EFL Greg again!
So your TEFL certificate's going to be "internationally accredited", is it? It's easy for any course provider to make a claim like that, but is it really true? First of all, it's unlikely that a course that advertises itself as half fun on the beach and half study is likely to meet international standards. Also, if it has almost zero training with real Thai students, again it's coming up short by international standards. Most importantly, though, any truly accredited course will have an external assessment by that accrediting body at the end of the course. For example, your last teaching session should be observed by someone external to the school you're paying fees to. Everyone knows this is the case with the CELTA and Trinity qualifications. If a school makes it look easy, they're almost certainly duping you. They're making a false claim as a means to acquiring your hard earned money.
A great example of this is English For Fun's (formerly Island TEFL) claim to be accredited by the University of San Diego. Our review committee recently contacted USD directly, and they confirmed that they do not accredit Island TEFL. Nevertheless, the claim is still clearly there on the Island TEFL website and the English For Fun log-in page. And, remember, these are the same people who will be running Camp Thailand.
So we advise all prospective EFL trainee students to research the academic credentials of the school. The best way is simply to contact the accrediting organisation directly.
Good luck with your hunt.
EFL Greg
Thursday 30 June 2016
Monday 6 June 2016
Locations and Addresses
EFL Greg again!
One very important thing to check out when you book your camp is whether there will be any recourse in the event of dissatisfaction. Remember, you'll be handing over a fairly large sum of money. So what if the camp or course comes up short in any way? Will you be able to get a refund, etc?
First, always check the terms and conditions of the company. If they seem unreasonably harsh, that's probably a warning sign. The other important factor is whether or not they have an address in the UK or the USA. If you're trying to claim in a developing country, like Cambodia or Thailand, there's a good chance you'll just get brushed off. That's why it's essential that any camp has a proper address in a fully developed country, i.e. a country with a properly working legal system.
Recently, we made enquiries to Americamp about Camp Thailand, because Camp Thailand gives Americamp's Manchester address as their own. So we asked Americamp if they guaranteed courses in Thailand in the event of any dissatisfaction. Initially, they claimed that all applicants were vetted in Manchester and that they had representatives in Thailand. However, when we applied to Camp Thailand, we were offered an Island TEFL course instead, with none of the camp experience frills, and there was certainly no mention of Americamp representatives. So we probed a bit further, but Americamp then went silent on us and we heard no more from them, even though they said their CEO herself would reply.
So to us that sounds highly dubious. The courses actually run directly by Americamp are almost certainly fine, but any of the camps in developing countries, such as Thailand or Cambodia, for example, are wholly unguaranteed. You may have a good experience, but, on the other hand, you could equally easily find yourself seriously short changed.
So do check this kind of thing out. Never make assumptions!
Happy course hunting,
Greg
One very important thing to check out when you book your camp is whether there will be any recourse in the event of dissatisfaction. Remember, you'll be handing over a fairly large sum of money. So what if the camp or course comes up short in any way? Will you be able to get a refund, etc?
First, always check the terms and conditions of the company. If they seem unreasonably harsh, that's probably a warning sign. The other important factor is whether or not they have an address in the UK or the USA. If you're trying to claim in a developing country, like Cambodia or Thailand, there's a good chance you'll just get brushed off. That's why it's essential that any camp has a proper address in a fully developed country, i.e. a country with a properly working legal system.
Recently, we made enquiries to Americamp about Camp Thailand, because Camp Thailand gives Americamp's Manchester address as their own. So we asked Americamp if they guaranteed courses in Thailand in the event of any dissatisfaction. Initially, they claimed that all applicants were vetted in Manchester and that they had representatives in Thailand. However, when we applied to Camp Thailand, we were offered an Island TEFL course instead, with none of the camp experience frills, and there was certainly no mention of Americamp representatives. So we probed a bit further, but Americamp then went silent on us and we heard no more from them, even though they said their CEO herself would reply.
So to us that sounds highly dubious. The courses actually run directly by Americamp are almost certainly fine, but any of the camps in developing countries, such as Thailand or Cambodia, for example, are wholly unguaranteed. You may have a good experience, but, on the other hand, you could equally easily find yourself seriously short changed.
So do check this kind of thing out. Never make assumptions!
Happy course hunting,
Greg
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