i-to-i TEFL Terms and Conditions
Valid from 13th November 2008
The Terms and Conditions are an agreement between you and i-to-i. It is important that you read the whole document and understand the terms to which you’re agreeing when you book a course.
Contents:
- Course Requirements
- English Language Level of the Tutee
- Commitment
- Failure to Complete Online Courses Within 6 months
- Failure of Course Content – Online Courses
- Failure of Course Content – Weekend Courses
- Certificates
- ‘Cooling-off’ Period – Online Courses
- ‘Cooling-off’ Period – Weekend Courses
- Cancellation of a Weekend Course by i-to-i
- Plagiarism
- Changes to Course Dates and Location (excluding TEFL Abroad)
- Applying for a Refund
- Transfer of Courses
- TEFL Jobs Abroad
- Complaints
- Accuracy of Marketing Materials
- Personal Data
1. Course Requirements
In order for tutees to successfully complete the i-to-i TEFL / TESOL Course, all candidates must demonstrate the following requirements:
- An awareness of the basic concepts of language teaching
- A native-level of English and knowledge of English language materials
- An ability to take advice from both tutors and peers, and the capability to improve as a result.
2. English Language Level of the Tutee
Before the Course
All non-native English-speaking Tutees should have at least the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or equivalent, in order to enrol onto an i-to-i TEFL / TESOL course. If unsure of the required native English level, tutees are advised to call their nearest i-to-i office and to discuss requirements with a member of staff.
During the Course
Should at any point during the course, a tutor feel that a tutee’s English language ability is insufficient, their case will immediately be forwarded to the Director of Studies or the Head of Operations. If both the tutor and the Director of Studies / Head of Operations believe the tutee unfit to competently teach EFL, we reserve the right to fail the tutee.
3. Our Commitment
i-to-i is committed to providing you with the very best level of service and satisfaction with your Online TEFL/TESOL course. This is our commitment and promise to you when you sign up for an i-to-i TEFL/TESOL course.
i-to-i promises to:
- Provide you with a new online tutor if you are not happy with your current tutor’s level of service. Email the helpdesk@onlinetefl.com in order to request a new tutor.
- Provide a response to your Online Theory Course queries or module submissions within 48-hours (2 working days). These working days exclude public holidays in the country of your tutor.
- Provide access to the appropriate course modules within one working day of i-to-i receiving your application (Online Theory Courses only).
- Operate an equal opportunities policy.
- Deal with any difficulties you may have with the course promptly and fairly within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. E-mail the helpdesk@onlinetefl.com with any troubles you may have. Technical difficulties may need up to 72 hours.
- Provide access, during the course, to the appropriate expertise and support from your personal tutor and i-to-i administration team.
- Provide constructive, individual feedback on your progress
- We will provide you with a full refund within 7 days if we withdraw the course you are enrolled on, if we fail to contact you after your booking of a course, or if we fail to return correspondence in a timely manner (with 2 working days). Failure to contact you cannot be a result of an incorrect e-mail address you’ve provided or one that does not support attachments.
If we break any of these promises, to claim your refund, you need to provide evidence either in writing or by email, within seven days of the promise first being broken.
4. Failure to Complete the Online Course Within Six Months
All tutees are given 6 months in which to complete an Online Theory Course and are strongly encouraged to complete the course within six months.Once a tutee logs onto an Online Theory Course, the six months ‘study time’ will begin. In cases where there is a significant time period between the student's submissions, we may, at the discretion of the Director of Studies, ask the student to submit earlier work for reappraisal.
If a tutee fails to complete the course within 6 months, they may extend their study-time by 1, 3 or 6 months for a small fee:
1 month - £50 / US $75 / CAD $75 / €75 / AUS $125 / NZ $140
3 months - £75 / US $110 / CAD $110 / €110 / AUS $175 / NZ $200
6 months - £100 / US$ 150 / CAD $150 / €150 / AUS $250 / NZ $275
Tutees may extend their course more than once and at any point during their course or after the course has expired.
5. Failure of Course Content – Online Courses
Tutees are given three tries to complete each module of the Online Theory Course. If on the third attempt, the tutee has failed to take the tutor’s suggestions, comments and advice, the tutee’s final submission will be forwarded on to the Director of Studies.
The Director of Studies will then submit the final submission to a second tutor for verification. Should the second tutor be unsatisfied with the submission, the Director of Studies has the right to fail the tutee.
No refunds are possible in cases whereby the tutee has been deemed to have failed the course.
Grammar Certificates
If you should fail the Grammar Awareness module after 3 attempts, you can pay a fee of £20/US $40/ €35/ CAN $45/ AUS $50/ NZ $55
6. Failure of Course Content – Weekend Courses
Attendance at the course does not guarantee that the tutee will pass the course. However, failure to be present for the full duration of the course will result in failure of the course.
If, in the professional opinion of the tutor, the tutee does not reach the required level in the following areas the tutee may fail the course:
- An awareness of the basic concepts of language teaching
- A native-level of the English language and knowledge of English language materials
- An ability to plan lessons with and without the aid of course books, to include presentation, production and practice activities
- An awareness of classroom management
- An ability to take advice from both tutors and peers, and the capability to improve as a result
No refunds are possible in cases whereby the tutee has failed the course
Code of Conduct
i-to-i expects TEFL tutees to abstain from destructive, distracting, or disrespectful behaviour during their TEFL courses. The below outlines the code of conduct we expect during your course. Failure to abide by the below will result in immediate failure and removal from your course:
- i-to-i has a zero tolerance policy any use of intoxicants during courses or in possession of illegal substances. If you are under the influence or in possession of such substances, you will be removed from the course immediately and fail.
- You are expected to abide by all the rules of the venue at which your Practical Weekend Course is held.
- Treat your Online Theory Course tutor and/or your Practical Weekend tutor with courtesy and respect.
7. Certificates
Every endeavour is made to ensure that certificates reach the successful tutee within 28 days of completion of the course. i-to-i, however, cannot be responsible for certificates that are lost in the post.
If tutees have lost their certificates, they can request a new certificate to replace a lost certificate for the administrative fee of:
£10/ €15 / AUS $25 / NZ $ 28 / US $20 / CAN $28
8. ‘Cooling-Off’ Period - Online Courses
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the course you have purchased, you are entitled to a full refund within 7 days of booking
If you do cancel the course, any access to course materials (downloads or other) will be removed from your log-in and any gift vouchers will be cancelled.
9. ‘Cooling-Off Period - Weekend Courses
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the Practical Weekend Course you have purchased, you are entitled to a full refund within seven days from the date you made the purchase of the course, unless this is within 7 days of the start date of the course. In this case no refund is possible.
If you do cancel the course, any access to course materials (downloads or other) will be removed from your log-in and any gift vouchers will be cancelled.
10. Cancellation of a Weekend Course by i-to-i
Practical Weekend Courses run effectively when the minimum number of tutees is present. In the unlikely event that the course doesn’t reach it’s minimal requirement, we reserve the right to cancel the course and transfer participants to an alternative course. If this unlikely event occurred, you would also be eligible for a refund.
11. Plagiarism
If a tutee is suspected of plagiarism by the Course Tutor they will be issued with a formal warning. If the plagiarism continues it will be referred to the Director of Studies who is empowered to dismiss the tutee from the course. In such cases no refunds will be given.
12. Change to Course Dates or Location – Weekend Courses Only (excluding TEFL Abroad)
You may make changes to the date or location of your TEFL / TESOL course for the following administration fees:- Within seven days of booking - No charge. However, if you book a Practical Weekend Course within seven days of the course start date you will not be able to make any changes and will forfeit your course fee.
- You can change your course free of charge if you request to do so over 30 days before the start date
- Between 30 days and 7 days of course start date - £40, €60, US$60, AU$100, NZ$110, CAD$80
- Tutees are not entitled to any refund for non attendance
- For Practical Weekend Courses no changes can be made by the tutee within seven days of the start date of the course and tutees are not entitled to any refund for non-attendance at the course.
- Please note that late availability discounts on Practical Weekend Courses are non-transferable to other venues, as the discount is an exclusive offer for a specified Practical Weekend Course based on last minute spaces.
- If an emergency prevents your course attendance, a £75, €100, US$30, AU$165, NZ$185, CAD$130 fee must be paid to re-book your course. This is upon written proof of the incident as well as at the Course Manager’s discretion. This is also subject to availability.
- A no-show with no warning is non-refundable and non-transferrable to another course.
13. Applying for a Refund
If you meet the conditions specified above, and wish to apply for a refund, the following procedure applies.
Contact the Administration Department at i-to-i through the following addresses explaining the reasons for your refund requests:
Online Theory Course refunds: helpdesk@onlinetefl.com
Practical Weekend Course refunds: TEFL@i-to-i.com
If you meet the conditions specified in “Our Commitment” a refund will be issued (see above)
i-to-i will respond and make the necessary refund, if relevant, within 21 days.
Courses cannot be refunded 8 days or more after purchasing.
14. Transfers of Courses
i-to-i Online Theory Courses are transferable to a friend at a small administrative charge of £10, €15, US$15, AU$25, NZ$28, CAD$20. This means that if a student finds they are no longer able to work on a course, they may pass the course on to a friend or colleague who will take the course and receive certification instead. This can happen subject to the following conditions:
- The first student informs i-to-i of the transfer with all appropriate details.
- The first student has not submitted Module 2 of the Online Theory Course for marking.
- The person the course is to be passed on to meets all the criteria for enrolment (i.e. they meet the required level of English required to complete the course).
- The person the course is to be passed on to will start the course from the beginning of the course as if they had enrolled independently.
- If at any time you seek to transfer between online and weekend TEFL/TESOL courses, a charge of £65, €90, US$110, AU$165, NZ$185, CAD$125 applies.
TEFL Jobs Abroad
On application:- i-to-i will arrange for you to take a teaching English as a foreign language ('TEFL') training course before you travel to the destination country unless you already have relevant qualifications and do not require this course. Please be aware that your i-to-i TEFL course is subject to the terms and conditions detailed earlier in this document.
- i-to-i will introduce you to our overseas agent or school and provide them with your application details for an English teaching post in the destination country, and the relevant documentation and paperwork. If your initial application is rejected, you can choose whether to ask i-to-i to submit your application to a different overseas agent and schools in a different country.
- i-to-i will ensure that the agent or school considers your application and reports back in a reasonable time stating whether or not they wish to offer you a position. Please note that, whilst i-to-i has worked hard to choose schools and agents whom we believe can find work for the majority of our customers, it is the decision of the agent or school, not i-to-i as to whether your application is accepted, and i-to-i cannot influence or change the requirements of the English teaching job market in the destination country, nor can it override the decision of the agent or school. The agent or school decision is final, and i-to-i cannot challenge or insist on being given reasons for any rejection of an application on your behalf.
- • Once you have entered into a teaching contract the agent or school will provide you with relevant pre-departure preparation, including details of airport pick-up (where provided), and details of your accommodation, where this is to be provided by your school or institute under the teaching contract.
- We shall ensure that the agent or school, acting on behalf of i-to-i, will provide a reasonable amount of on-going support whilst you are in country if you experience problems with your accommodation or job. You accept that the agent or school will have complete discretion as to how best to help you resolve any problems and how much time they can spend working with you on the problem, and i-to-i cannot override or interfere with the decisions made by the agent relation to the problems you are experiencing, nor is it responsible for those decisions. The agent or school cannot provide support in relation to employment or accommodation problems unless you notify them as soon as the problems arise (and in any event before leaving the job or accommodation) and you have made reasonable attempts to resolve the problems directly with your employer.
- Documents must be scanned and emailed to tefljobteam@i-to-i.com within 45 days of booking. If documents have not been sent and received by the TEFL Job Team, the placement will be automatically cancelled. You can reinstate your placement by contacting tefljobteam@i-to-i.com. You must reinstate your placement within six months of booking.
- The agent or school may, in turn, be acting as the agent for various English language institutes and schools in the destination country or it may itself be an institute or school. If the agent accepts your application,they will introduce you to an institute or school, (or, where the agent is itself a school, will offer you employment in that school).
The Teaching Contract
Before you start work at your school or institute, you will be required to enter into a teaching contract direct with an institute or school. Your teaching contract is not with i-to-i, and we cannot negotiate or challenge any terms in it on your behalf.
You are encouraged to take independent advice from an advisor with expertise in the law of the destination country about any concerns you may have about the terms in the teaching contract. This will be at your own cost.
If you are not prepared to accept any and all stipulations within the teaching contract, and subsequently end your teaching role, you alone are responsible for this decision. The overseas agent will send you the Teaching Contract before your departure
Payment, refunds and cancellations
You can withdraw from your placement at anytime, however once you have signed a teaching contract you will be legally bound to the contract with the school. Please also be aware that if you have booked one of our TEFL courses along with applying for a job placement and wish to cancel both then your TEFL course purchase is subject to our courses terms and conditions ( see section 13).
If your initial application is unsuccessful, i-to-i will offer you the option to amend to another country providing you meet the requirements.
If you wish to make a change to your start month or destination, i-to-i will do its best to ensure that this is possible.
Travel - Related Matters
It is your responsibility to book and pay for your flights, and to arrive in good time for your flight. We strongly advise that you refrain from booking your flights until you have received your teaching contract and signed this.
Travel Insurance: It is your responsibility to obtain appropriate travel and medical insurance. We recommend strongly that take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers you also for working overseas.
Visas: Whilst your agent can assist in giving you general advice about visa for your travels, you are responsible for obtaining the correct entry and work visas for your destination. You are also responsible for the cost of obtaining any visas.
Travel Documentation: It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid passport that will remain valid for the duration of your stay in country.
Medical Advice: It is your responsibility to ensure that you have taken appropriate medical advice from your doctor in respect of living and working in the destination country, and that you have received all the appropriate inoculations and injections. It is also your responsibility to ensure that you take with you any appropriate and/or necessary medication or medical equipment for both treatment and prevention of illnesses during your time overseas.
Security and Government Advice: It is your responsibility to clarify information in relation to the political and security situation and any relevant medical advice in respect of the destination country, and to take any relevant steps that you feel are appropriate.
The Law and your Protection
When agreeing to these terms and conditions, both parties recognise that you are not an employee of i-to-i, nor of any other company in i-to-i's group.
16. Complaints
If for any reason you are not satisfied with our service, please e-mail TEFL@i-to-i.com or write to the Course Manager telling us what the problem is. If you have completed your course and would like to submit a complaint, you need to do so within 14 days of completion.
We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 5 working days and will aim resolve the complaint within a maximum of 21 days.
17. Accuracy of Marketing Materials
We believe that all the statements made in our brochure, website and other marketing materials are factual and correct at the time they are made. Every reasonable attempt has been made to describe the course and any other services mentioned. We cannot be held responsible for any changes that become known or happen after the brochure is produced (up to date information can be found on the website). Nor can we accept liability for happenings outside our control. We undertake to inform you of any material changes to your course before commencement of the course providing there is sufficient time and we are able to contact you.
18. Personal Data
For the purposes of the UK Data Protection Act 1998, we, i-to-i are a data controller. We may need to transfer the Personal Data you give us (such as your name and contact details), to your tutor.
We would also like to store and use your personal details for future marketing purposes (for example, sending you a brochure). All details you give us in connection with your booking will be kept but we will use only names and contact details for marketing purposes (unless you have asked us not to).
If you believe that any of your personal details which we are processing are inaccurate or incorrect, please contact us immediately.
As our privacy statement may change due to developments in the law, we would encourage you to reread our privacy statement from time to time so that you are aware of any changes in how we gather and use personal information.
