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spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Are you implying that that makes it ok? Shocked

Julieanne · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 120

Nope just wondering why all the companies are doing it

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Because they're unethical? Rolling Eyes

Or they actually have official permission to use the logos Very Happy

Julieanne · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 120

All TEFL companies? Global Tesol has a banner on this site.

Julieanne · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 120

Most likely they have permission

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Julianne,

I was hoping you'd come back- I really am a little perplexed by this, and you seem to have some insight into the organisation.

Since NAFSA and IATEFL say that they don't have permission to use those two logos, let's assume they don't. (see my earlier post for the sections from the organisations' websites.) Why would they have them on their website then?

Best,
Justin

PS- and anyone at all- why would they get taken down, then put up. Or did I imagine that?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Apologies for clouding Justin's issue - let's not lose sight of this issue.

But back to Julieanne, since neither IATEFL nor NAFSA certify that courses are sufficient, the use of their logos is meaningless in fact - only impressive to those who are unaware that neither actually provides any evidence of a course's adequacy or lack of it.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

IATEFL's logo is there now.

Julieanne · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 120

spiral probably true, logos etc really are not that important but I am confused as to why the focus on one company when I see ITTO has it, and if you download the brochure for Global tesol they have it so obviously there is general confusion,
I think though that in general nobody can comment about any TEFL company unless they have taken the course. We have lost the focus of whether the course is good or not.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject:

If you'd offer some links, Julianne, it might be easier to follow what you're saying.

What I find, on the ITTO website, is that they say they are a proud institutional member of IATEFL, and put up the link/logo.

I'm not an ITTO fan, don't know anything about them. But it seems quite a bit different than putting the logo under "Is this course recognised?" WHich seems to imply the IATEFL somehow recognises SeriousTEFL.

I find no reference to NAFSA on ITTO's website.

On GLobalTESOL, they have a link at the bottom of one page containing the NAFSA logo. As near as I can see, this MIGHT be a violation of NAFSA conditions. (Because as I understand it, only NAFSA has a right to use the logo.) Also, as NAFSA membership, unlike IATEFL membership, is always individual, implying that an organisation "belongs to NAFSA" would always be really dodgy. BUT. Again, this website neither implies, nor states, that NAFSA recognises their courses.

No reference to IATEFL on this one.

I don't want to fall into the trap of "everybody is doing it so maybe it's okay." If an organisation implies recognition by a given body when they don't have it, it's wrong. Everybody does it, it's still wrong. It misleads and takes advantage of the consumer.

Best,
Justin

PS- Julianne; please don't misinterpret me. I am NOT trying to say that SeriousTeachers, or SeriousTEFL, are any worse than other online, distance TEFL cert providers. Read me on the i to i thread.

J

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The current focus is the level of scam apparent in the adverts for a course.

Global's course in the past has also been less than the standard entry-level course. I am not familiar with it currently, but am aware that it was not recognized by the Canadian authorities who set standards for private language school teachers in 2007.

Possibly another reason to use logos from instititions that do not actually review courses to create an enhanced appearance of credibility.

Julieanne · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 120

So if you don't like online companies and do not like distance ones then really what does that leave? I hear what you are saying Justin but I think you are being too suspicious in general. I still say assumption cannot be made, unless one has taken the course.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Julieanne, it leaves 120+ hour on-site courses that include teaching practice with actual students - which are the standard basic course for many regions in the world. CELTA being the name brand.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

It's not a matter of suspicion. It's a matter of classroom practice which cannot be simulated lacking a classroom. I am interviewing newbie level teachers this week - and would never consider someone without an actual classroom-based course including real teaching practice. Yeah, I work at a university - but it's the case for most reputable language schools in Europe - and many in other regions as well. Justin can speak for L.A. on this, I think.

Julieanne · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 120

spiral I agree but as I said at the beginning of the post SeriousTEFL is adding a 120 hour course by the end of the month. I inquired about this a few weeks ago and I wrote [email protected] if you want to write her and verify this