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Proving previous teaching experience?

 
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CENTROVERT



Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 12
PostPosted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:20 am    Post subject: Proving previous teaching experience? Reply with quote
Hey All,

I taught at the same same private English school for two years in Korea, but that was 5 years ago... and yes... on a fake degree. I have since received a real diploma from a real university. The only proof I have of previous employment are my old E-2 visas, which are legit and verifiable. Is that enough to prove past work experience, or do I need some kind of "paperwork" (Letter o' reco/ref) from the hagwon?

Now that I think about it, how does one prove previous 'out-of-country' work experience to a Japanese employer? I was in the military as well. Would they ask for my service records?

I would like very much to teach in Japan for two years while I am getting my masters online (my BA is in social work... I can make more teaching in Japan than working with hobos in the US), as well as finally going overseas to teach the right way and with the proper credentials. Karma and all...
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:38 am    Post subject: Re: Proving previous teaching experience? Reply with quote
CENTROVERT wrote:
Hey All,

I taught at the same same private English school for two years in Korea, but that was 5 years ago... and yes... on a fake degree. I have since received a real diploma from a real university. The only proof I have of previous employment are my old E-2 visas, which are legit and verifiable. Is that enough to prove past work experience, or do I need some kind of "paperwork" (Letter o' reco/ref) from the hagwon?
What do you think? C'mon. Do as much as possible to prove you worked there. A visa only means you got a visa, not that you followed through and worked on it.

Quote:
Now that I think about it, how does one prove previous 'out-of-country' work experience to a Japanese employer? I was in the military as well. Would they ask for my service records?
You prove you worked somewhere by having a letter of recommendation support your claim. If your face was in the school catalogue of classes, even better!
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CENTROVERT



Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 12
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:37 am    Post subject: Re: Proving previous teaching experience? Reply with quote
Glenski wrote:
Do as much as possible to prove you worked there. A visa only means you got a visa, not that you followed through and worked on it.


I see where you are coming from generally, but in Korea, your visa is tied to your employer (or at least it was years ago). No workie, no visa... and almost no chance of getting another via transfer. Moreover, I have two consecutive visas from the same sponsor, thus proving at least one year.

The hagwon itself is now out of business, so even if I had something like a Lo'Rec (and I wish I could find the old one), what good would it do as there is no point of contact anymore.

My main point in posting this question was how can I show I have previous working experience as an ESL teacher considering my situation. At this time, all I have are two old visas from the same employer. Am I SOL, or does anyone feel I might be able swing it?
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Apsara



Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:41 am    Post subject: Re: Proving previous teaching experience? Reply with quote
CENTROVERT wrote:

The hagwon itself is now out of business, so even if I had something like a Lo'Rec (and I wish I could find the old one), what good would it do as there is no point of contact anymore.



It doesn't matter if there is no one to contact, a letter still shows that you were working for someone. In Japan the visa is not tied to the job, and you can't really expect employers here to be familiar with the visa system in Korea, so just showing the visas isn't likely to help much.

In your case all you can really do is put the experience on your resume and hope they believe you.
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CENTROVERT



Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 12
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:31 am    Post subject: Re: Proving previous teaching experience? Reply with quote
Apsara wrote:
CENTROVERT wrote:

The hagwon itself is now out of business, so even if I had something like a Lo'Rec (and I wish I could find the old one), what good would it do as there is no point of contact anymore.



It doesn't matter if there is no one to contact, a letter still shows that you were working for someone. In Japan the visa is not tied to the job, and you can't really expect employers here to be familiar with the visa system in Korea, so just showing the visas isn't likely to help much.

In your case all you can really do is put the experience on your resume and hope they believe you.


Thank you. I consider the issue now closed as it probably isn't worth entertaining anyway. Not as if any job I might qualify for would really care so much as to give me any substantial pay raise.
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anneinjapan



Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 7
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Your best bet is probably to get your foot in the door through ECC, GEOS, AEON, etc. because the big guys hire those with little to no experience. And with a degree and cert that's about as good as it gets unless you search for jobs yourself here.

JET program? Not sure of deadlines but they pay better than your standard eikawa and also give a housing stipend I believe.

Good luck, I feel your pain. I used to bartend at this one place where I was also managing the bar staff and in charge of liquor orders. Alas they are out of business (they closed without telling the staff, nice! even I was surprised!)
and I can't prove I worked there unless I show old tax stubs. But really, why would I? Just put it down and hope they believe you. Very Happy
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
anneinjapan wrote:
Your best bet is probably to get your foot in the door through ECC, GEOS, AEON, etc. because the big guys hire those with little to no experience. And with a degree and cert that's about as good as it gets unless you search for jobs yourself here.

JET program? Not sure of deadlines but they pay better than your standard eikawa and also give a housing stipend I believe.
The OP is going to have to come to Japan or apply from home for all of the above. JET accepts applications usually at the end of the calendar year, but it only interviews people in their home countries. Those major eikaiwa will not recruit from Korea.
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anneinjapan



Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 7
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Glenski wrote:
anneinjapan wrote:
Your best bet is probably to get your foot in the door through ECC, GEOS, AEON, etc. because the big guys hire those with little to no experience. And with a degree and cert that's about as good as it gets unless you search for jobs yourself here.

JET program? Not sure of deadlines but they pay better than your standard eikawa and also give a housing stipend I believe.
The OP is going to have to come to Japan or apply from home for all of the above. JET accepts applications usually at the end of the calendar year, but it only interviews people in their home countries. Those major eikaiwa will not recruit from Korea.


Ok fair enough. Is the OP in Korea? I thought he was home and trying to get a substantial pay raise (or something to that effect) as he now felt entitled to more pay due to experience and actual qualifications. Indeed this post is about proof of previous employment (his experience), and I only meant to encourage him to try but realistically he can't prove it. He can list it and hope they believe him. Employers do go out of business, I've been there. That's all I meant.

Good info on JET though, thanks.
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CENTROVERT



Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 12
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote