4. Apostille FBI Criminal Background Check
where to get fingerprints taken?
~ you can often go to your local police station and get them done for about $10 BUT then you will have to send them to the FBI for $18 and it could take a few weeks to get your Background Check...
~ OR you can get your results within a day for $50 by going on this website and finding the nearest fingerprint machine (you make an appointment online!)
https://www.fieldprintusa.com/FBISubP...
how to get an Apostille? each document cost $55
https://www.monumentvisa.com/fbi-apos...
5. copy of TEFL certificate or teaching license
online TEFL course I used: https://www.teflonline.net
6. original inked letters of recommendation (2)
7. SEALED university transcripts (DON'T OPEN!)
8. scanned copy of passport profile page


hope this helps & good luck!
kat

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