The NIIED Orientation - An Original Experience that is EPIK


Elizabeth Chin
National EPIK Coordinator

The NIIED EPIK orientation staff welcomed 171 new Guest English Teachers (GETs) to Korea from August 19th through August 27th this past recruitment semester. A program full of cultural experiences, lectures, survival Korean classes and various other activities kept GETs curious about what would lie ahead of them after the orientation. Only teachers placed in Incheon city, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Chungbuk and Jeju Provinces attended this orientation while other teachers attended EPIK's sister orientations. The orientation was held at the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) located in Seoul.
On August 19th, GETs began to trickle into one of the dormitory buildings, some of them fighting to stay awake because of Jet-lag and others extending their arms to meet and greet each other. Everyone seemed eager to participate in the events to come. When the stage lights lit up during the Opening Ceremony the next day, the air was filled with excitement and anticipation. A powerful performance by Midong Elementary school students kick-started the event with a Taekwondo performance that left the crowd awestruck. This school is well-known for its 'National Children's Taekwondo Demonstration Team', a group that has performed in many locations world-wide. Then musicians took the stage and gave a traditional Korean musical performance, giving most of the teachers their first taste of authentic Korean culture.

The cultural experience started with a tour of the Korean Folk Village in Yongin City, an establishment built to promote the country's culture and to allow domestic and international visitors to experience Korean tradition first-hand. After touring the folk village, teachers experienced Sangmodollig, a popular farmer's music and dance performance, tightrope acrobatics, and a traditional Korean wedding, all of which received great reviews.

At the Gyeonggi Arts Center, teachers moved to the beat of the drum as they learned to play Janggu, traditional Korean drums, and scared off evil spirits and devils with their wildly entertaining Korean "Mask Dance". Before the day ended, everyone was treated to a comical "Breakout" musical dance performance, fueling ideas for the talent show to come.

The field trip gave way to the more serious and informative side of the orientation: lectures and lesson planning. Teachers took on the role of students as they attended lectures with an array of topics from learning "How to Co-teach" to burning up with "English Fever" and "Lesson Planning". University professors and EPIK teachers from provinces and cities all over Korea came to speak about the Korean curriculum, English camps, teaching strategies and tips, co-teaching, and much more.

Even though GETs were busy attending lectures, learning Korean, and getting to know each other, they still managed to dedicate time to practice for the talent show the night before their departure from the orientation. Though before they took the stage, the Dan-A-Da-Ri group performed a fan and Janggu dance and even taught the art of fan dancing to a few of the teachers. Then, EPIK Teachers took the stage in fashion with their song-remakes, instrumental abilities, vocal talents, and their version of the "Mask Dance". When the A Cappella group, LoGS, made their appearance, there was not one silent person in the crowd. The entire event was an absolute hit with everyone, teachers and staff alike.

The Closing Ceremony commenced on August 27th, officially concluding the orientation. The atmosphere was a bit melancholy, for teachers were sad to bid each other farewell. However, GETs, dressed in their best, were also anxious to meet their co-teachers and see the place they would call home for the next year.

After getting a taste of dynamic Korean culture and learning what it means to be an EPIK teacher, GETs boarded the buses and headed off to their respective Offices of Education. EPIK, with sincerity and dedication, will continue to make future orientations instructional, eventful, and memorable.