Job Discussion Forums

[tdreitz]

Hello Everyone

I'm a newbie who's been trolling the forum pages for a few weeks now. I have to say that the information on here is very helpful and want to thank all of the people on here who regularly post. There seems to be a clear, realistic answer to almost any question one could have about teaching abroad.

However, I have a unique problem it seems. In what would appear to be a case of mania, I rushed to move forward on my teach-abroad-dream by placing a $500 deposit down on a Language Corps TEFL program in Italy. Mind you, I'm an American. At the time, I felt I was sufficiently suspicious starting out. I spoke with a representative who told me that it was common for their program participants to just overstay their 90 day tourist visa and that plenty of their students were teaching. One in Rome even!

Well, that was all before I found the ESLCafe. After reading up on many Newbie and Italy topics I found out the truth about finding work as an American in Europe. LC did not mention that I would be at risk of deportation or that I would have no legal recourse if an employer decided they didn't want to pay me.

Now here's the deal: The Language Corps had a 3 day window after receiving payment where you would be eligible for a refund. On the third day after I maid my payment back in April, I decided to call up and ask for the refund so I could do some more research before I committed to this. Well, what I ultimately heard from their rep was that I was not eligible for a refund because I had put money down for a project that was less than 60 days away (I payed on April 9 for a program that would start on May 30). This information is listed on their website and I was somewhat aware of such stipulations.

However, the fact that they do not disclose all the risks associated with their Italy program, and the money one might waste if they get deported let's say, might make them in breach of this agreement. I would really appreciate any advice from people with a legal background. Normally, I wouldn't fret about $500, but I'm a recent grad who's been unemployed since graduating and $500 dollars is about half of all the money I have at the moment. I feel like the Language Corps takes advantage of people like me, or who are in my situation.

The only recourse I've thought of is to lodge a complaint with the BBB and post negative reviews on as many forums like this in hope of getting the word out that the Language Corps aren't straight shooters.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[spiral78]

It's unfortunate that you weren't aware that you wouldn't be eligible for a legal work permit in Italy.

It's scandalous that the centre didn't make that clear.

I don't know how you might get out of the fine print details of their offer, sadly.

Possible upside: the cert, assuming that it's 100+ hours onsite, and includes teaching practice with real students, is useful elsewhere.

I don't know when you were planning to take the course, but would it be an option to still do it, then travel somewhere immediately afterwards where you CAN get a legal work permit, such as Poland, Czech Rep, Slovakia?? These are also tight markets which prefer UK teachers, but technically USAians are eligible for legal work permits and you have got a chance there - though you need to be there in person, and


most importantly





you need to be able to support yourself for a few months before any paychecks start rolling in.

[spiral78]

[Sashadroogie]

Come to Russia! Apply to BKC-IH. They sometimes take on people even at random summer times. Worth a shot if you have no other options.

[spiral78]

[Sashadroogie]

Yip. Big windows on some of the EFL centres. Most of us have learnt the hard way...

[tdreitz]

Thank you for the input Spiral78 & Sashadroogie

Unfortunately, I did not do the snooping I should've done until I was already in over my head. I found the ESLCafe maybe a week after I had registered payment.

Likewise, I am not financially set up to deal with the realities/difficulties of relocating anywhere at the moment. But maybe, if Asia is a welcoming as you say, it might be an option.

I will definitely keep everyone posted about how this experience turns out. I have not been in touch with the Language Corps yet about further action on a refund because I wanted to get at least a little advice from people who had seen this happen before.

If I can't get a refund then I may ask if I can be switched to one of their Latin American or Asian centres, but judging from their reaction to my initial request for a refund something tells me they will not be very cooperative. Also, I'm just turned off in general in working with this organization.

Ideally, I would like the refund so I could save up a proper amount and do this correctly, but we'll see....

[naturegirl321]

ONly three days to get a refund? That's completely unfair. Is that for a complete refund? They might be able to give you part of your money back after the three day window. But yes, I'd write up on the boards about what they did and contact the BBB.

[tdreitz]

Well, they get away with it because the money I put down was supposedly a "deposit". $500 of roughly $2000 for the total program. However, I knew there was gonna be a problem when after leaving the message they called back and asked to "chat about options". I'm calling them tomorrow to discuss "options". Hopefully someone over there has a conscious

[spiral78]

I think you can certainly bring up the idea that their advertising led you to believe that it would be quite safe to work without a visa, and that you have since learned that this is not the case. Not to directly accuse them of false advertising, but to point out that information from the programme did mislead you, a newbie, who was counting on the centre for true and accurate information.

I'd let them know that because you felt the situation could also mislead others, you've posted about the problem here and further, that you are considering whether you should make the BBB aware of the situation regarding your deposit.

[nickpellatt]

Id push hard for the opportunity to do the course at another location, one that serves your needs and situations better. I think that is a quite reasonable request to make, and I would imagine 'most' companies would try to accomodate that kind of request. Good luck

[wiganer]

Put them in a small claims court - as you say - they will have to defend their promises they made to you in front of a county court judge - if it gets that far that is - my hunch is that they will refund you your money as soon as they get the summons - either way, you'll get your money back for sure.

[tttompatz]

[wiganer]

[tttompatz]