Even though I have about two years before I start my Epik application journey, watching this is making me feel way less nervous about my future interview! Especially because I am an Elementary Education major so I’ll have a lot of experience with lesson planning. Also I have been learning Korean for over 3 years too and have been there twice.
Majority of applicants are young and nervous... maybe first job or something. Having been there for years, they just need to know you're capable for the job as language barrier, culture difference and being away from home is big. Can't have people running away or not showing up to work!
@kesegokgagodi4452 Mine? My business email is linked on my UA-cam which businesses and collaborations usually message me through. In general, I'm really busy as I work full time and study full time.
Thanks for your video . Can you advise what you found life like while in Korea? Did you make many friends? If so, did you also make any Korean friends while you was there?. What was your accommodation like? Did you go out socialising in the evening? Why did you leave after 3 years?. A million questions I’m sorry x
You're basically independent, so being able to cope with the changes on your own is important. I have my good friends. Korean friends were difficult because they ghosted you after a while. It would be language difficulty, but I learnt the language, and then I was fine. I have videos on several different apartments from EPIK on my channel. You can choose your own if you choose less budget and pay yourself (you need thousands of pounds deposit though but you can live comfortably) and as I mentioned, learn the language so you can access everything. I did pole dancing most evenings. Weekends I travelled. I did a working lunch, so I left one hour earlier, but others might not have the option. Most of the time, you can't do much in the evenings because of the commute time. I didn't want to drive there. They said I belonged to them and called my next workplace to not hire me, so I quit. I finished my contract (abroad due to citizenship) and had to get a visa to go to Korea to move everything out of the apartment. I spent thousands for them to benefit their school, so I was disappointed. Nobody cared about helping me get my payments at the end, so I had to do that myself by calling up all the Korean lines. Then I decided at the time that I would immigrate to Canada due to the last-minute decision.
@@TheKaKaNow jesus. it is shame that I found this great interview video this late, otherwise I could have shared something within my knowledge about being English Teacher in Korea to you... I am a Korea korean but I know enough about it cause I have some friends of mine who tried to become EN teacher in this unbalanced country with a hope as I did my undergrad in state and most of them so much disappointed exacltly like you, and I shoothed them a lot. I just hope you fully recovered now from those bad memories of Korea where you should advocate for yourself all the time, where no one really helps you even some pretentiously trying to help you to settle in, where they just send you a rural area where you have nothing far far away from Seoul... I feel sorry to you as a Korean. I wish you the best all the time.
I was there for over 3years. Worked for 3 years officially. I had some special cases and did favours for my school so I went back and helped after contract for free shortly. I spent my own money doing that for them. I'm not a teacher in Korea anymore. Right now I'm travelling in Sicily for another month or so.
Was the pay low because you were placed in Seoul? I heard Epik pays low for teachers in Seoul, which affects people’s decision on placements . Was it really that bad, I thought Epik pays well in a general sense. Advice? I’m currently deciding whether or not to choose Seoul. I really want to be placed in Seoul.
I have a question about the letter of reccomendation. I understand they need an ink signature ultimately, but when you first put in your application online do they accept a PDF of the letter, unsigned, then when you go to send in your final paperwork, it is not until then they need an ink signature? I was told an electronic signature won't be accepted but how else to you signa PDF? Are they expecting no signature on the PDF version?
@LostNTranslations yes, it's only a reference with ink signature. Without it, anyone could have wrote it. All of mine had the company letter head and details
Starter - something that excites them engaged with lesson from the start Learning - the phrases/ vocabulary/ grammar... Game - to practice/ show their learnt skills
@gradynpaders-ball4502 When I did mine it was the lesson plan which needs to stand out. Nowadays there's the lesson demo, probably because many people aren't writing their own lesson plans and to weed out those who aren't capable to teach or faked their way into the interview.
Do you have a video or tips on the demo lesson plan portion? This is the part I am most worried about because I’m confused on how much of the lesson plan you present and how it all works
You present 3-5mins of your lesson plan. You choose a point of it that you want to show. You'd want to choose the best part that makes you stand out and unique to other people. It's about accuracy and excitement. E.g. I did about Baskin Robbins because Koreans love it and there are lots of promotions/ collaborations with them. I had to search up about it before I made my plan as BR doesn't exist in my country. Not everyone can teach, or is confident to. There are certain letters that Koreans struggle with, and grammar issues - if you know any Korean or learn any you'll be able to understand better. E.g. R/ L needs lots of help. 1 syllable words turned into more like sal - la - deu. The difference between funny/fun/ boring/ bored etc. This issue is also similar for Italians if you know any Italian. It can easily be a full lesson or 2 just teaching this grammar and you should have creativity in lessons so that everyone can understand you because nobody will speak English. You may be lucky and have someone who can speak a bit in the school.
I did really well in Psychology, grants, funding, awards ceremony, BPS meetings, published work, but at the time I wanted to have kids soon so didn't want to go through the process of everything and then stop at the start of career. Also, you need lots of money to pay for masters since you can't borrow it
Remote places pay the most because nobody wants to go there. For example, an island, but it makes it very hard for you to go around. The highest pay salary is 3m, but you would have to have a real teaching certificate and experience already. Ofc, there are bonuses. When you are so remote, it is difficult to get around. For example, you could be on Ullengdo which would take 3.5hrs fast ferry to land. In other remote locations that are not islands, I recommend just getting a car or motorbike if needed. You get bonus pay for each extra school you go to, and bonus pay for commuting to very far schools so you can earn a lot. Think about how much time is wasted or the fact you might have to walk or take a taxi if you rely on public transport. You can also be on top of a mountain and hiking everyday. I don't want to earn money and can't spend it because everything is far. I chose Seoul which is much less pay, and we don't even get the year bonus (only some extra vacation which equals to 200k+ a day for a day off). I wanted to travel but couldn't because of covid...
I know you didn't have to do the demo lesson... but do you have any tips? 😊 Thank you for this video it was really helpful in my prep❤. Have a blessed day
I just did my demo lesson and it was quite easy. Just treat it as roleplay. My interviewer didn't interact with me at all. I was worried about it until I did it and it was over in like 2min
We did lesson plan for the application and we did a in person lesson demo with a random person (who could be really bad or reluctant which makes it harder for you because when you go to work you don't get to choose your coworkers). The in person one, you need to really think about whether the audience understands... there's lots of cultural differences, for example, animal sounds are completely different, the hand gestures for an umbrella. The fact that Koreans are encouraged to not raise their hand or to speak (shy), so you should know names or pick on them to talk more.
@Lynn-pc1jw you have to do lots of paperwork and be approved by your workplace to have another source of income or it is illegal. My school allowed me to do educational jobs that benefit them. It was covid and the Korean government cancels your visa if you leave the country so nobody was allowed to travel. Only within the country. Later on, it changed to being able to travel but you would have to pay for the tests and get it in time before and after flight (and in time for work). The work ethic is strong there and you are responsible for anything during class. For example, if you made the children sick. The pay is very little. I spent a lot on food 😂. You can save but not much... it was less than half of what we expected. Also remember with the city you get less pay and no bonuses like you would in a rural place. But I didn't want a rural place because yeah you'll get money but can't really get anywhere or spend.
Potential questions: ua-cam.com/video/g4I_BOi2R4I/v-deo.html
Even though I have about two years before I start my Epik application journey, watching this is making me feel way less nervous about my future interview! Especially because I am an Elementary Education major so I’ll have a lot of experience with lesson planning. Also I have been learning Korean for over 3 years too and have been there twice.
I was interviewed by Rachel too, she's great.
Majority of applicants are young and nervous... maybe first job or something. Having been there for years, they just need to know you're capable for the job as language barrier, culture difference and being away from home is big. Can't have people running away or not showing up to work!
You killed this!
Thanks 😊
This was so useful! Thank you for sharing this.
I'll probably post potential questions later on.
Thank you for this. I have my interview on Thursday I would have loved to see the demo lesson part
Best of luck!
This was super helpful! Thanks for posting
Alistair is also helping with my application, I feel very comfortable working with him even though he is very strict 😅
It's great and the benefits have increased now too
Hey hey, Alistair is also the one helping me. Do you mind exchanging contacts?
@kesegokgagodi4452 Mine? My business email is linked on my UA-cam which businesses and collaborations usually message me through. In general, I'm really busy as I work full time and study full time.
He's very strict!😂
@@na_ladyliz5055 Korea is strict. You won't pass without it
Thank you for uploading this! It's best to hear from the horses mouth
Thanks for your video .
Can you advise what you found life like while in Korea? Did you make many friends?
If so, did you also make any Korean friends while you was there?.
What was your accommodation like?
Did you go out socialising in the evening?
Why did you leave after 3 years?.
A million questions I’m sorry x
You're basically independent, so being able to cope with the changes on your own is important. I have my good friends. Korean friends were difficult because they ghosted you after a while. It would be language difficulty, but I learnt the language, and then I was fine.
I have videos on several different apartments from EPIK on my channel. You can choose your own if you choose less budget and pay yourself (you need thousands of pounds deposit though but you can live comfortably) and as I mentioned, learn the language so you can access everything.
I did pole dancing most evenings. Weekends I travelled. I did a working lunch, so I left one hour earlier, but others might not have the option. Most of the time, you can't do much in the evenings because of the commute time. I didn't want to drive there.
They said I belonged to them and called my next workplace to not hire me, so I quit. I finished my contract (abroad due to citizenship) and had to get a visa to go to Korea to move everything out of the apartment. I spent thousands for them to benefit their school, so I was disappointed. Nobody cared about helping me get my payments at the end, so I had to do that myself by calling up all the Korean lines. Then I decided at the time that I would immigrate to Canada due to the last-minute decision.
@@TheKaKaNow jesus. it is shame that I found this great interview video this late, otherwise I could have shared something within my knowledge about being English Teacher in Korea to you... I am a Korea korean but I know enough about it cause I have some friends of mine who tried to become EN teacher in this unbalanced country with a hope as I did my undergrad in state and most of them so much disappointed exacltly like you, and I shoothed them a lot. I just hope you fully recovered now from those bad memories of Korea where you should advocate for yourself all the time, where no one really helps you even some pretentiously trying to help you to settle in, where they just send you a rural area where you have nothing far far away from Seoul... I feel sorry to you as a Korean. I wish you the best all the time.
Nice
Very informative thank you! How long have you been in Korea for? And are you still a teacher there?
I was there for over 3years. Worked for 3 years officially. I had some special cases and did favours for my school so I went back and helped after contract for free shortly. I spent my own money doing that for them.
I'm not a teacher in Korea anymore. Right now I'm travelling in Sicily for another month or so.
Was the pay low because you were placed in Seoul? I heard Epik pays low for teachers in Seoul, which affects people’s decision on placements . Was it really that bad, I thought Epik pays well in a general sense. Advice? I’m currently deciding whether or not to choose Seoul. I really want to be placed in Seoul.
Yes, but I wanted to travel Asia and be near the airport. You earn A LOT less. For me, I didn't care about the money.
rachel is also my interviewer for tuesday at 3:40 am im so nervous i coupd puke😂
I have a question about the letter of reccomendation. I understand they need an ink signature ultimately, but when you first put in your application online do they accept a PDF of the letter, unsigned, then when you go to send in your final paperwork, it is not until then they need an ink signature? I was told an electronic signature won't be accepted but how else to you signa PDF? Are they expecting no signature on the PDF version?
Ink signed signature. Scan and email.
Original letter sent by post.
I got mine from Italy, he wrote it and posted to me, then I scanned and sent email and the original documents
Ah, so I do start out with the physical signed copy, scan the real thing, then the IMAGE of the real thing I attatch the the first online application?
@LostNTranslations yes, it's only a reference with ink signature. Without it, anyone could have wrote it.
All of mine had the company letter head and details
How did you structure your lesson plan? I have no idea on where to start 😔
Starter - something that excites them engaged with lesson from the start
Learning - the phrases/ vocabulary/ grammar...
Game - to practice/ show their learnt skills
@Naidoo Memorial Primary School 🇿🇦
Hey, did you have to give a mock lesson in this interview? I saw that was common in previous years and have my interview Friday
@gradynpaders-ball4502 When I did mine it was the lesson plan which needs to stand out. Nowadays there's the lesson demo, probably because many people aren't writing their own lesson plans and to weed out those who aren't capable to teach or faked their way into the interview.
Do you have a video or tips on the demo lesson plan portion? This is the part I am most worried about because I’m confused on how much of the lesson plan you present and how it all works
You present 3-5mins of your lesson plan. You choose a point of it that you want to show.
You'd want to choose the best part that makes you stand out and unique to other people. It's about accuracy and excitement. E.g. I did about Baskin Robbins because Koreans love it and there are lots of promotions/ collaborations with them. I had to search up about it before I made my plan as BR doesn't exist in my country.
Not everyone can teach, or is confident to. There are certain letters that Koreans struggle with, and grammar issues - if you know any Korean or learn any you'll be able to understand better. E.g. R/ L needs lots of help. 1 syllable words turned into more like sal - la - deu. The difference between funny/fun/ boring/ bored etc. This issue is also similar for Italians if you know any Italian. It can easily be a full lesson or 2 just teaching this grammar and you should have creativity in lessons so that everyone can understand you because nobody will speak English. You may be lucky and have someone who can speak a bit in the school.
I also did psychology. It's hard to continue studies I know
I did really well in Psychology, grants, funding, awards ceremony, BPS meetings, published work, but at the time I wanted to have kids soon so didn't want to go through the process of everything and then stop at the start of career. Also, you need lots of money to pay for masters since you can't borrow it
where do they pay the most/what is the best salary?
Remote places pay the most because nobody wants to go there. For example, an island, but it makes it very hard for you to go around.
The highest pay salary is 3m, but you would have to have a real teaching certificate and experience already. Ofc, there are bonuses.
When you are so remote, it is difficult to get around. For example, you could be on Ullengdo which would take 3.5hrs fast ferry to land. In other remote locations that are not islands, I recommend just getting a car or motorbike if needed.
You get bonus pay for each extra school you go to, and bonus pay for commuting to very far schools so you can earn a lot. Think about how much time is wasted or the fact you might have to walk or take a taxi if you rely on public transport. You can also be on top of a mountain and hiking everyday.
I don't want to earn money and can't spend it because everything is far. I chose Seoul which is much less pay, and we don't even get the year bonus (only some extra vacation which equals to 200k+ a day for a day off). I wanted to travel but couldn't because of covid...
Did you have to do a lesson demo during this interview? :)
No, my plan was good. This video is the whole interview except for the beginning part, which had all my application details and personal stuff.
@@TheKaKaNow oh thats interesting to know! i had just assumed that the demo was a guaranteed aspect of the interview. Thanks :)
I know you didn't have to do the demo lesson... but do you have any tips? 😊 Thank you for this video it was really helpful in my prep❤. Have a blessed day
They focus on whether you can do the job... bc people get culture shock, homesick and leave...
ua-cam.com/video/g4I_BOi2R4I/v-deo.html
I just did my demo lesson and it was quite easy. Just treat it as roleplay. My interviewer didn't interact with me at all. I was worried about it until I did it and it was over in like 2min
@Budaki56 any tips on how to approach the demo lesson in terms of what exactly to focus on?
We did lesson plan for the application and we did a in person lesson demo with a random person (who could be really bad or reluctant which makes it harder for you because when you go to work you don't get to choose your coworkers). The in person one, you need to really think about whether the audience understands... there's lots of cultural differences, for example, animal sounds are completely different, the hand gestures for an umbrella. The fact that Koreans are encouraged to not raise their hand or to speak (shy), so you should know names or pick on them to talk more.
What year was this interview conducted?
2019 but the same woman is still interviewing this year
@HYBE 🇰🇷
Hmm are you getting a new job?
Nope, but this was my interview for my previous job haha
@@TheKaKaNow I see haha :)
Very informative thank you! How long have you been in Korea for? And are you still a teacher there?
3 years.
Nope, I'm currently travelling Italy now
@@TheKaKaNow wow! Were you able to save money through EPIK to travel or did you have another source of income?
@Lynn-pc1jw you have to do lots of paperwork and be approved by your workplace to have another source of income or it is illegal. My school allowed me to do educational jobs that benefit them.
It was covid and the Korean government cancels your visa if you leave the country so nobody was allowed to travel. Only within the country. Later on, it changed to being able to travel but you would have to pay for the tests and get it in time before and after flight (and in time for work).
The work ethic is strong there and you are responsible for anything during class. For example, if you made the children sick.
The pay is very little. I spent a lot on food 😂. You can save but not much... it was less than half of what we expected. Also remember with the city you get less pay and no bonuses like you would in a rural place.
But I didn't want a rural place because yeah you'll get money but can't really get anywhere or spend.
@@TheKaKaNow thank you so much for the detailed reply!