ESL Jobs Forum

[k.f.i.l.e]

Hi,

I have been in contact with a school claiming to be John Milton Institute, Palermo, Italy.

I had a text interview by skype, after which I was sent a contract to sign, which I did. They said I must attend a 2 day training which they would reimburse me for all the costs. I was then contacted to say I had to make travel arrangements with a person at Airitaly.

This person emailed me a quote for flights and accommodation saying I had to pay up front by western union. I said its too expensive, when I asked if I could arrange it myself, I was told I must go through the given travel agent for my own safety.

The salary offered it 2400 Euros for 25 hours, 30 euros an hour overtime as well as full insurance etc.

Do you think it's real?

[unionjack]

Hello k.f.i.l.e

Welcome to the forum

Sounds suspicious to me!

I would contact the John Milton Institute via their official contact details on their website. Their email address is info@johnmilton.it and their telephone number is 0039 091225440 and ask for the Recruitment Dept.

The Director whose name is Michele deals with recruitment and if you address your email to Linda@johnmilton.it for his attention, they will confirm whether or not what you are being asked to do is official.

Incidentally, where did you see the advertisement and what contact details did they give you?

UJ

[k.f.i.l.e]

Hi Union Jack

Thankyou for your quick response, I actually applied for jobs on multiple sites, so I can't remember which one, I applied for this job on.

They are using

Tel: +390694801641
E-mail: johnmiltoninstitutes@gmail.com/lnfo@johnmilton.it

Could they be using a capital i e.g. I as a counterfit small L e.g. l

Capital =I
Small =l

This their flight contact

Air Italy
Mr Mark Giorgio
E-mail: Air.italy@europe.com
Skype: AlitaliacityLiner

[Estella]

Hi k.f.i.l.e,
It is DEFFINITELY a scam, I was on the same interview and received the same information re: Orientation on 11 & 12th.

I received advice of my flights (from Australia) and also a cost which was to be reimbursed once we arrived. I questioned them on this and told them to speak to the Institute in regards to payment.

I looked into the travel company and found out they had actually closed on the 20th April, 2013! The did a check of the phone number we were given by 'Michele' and found out that this is the same number that was given to a number of other people who have written on this site.

I contacted the Institute directly from their web page and they confirmed that they have not done any interviews nor engaged any new teachers. They have taken this information to the police to try to stop the scam.

I have forwarded all the emails, contacts I have been given to them and the police will do what they can to catch them.

Like you, I couldn't believe that I could get an ESL job that was wonderful pay, good hours, including accommodation, in a wonderful country!! Guess that should have been our first clue.

Happy job hunting.

[natly]

The same has happened to me except the man is posing as MR David O Hara from The English Study Centre in Cantania Italy. Here is the job offer :
Serious and enthusiastic Teacher urgently needed.


Details
English language teacher required urgently to teach all ages and levels depend on the age you prefer to teach.
25 hours a week Monday to Friday, morning and afternoon.

English Study Centre is looking for an Enthusiastic Teacher to join our full time staff. We are looking for adaptable and outgoing teachers for children from 4 years old, teenagers and adults. The initial contract period is a year but this can be extended by mutual consent and into the following academic year.


We are a rapidly expanding private English language school. We pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching and the unrivaled reputation we have in the local community. We need dedicated career professionals who are only interested in the highest possible standards and are looking for long term prospects.

Although we are a rapidly growing school our goal is to be the best but not necessarily the biggest school in Catania. Teachers have ongoing support from the Director of Studies and the head of each specific department as well as regular training/development sessions in school. We offer all teachers the opportunity to attend local or national teaching conferences/training days(all expenses paid).

We are only interested in the highest possible standards of professionalism and teaching, our class sizes are deliberately small to facilitate this (8-10 students per class group). All students, including children, are placed in groups according to their level of English, there are regular reviews of each group and stronger or weaker students are moved accordingly if needed. All students are also offered free revision classes outside their normal class time if required.


A Classroom at English Study Centre:

The school is well resourced with a wide range of supplementary teaching materials and wireless internet connection throughout. We have bright and spacious classrooms and a very well resourced teachers´ room with computer and internet access. Teachers use up-to-date material specifically chosen for the students in each class group. The school provides clear course guidelines and objectives to teachers. As the majority of our students come from the local area we have a professional but almost family atmosphere in the school.

We offer general English and exam classes both in our own school and in state schools.

We have a busy in-company teaching department, providing classes in a range of companies from all market sectors. We have specialist in-company English teachers who teach the more specific business English courses but all teachers may be offered additional hours in companies where general English classes are required.

Teachers should be willing to share teaching ideas, assist in the preparation of new teaching materials and attend training/development days in school and local or national teacher conferences/training days (all expenses paid).

Compensation:

Salary: 2,400EUR after tax.
The salary is paid for 25 teaching hours/week and increases according to experience and qualifications. Additional teaching hours taught are paid as overtime. An additional 50% of one month´s net monthly salary is paid on successful completion of each full academic year contract.Paid holidays over Christmas, Easter and any local or national holidays which fall within the contractual period. Legal employment contract with full social security contributions paid by school. Free annual full medical health check.

If you meet these requirements, please forward your CV, passport, degrees/certificates and recent photograph to US:

A selected teacher will be invited for an interviews in Catania or by telephone. Round trip to be reimbursed upon arrival (same day of arrival)





Informazioni sul contatto
ENGLISH STUDY CENTRE snc SCUOLA DI LINGUE E CULTURA INGLESE

Moira & David O'Hara

Indirizzo:
V. TRIESTE 46
CATANIA (CT) 95100 ITALIA
Telefono: +390 694801641 - 095 7222393

Fax: 095 7222393

Skype: englishstudycentres




After a strange interview on Skype we have been mailing back and forth for 2 weeks about the job offer, he then said I had to come to an open day at the school and only ave me a weeks notice, he then said I had to speak to his contact with air italy Mr Mark Giorgio
E-mail: Air. italy@ europe. com
Skype: air.italys

I got really suspicious and traced both the ip addresses, they are from the same comp in a city called mountain view in California USA.

I am so mad you have to report him and post warnings on any blogs you maybe associated with so no one else falls for his scam

[chatwith]

I received an "invitation" to work for the same company in Catania, Sicily recently. What was previously written is word for word what I received. It's a SCAM. Steer clear.

[foxfoto]

I have been talking with the exact same scammers peddling the job in Catania. What action can we take with this? All these scams I have encountered in job hunting are total BS. Its emotional exhausting.

[natly]

I know it’s awful to spend so much time and effort only to learn it’s with a thief.

I have contacted the school and they have said that they have reported it to the police.

I have also reported it to Action Fraud, they have given me a case ref, they need more people to report it before they do anything.

If everyone reports it and writes warnings in blogs and on ESL teacher sites then hopefully they will catch this guy or at least his scam won’t work any more.

[foxfoto]

Great. Message me, and let me know what the action number is and I will file as well.

[natly]

This is the site I used, it took me about 10 mins to fill it in online :

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Good Luck, I hope they catch this terrible person.

[wishmaster41]

fyi, i called the number from private phone line and the guy sounded fishy and wanted me to send an email, he barely speaks english, think twice before contacting, luckily i did not give any information at all...



We received your contact via http://cathayteacher.com. See Job Details Below.

We are a "new-born" school in the province of Padua (North-East of Italy) and we are looking for EU & NON EU teachers to join us in January/February. We are looking for teachers who love their job and who would appreciate to become part of a business who is at the beginning of its experience.

We are looking for certified teachers, with experience/ready to teaching to young - even very young - learners, adults and professionals and in preparing for Cambridge exams, who love their job and are available to enter a new business with us.

Approx 13 teachers with varying degrees of time working at Top Language School: one has been with us for a years, others for eight months, others for six months, others for three months/two months and some since November.
All professional teachers give high quality lessons and really care about their students. All willingly share ideas and help each other.
We also offer work in our summer school in the month of July.
Class preparation a must and we carry out observations at least once a month.
Some teachers are oral examiners for Cambridge exams.
All group classes follow course books. However, we do encourage teachers to use their initiative and add in their own ideas. Normal class size (maximum) 10 students.
We realize how difficult it is to decide whether you will settle in a new place - which is why our teachers are happy to talk to any potential members of staff so that all your questions can be answered.

EU & NON EU national are accepted.
Teaching qualifications such as TEFL, CELTA, etc. However, teaching experience is valued.

Compensation:
Salary: 2,300EUR after tax:
The salary is paid for 25 teaching hours/week and increases according to experience and qualifications. Additional teaching hours taught are paid as overtime.
Severance pay: 2,500EUR is paid on successful completion of each full academic year contract.
Paid holidays over Christmas, Easter and any local or national holidays which fall within the contractual period.
100% medical insurance.
Paid accommodation within the school walking distance. (Teachers are responsible for making all maintenance and utilities/security deposit)
Visa assistance.
Paid round trip (reimbursed upon arrival)

If you would like to apply, Kindly forward your detailed CV and a recent photograph.






Kind Regards,
Mr Rena Maso (Head of studies)
VAT.N. IT 04751340284 Via Roma 71/D
Montegrotto Terme, Pd 35036 - Italy
Telefono: +390 694801641
Fax: 00393455958508
Skype: toplanguageschools

[ralph0632003]

wow! just bumped into this forum and found out I was a victim. I emailed INTERPOL still waiting for replies. Can anyone give me an idea how police work is done in Italy? I would appreciate any info. PM me Thanks!

[marek1]

I got the same scenario - great job in Italy. What can we do?

[unionjack]

There's not much you can do, I'm sorry, but just don't let it happen again.

Any contact with schools, should be made via the school's website contact details and not via the contact details given in the advertisement.

This is a common mistake made by job applicants and this is how the scammers catch you out.

Be warned!

UJ

[E.M.]

Dear All,
I am the owner of TLS, the new school established in the province of Padua, Italy. I just wanted to inform you that the the job offer mentioned on this forum was advertised by a scam artist, manipulating an advert. I published on a serious website I have already contacted to get this situation clear.
Since the good name of my school could be undermined, It's my duty to advise you I have NEVER promised that kind of compensation, or reimbursement.. .
I'm now cooperating with the police to find out who is the person who considers himself the "Head of studies", but I assure you he doesn't work for or with me, the skype contact he uses is not mine, as well as other details he uses on the advert.

I Hope my post can first help all teachers applying for this position and undergoing a false interview on Skype. As for me, I love my job and I'll continue to do it with seriousness and passion.
Regards,
E.M.