Job Discussion Forums

[jim_brava]

I don't have a TEFL, but have been told that a proven two years of teaching in the same subject - which, in my case, will be Physics - can be used instead.

It seems strange that teaching another subject that has nothing to do with Physics (e.g. English or Biology) doesn't count, but getting a TEFL - which, again, has nothing to do with Physics - would count, but that's the lie of the land.

So, I need to get this "proof" ASAP.

1) Do these letters from past employers have to be recommendations (i.e. to say that you were good at the job), or is a signed/stamped letter to merely confirm that you worked there between the claimed dates sufficient?

It's not that I was a bad teacher/employee, or anything, but some of these requests are for positions I held as far back as 2009. As a result, many of the current admin staff will not have been around when I was there, and I would only exist to them as a name in their archives.

2) Does General Science count towards Physics "experience"?

I genuinely have two years of Physics experience, but this is by adding together the time taught at three different schools. If one fails to respond, I would fall short and need to rely on my General Science experience to edge beyond the required provable two years.

3) Do these documents need to be stamped/signed originals, or are scanned email attachments sufficient?

I am getting these documents made retrospectively, and, as I am no longer in Bangkok (where most of these employers are), I can realistically only receive them as email scans.

4) Is the TEFL/2-year thing a deal-breaker? By that I mean, is it something that could legitimately kill a z-visa application stone dead, or merely one of those "we'll see what we can do" situations that can be worked around?

Clearly, there is a worse-case-scenario where I can't get the requested proof, as I cannot force these employers from 4-10 years ago to write these letters, or even respond to my emails - especially as I am making these requests from a distant location.

To be honest, I am concerned about committing hundreds of pounds on visas, document verifications and travelling expenses with this Sword of Damocles hanging over my application.

[rocket man]

I had a colleague at my former university in Korea from 4 years ago bs on letterhead a letter saying that I taught there from x/xx-y/yy didn't matter that I was teaching ESL there and history here, they just want 2 years of experience

Likely pretty easy to do one up yourself. Doubt if they are going to check it but then again given how strict they are getting here in Shanghai they just might

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

Most likely, whomever you contact at your alma mater will ask you when you attended the school and how long you taught. You can just about write the letter and have the prof put it on school letterhead then sign it.

A short explanation of what you need and why you need it will usually be enough for the prof.

[huoguojiggae2017]

[slamb]

I'm a bit confused. Is this an immigration requirement (for the z visa) or a school requirement?

I'm in a similar situation but I have a PGCE & CELTA. Do either of these exempt me from having to prove that I have 2 years' experience?