The Growing Teacher 🌱
Helping teachers grow beyond the classroom
Real experiences | Honest reflections | Motivation
18/04/2026
Dear PGCE Student 🇿🇦:There comes a point in your teaching career where you question everything. Wondering if it was even worth it . I’ve been there! I’ve been pushed to what I once thought was my “ limits” and almost quit. Not because I didn’t love teaching ( I was starting to convince myself that I didn’t ) but here I am now, to tell you that sometimes we just need clarity when we are overwhelmed!
Teaching will consume and destroy you if you don’t find a way to build a life around it! It’s difficult at first but once you figure out how to make it work for you, it’s amazing!!
I know these assignments get exhausting and demotivating sometimes! But it’s all worth it. Don’t underestimate it and don’t rush it ! That “ paper” can one day open doors you never knew existed!
04/08/2025
🎒 How to Teach in South Korea 🇰🇷 with EPIK (As a South African 🇿🇦)
Teaching English in South Korea LAUNCHED my journey to Teaching Abroad!!— free accommodation, travel opportunities, decent pay for a new graduate,but you’re not sure where to start
Here’s a simple breakdown 👇🏿
✅ What is EPIK?
The English Program in Korea (EPIK) places foreign teachers in Korean public schools. You’ll teach English, usually with a Korean educator with you in the classroom.It’s a government-backed program — more stable than private academies (hagwons).
Your employer will be the Ministry of Education not a PRIVATE BUSINESS ✅
🗂️ Requirements for South Africans:
✅ Hold a Bachelor’s degree (any major)
✅ Have a TEFL/TESOL certificate (120 hours)
✅ Be a native English speaker from an English-speaking country (South Africa qualifies). Other countries are USA,UK,Ireland,Canada,Australia and New Zealand.
✅ Have a clean criminal record
✅ Be in good health (a medical check is part of the process)
Optional but helpful:
✔ Teaching experience
✔ A teaching license or PGCE(will bump you up on the salary scale)
✔ An open mind and willingness to learn(it’s totally different from South Africa)
🛫 The Process (Short Version): I will break it down in detail the next posts.
Apply through the EPIK website (direct application)
or a recruiter (Korvia, Korean Horizons) I personally used Korvia because the first time, I applied directly and was rejected 💔💔💔.
Prepare all documents: degree, transcripts, SAQA certificate, TEFL, police clearance, etc.
Interview → placement → visa → fly out!
💸 Perks:
🌟 Salary: 2.0–2.7 million KRW/month (R22,000–R30,000+)
🌟 Free housing
🌟 Paid vacation (26 days)
🌟 Severance pay and contract completion bonus pay(you get it when you leave Korea).
🌟 Health insurance
゚viralシ ゚viralシfypシ゚