Job Discussion Forums

hochhasd · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 422

One of my letters of recommendation was actually signed by the principal from the public school that I worked for in Korea. I actually typed the letter out in English.
The letter contains the starting and ending dates of employment,but I forgot to put the date the letter was actually typed. It contains what my teaching responsabilities were and how I did a GOOD job teaching all the classes.

I finished my contract with this school with no problems,but do you think the school that I am applying for will try to call the school? The letter only has the schools name.

The letter is dated July 2009 to July 2010. If I am applying ro July 2011 will this letter be to old? Confused

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

Recommendation letters are seldom asked for.

That said, an employer seriously asking for one shouldn't have issue with it. Is there a way for the employer to contact this principal?

hochhasd · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 422

thelmaharper.1921 · Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 27

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

jmw_purple · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:02 pm Post subject:

To be honest, if you want a job in China, I doubt they'll even care about details regarding your past employment, depending on where you want to teach.

If a university is your aim, then they could possibly want a reference letter, but even so, I wouldn't assume they would care about a couple of minor details if the letter itself is positive otherwise. If you're looking at private language schools, you're already laughing when it comes to being offered a job.

Getting a job in China is far easier than everyone thinks. The 'two years' experience and a degree" rule is really just a very loose guideline.

So all in all. Don't sweat the small stuff, and I would consider a date on a good reference letter pretty darn small.

Good luck to you!

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Unfortunately, different schools in different locations ask for different qualifications. Unlike South Korea, Taiwan and Japan... there really isn't any enforced set of standards to teaching English in China.

Depending on the school, you might want to simply apply to schools and then ask them what you need in order to come over to work.

wave5 · Joined: 18 Feb 2011 Posts: 16 Location: London/Yokohama

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Again, yes.