How the WTEFLAC Helped you Work out if a Provider was Legitimate?

The internet makes it easier than ever to start a TEFL course. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to be sure the provider you’ve chosen is legitimate.



The World Wide Web brings choice and risk. Choice because it puts a whole world of services at your fingertips and risk because it’s hard to tell the good from the bad and the ugly. Unfortunately, due to a lack of regulation, the TEFL and TESOL sectors can be a perfect case in point, which is why companies such as the World TEFL Accrediting Commission were so important.

What to watch out for

Almost anyone can set up a TEFL course or a legitimate company. All you need is a website and you’re ready to go. Thanks to this the recent surge in TEFL providers also led to a surge in the number of poor-quality providers out there. They could talk a good game but not deliver.

At the same time, the last few years have also seen a rise in scams. Fraudsters can set up legitimate providers claiming to offer a service. When you pay your deposit, you never hear from them again. These bait-and-switch attacks became particularly common during the pandemic with more and more people looking for new ways to work.

Red flags

When looking for a provider, it pays to keep an eye out for these warning signs.

  • Rock bottom prices: As the saying goes – if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Plenty of providers hook people in with seemingly great deals. However, the qualification you get at the end is barely worth the paper it’s written on. If someone is offering an outstanding deal it’s worth making sure you know why they are offering such low prices and what you’ll get for your money.
  • Lack of reviews: A lack of reviews can indicate a scam. If people have been using a legitimate company, they will share their experiences online. TEFL providers also actively encourage people to share their feedback in a bid to boost their reputation. A lack of reviews can be a telltale sign that something’s not right. Equally, checking reviews can be a good way to distinguish between the best providers and the rest. All companies get the odd bad review, but if there’s a pattern, it’s wise to be cautious.
  • Insufficient hours: A TEFL course should offer at least 120 hours of tuition, with many of the best offering 150 hours or more. Anything less could reduce your chances of getting a job.

 

How the WTEFLAC helps

Without proper regulation, the WTEFLAC set out to offer accreditation services. Each provider would be reviewed and verified against a set of criteria set out in the WTEFLAC’s code of practice. That way potential students would have a reliable guide that could tell them if a provider was worth the money or not.

 

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