Korean Job Discussion Forums

thrila · Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Location: Oregon

Okay, so I've tried reading as much as I can find in terms of threads about reference/recommendation letters. I'm applying for GEPIK (around September so long as there are no problems), and have managed to get 2 reference letters, with a 3rd employer willing to write one (I was going to use it as backup if needed).

Now, my question. I've helped a few adults from South Korea with English (it was supposed to be a language exchange, but I ended up tutoring them in English, which was fine). Would it be okay to get one or two of them to write a letter for me? Again, I just have the opportunity to get extra letters, and one added benefit is that these letters would be written in Korean. Just curious if it would be a good idea for a little something extra or should I just not waste the time? I know they aren't really employers or professors.

Thanks in advance for any advice~

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

Nice blue font.

I have never heard of reference letters for public school jobs. If you are applying to a private organization, then the importance of it might increase depending on the individual school.

However, with a public school job, we all start at the longest rung and work our way up. This means if you are applying for your second year with a reference, you get the same salary as someone also applying for their second year without a reference. Only a school looking for that "special" someone might look into reference letters.

A reference letter, a single reference letter, only boosts your salary 100,000. When I applied, they only accepted 1 reference. However, what they do is call schools to make sure you did or did not work at the schools listed in your resume.

I was asked more for contact info than actual real reference letters. That is more what departments in universities and private schools do.

ironclad80 · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

ironclad80 · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

thrila · Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Location: Oregon

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

thrila · Joined: 08 Feb 2012 Location: Oregon

Airborne9 · Joined: 01 Jun 2010

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

To the above two posters, I am not claiming you don't need one in all cases. It sounds more like an in house rule. Recruiters by nature are going to say you need something when in fact you may not. Considering many of these schools want teachers young and fresh out of college, then chances are they have no work experience let alone references. The recruiters mentioned are well known, which means they are more likely to be strict and follow more rules than a recruiter who has gathered a list of ASAP jobs and getting a commission after they get a teacher to sign a contract.

1 example:

"Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
* You must have a Bachelor's degree (any discipline) from an accredited university.
* You must not have a criminal record."

No mention of reference letters. Also, check this link http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=51662

If a good public school is out a teacher because either they didn't show up or decided not to continue for a second year, they would need a teacher to replace them rather quickly (the good school wouldn't want to start the year without an English teacher). Waiting around for a recommendation letter or two would not be in their best interest. Of course, given the choice, more references wouldn't hurt.

However, the choice to accept and even read those letters would be up to the school. They might place a lot interest and importance on them, or they may use that to get more funding and keep the extra money that should be going the teacher's way.

The important point here is if you are or did submit reference letters, is your salary higher? If not, you are losing money. It's like paying for pension twice instead of having the school pay. They are simply holding on to that money. New teachers are going to be naive to this and therefore fall victim easier.

Cacille · Joined: 05 Oct 2011

OP, I had two reference letters, one from a boss at a old job in which I used to run small hour-long classes of people about once every few months. The second letter I got from a person I know in Japan, we have been friends for 10 years and every once in a while over that span, he'd ask me questions about phrases in English, or to look over documents he was writing in English to make sure the English was correct. Sometimes he'd pay me a bit for my help in the document's correction. Recently he wanted to really work on his English ability so he paid me up front for 6 months worth of "classes" in Natural English speaking. Considering I was paid to be his teacher, I asked him for a recommendation letter. He sent one out and there was my second letter I needed!

I just got the visa paperwork submitted at the Chicago Korean consulate. So yes, all you need is TWO letters, and it would be a waste of time to get your students to write letters. Just go with the two you have, it doesn't matter too much if my story above is any proof of that. And yes, I'm going into EPIK.

thebektionary · Joined: 11 May 2011

I got a public school job through a recruiter (incoming March of this year) and I needed 2 letters of recommendation for the GEPIK application.

They hired me before they saw these letters so they had no impact on my employment. They are just simply part of the application. Don't sweat them too much... I doubt anyone reads them really.