Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Paladin Brewer]

Hello,

I taught in Korea for a year, and then I came back home to the US. I now plan on going back to Korea, but I had heard a letter of recommendation would be mandatory from my prior school. However my co-teacher and I did not get along toward the end, and she will not be writing me a letter I'm sure. Will this be a problem with me getting another job in Korea? Thanks.

[northway]

As far ask I know, Koreans usually call to ask about someone rather than using a letter.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Most schools in Korea now require a letter of recommendation from previous employers (or in the case of first time teachers from your professors).

That is pretty much policy for public schools anyway although some people may slip through the cracks. As for hakwons it's pretty much still hit and miss. Some require them and some don't.

But it's not the co-teacher that writes the letter it should be the Principal or VP...at least that is been the case at the three P.S. I've taught at.

[maximmm]

VP and principal usually just sign such letters.

[young_clinton]

No it's not mandatory only it would be helpful. What's mandatory is that you can show that you worked at the school. The previous posters are correct they will call the school to verify employment. You might want to give them the phone number of another person like your English coordinator or director. I don't know for sure though that might be going above the head of your co-teacher and may cause problems. Somebody else may be able to give thier opinions on this.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Paladin Brewer]

My old principal (there were two actually during my year there) and VP do not speak any English though. The only way I could possibly go through them is through my old co-teacher, who is not too willing to help me in this endeavor.

[amcnutt]

[Paladin Brewer]

I "think" the VP liked me. I mean like I said he did not speak English but he was always very polite to me, shaking me hand and thanking me for the hard work. I tried getting ahold of another Korean English teacher, but he has left that school and the phone number I have for him has changed, since I get some sort of "disconnected" message. I don't know how to track him down. Perhaps I can ask a Korean friend of mine to call the school, would they give contact information for him?

[ironclad80]

[asdfghjkl]

I came back to the US and worked for awhile before getting a job at a PS through the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education. I just got my boss at my job in the US to write one of my letters. I had already been offered a job after interviewing with someone from the GOE, so it seemed like it was just a formality. They had the contact information of where I worked at previously in Korea on the application anyway.

Does anybody even read those letters?

[sojusucks]