TEFL International Review by Domeman, July 30, 2010

I did not rate the course, the whole operations seemed quite basic and focused more on making money.
The accommodation was “The Pitts” very basic and dirty.

The website made you feel that it was a well run professional operation but it was the opposite.
Bruce the CEO was a braggart and the staff seemed untrained.

Wasted my money but the time spend in Thailand away from the TEFL course was great.

TEFL International Review by Jojo, August 3, 2010

I did the Certificate in TESOL 5 years ago with TEFL International. I decided to do the four week course in the UK and it had to be one of the most unprofessional outfits I have ever come across. Not only were they quick to take the tuition fees from me (approx. £800-900), they were rude, unorganised and did not like being ‘challenged’ by students. One example was the group’s top student constantly having to correct the teacher with examples of sentence constituents, which resulted in the teacher belittling the student in front of others and initially failing her on the course.

I have just found out in the last few days that my TEFL International qualification is NOT accredited by IATQuO. I’m in the process of applying for a job and wanted to add some information to my CV on IATQuO. I made the discovery about the sham qualification when I visited the IATQuO website. My TEFL International certificate has the IATQuO logo and ‘unique’ teaching number, which I have now discovered is fake. Needless to say, the centre where I did my training closed down 6 months after I completed my course and the sign was vandalised.

Upon reflection, I should have done more research into TESOL courses, however it was my university’s careers service that recommended the course. They were obviously duped by the professional website and qualifications too.

My advice- keep well away from TEFL International. There are far more valid and professional courses out there.

TEFL International Review by Chris, November 10, 2010

I don’t normally give reviews on the courses I have done but I will say that the TEFL international course is a stressful 4 weeks.I learnt a lot but the course should be 6 and not 4 weeks ,
The time limit and to digest the material is poor. Just as I was starting to understand a topic we would move on.The 4 week course is just a boot camp that crams too much information that cannot be retained unless you are a experienced teacher. I am not saying that the training is not beneficial just too quickly learned.

TEFL International Review by Julie, February 17, 2011

The classroom didn’t have airconditioning,
They changed teachers several times during the 4 week November class.
There were dogs barking outside the open classroom door. The copy machine didn’t even do color copies, but that didn’t really matter because it was broken most of the time. Class times changed back and forth from one week to the next due to the fact the teachers were always changing.
And though the website hollers loudly about Guaranted Job Placement nobody who goes to their class gets hired anywhere.

TEFL International Review by Chres, June 8, 2011

I took TEFL’s TESOL in Cebu, Philippines and I did enjoy the whole 4 week. I enjoyed the observed teaching practice and the center’s staff and trainer were all helpful and kind.
Though I am already a practicing language teacher when I took the course but I can still say that I have learned a lot in the training. It gave me more ideas in handling group classes from introduction activities to main lesson’s activities. I even recommended the program to my Mom who is also a public school teacher and to my friends who are in the same industry.
My friend who is an MA in TESOL and PhD in TESOL holder also gave a good comment on the material that we used in the training.

TEFL International Review by Rose, June 8, 2011

Although I have had more than seven years of teaching experience in an ESL setting, still, it feels different to acquire an internationally acknowledged certification such as a TESOL certificate. This, plus my passion for teaching, and the joy I get when I am the classroom facilitator, prompted me to enroll plus my previous boss’ financial help, I was able to do the first step at being TESOL certificated.

While I was on the course, the first week had topics that were fun and reiterated the importance of the must-do’s of teaching. The following week had given me the basics of grammar - which was quite a breeze for me! The final two weeks had tested my teaching abilities! But I was able to do all Observed Teaching practices with the nod of my trainers…… am I right, Miss Jacky?

The 4 week course was, I should say, intensive with the bulk of materials we have to read and the amount of course work we had to accomplish (success is achieved after hard work, right?) but the thought of being TESOL certified adds fuel to the fire - my passion for teaching, and the very thought of improving myself professionally! And with that said, I would not be where I am now, without the Guaranteed Job Placement the company offers to its more than 14000 proud graduates to date, which I could say, I am one of them! (said with a wide S-M-I-L-E on my face!)

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the course to any one!

TEFL International Review by Duckman, June 9, 2011

I took the TEFL International course in Thailand all the way back in 1999. It was an excellent course with amazing trainers. The Teaching Practice in real Thai schools was amazing. The building was a bit old but for Thailand, it was fine.

TEFL International Review by Georgia Louise Kirby, June 11, 2011

I really enjoyed doing this course, I especially liked the Foreign Language Project because I believe this helped me to see things from a learners point of view, and I could recognize the techniques we needed to learn to use during our own lessons.As a native speaker, I presumed I knew a lot about the English language, when actually I knew very little. It was a great opportunity to learn more things about the English language and to share what I had learned with the non-native speakers.

TEFL International Review by Annika Medeby, June 12, 2011

I really liked the way the weeks were set up. First you get taught how to teach a lesson and then get to practice the lessons by teaching to Spanish English students.
My experience was great. It was a mix of fun and a lot of work, but good work. The best part of my experience was teaching actual spanish students. It helped me feel more confident and ready to be able to go out and teach.

TEFL International Review by locdogg45, September 29, 2011

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY on these people!!!!!!!!!!!

The course itself was ok. you get experience in the classroom and a few good ideas but other than that its awful. The teachers are friends with the director. That is why they are there, not because they are the best people for the job. You waste $2000 for something that should be 500 at best. If you take this, do not give any critism because they can’t take it and are not professional in any way. They also do not stand by what they say in terms of helping you find jobs. They give you the link for the yellow pages. THATS it

TEFL International Review by James, October 19, 2011

I took the 4 week course in Beijing, China. This course is a scam. The things they said they will do such as job placement, having a additional free course, tuition, class hours, are all false. The trainer there is just a complete mess. He fails to prepare his lesson plans and he does discriminate certain trainees. The ones he does not like are guaranteed not to pass the course. So beware of that.

They fail to provide job assistance. So you are very much on your own when looking for a job. Also when they offer another course besides the 4 week course, they did not. The over charged the tuition. It was actually suppose to be $500 deposit + $1090 remaining course fee = $1590 total. They ended up charging $1624 in total. Besides that the course hours were suppose to be 120 class hours. Overall we only had no more than 80 hours. Often times our class would end early because the trainer forgot to bring his lesson materials. He ended skipping that lesson and never came back to that lesson.

The only food part I feel about the course is the teaching practice. Though there is no good instructions on how to prepare our lessons, it was still a good practice.

Overall, I am very disappointed with the experience with this course. It is almost like throwing $1624 out the window. Please do not waste your money on this course.