EPIK Duties & Responsibilities (2026)
What does a typical day look like for an EPIK teacher? Here's what to expect in Korean public schools.
EPIK teachers work 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, with a maximum of 22 teaching hours per week. You co-teach alongside Korean English teachers and focus on conversation, pronunciation, and cultural exchange. The remaining hours are for lesson preparation and school activities.
Primary Responsibilities
Co-Teaching
Work alongside Korean English teachers (co-teachers) in the classroom. You lead conversation and pronunciation practice while the Korean teacher handles grammar and Korean-language explanations.
Lesson Planning
Prepare teaching materials, worksheets, and classroom activities. Most schools provide a textbook curriculum, but teachers are expected to create supplementary activities.
Conversation Classes
Lead small-group or whole-class conversation sessions. Focus on natural English speaking, listening comprehension, and building student confidence.
English Camps
During summer and winter school breaks, teachers may run English camps (1-2 weeks). These are interactive, activity-based programs within regular working hours.
Extracurricular Activities
Support English-related clubs, speech contests, spelling bees, and cultural events. Participation varies by school.
School Events
Attend school events like sports days, graduation ceremonies, and teacher meetings. Cultural participation is part of the EPIK experience.
Typical Daily Schedule
| 8:30 AM | Arrive at school, morning meeting with teachers |
| 9:00 – 12:00 | Morning classes (3-4 teaching periods) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch (school cafeteria, usually free for teachers) |
| 1:00 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon classes or desk time for lesson prep |
| 4:30 PM | End of work day |
Schedules vary by school. Some schools start at 8:00 AM, others at 9:00 AM. Class periods and break times differ between elementary, middle, and high schools.
Class Duration by School Level
40 min
Elementary
Grades 3-6
45 min
Middle School
Grades 7-9
50 min
High School
Grades 10-12