[Sponsored Report] EPIK introduction to Korea

Guest English teachers participate in a taekwondo class as part of their EPIK orientation.

The National Institute for International Education (NIIED), a division of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, hired 970 teachers this term for placement into Korean Public Schools.

The EPIK program’s orientation, which runs from August 17 through August 26, is aimed to prepare guest English teachers not only to be effective teachers in Korean public schools but also to teach them how to adapt to Korean culture and customs. The EPIK Orientation is being held at three different venues, NIIED, Kyunghee University and Jeonju University

Around 450 teachers from the August 2011 orientation session participated in taekwondo classes as one of their regular lectures. There were also K-pop classes at Jeonju University.

Through experiencing taekwondo and the K-pop classes participants were able to experience both traditional and modern aspects of Korean culture.

EPIK Orientation Supervisor Mimi Choe explained, “We decided to integrate these classes into our orientation this year as a unique opportunity for EPIK teachers to learn about Korean culture by not only listening but by doing. Especially taekwondo, which will help to demonstrate the importance of respect, morals and etiquette in Korean culture.”

From the teachers’ reactions these classes can be considered a great success.

Crystal Stephens explained that not only has learning taekwondo been an exciting experience, but it has also broadened her ideas about martial arts and Korean culture. She added that she plans to continue learning taekwondo at her new school.

The K-pop classes were introduced to give teachers a brief guide to a modern Korean phenomenon. Dynamic, vibrant and ever changing, K-pop represents young Korean society as it is today.

At the EPIK Orientation held at NIIED, 170 English teachers had the privilege of participating in a lecture by Ambassador Byung Se-yun, former Deputy Foreign Minister and former National Security Advisor to the President. (Provided by Anthony Snow and James Kim)