GEPIK — Gyeonggi English Program in Korea
Teach in Korea's most populous province — 13.5 million residents, direct subway access to Seoul, and lower living costs. Seoul-level life without Seoul-level competition.
Apply Now₩2.2–2.6M
Monthly Salary
Mon–Fri
8:30AM–4:30PM
22 Hrs
Teaching/Week
Gyeonggi
Province
Housing
Free or ₩500K
26 Days
Paid Vacation
GEPIK places native English teachers in public elementary, middle, and high schools across Gyeonggi Province — the ring of cities and suburbs surrounding Seoul. With direct subway connections to central Seoul (30-60 minutes), GEPIK teachers enjoy Seoul-level urban life at 30-40% lower living costs. Korvia has been GEPIK's distinguished recruiting partner since 2008.
Two Paths to GEPIK
Direct via Korvia
Spring semester (March start) positions are primarily recruited directly through Korvia. This path is ideal for both first-time and experienced teachers. Korvia screens your application, conducts an interview, and matches you with schools in Gyeonggi Province.
- ✓Direct school matching
- ✓Faster placement process
- ✓Priority for experienced teachers
- ✓Korvia interview + guidance
Through EPIK
Fall semester (September start) positions are mostly filled through the national EPIK program. Apply through EPIK and request Gyeonggi as your preferred province. Placement is assigned by the education office based on availability.
- ✓Standard EPIK application
- ✓Request Gyeonggi as preference
- ✓Placement assigned by GEPIK office
- ✓Same contract and benefits
The Seoul Suburb Advantage
Suwon
Pop. 1.2MGyeonggi's capital. UNESCO Hwaseong Fortress. 30 min to Seoul by subway.
Seongnam / Bundang
Pop. 930KAffluent Seoul suburb. Pangyo tech hub. Direct Sinbundang Line to Gangnam (15 min).
Goyang / Ilsan
Pop. 1.1MNorthwest Seoul satellite. KINTEX convention center. 25 min to Seoul.
Yongin
Pop. 1.1MHome to Everland (Korea's largest theme park). Mix of urban and suburban.
Bucheon
Pop. 830KBetween Seoul and Incheon. International Film Festival. Excellent subway.
Pyeongtaek
Pop. 530KCamp Humphreys area. Growing international community. Southern Gyeonggi.
Salary & Benefits at a Glance
| Level | Monthly Salary | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1++ | ₩2,600,000 | Consecutive renewal at Level 1+ with GEPIK |
| Level 1+ | ₩2,500,000 | Returning Level 1, renewing with GEPIK |
| Level 1 | ₩2,400,000 | 2+ years teaching experience + TEFL |
| Level 2+ | ₩2,300,000 | 1 year teaching experience + TEFL |
| Level 2 | ₩2,200,000 | Bachelor's degree + TEFL certificate |
Free Housing
Furnished apartment or ₩500K/month allowance
Rural Bonus
+₩100K/month for rural school placements
Multi-School
+₩100-150K/month for 2-3 school assignments
Health Insurance
50% employer-paid National Health Insurance
GEPIK vs EPIK vs Hagwon
| Feature | GEPIK | EPIK (Other) | Hagwon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Gyeonggi (near Seoul) | Random placement | You choose |
| Salary Range | ₩2.2–2.6M | ₩1.8–2.8M | ₩2.1–3.0M |
| Schedule | 8:30AM–4:30PM | 8:30AM–4:30PM | Usually 2PM–9PM |
| Vacation | 26 days | 26 days | 11 days |
| Housing | Free or ₩500K | Free | Usually free |
| Seoul Access | 30-60 min subway | Depends on placement | If Seoul-based |
| Start Dates | March / September | March / September | Year-round |
| Recruitment | Korvia direct or EPIK | EPIK only | Varies |
What It's Like to Teach in Gyeonggi
Co-Teaching Model
You work alongside a Korean English co-teacher. You lead conversation, pronunciation, and cultural topics. The co-teacher handles grammar and Korean explanations.
School Levels
Elementary (40-min classes), middle (45-min), or high school (50-min). Most GEPIK placements are elementary or middle school.
22 Hours/Week Max
Maximum 22 teaching hours per week. Remaining hours are for lesson planning, meetings, and school activities.
English Camps
During summer and winter breaks, you may run 1-2 week English camps — interactive, activity-based programs within regular work hours.
Multiple Schools
Some teachers are assigned to 2-3 schools. You receive an extra ₩100-150K/month allowance for multi-school assignments.
Community Life
Gyeonggi offers the best of both worlds — local Korean community life during the week, Seoul nightlife and culture on weekends.
GEPIK FAQ
What's the difference between GEPIK's spring and fall intake?
Spring semester (March start) positions are primarily recruited directly through Korvia — you apply to Korvia and get matched with Gyeonggi schools. Fall semester (September start) positions are mostly filled through EPIK's national program, where you apply through EPIK and request Gyeonggi as your preferred province.
Can I live in Seoul and commute to my GEPIK school?
Technically yes, but GEPIK provides free housing near your school or a ₩500K housing allowance. Most teachers live near their school during the week and visit Seoul on weekends. Some schools in northern Gyeonggi (Goyang, Paju) are close enough for a Seoul commute.
How competitive is GEPIK compared to SMOE?
GEPIK is less competitive than Seoul (SMOE). While Seoul receives the most applications, Gyeonggi offers similar urban amenities at lower cost. Teachers with TEFL and teaching experience have excellent placement chances.
Is GEPIK better than other EPIK provinces?
It depends on your priorities. GEPIK's main advantage is proximity to Seoul — most schools are 30-60 minutes from central Seoul by subway. Other provinces may offer higher salaries (Chungnam tops at ₩2.8M) or more rural/nature experiences (Gangwon, Jeju). GEPIK offers the best balance of urban access and public school benefits.
Do I get rural or multi-school allowances?
Yes. Teachers at rural schools (eup/myeon level) receive +₩100K/month. Teachers assigned to 2 schools get +₩100K/month, and 3 schools get +₩150K/month. These are on top of your base salary.
What documents do I need?
Bachelor's degree, TEFL certificate (100+ hours), apostilled criminal background check, sealed transcripts, passport photos, and reference letters. Korvia guides you through each document.
Explore GEPIK
Salary Levels
2026 pay scale by qualification level.
Benefits
Housing, insurance, vacation, allowances.
Locations
Cities and regions in Gyeonggi Province.
Eligibility
Requirements and qualifications.
Contract Info
Terms, duration, and renewal.
Duties
Daily schedule and responsibilities.
Application Process
Step-by-step timeline.
Downloads
Forms and document templates.
GEPIK Hub
Program overview and navigation.
Ready to Teach Near Seoul?
GEPIK offers Seoul access with less competition and lower living costs. Apply through Korvia — GEPIK's distinguished partner since 2008.