GEPIK Program Korea: Teach English in Gyeonggi-do Public Schools

Introduction

If you're dreaming of teaching English in South Korea — but want the balance of city access without the full-on pace of Seoul — the GEPIK Program might be exactly what you’re looking for.

GEPIK stands for the Gyeonggi English Program in Korea, a government-sponsored initiative that places native English teachers in public schools throughout Gyeonggi-do — the province that surrounds Seoul on all sides.

It’s the perfect fit for those who want to:

• ✨ Live near Seoul but enjoy more space and quieter surroundings
• 🏫 Work in public schools with no weekend hours
• 🎯 Know your exact school and location before committing
• 🧭 Experience daily life in suburban Korea with great transit access

Unlike EPIK, which uses a centralized placement system, GEPIK operates on a school-by-school hiring basis, giving applicants more control and transparency during the process.

In this guide, we’ll break down how GEPIK works, what the benefits are, who’s eligible, and how you can land one of these highly sought-after positions.

What Is the GEPIK Program?

The GEPIK Program (Gyeonggi English Program in Korea) is a public school English teaching program that serves Gyeonggi-do, the province that wraps around Seoul. It was established by the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education to improve English education through cultural and language exchange.

Unlike EPIK — which centrally places teachers after they've submitted all their documents — GEPIK lets applicants apply directly to individual schools (usually with the help of a recruiter). This means you’ll often know your exact location and school before committing to the job.

🏙️ Why Gyeonggi Province?

Gyeonggi-do is ideal for teachers who want the best of both worlds:

• Quick access to Seoul’s excitement and infrastructure
• More relaxed, affordable suburban living
• Over 30 cities and regions, including Suwon, Anyang, Uijeongbu, and Pyeongtaek
• Connected by Korea’s massive subway and bus system

🔄 How GEPIK Is Structured

• Not run through EPIK (although some schools may also list through both)
• Jobs are posted and filled individually by each school or local office
• Teachers usually interview directly with school administrators
• You’ll only submit final paperwork after a position is secured

GEPIK offers a more personalized application experience — perfect if you want more control over where you live and work, while still enjoying the stability of a public school position.

Next up: why teachers choose GEPIK over other programs.

Why Choose GEPIK?

If you're looking for a public school teaching job near Seoul, but don’t want the high cost or intensity of city-center life, GEPIK might be your perfect fit.

Here’s why so many teachers choose GEPIK over other programs:

✅ Know Your School Before You Commit

Unlike EPIK’s blind placement system, GEPIK allows you to:

• Interview with your specific school
• Learn about your students, co-teachers, and neighborhood
• Accept a job only after knowing the full details

This is ideal if you value transparency and control over where you’ll live and work.

🚆 Seoul Access Without Seoul Rent

Gyeonggi-do is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Area, meaning:

• Fast subway and bus connections into the capital
• Lower housing costs than Seoul or Busan
• A more relaxed, local lifestyle — but still near all the action

Live in a quieter city like Suwon or Uijeongbu and be in Seoul in under an hour.

🔄 Flexible Hiring & Start Dates

• Positions are available for March and September
• Many schools also hire for late-start dates, great for last-minute applicants
• Because schools hire individually, there’s less pressure to apply super early

💼 Ideal for Experienced Teachers or Hagwon Transfers

• GEPIK tends to prefer applicants with prior teaching experience (especially in Korea)
• Already teaching at a hagwon? Many recruiters (like Korvia) help with hagwon-to-public transitions

Whether you’re looking for a quieter place to build your teaching skills or want easy access to Seoul’s energy and nightlife, GEPIK offers a rare mix of stability, flexibility, and location control.

Next: Let’s break down what you’ll earn — and the full list of GEPIK benefits.

GEPIK Salary & Benefits

GEPIK offers a competitive salary and benefits package that’s very similar to EPIK — with a few added perks thanks to its more flexible, direct-hire system.

Here’s what you can expect when you teach through GEPIK:

💰 Monthly Salary

• Starts at ₩2.1 million KRW (~$1,575 USD) per month
• Higher salary possible depending on experience, education, and certifications
• Teachers with teaching licenses or prior Korean teaching experience may earn more

🏠 Free Housing or Housing Allowance

• Most schools provide a rent-free, furnished apartment
• If housing isn’t provided, you’ll receive a monthly housing allowance
• Typical apartments are studios or one-rooms close to school

✈️ Airfare Reimbursement

• One-way inbound flight is reimbursed after arrival
• Return flight reimbursed upon successful completion of your contract
• Some schools offer booking assistance

🎉 Contract Completion Bonus

• At the end of your 1-year contract, you’ll receive a severance bonus equal to one month’s salary
• Additional incentives may be available for re-signing

📅 Paid Time Off

• 26 paid vacation days (more than EPIK!)
• All Korean national holidays off
• Vacation must be approved by your school, but timing is usually during school breaks

❤️ Insurance & Pension

• National Health Insurance: 50% paid by your school
• National Pension Plan: Also split 50/50
• Pension is refundable for citizens of certain countries (like the U.S. and Canada)

🚀 Bonus: Recruiter Support & Onboarding

• Recruiters like Korvia offer services like:
  • Airport pickup
  • Welcome kits
  • Total Care packages
  • Local networking events + ongoing support

🧾 Overall, GEPIK offers solid benefits and a comfortable salary — with just enough flexibility to tailor your lifestyle in Korea to what matters most to you.

Next up: what your daily schedule and teaching load will look like.

Teaching Hours & Workload

One of the biggest advantages of teaching with GEPIK is the predictable and balanced schedule. Like EPIK, you’ll be working in public schools, which means no late-night or weekend hours.

🕘 Weekly Schedule

• Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• No weekend or evening teaching
• Time includes both teaching and desk hours

📚 Teaching Hours

• Up to 22 teaching hours per week
• Typically spread across 4–5 classes per day
• Remainder of time is for:
  • Lesson planning
  • School events or meetings
  • Supporting your Korean co-teacher

👥 Co-Teaching Style

• You’ll work alongside a Korean English teacher (co-teacher)
• Your role is to:
  • Lead speaking and conversation activities
  • Help with pronunciation and cultural insights
  • Support existing lesson plans or co-create new ones
• Some schools may give you more freedom, especially if you have experience

👶 Who You’ll Teach

• Most GEPIK placements are in elementary or middle schools
• High school placements are less common, but possible
• Class sizes range from 20 to 35 students

✏️ GEPIK offers a more relaxed teaching load than hagwons, with paid prep time, supportive co-teachers, and plenty of room to grow your skills.

Next: Let’s take a look at what you need to qualify for the GEPIK program.

GEPIK Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for GEPIK, you’ll need to meet a set of basic criteria — similar to EPIK — along with a few program-specific expectations. The good news? If you're a native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate, you're likely eligible.

🌍 Nationality

You must be a citizen of one of these 7 English-speaking countries:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Africa

📌 Canadian applicants from Quebec must have completed schooling in English from junior high onward.

🎓 Education

• A 3–4 year bachelor’s degree (any major) from an accredited university
• Final-year students may apply, but must have their diploma before securing a position

📜 TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Certificate

• Required if your degree is not in education, English, or linguistics
• Must be at least 100 hours
• Online courses accepted — in-person or practicum hours are a plus
• If your degree is in education or English, TEFL is optional

🕵️‍♂️ Criminal Background Check

• Must submit a clean, national-level criminal record check
• No misdemeanors or felonies — even minor offenses like public intoxication can disqualify you
• Must be apostilled or properly verified for visa processing

❤️ Health & Age Requirements

• Must be in good physical and mental health
• Self-medical check required before departure
• Full medical exam may be conducted after arrival
• Must be under the age of 62 (Korean retirement age)

👤 Special Notes for Korean Heritage Applicants

• Ethnic Koreans with foreign citizenship must have:
  • Lived abroad for 10+ years
  • Completed secondary and university education in English
  • Fulfilled Korean military obligations (if applicable)

✅ If you meet these core requirements and have some teaching or tutoring experience, you’re already a strong candidate — especially for schools that value prior classroom experience.

Next up: how to apply, interview, and get started with GEPIK.

Application Process & Timeline

Unlike EPIK, which uses a centralized placement system, GEPIK schools hire individually — often with the help of recruiters. This gives you more control over where you go, who you interview with, and when you start.

🧭 How the GEPIK Application Works

1. Connect with a recruiter (like Korvia)

   • They’ll help match you with open positions at schools in Gyeonggi-do
   • Recruiters also assist with interviews, document prep, and onboarding

2. Interview directly with the school

   • You’ll meet with the school that’s interested in hiring you
   • Interview format is typically via Zoom or phone
   • You’ll find out exact location and role before saying yes

3. Accept the offer

   • If accepted, you’ll confirm the position and start preparing documents

4. Submit your documents

   • Send in apostilled degree, CRC, TEFL certificate, and other paperwork
   • Only submit documents after your job is secured

5. Visa, flights, and onboarding

   • Once your documents are approved, apply for your E-2 visa
   • Book your flight and prepare to attend orientation (if offered)
   • Move into your housing and start teaching!

📅 GEPIK Hiring Timelines

• Main intakes: March 1st and September 1st
• Late-start and mid-year positions are often available — great for last-minute applicants or hagwon transfers
• Recruiters post jobs year-round, depending on school needs

📌 Important Tips

• GEPIK doesn’t require you to send documents until your job is confirmed
• This makes the process less risky — but it also means you need to act fast when a job becomes available
• Having your documents ready ahead of time = faster hiring

✨ GEPIK’s flexible, school-by-school hiring system gives you a more customized job search — just be ready to jump when the right offer comes along.

Next: Who is the GEPIK Program best suited for?

Who Should Consider GEPIK?

GEPIK isn’t the only way to teach English in Korea — but it offers a unique mix of flexibility, location, and lifestyle that makes it a great fit for many teachers.

Here’s who tends to thrive in the GEPIK Program:

🧭 Teachers Who Want to Be Near Seoul (But Not In It)

• Live in quieter cities like Suwon, Uijeongbu, or Yongin
• Enjoy weekend trips into Seoul — without paying Seoul rent
• Take advantage of excellent transit connections

🏫 Teachers Who Want to Know Their School Beforehand

• Prefer direct hiring instead of blind placement
• Want to interview with the actual school
• Like to research their future neighborhood in advance

🔁 Current Hagwon Teachers Looking to Switch

• Want more vacation time and a better work-life balance
• Prefer daytime schedules (no nights or weekends)
• Ready to move into public education with long-term support

🧑‍🏫 Applicants with Teaching Experience

• GEPIK schools often favor those who have:
  • Taught in Korea before
  • Tutored, taught ESL, or worked in education
  • Completed a quality TEFL/TESOL course

🌎 First-Time Teachers with Strong Applications

• Even if you're new to teaching, you can still be hired — especially if you're:
  • Energetic, flexible, and well-prepared
  • TEFL-certified
  • Willing to be proactive and communicative in the hiring process

💡 If you’re looking for the perfect mix of independence, structure, and lifestyle balance, GEPIK is a great stepping stone into teaching abroad.

Let’s wrap up with final thoughts and related resources to help you get started.

Final Thoughts & Related Guides

If you’re looking to teach English in Korea with more freedom, flexibility, and location control, the GEPIK Program offers one of the most balanced public school opportunities out there.

You’ll get the structure and benefits of a government-backed program, with the added perk of knowing your school and city before you arrive. For many teachers, that peace of mind makes all the difference.

Whether you’re transferring from a hagwon, applying for the first time, or just want a life close to — but not inside — Seoul, GEPIK is absolutely worth considering.

🔗 Ready to take the next step?

Here are some helpful resources to explore:

• 👉 EPIK Program Korea
• 👉 Teaching Jobs in South Korea

✨ Want city access, lifestyle balance, and real control over where you teach?
GEPIK might be your perfect starting point.