EPIK & JET Timeline: Get TEFL Certified in Time for Applications

Joining a teaching programme like EPIK or JET is one of the most popular ways to get started teaching abroad, with thousands of English teachers finding jobs in Korean and Japanese schools each year.  

But there’s a lot of prep work involved if you want to time your application right, and that includes getting your TEFL certificate in time before applications close. 

So, when should you sign up for your TEFL course and start studying?

Key Takeaways 🔑

• EPIK : Aim to complete your TEFL course before the application start date, even though there’s flexibility to finish it after applying. 
• JET : A TEFL course isn’t essential, but you’ll learn the basics of foreign language teaching (which will also boost your application). 
• Work backwards from application start dates to time your TEFL studies.
• Allow 10–12 weeks to complete your TEFL course; some students finish it in 4–6 weeks, but give yourself extra time to play it safe.  
• EPIK Spring intake : Start your TEFL course in November if you want to be TEFL certified before sending your application.
• EPIK Fall intake : Start your TEFL course around May .
• JET : Applications open in September, so start your TEFL course around July–August .

	Applications open	Typical Deadline	Start your TEFL course by…
JET	September	November	July–August
EPIK (Spring intake)	August	January	June–August
EPIK (Fall intake)	February	July	December

What is JET or EPIK? 

Both are government-backed teaching programmes that promote cultural and language exchange by hiring English teachers. 

Here’s a quick rundown of each programme:

• English Programme in Korea (EPIK) is a programme that recruits English-speaking teachers (like you!) to improve English levels in Korea. Teachers work as English Language Assistants (ELAs) alongside a Korean teacher at public schools, which is great for gaining experience before leading lessons independently. 
• Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) is a programme that hires thousands of foreign teachers (from 50+ countries) each year to improve English proficiency in Japan. Like EPIK, teachers work as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) at public schools.

Why are JET and EPIK so popular?

Apart from the fact that they’re based in some of the most popular teach and travel destinations in the world, here’s what makes the JET or EPIK programme so popular: 

• High salary : You’ll earn a salary of around ₩2–2.8 million ($1,400–$1,985) or ¥335,000 ($2,105) per month. 
• Job benefits : Teachers often receive benefits like flight reimbursement, and free or subsidised accommodation. 
• Cultural exchange : From learning new languages to befriending locals, you’ll gain insight and integrate with other cultures. 
• Pre-departure support : Teaching abroad can be a logistical minefield. But from legalising your degree to applying for visas, you’ll get plenty of technical support from the EPIK and JET team. 
• Built-in support network : You’ll receive support after arriving, and you’ll meet other teachers at the orientation to learn about teaching techniques, cultural etiquette, and go on group excursions together. 

How long does it take to get TEFL certified?

It depends. Generally, most TEFL Org students complete their TEFL course in around 10 weeks, but students who have more time on their hands to complete their TEFL course can finish in as little as 4–6 weeks.

JET and EPIK have different timelines, so as a generally guide, it’s best to work backwards from the application open date to understand when you should start your TEFL course. 

Tip : Allow extra time for studying just in case you’re caught up in other things in the lead-up.  

Timeline: Preparing your EPIK application

The EPIK Application process takes about 4–6 months in total.

But while EPIK recruiters want applicants to complete their TEFL courses at least 6 weeks before their teaching start date , you’ll improve your chances by completing it before submitting your application. 

Stages	February Start (Spring Term)	Late August Start (Fall Term)
Applications open	August–October	February–July
Online interviews and document screening	October–December	April–July
Receive your placement and NOA	December–January	June–July
Apply for E-2 visa	January–February	July–August
Arrive in South Korea	February	August

What this means for your TEFL course

If you want to complete your TEFL certificate completed before submitting your application…

• Start studying in November for the February Spring Start
• Start studying in May for the August Fall Start

Timeline: Preparing your JET application (Main departure: July/August) 

The application process for the JET programme is a little longer than EPIK, taking around 9–12 months of preparation, application, interviews, placement results, and so on. The main departure is usually in late July/August.

Stages	Main Departure Intake
Application opens	September
Application deadline	November
Interviews	January–February
Confirmation & Placement results	April–May
Orientation & prepDeparture	June–August

Tip : A TEFL certificate isn’t actually an essential requirement for the JET programme, but it’ll strengthen your application, as well as giving you confidence for interviews and teaching in the classroom. 

What this means for your TEFL course

If you’re applying for the JET programme, start studying your TEFL course in August ahead of the application deadline in November. 

Early Departure: April start date

Most teachers start work in July/August, but it’s also possible to head out on the Early Departure date to start in April. But this is rare, and spaces usually open up due to broken contracts or previous teachers leaving prematurely. 

With the Early Departure date in April, there’s FAR less time to prepare, so you’ll need to have your documents ready to go. It might be as little as a few weeks between getting your placement offer and the start date. 

What else do I need to prepare? 

But there’s more to consider beyond your TEFL certificate, and completing these tasks might get in the way of your studies if you don’t organise yourself. You’ll also need to consider things like:

• Your passport being valid for the length of your stay 
• Getting your degree transcripts ready 
• Getting a clear criminal background check (within a certain timeframe from your application or start date) 
• Legalising your documents (degree, background check, etc.)
• Preparing your visa application 

Tip : Some documents can take weeks to arrange, so don’t leave it until the last minute. 

Next stop, get your TEFL certificate 

There’s plenty of things that you’ll need to do for your EPIK or JET application, whether that means getting your criminal background check, legalising your degree, or completing the application itself. But one thing you can do to get ahead of the process is starting your TEFL course .

Being TEFL certified will boost your application, because not only will you have a valuable skill on your CV/resume but you’ll also feel more confident when talking about teaching to interviewers. From an employer’s perspective, they’ll also know that you’re classroom-ready because you’ve studied the basics. 

Why not get started today with our 120-hour TEFL course ?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I apply to EPIK before completing my TEFL course?

Yes – you need to show that you’ll complete at least 100–120 hours of TEFL training at least 6 weeks before your arrival date. But remember that things can get busy with the application, pre-departure preparation, and other things that pop up in life, so give yourself plenty of time. 

Q. Can I apply to JET before I’m TEFL certified? 

Yes, you can apply to JET before you’re TEFL certified. In fact, you can apply without a TEFL certification, but having a 120-hour TEFL certificate will boost your chances of getting accepted onto this very competitive programme. 

Q. How long does a 120-hour TEFL course take? 

It depends on how much time you can commit to studying. Most TEFL Org graduates take around 10–12 weeks to complete their TEFL course, but students who don’t have other studies or work responsibilities can complete it in as quickly as 4–6 weeks. 

Read more : How much time do you need to get TEFL certified?

Q. Is EPIK or hagwon better for teachers?

Neither is better, but EPIK is suitable for teachers who want to work in public schools and teach abroad with a support network in South Korea. If you want more independence or more flexibility, choose to a hagwon – but do your homework and check reviews before accepting job offers. There’s more variety between these private schools and some might even blacklisted by the TEFL community .