A guide on how to recognize the red flags of overseas teaching scams attracting young South African job seekers.
Young South Africans are jumping at the opportunity to travel abroad to teach English. However, reports have shown that young job seekers are falling for overseas teaching scams despite having attained their qualifications through reputable teaching institutions such as, TEFL.
These are the warning signs that your potential employer may be a scammer:
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The Employer Does Not Provide Adequate Information about the Offer of Employment
Job seekers should not naively accept an employer’s claims at face value. If your potential employer pressures you to accept the job offer, does not supply their full address or is asking for payments before arrival, be very wary.
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Is It Incredibly Cheap or Does it Sound too Good to be True?
It’s a cliché, but if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. For example, for a full TEFL qualification, you will need to pay a respectable amount. If a company or institution of education are offering you the qualification for an exorbitantly low price, you can be sure it is a scam.
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No Contract or Interview
These are big red flags concerning any job, no matter whether you are travelling overseas or working locally. If the company or individual skips over the interviewing process and seems to be avoiding giving you a contract, be wary of their true intentions.
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Get to Know the Countries Foreign Worker Policies
After reports of overseas teaching scams, the Pretoria Chinese Embassy has given some advice to young job seekers saying; “…carefully read the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China and Rules for the Administration of Employment of Foreigners in China to fully understand how to work legally in China.” Of course, you should apply this practice to any country you intend to teach in.
Teaching overseas can be a great adventure but there are always those looking to take advantage of the vulnerable. Do not let your desperation to make more money or to travel allow you to fall for overseas teaching scams.