bad references without merit

itim · Post by **itim** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 2:07 am

I finished my first TEFL year in July and generally, I understood I did well. Most of my schools directly said that they wanted me back in Spetember, the one that didn't, said nothing either way.
On my return I found that the DOS of this school (a B.I. in Italy) has been highly critcal, despite the fact that I was never directly told anything before. The worst part was the allegation I refused to take offered training, something I was not offered.
Has anyone else experienced likewise? Apart from deleting a chunk of my C.V., which would deny me the valuable experience gained, has anyone got any ideas what I can do?

Superhal · Post by **Superhal** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 6:17 am

chin up, take it in stride, keep going, don't let it get you down, etc.

Everyone has had a similar experience, not even at multiple schools. Everybody has one class that they just don't get along with, even though the rest are great.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 5:01 pm

Before you consider deleting possibly valuable experience from your CV, ask the DOS concerned (or whoever does the references) for a letter of recommendation/reference (in writing) before you leave; that way you'll soon see if the criticisms you've apparently received behind your back are of any substance (my guess is that you'll receive something that if not exactly glowing will at least be satisfactory enough to get you your next job). If they refuse to put anything in writing for you to see and "agree" upon, you can still keep things on your CV, but just look for alternative (or prior) referees (ultimately the most important thing is just that you appear to have completed at least a year's contract and had a relatively benign reason for leaving thereafter).