How to Spot a TEFL Course Scam (And Choose a Legit Provider)

The TEFL industry has exploded in recent years — and while that means more opportunities to teach, travel, and grow, it also means more room for sketchy operators. Unlike traditional degrees or licenses, TEFL certification isn’t globally regulated. Anyone with a laptop can set up a website, throw together some slides, and start selling “certificates” — even if they’re not worth the paper they’re printed on.

That’s a big deal. A scammy course won’t just waste your time and money — it could also hurt your chances of getting hired, or worse, land you in legal trouble if your certificate doesn’t meet visa requirements. The good news? With a little research and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can spot the red flags early and find a course that’s truly worth your investment.

Beware of Unrealistically Low Prices

If you see a TEFL course selling for $20 or less, it’s time to ask some serious questions. Sure, discounts exist — but quality TEFL training isn’t something that can be tossed together for the price of lunch. Developing good materials, paying real tutors, and supporting thousands of students around the world requires actual resources. And that means the course has to be priced realistically.

These bargain-bin courses often rely on upselling — charging extra for basics like tutor access, feedback, or even your final certificate. Some even make you pay ridiculous shipping fees for a paper copy, which is often required to secure jobs abroad.

So what does a legitimate course cost? Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500+ for a decent online TEFL course — more if it includes live components, observed teaching practice, or in-person training. It’s not about spending the most — it’s about knowing what you’re getting for your money.

Understand the Importance of Accreditation

One of the easiest ways to separate legit TEFL providers from the scams is to check their accreditation — but that’s only if you know what to look for. Real accreditation means a third-party organization (ideally government-affiliated) has reviewed the course for quality, consistency, and educational value.

Look for recognizably regulated bodies like:

• Ofqual (UK’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation)
• TQUK (Training Qualifications UK)
• DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission – US-based)
• Accreditation Canada, AQC, or similar national bodies

But be warned: scammers love to slap impressive-looking badges on their site. Some use vague “accreditation” claims that are really just memberships in unrelated directories or pay-to-join networks. Others go a step further and invent their own "accrediting bodies."

How to verify it’s legit:

• Google the accrediting organization to make sure it’s real
• See if the provider is listed on the accreditor’s official website
• Be cautious if the accreditor has no presence outside the TEFL site

If a provider refuses to name their accrediting body — or buries it in vague jargon — that’s a major red flag.

Check Course Hours and Content Claims

The term “120-hour TEFL course” is thrown around constantly — and while it’s the industry standard for most TEFL jobs, it doesn’t always mean what it should. Some providers advertise a 120-hour course that could be completed in a single weekend, which is a clear sign the course lacks substance.

A genuine 120-hour TEFL course should include:

• Dozens of real modules with readings, videos, and quizzes
• Assignments that are actually graded (not just automated multiple-choice)
• Tutor feedback and teaching-related reflection
• Time investment of at least 2–3 weeks, often more

In reality, most students take 6–12 weeks to complete a high-quality self-paced 120-hour course — even longer if they’re juggling other commitments.

If the provider says their 120-hour course takes “just a few hours” or “one weekend,” that’s not a real 120 hours. And employers can often tell the difference.

Look at the Assessment Method

Not all TEFL assessments are created equal — and in scammy or low-quality courses, that becomes obvious fast. If the entire course is made up of multiple-choice quizzes with no written tasks, peer interaction, or tutor feedback, it’s not preparing you for the real classroom.

Red flags to watch for:

• Only quizzes or auto-marked tests
• A single final exam with no checkpoints along the way
• No assignments that test your ability to plan lessons or reflect on teaching methods

A quality TEFL course should include:

• Short written reflections or essays on teaching topics
• Lesson planning tasks with clear rubrics
• Tutor-reviewed assignments with comments
• Practical tasks that mirror what you’d do in the classroom

Ongoing assessment isn’t just for the sake of a certificate — it trains you to think and work like a real teacher.

Investigate the Tutor Support

Great TEFL courses don’t just hand you a login and leave you to figure it out. They connect you with real, experienced teachers who guide you, challenge you, and answer your questions along the way.

Ask these questions:

• Are tutors included in the course fee or an optional extra?
• Can you message a tutor at any time, or only after submitting assignments?
• Are the tutors actual TEFL educators, or just generic course staff?

Good tutor support should look like:

• Clear, helpful feedback on assignments
• Prompt responses to your questions
• Access to advice on grammar explanations, classroom ideas, or job readiness

If the course doesn’t offer any tutor interaction — or if the “tutor” doesn’t have real ESL classroom experience — that’s a major warning sign. You’re paying to learn how to teach, not just pass quizzes.

Scrutinize the Provider’s Website and Branding

A TEFL course provider’s website is often the first (and most revealing) clue about their legitimacy. A well-established provider will take pride in their online presence — not just because it looks good, but because it reflects the quality of their course and support.

Professionalism matters. Look for:

• Clean, modern design that’s easy to navigate
• Clear course descriptions, FAQs, and contact information
• Bios or photos of the team, including tutors and course creators

Red flags to avoid:

• Broken links or outdated information
• Buzzwords with no explanation (e.g., “internationally recognized” without proof)
• Claims like “become TEFL certified in a weekend” or “guaranteed job” with no details
• Stock images and generic testimonials that could belong to any website

Scammy providers often reuse content from elsewhere or overpromise without backing it up. If the website looks like it was thrown together quickly or lacks transparency, trust your gut.

Read Verified Reviews — Not Just Testimonials

A row of glowing testimonials on a provider’s homepage doesn’t mean much — anyone can write those. What you want to see are verified, third-party reviews from real students who’ve taken the course and gone on to teach.

Stick to trustworthy platforms:

• Sites like Trustpilot or Reviews.io include verified feedback
• Avoid platforms with no vetting process, where fake reviews can flood in

What to look for in reviews:

• Specifics about what the course was like — not just “great course!”
• Balanced feedback, including small criticisms (real people aren’t always 100% glowing)
• Recency — has the course been updated? Are new reviews still positive?

Red flags:

• No reviews at all
• Dozens of nearly identical, overly generic reviews
• Nothing newer than a year or two ago

Reading what past students have to say can give you insight into the course quality, support, job outcomes, and any surprises you might not see coming.

Check for Transparency and Accessibility

Legitimate TEFL providers want to build trust — and that starts with making it easy for you to reach them, get clear information, and understand what you’re buying.

Ask yourself:

• Can you contact them via email, phone, or live chat? Do they respond promptly?
• Is it easy to find refund policies, time limits, course structures, and what's included?
• Are terms and conditions written clearly — or buried in fine print?

Red flags to avoid:

• No phone number or only a contact form with slow replies
• Vague or missing refund/cancellation policies
• Difficult-to-find pricing or confusing package options

If a provider makes it hard to ask questions or understand what you're paying for, that’s often a tactic to avoid accountability. Transparency is one of the strongest signs of legitimacy.

Consider the Provider’s Track Record

A TEFL provider’s history can tell you a lot. Reputable organizations often have a long-standing presence, recognizable partnerships, and word-of-mouth credibility in the teaching community.

Look for:

• Years in operation — ideally 5+ years in the TEFL space
• Teacher success stories, alumni networks, or job placement partnerships
• Mentions in press articles, forums, or TEFL blogs

What to do if the provider is new:

• Dig deeper — who runs it? Do they have teaching or education backgrounds?
• Look for transparency, quality materials, and direct support
• New can be good if it’s run by passionate, qualified educators — but be cautious

Quick tip: Use a WHOIS domain lookup to see when their website was registered. A domain created a few months ago for a company claiming “15 years of experience”? That’s a red flag.

Don’t Fall for Overhyped “Extras”

Some TEFL providers dangle shiny promises to lure you in — but not all extras are worth your money or trust.

Watch out for:

• “Lifetime access” — which often means access to a basic course shell, not tutor support or updates
• “Guaranteed jobs” — often vague or conditional on obscure terms; real employers still choose based on merit
• “Internationally recognized certificate” — there’s no global TEFL body, so this phrase is mostly marketing

When extras are legit:

• Job support can be valuable if it includes resume help, interview prep, and access to vetted job boards
• Some providers genuinely partner with schools or recruiters — but transparency is key
• A certificate that’s accredited by a known body (like Ofqual or DEAC) is recognized by most employers

Bottom line: real benefits are specific, clear, and supported by details — not just buzzwords.

What a Legitimate TEFL Course Should Include

Choosing the right course starts with knowing what quality looks like. Here’s what every reputable TEFL course should offer:

Minimum essentials:

• At least 120 hours of structured content
• Tutor support from qualified educators
• Written assignments and constructive feedback — not just quizzes
• Recognized accreditation (e.g., Ofqual, TQUK, DEAC)
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Valuable extras (but not essential):

• Teaching practicum (in-person or virtual)
• Career support — like job boards, interview coaching, or alumni groups
• Hard copy of your certificate for visa and job applications
• Digital + printed certificates included in the course fee

If a course ticks all these boxes, it’s likely a good investment — even if it costs more upfront.

Final Thoughts

A TEFL course isn’t just a checkbox — it’s your passport to teaching, traveling, and building a global career. The wrong course can hold you back. The right one can launch you forward.

Take your time. Ask hard questions. Look beyond discounts and shiny guarantees. And remember — quality TEFL training pays off in better jobs, smoother visa processes, and more confidence in the classroom.

Explore Next:

• TEFL Accreditation Explained
• Best Online TEFL Courses for First-Time Teachers