1. Introduction
1.1 These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) set out the agreement between School of TEFL (the “Service Provider”, “School of TEFL”, “we”, “us”, “our”) and you (“the Student”, “you”, “your”) for the services we provide (the “Services”).
1.2 These Terms, along with your details above and your Enrolment Confirmation email, form the entire legal agreement (the “Agreement”) between you and School of TEFL.
1.3 In this Agreement, the pronouns “they”, “them”, “their”, and “themself” are used in a gender-neutral way to refer to an individual.
2. Our Services
2.1 TEFL Training
We will provide TEFL training as outlined in your Enrolment Confirmation. Training may be delivered either directly by School of TEFL or through one of our partner centres, which will be clearly stated on our website and in the Enrolment Confirmation.
2.2 Additional Training, Subscriptions and Support
We may offer additional training, support, and subscriptions to third-party websites and services. Details of these are provided on our website and in your Enrolment Confirmation.
If any training, support, or subscriptions are described as “lifetime”, this refers to the period during which School of TEFL remains operational as a business, not the lifetime of the Student.
2.2.1 Job and Career Guidance
We provide job and career guidance, but we are not a job placement organisation. While we offer advice and support to help you in your job search, securing employment is solely your responsibility.
We do not guarantee any job offers, employment conditions, or agreements with schools, employers, or recruiters. We disclaim all warranties regarding job placement or career outcomes.
2.2.2 Subscriptions to Third-Party Websites and Services
Subscriptions to third-party websites and services (e.g., Lesson Plan library subscriptions) begin on the date specified in your Enrolment Confirmation – this could be the course start date, end date, or a date of your choosing.
We do not guarantee the quality or availability of third-party services and disclaim all warranties regarding your experience with them.
2.2.3 Add-on Grammar Course
If your enrolment includes our add-on Grammar Course, this will be provided as described in your Enrolment Confirmation.
3. In-Person & Hybrid Courses
3.1 School of TEFL in-person and hybrid courses are delivered either in full or in part by our partner centres. To receive a certificate of completion, you must successfully meet all course requirements as set by the partner centre and/or the relevant TEFL accrediting body. These requirements may include coursework, assessments, and teaching practice.
3.2 Your placement in an in-person or hybrid course is subject to confirmation from the partner centre. The partner centre may request additional information before confirming your place. While we do our best to ensure course availability, we cannot guarantee specific dates.
3.3 You agree to follow all policies, guidelines, codes of conduct, and procedures set by the partner centre. It is your responsibility to review and understand these policies before making the balance payment and starting the course. While we work closely with our partner centres to align policies with our standards, we do not accept liability for their policies or decisions.
3.4 If you choose to use services offered, recommended, or provided by the partner centre – such as accommodation, cultural excursions, or social activities – you do so at your own risk. These services are governed by the partner centre’s policies, and School of TEFL accepts no responsibility or liability for them.
3.5 We reserve the right to remove a student from an in-person or hybrid course, or refuse entry, for reasons including (but not limited to) failure to comply with partner centre policies, codes of conduct, or procedures, inappropriate behavior and unacceptable conduct. In such cases, no refunds will be provided.
3.6 In very exceptional circumstances, we or our partner centres may need to cancel a course. If this happens, we will notify you as soon as possible.
4. Online Courses
4.1 To receive a certificate of completion for an online course, you must successfully complete all course requirements, which may include coursework, assessments, and teaching practice.
4.2 Online courses must be completed within the timeframe specified on our website and in your Enrolment Confirmation. If you need more time, you can request a course extension in 3-month increments. Extensions require a fee, as detailed on our website, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
5. Fees & Payments
5.1 Payment for In-Person and Hybrid Courses
For in-person and hybrid courses, payment is made in two instalments:
- Deposit: Paid at the time of enrolment, directly to School of TEFL.
- Balance: Paid directly to the partner centre, as outlined in your Enrolment Confirmation and any further communication from the partner centre.
5.2 Payment for Online Courses
For online courses, the full course fee is paid at the time of enrolment.
5.3 Payment Deadlines and Non-Payment
All fees must be paid as outlined in your Enrolment Confirmation or as instructed by the partner centre. If payment is not received, we may suspend access to the course or reallocate your place to another student.
5.4 Taxes and Additional Charges
You are responsible for any taxes, transaction fees, or charges that may be applied to your payment by local, state, or national authorities.
5.5 Special Offers and Discounts
We sometimes run special offers or discounts, which may or may not be publicised. As a result, the course fee you pay may be different from what another student has paid.
6. Refunds & Cancellations
6.1 We understand that plans can change, and we aim to make our refund policy clear and fair.
6.1.1 Refunds Within 14 Days (Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013)
Under UK consumer law, you have the right to cancel your enrolment within 14 days of making your payment. If you cancel within this period, you’ll receive a full refund to your original payment method within 14 days of your request.
If you cancel within this period but after your course has started, we will deduct an amount based on how much of the course has already taken place. For example, if you cancel one week into a four-week course, we’ll refund 75% of your deposit.
6.1.2 Refunds After 14 Days
If you cancel more than 14 days after making your payment, your refund will depend on how close you are to your course start date:
- 30+ days before the course starts → 100% refund of your deposit
- 22-29 days before the course starts → 75% refund
- 15-21 days before the course starts → 50% refund
- 1-14 days before the course starts → 25% refund
- After the course has started → No refund
For online courses, the start date is the date you receive your course access details.
6.1.3 Refunds for the Balance Paid to a Partner Centre (In-Person & Hybrid Courses)
If you have paid the balance of your course fee directly to a partner centre, refunds will follow their refund policy, which may differ from ours.
Some partner centres follow local regulations, which means the 14-day cooling-off period may not apply. We cannot take responsibility for their policies, so please ensure you understand them before paying the balance.
6.1.4 Visa Denial Refunds
If you need a visa to attend your course and your application is denied, we will refund 100% of your deposit, as long as you provide official proof of visa refusal from the visa-issuing authority.
Refunds from partner centres for visa denials will follow their own policies (see Clause 6.1.3).
6.2 If We Need to Cancel Your Course
If, for any reason, we or a partner centre are unable to provide your course, you will receive a full refund of your deposit or course fee.
Refunds for any payments made to a partner centre will follow their own policies (see Clause 6.1.3).
6.3 Other Costs We Cannot Refund
If you qualify for a refund under Clause 6.1 or 6.2, please note that we cannot refund additional costs you may have incurred, such as flights, accommodation, or insurance.
6.4 Our Refund Commitment
We’re confident in the quality of our training. If you complete the course but do not achieve a passing grade or earn a certificate, we will refund your full deposit (for in-person and hybrid courses) or your full course fee (for online courses).
To qualify for this refund, you must:
- Attend all training sessions
- Complete all coursework and assessments
- Engage in any additional support or remedial activities recommended by us or your partner centre
For in-person and hybrid courses, refund eligibility will be based on attendance and performance records provided by the partner centre to ensure fairness.
This refund commitment only applies to deposits or course fees paid directly to us at enrolment. It does not cover:
- Balance payments made to a partner centre
- Travel, accommodation, or other expenses
6.5 Refunds Issued to the Original Payer
Refunds from School of TEFL will be issued to the original payer (the person who made the payment). If someone other than the student made the payment, their details must be provided in the designated section at the bottom of this form.
6.6 How to Request a Refund
To request a refund, email hello@schooloftefl.org with your name, course details, and order number (as shown on your Enrolment Confirmation).
7. Student Responsibilities
7.1 General Responsibilities
By enrolling in a School of TEFL course, you agree to:
- Attend and participate in all scheduled training sessions, as outlined in your Enrolment Confirmation.
- Provide any required information, documents, or authorisations necessary for us to deliver your course.
- Act responsibly and professionally at all times during the course.
7.2 Responsibilities for In-Person and Hybrid Courses
If you are attending an in-person course or the on-site portion of a hybrid course, you also agree to:
- Follow all policies and procedures of the partner centre.
- Research the local customs, norms, and potential risks associated with the country where your course is held.
- Confirm that your health is suitable for both travel and participation in an intensive training course. If needed, you should consult a medical professional before traveling.
- Purchase adequate travel and medical insurance before traveling abroad for your course.
- Take full responsibility for housing, meals, travel, and other expenses, unless your Enrolment Confirmation explicitly states that a particular cost is covered.
- Understand that School of TEFL is not responsible for travel-related issues or delays in reaching your course location.
- Comply with all laws and regulations of the country where your course is held.
8. Course Materials & Confidentiality
8.1 Ownership
All intellectual property rights (including but not limited to copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets) remain the exclusive property of the original owner. If a party owned the rights before this Agreement, they continue to own them after.
8.2 Use of Course Materials and Confidentiality
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, School of TEFL and its partner centres retain full ownership of all pre-existing intellectual property used in our courses.
By enrolling in a course, you acknowledge that:
- All course materials (including lesson content, videos, resources, and assessments) remain the property of School of TEFL and/or the partner centre providing the course.
- Your enrolment does not transfer any intellectual property rights to you.
- You may use course materials for personal learning only. Reproducing, sharing, or distributing them without permission is not allowed.
- Any proprietary methodologies, trade secrets, or other confidential course content shared with you must be kept private and cannot be disclosed to others.
These confidentiality obligations remain in effect even after you complete or withdraw from the course.
9. Publicity Consent
9.1 Celebrating Your Achievements
We love celebrating our students’ achievements and experiences. If you’re happy for us to do so, we’d like the option to feature your name and/or photos and videos in our promotional materials.
You can choose to opt in or opt out at the end of this agreement.
If you opt in, you give us permission to use your name, as well as any photos or videos taken during your TEFL training, for promotional purposes. We may also reach out to see if you’d like to share your experience of the course or your first teaching job. Your story may be featured on our website, social media, or other materials highlighting student experiences.
This permission lasts for five years, after which we won’t use your details in any new promotions.
9.2 Withdrawing Your Consent
You can withdraw your consent at any time by emailing hello@schooloftefl.org or privacy@schooloftefl.org.
Once we receive your request, we’ll stop using your information in any new promotional materials. However, we may not be able to remove content that has already been published.
9.3 Your Privacy
We take your privacy seriously and will handle your data with care, in line with our Privacy Policy and all relevant data protection laws.
10. Sharing Your Information
10.1 When We May Share Your Information
We sometimes receive requests from recruiters, language schools, or other third parties asking for confirmation of a student’s enrolment or course completion. If we receive such a request, we may disclose this information unless you ask us not to.
10.2 Opting Out
If you do not want us to share this information, you can request this by emailing hello@schooloftefl.org or privacy@schooloftefl.org.
11. Disclaimers & Limitations
We’re committed to providing high-quality TEFL training, but we also want to be clear about what we can and can’t guarantee.
11.1 No Warranty
Our courses and services are provided “as is” and “as available.” While we aim to deliver a great learning experience, we cannot guarantee that everything will always be perfect.
We disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:
- Suitability for a particular purpose (e.g. securing a specific job).
- Freedom from errors, interruptions, or defects.
11.2 No Guaranteed Outcomes
Your success depends on many factors, including your own efforts, external market conditions, and individual circumstances. While we’ll give you the best possible training and support, we can’t guarantee specific results, such as job placement.
11.3 Your Responsibility
Ultimately, you are responsible for how you apply what you learn. We’re here to guide and support you, but any decisions you make based on our training – including career choices – are your own.
We can’t be held liable for any consequences, losses, or challenges that arise from how you use or interpret the course materials.
12. Liability
We want to ensure clarity around our responsibilities and your own risks when participating in a TEFL course.
12.1 Limitation of Liability
If there is ever a claim against us, our total liability – whether due to contract issues, negligence, or anything else – will be limited to the amount you have paid us for the specific service in question.
12.2 No Liability for Indirect or Consequential Losses
We cannot be held responsible for:
- Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities
- Loss of data
- Any indirect, incidental, or special damages.
This applies even if we’ve been made aware that such damages might occur.
12.3 Risks Associated with Travel and In-Person Courses
If you are participating in an in-person or hybrid course, you understand that:
- We are not responsible for any injury, sickness, death, or property damage that may occur.
- This includes travel to and from the course, as well as accommodation arranged by or recommended by a partner centre.
- There may be unforeseen risks and hazards involved in traveling or living in a new location, including those outside of our control.
13. Indemnity
13.1 By enrolling in a School of TEFL course, you agree to take responsibility for your actions and to protect us from certain legal claims.
13.2 You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless School of TEFL, our directors, employees, and agents, against any claims, damages, costs, or legal expenses that arise from:
- Your participation in the course.
- False, inaccurate, or incomplete information you provide to us or our partner centres.
- Damage, loss, or theft of property belonging to School of TEFL, its staff, students, and partner centres – if caused by you.
- Unauthorised use, sharing, or reproduction of course materials or intellectual property.
- Legal claims resulting from a breach of this Agreement, negligence, or misconduct on your part.
14. Termination
14.1 We want every student to have a positive learning experience, but in rare cases, we may need to end your enrolment.
14.2 We may cancel your enrolment and withdraw access to your course if:
- Your course fees remain unpaid after the due date.
- You engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior.
- You repeatedly or seriously fail to follow the terms of this Agreement.
14.3 If this happens, we will notify you in writing.
15. Waiver
15.1 A waiver means that if we choose not to enforce a specific part of this Agreement, we are temporarily allowing an exception. However, this does not permanently remove our rights to enforce that rule later.
15.2 If we don’t immediately enforce any part of this Agreement, it doesn’t mean we’re giving up our rights. We can still enforce the terms later if needed.
15.3 If we agree to waive a specific term, it must be in writing and signed by us. A waiver for one situation does not apply to future situations.
16. Legal validity of this agreement
16.1 If any part of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the rest of the Agreement will still apply.
16.2 The invalid section will either be:
- Modified as needed to make it enforceable, while keeping its original intent, or
- Removed, without affecting the validity of the rest of the Agreement.
17. Changes to this agreement
17.1 This Agreement is between you and School of TEFL, and you cannot transfer your rights or obligations to anyone else without our written consent.
17.2 We may transfer our rights or obligations if necessary (for example, if ownership of the business changes), but this won’t affect your rights under this Agreement.
17.3 We may need to update or modify this Agreement from time to time. If we do, we’ll provide notice of the changes. Any changes will only apply moving forward and won’t affect any agreements made before the modification unless required by law.
18. Communication
18.1 If we need to contact you about this Agreement, we will do so in writing via the email address you provided during enrolment or any other contact details you have given us.
18.2 If you need to send us any official notices regarding this Agreement, please contact us in writing at hello@schooloftefl.org. If we update our contact details, we’ll notify you accordingly.
19. Rights of third parties
19.1 This Agreement is only between you and School of TEFL. No other person or company has any rights to enforce or benefit from this Agreement unless explicitly stated.
20. Our relationship with you
20.1 Your enrolment in a School of TEFL course does not create an employment, partnership, or joint venture relationship between you and us.
20.2 We provide training as an independent provider, and you are not considered an employee, agent, or representative of School of TEFL.
21. Force majeure
21.1 Sometimes, things happen that are outside of our control and may affect our ability to deliver courses or services. These can include (but are not limited to):
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, fires)
- Strikes or industrial disputes
- Government actions or legal restrictions
- Pandemics or health emergencies
- Wars, riots, or acts of terrorism
21.2 If such an event occurs, we won’t be held responsible for any delays, disruptions, or cancellations caused by it. If the issue continues for more than 30 days, either party has the right to terminate this Agreement, and we will work with you to find a reasonable solution.
22. Entire agreement
22.1 This Agreement represents the entire understanding between you and School of TEFL. It replaces any previous discussions, agreements, or understandings – whether written or spoken – related to your enrolment and our services.
23. Terms that continue after enrolment ends
23.1 Some parts of this Agreement will continue to apply even after your enrolment ends. These include (but are not limited to):
- Intellectual property rights (Clause 8)
- Confidentiality obligations (Clause 8.2)
- Limitations of liability (Clause 12)
- Indemnity obligations (Clause 13)
23.2 These terms remain in effect as long as necessary to protect the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
24. Governing law & jurisdiction
24.1 This Agreement – and any disputes related to it – will be governed by and interpreted under the laws of England.
24.2 If any legal action arises from this Agreement, it must be handled in the courts of England, unless another jurisdiction is required by law.