EPIK
Encyclopedia
EPIK is affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology Development and is operated by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). Established in 1995, EPIK aims to improve the English speaking
abilities of students and teachers in Korea, to foster cultural exchanges, and to reform English teaching methodologies in Korea. The EPIK program encourages cross cultural exchanges while promoting the development of English language
competencies for Korean students.
As much as they are English teachers, they are cultural ambassadors too.
Several duties are uniformly common for Guest English Teachers.
Notable tasks include:
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
abilities of students and teachers in Korea, to foster cultural exchanges, and to reform English teaching methodologies in Korea. The EPIK program encourages cross cultural exchanges while promoting the development of English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
competencies for Korean students.
History
Formally created in 1995 under the name KORETTA, EPIK has placed Guest English Teachers in Korean classrooms for over a decade. The program has undergone many administrative changes and is overseen by the NIIED. Currently, participants live and teach in 16 different Provinces and Metropolitan cities.| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 1981-1996 | 200 American Peace Corps teachers placed in secondary schools and universities throughout Korea |
| 1992 | 30 American teachers (under the age of 30, holding Bachelor’s degrees) recruited via the Korean-American Educational Commission’s Fulbright Program Fulbright Program The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the... and placed in middle and high schools throughout Korea |
| 1994.7 | Selected as one of the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development’s primary projects for fostering international education |
| 1995.5 | "Reinforcing foreign language education” and “Reinforcing globalization education” promoted as education reformation tasks |
| 1995.7 | 54 EPIK Teachers (or GETs; Guest English Teachers) recruited (Training Center: National Institute for International Education) |
| 2007.1-2007.6 | EPIK jointly operated by Korea National University of Education Korea National University of Education Korea National University of Education is a South Korean national university for teacher training. It was established in 1985 to respond to the growing demand of teaching staff for primary and secondary education in South Korea.-Characteristics:... (KNUE) and National Institute for International Education(NIIED) |
| 2007.7.1 | EPIK transferred to NIIED, an institute under the Ministry Of Education Science & Technology |
| 2008.3 | Renewed EPIK home page and began to receive on-line applications |
| 2008.12 | Established personnel management system on EPIK Teachers |
| 2009.3 | Total 3,377 EPIK Teachers recruited and trained |
| 2010.3 | Total 4,818 EPIK Teachers recruited and trained |
Organization
EPIK is overseen by the NIIED, a division of the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development (MEST). The NIIED provides recruitment and Guest English Teachers support from a central office in Seoul. In conjunction with the NIIED, Provincial Offices of Education offer assistance with sundry daily and work related affairs to Guest English Teachers. Participants can seek guidance from representatives at their Provincial Office of Education and at the NIIED.Job description
EPIK participants are placed at a local school for one calendar year. While working in concert with a Korean English teacher, Guest English Teachers assume a myriad of roles and duties. Participants are encouraged to be flexible and willing to contribute to the improvement and refinement of the English education curriculum at their schools.As much as they are English teachers, they are cultural ambassadors too.
Several duties are uniformly common for Guest English Teachers.
Notable tasks include:
- To conduct English conversation classes for Korean teachers and students
- To prepare teaching materials for English language education
- To assist in developing teaching materials for English language education
- To assist with activities related to English language education and other extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activityExtracurricular activities are activities performed by students that fall outside the realm of the normal curriculum of school or university education...
- To assist Korean teachers with their English classes and/or jointly conduct English classes
- To perform other duties as specified by the host POE