Reference Letter

[Mokpo Brad]

Just wondering if anyone has received a reference letter from their school? I'm writing one for myself, but I've never done this before, so any input would be appreciated.

[suji29]

You should get a certificate of service and reference letters from your school, which your co-teacher should help with. Good Luck 

[suji29]

Is anyone else having a problem getting a reference letter from their school?

I've been told if I "really want one" I'll get it when I "need" it - ie: when I've applied for another job. This is not how it works....

[BBetz1985]

Wear them down. If you continue to ask for it eventually you will get it. I have found that my persistence is my greatest ally here in Korea. If you write out what you want that may help as your head teacher or co-teacher may just be too nervous or lazy to write it for you.

If you give them a "rough copy" to look at or use they may be a lot more receptive.

[HazelJane]

I wrote all my own reference letters, along with proof of work (hours day etc.), and pay records, took them to the admin office to get stamped and signed, it was all good! You really just have to do it yourself, write all the best things possible! then get them to sign it....

[aaronmayo09]

I'm planning on just having my principal writing me one in Korean.  I am applying for a different teaching job in Korea though...

[suji29]

I wrote all my own reference letters, along with proof of work (hours day etc.), and pay records, took them to the admin office to get stamped and signed, it was all good! You really just have to do it yourself, write all the best things possible! then get them to sign it....

How did you get the school letter head? ...and do it all without your co-teacher?

[suji29]

I'm really frustrated. I never heard of only getting a letter "only when you need it". If I find out I have an interview tomorrow (and I'm back home), then how fast are they going to get it to me?

[suji29]

Wear them down. If you continue to ask for it eventually you will get it. I have found that my persistence is my greatest ally here in Korea. If you write out what you want that may help as your head teacher or co-teacher may just be too nervous or lazy to write it for you.

If you give them a "rough copy" to look at or use they may be a lot more receptive.

First they asked me to write it, and I did. When I gave it, I just said that it's not common to ask the person to write their own (in a Western country) so the next day they told me that I'm right. I shouldn't write my own. And so... if I really need one when I apply for a job, only then I can one. I've been told it's ok to write your own in Korea, as long as they read it and approve. It's fine. Now I regret saying what I did.

[rainesbaines]

One of the previous posters advised getting a Certificate of Service from your schools.  You should definitely get this.  Here's a template I received from my recruiter as well as the actual one I received from the Incheon Office of Ed, in case you need an idea of what it should look like/include.

[dchrzano]

I was thinking about this as well but I agree you can write one yourself as it may be a stress on them to write one in English, as well I am sure it would be important to have a letter that is error proof.

[rainesbaines]

Most definitely.  I have to write one tomorrow.  I'm not feeling creative...what points should be covered in a solid reference letter, in you guys' opinions?

[joybot0]

This will depend on where you work. At private schools they sometimes ask you to write your own and they put their seals on it. At public school you shouldn't really write your own, since the school is from the government.

At public schools they can deny giving you the reference letter if they feel you are not fit to be recommended by their school. This actually happened to me at my old school, due to a hiccup with one of my coteachers. However, by law they are required to give you a certificate of employment which lists your dates of employment. You actually need this for your second or third job in Korea.

Yes! Yes! Be persistent. It's not that they want to ignore you it's that, if you have noticed by now, they don't really have good time management skills or the ability to prioritize. Plus keep in mind that official documents like these, especially at public schools, usually require signatures from several people. If one person is out for a week or day then your coteacher has to wait till they come back.

One thing is if you have recommendations from previous schools or employers back in your home country you will be okay with a letter of rec from your current school. However, make sure you have someone at your school to use as a phone reference as this will certainly be necessary.

Whatever you end up getting make sure you scan it and make a copy. Plus make sure official seals and school addresses and names are on it.

 

[Russbus65]

Out of curiosity, has anyone written their co-teacher a letter of rec?