Unfortunately, scams can happen in every industry, including the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) sector. If you are considering taking a TEFL course, it’s important to be cautious and make sure that the TEFL program you are dealing with is legitimate, not a scam. Here are a few but crucial things to keep in mind to protect yourself : and avoid being scammed.
Check for Accreditation :
Legitimate TEFL courses are accredited by a recognizable body (i.e Cambridge University, TRINITY college, ACCET,ALTE… ). Accreditation ensures that the TEFL course is received from a reputable program.
Be wary of courses that seem too good to be true:
If a TEFL course is significantly much cheaper than the reputable ones or promises guaranteed job placement, be cautious. Scammers often use these tactics to lure in unsuspecting students.
Look for reviews and testimonials, but be careful with fake ones:
Legitimate TEFL courses should have positive reviews and testimonials from previous students. However, It’s unfortunately common for scammers to create fake reviews to make their TEFL courses appear legitimate, so be cautious.For instance, If multiple reviews have similar wording, or have similar errors, it may be a sign that they are fake.
The TEFL Course Content:
A reputable TEFL course should have a well-structured and comprehensive curriculum that covers all the key aspects of teaching English as a foreign language, including lesson planning, classroom management, teaching techniques and methodology, and language analysis. The course should also include practical teaching experience, either through teaching practice sessions or through a teaching practicum.
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Ask for recommendations:
Ask for recommendations from people you know who have taken a TEFL course, or from online forums and social media groups.
By checking for these factors ensuring that the course is legitimate, you can make an informed decision about which TEFL course to take, and keep yourself safe from scammers.
