The online education system offers various platforms and online marketplaces to browse and learn from. It provides a practical and accessible way to pursue our interests, whether they involve traditional study tools, online book purchases, or the best online tutoring for learning English. But given that we’re all more frequently online, it’s essential to know how to protect ourselves.
There’s nothing worse than selecting the teaching program of your dreams, reserving your accommodations, and then finding out you’ve been duped. The online job listings for ESL positions are entirely authentic. The school and perks may be of varying caliber, but the folks who offer the jobs are typically not out to take advantage of you. However, like with anything done online, there are individuals who wish to abuse the confidentiality of the job search process. Most certainly want your money; these ESL con artists will do whatever to take advantage of unsuspecting teachers.
Spotting Fraudulent Signs
Spell-check your communications; discrepancies in the language used, such as grammatical or word-order mistakes, or differences between the sender’s name and the URL provided, may be signs of fraud. Be attentive in checking for these problems if you get a message from a business or someone out of the blue.
Keep an eye out for strange requests since con artists frequently beguile you by either bringing up an issue (such as requesting you to reschedule a delivery) or making a tempting offer. Consider your most recent interactions with that company or person. It might be fraud if you can’t identify the issue you’re being asked to fix or the offer they’re trying to persuade you to accept. Only click links or get in touch with the sender if you’re sure.
Verify that they are who they proclaim to be. Fraudsters try hard to establish their credibility and occasionally use terms and expressions you can hear in honest discussions. If you’re unsure, you can verify by using an alternative method of communication than the one they used to contact you because it might be challenging to detect the difference. For instance, if you receive a text message promising TEFL jobs and asking for bank information, try emailing or web-chatting with the organization directly to see if the request is legitimate.
Validate the message with a trusted friend or relative. Real people are often very adept at language comprehension and social communication. It may seem simple, but talking to someone you trust about a message can be helpful if you have questions about its veracity. They might have gotten a similar letter and could offer advice on what to do next. Sharing your experience might prevent another person from being a victim.
How Can You Prevent From English Education Fraud
Examine The Country’s Needs And Teaching Market
Doing a thorough study on the teaching market in the nation where you will be working is the best approach to avoid getting conned. Learn about the required visas, working hours, and typical teaching compensation. The ESL scams will be easy to identify once you learn what to anticipate. Some of these con games are well-known and will be included in ESL community posts or on blacklists. Try searching the school’s email address or phone number if the name doesn’t come up, but something still needs to look right.
Make Use Of A Reliable Employment Board
Anyone may now publish content online, including con artists looking to defraud aspiring ESL teachers. You have a better chance of getting listings from credible recruiters and schools if you use a recognized website, such as Jobify’s teaching job board. Many schools have reviews from previous instructors, which is typically a reliable indicator of the validity of the institution.
Verify The Email Address Provided By The Recruiter Twice
Scammers frequently publish ads with the name of a respected and well-known business or institution. Therefore, searching for the school name on Google will provide a lot of (positive) results. These individuals generally use the school’s name as the subject of their email and add “at Gmail” rather than the official domain of the institution.
Steer Clear Of Upfront Payment
Apart from a few good schools that charge a program fee, you should only transfer sizable amounts of money after entering the country. Many ESL con artists will ask you to send them money via wire transfer so they can pay for anything from a plane ticket to a security deposit to a visa. Watch out for demands for Western Union transfers from prospective colleges in particular. You could be required to pay for your flight by some schools or programs, but you should only be requested to submit money to your school after you arrive.
Request A Video Interview Time Whenever Possible
Most people these days have access to at least one gadget capable of video chat or a cheap phone call, so you probably won’t be able to meet with your potential employer in person for your interview. Consider it a huge warning sign if the school refuses to offer you an employee’s name or phone number. It’s a fraud if your recruiter or school doesn’t even want to call you to set up an interview. A candidate’s ability to speak English should, at the very least, be checked by most respectable schools trying to hire an English teacher.
Bottom Line
Please don’t allow these postings to deter you, even though it might be challenging to sift through and screen out scammers. Finding the ideal school to begin your ESL employment is generally only a few clicks away, and the number of reputable positions considerably outweighs the number of scams. You’ll be sure to locate the ideal ESL teaching position if you use your best judgment, read genuine, verified evaluations, and do as much research on the schools as possible.
