Comments on: The voice of the “free TEFL course” speaks

By: scammed

scammed — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:10 +0000

*Update To Previous Post*

Ok its been 6 weeks since I completed the Asian EFL Journal TESOL Certificate, and still no reply from “Dr. Paul Robertson.” Just like that – as soon as I complete the certificate, he completely cuts off communication.

At this point, I just have to bitterly conclude it was a scam and I’ve wasted my time and money.

So, I’m going to start spreading the word as far and wide as I can that these names cannot be trusted.

And it just so happens that I’m moving to Busan soon, so if “Time Taylor International” has any basis there (which they say they do), then I’ll find them.

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:28:29 +0000

Also mentions setting up 12 magazines, but if you Google the names it seems only 4 of them have ever really existed in more than name. Makes you wonder about all the past tenses in the story of setting up their schools in Korea as well. I would give them a chance to reply yet again, but as many people have mentioned they never answer their emails. The whole organisation seems to be two people, and one of them told me he had 1000 unread emails in his inbox

By: teflista

teflista — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:49:04 +0000

The Paul Robertson website is interesting. There is a claim being made there of be a “Dr.”, yet no mention of what or where it is from. No mention whatsoever of this person’s background, just business transactions and intentions. And the contact email address is Gmail ! Hmmmm….

By: TEFLista

TEFLista — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:22:37 +0000

I, too, would be surprised if you didn’t get anything at all from them at all. I’m not that familiar with them, but the article below might offer some options for you:

What to Do If You’ve Been Had By Your TEFL Course

http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/teaching/teaching-abroad/what-to-do-if-youve-been-had-by-your-tefl-course/

Please keep us posted, as I would be interested in hearing the outcome.

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:53:23 +0000

As I said earlier, although it certainly ain’t no CELTA and stuff like recommending their own cert on efl-law.com without saying they are the same people (if that is what they did) is a bit dodgy, I would be very surprised if they didn’t send you a cert. If there is any value to the cert is another matter. Pure understaffing due to greed, I reckon

By: scammed

scammed — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:57:15 +0000

I paid $259 US for the online Asian EFL Journal Certificate, which I finally finished a month ago. I was in contact with “Dr. Paul Robertson” but he hasn’t replied to my emails since he asked where he should send the certificate.

Now, after reading this page, it looks like I’ve been scammed.

I put a lot of effort into reading and writing all the essays, so its quite disappointing. I signed up for the certificate because it was highly recommended by the efl-law.com forums which had previously given me good advice (but have disappeared now).

And, I’ve just found this website: [EDITED- DEAD LINK] which looks extremely dodgy…complete with a composite photo of some guy.

If I don’t get the certificate, I’ll be contacting every organisation which has lent its name to the certificate, and lobbying for their support to be retracted. If anyone can provide some advice on what to do, it’d be greatly appreciated.

By: ataeni

ataeni — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:54:26 +0000

Google search the names Paul Robertson and Tom Davidson. There is not one article or website that states the credentials of these people as mentioned in the above interview. In fact, you will be directed to a cartoon pornographic image/ animation if you google “Paul Robertson” and click the first search entry. Isn’t that suspicious enough?

By: Teflista

Teflista — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:09:15 +0000

Some of the speakers at the conference are worth listening to, but I’d never recommend that course to anyone. For one thing, there’s no observation or feedback required of your actual teaching (either during or after). What someone has done prior to the course is irrelevant, as they may not have had any idea what they were doing.

Here’s what it says on their website for the conference:

“TESOL Certificate 120 hours.

Part 1. Attend the Conference.
Attend the TESOL lecture session with Professor Ellis at 5.30 p.m. at the Conference
Part 1A. Attend Sunday 12th from 1:00-5:30 p.m. for lectures from Conference professors and other invited speakers.
Part 2. Provide proof of University degree
Part 3. Provide proof of working as an EFL ESL teacher for 6 months or more
Part 4. Complete a written exercise (OR) come to the Asian ESP Conference May 25th in Pusan schedule
Part 5. Undertake to do the readings (estimated at 40 hours) as your time permits”

Here’s a related article that might be of interest to you:

http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/teaching/teaching-abroad/tefl-certificate-rip-offs-part-1/

By: Josh B

Josh B — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:35:32 +0000

Hello everyone. I’m currently teaching in Pusan. I’m in a coffee shop and someone just walked up and handed me a flyer for the Asian EFL Journal International Conference (April 10-11, 2009 in Pusan at the Grand Hotel). It says:

“Attend the Conference and Sunday 12th Lectures Combined with your experience and university degree obtain an accredited TESOL Certificate.”

Admission fee is 55,000KRW or 74,000KRW with lunch at TGIF.

direct link to information: http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/conf_2009_schedule.php

Any website address with that many hyphens is immediately suspicious to me. I immediately assumed it was a scam. Does anyone have any information?

By: Millie Patrick

Millie Patrick — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:03:50 +0000

I would be cautious dealing with the Time Taylor network, firstly because my husband worked for this organisation and didn’t get paid (where did the guy run to?).

Then, with some research into the company, I too, came to the same conclusions as Don W, Joshua and Teflista. The organization endorses other companies in the network, and the company is grossly exaggerated with regards to size. Is there any proof of actual turnover figures for the org? Proof of three colleges actually existing? etc…..

By: rose

rose — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:10:39 +0000

Hi guys,
I’m new and need some pointers. I would like to train for tefl/tesol but need some clarification- should I only consider courses that offer 100+ hours? From what I’ve read so far, it seems that weekend courses are a bit of a waste of time. Also, as I’m travelling to South America, would it be wiser to consider a course over there?
Many thanks for helping me to avoid the scams!
Rose

By: kian o'grady

kian o'grady — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:18:51 +0000

I too paid the $81 and was very concerned when a couple of emails went unanswered.

However, I then tried emailing the email address used for the paypal payment and I received several very prompt responses.

So, just email them at asianefl@gmail.com and all should be good :)

By: Leah

Leah — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:20:24 +0000

I think, unfortunately, your opportunity to question was diluted by asking so many questions at once – this let the interviewee just focus on the last one (indeed, the volume of questions in each set would overwhelm me), which was a similar pattern throughout. It seems like you asked your questions by e-mail so this may have been the only ways to do it without barraging your subject with e-mails. It’s still too bad, though.

By: John in Japan

John in Japan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:03:23 +0000

Hi,
Thank you. No I can’t locate a phone number anywhere on their web site or the Asian EFL journal site.

I ‘d appreciate any help at all.
I didn’t think it is a scam either, with connections to some very significant folks.

Thanks,
John

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:19:24 +0000

Hi John

I can’t say anything for the quality of the course one way or another, but I’d be very surprised if this turned out to be one of those TEFL scams where they just run off with your money and disappear. More likely typical TEFL cheapskates and understaffed. Have you got a telephone number you can try? If not, I’ll try emailing Tom Davidson about your case, but my emails often go unread as well

By: John in Japan

John in Japan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:41:49 +0000

Is there anymore news on this? I paid the 81.00 a couple of weeks ago, but my subsequent emails are not returned. Who is this guy you interviewed? Tom Davidson and how can I get in touch with him. I beginning to loose faith in this course.

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:02:55 +0000

Could we back that up with some facts, guys?

By: Don W

Don W — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:50:41 +0000

“The Time Taylor organization turns over many multiple millions of dollars in Education from its various divisions…” Sounds like absolutely typical Paul Robertson style self-aggransizement and outright lies. If you have ever dealt with this guy, you’ll know enough not to go anywhere near the ‘Time-Taylor Network’.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:38:56 +0000

GREAT interview. I’ve been to the Asian-EEL conference in Busan- the whole organization is a huge scam, and I’m baffled how many get pulled in by it.

By: David V.

David V. — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:00:07 +0000

Fine piece of blogging Alex, thanks.