Re. teaching, copies or original certificates?

[Guest]

From a prospective English teacher, what do you think of the idea of laminating good quality colour photocopies of my qualification certificates to use in place of the originals when appying for a position? I'm a little concerned about bringing the real ones with me with no really safe place to keep them.

Is this a sensible idea or completely stupid? Do schools need to see the original certificates or will a well presented copy be just as good?

Any advice appreciated.

[cardinalblue]

My first employer, a private language school, insisted on the original. My current employer, a large company, made a copy from a copy.

When I first came here, I left my original at home for the same reasons you voiced.

When I went home this year, I brought it back with me just in case i need it down the road.

There is a risk in losing it but the risk is even less than your passport.

My advice - bring it with you and just be wise on where you keep it. It will avoid the hassle and trying to present any logical argument for not having it is not worth your breath considering Thais' current thinking.

cardinalblue

[Guest]

Thanks. I'll take the originals along then. Probably better to have them available than take a chance and miss out on a good job or worse.