TEFL Volunteer Programs – How to Tell If They Are A Scam?

TEFL Volunteer Programs – What to look out for

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Volunteer programmes involve teachers travelling to countries abroad, and into mostly rural areas and volunteer their services for a set period of time. This is a compassionate and wonderful thing to do, and there are many great organizations to work with who have that same compassion. However, there are those who try to take advantage of your drive to contribute.

It is not unusual to be asked to pay a deposit to become part of the volunteer program and that in itself is not an indication of a scam. These programs have expenses. Host families need to be compensated for your stay in their home and the expense of feeding and housing you.

However, there are scams. There are times when a volunteer arrives in a rural village where they are assigned to work for 3-months, only to find that the school or shelter does not exist, or is closed down. There are scams where a volunteer pays their non-refundable deposit and when they arrive they are told the family has filled the position or changed their minds.

How can you tell?

If you cannot easily look up the address, phone number and contact information of the host organization beware. You should be able to look up anyone local or abroad and talk to them before entering the program if you want. A host organization who is not easy to find, would not survive in the real world.

As stated, it is not uncommon to be asked to pay a program fee. But the host organization should be able to show you where the money goes. Most, have a breakdown on their websites. If they do not, ask them to explain. If you have difficulty getting this information, beware.

The host organization is experienced in planning flights and organizing arrivals and destination accommodation. They may offer to set up your flight and work you in with a group, which is a wise move. However, they cannot force you to buy seats on a particular flight or with a particular carrier. It should set off alarms when you are being told that you must purchase through particular vendors. That is a scam alert.

Do your homework. Research the laws in the area where you are going. Some countries will offer a short-term tourist visa that is good for 120 days. But, if your volunteer program is for more than 3-months, you are required to have a real visa. Do not take anyone’s word for it. Do your own homework.

After doing some research, use common sense and go for it. If you get the feeling something’s not right, stop and check it out. There are great opportunities waiting, so make sure you found one of them.

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