Job Discussion Forums

sevilla2005 · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Sevilla

Does anyone have any experience with the TEFL International training program? I can't tell whether or not it's a scam, and would love to hear some reviews by people who have been certified through them.

They list their certificate as IATQUO affiliated, but I haven't seen that acronym anywhere else, so I'm not sure if it means anything. They have training centers all over the world, but I don't know if that means anything regarding their integrity as an institution.

Anyone have any experience with them?

Just so you know, I am an American guy, and I'm going to Spain in January (hopefully Sevilla, but there's a small chance I'll end up in Madrid).

TEFL International BCN · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Barcelona

Hello there

TEFL International has a network of schools in different locations around the world. I am one of the Managers of the school in Barcelona. We are externally moderated and reported on twice a year by IATQUO which stands for the International Association of TESOL Qualifying Organisations. Please visit their website for further details of the validation process at www.iatquo.org.

As a Manager of the school I appreciate that I cannot speak for people who have done this course but we are very proud of the quality of the programme that we offer in Barcelona and would be delighted to put you in touch with some of our graduates if you would be interested.

Claire Kilner
TEFL International
Barcelona
www.teflinbcn.com

Rubia · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 5

I hope it isn�t too late for you (or if it is, maybe I can reach someone else in time). I can�t speak for Tefl International in other locations, but the one in Sevilla is a joke. I have been told (if it is still in business) that it has moved to an even smaller location than before and is even a worse program than what I experienced. In talking to other teachers who went to other schools, it sounds like for the couple hundred of extra dollars you may pay, you get A LOT more teaching experience (and a somewhat decent place to live, unlike what you will get with TEFL International). I think there are other TEFL programs in Sevilla...it is definately a beautiful place to come to (although nearly hopeless for finding a job...you will have much better luck in Madrid or possibly Barcelona). And forget about the support they promise to give you afterward, if they haven�t already gone out of business here, they will soon.

sevilla2005 · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Sevilla

Thanks for the tip.

Fortunately, I'm halfway through the CLIC Celta program, which seems pretty good, although I have no perspective for comparison. TEFL-Int seemed really sketchy, so I avoided them and went with a better acredited school that had a better web-site and people who answered my emails. I'm happy with my choice of schools, even though I'm terrified about trying to find work in a few weeks. There seem to be waaaaaaaay more prospective English teachers than jobs here in Seville, and being an American, I feel like I'm at a pretty big disadvantage.