Metaphorical representation of English Program in Korea (EPIK): Insights from native English-speaking teachers

• Published in: Korea Journal of English Language and Linguistics Vol. 25; pp. 580 - 597
• Main Author: Lee, Hyoshin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국영어학회 01.04.2025
• Subjects: 영어와문학
• ISSN: 1598-1398; 2586-7474
• DOI: 10.15738/kjell.25..202504.580

This study aims to identify how the newly recruited Native English-Speaking Teachers (NESTs) perceive and conceptualize the Education Program in Korea (EPIK) through an analysis of the metaphors they responded with. Data was collected during the EPIK orientation, which included both online and in-person sessions. A total of 250 participants responded to a written questionnaire featuring open-ended prompts designed to elicit metaphorical descriptions of their experiences. Responses were manually transcribed and analyzed using a hybrid approach that combined traditional qualitative methods with Perplexity, one of AI-supported tools. This enabled the identification and categorization of recurring metaphors into six themes: Opportunity & New Beginnings, Support System & Community, Journey & Adventure, Learning & Growth, Challenge & Transformation, and Unpredictability & Surprise. These themes reveal NESTs’ dual roles as cultural mediators and institutional actors, navigating opportunities for growth alongside systemic challenges such as emotional unpreparedness and hierarchical workplace dynamics. The study highlights EPIK’s transformative potential as a platform for global citizenship while advocating for reforms to address gaps in teacher support and equity. Future research should explore longitudinal changes in metaphorical narratives and conduct comparative analyses with similar programs to enhance teacher retention and satisfaction. KCI Citation Count: 0