News

  • “Books not guns”: Palestine, the BC, and the UK war machine

    In this piece, a member of the TEFL Workers’ Union writes on the possibility of ELT teachers to oppose war and genocide – and the BC teachers in Italy who are leading the way! The UK has arguably been the epicentre of the Palestine solidarity campaign since the launch of Israel’s genocide against the people…

  • Annual leave for zero-hours workers: Know your rights

    Did you know that you should continue to accrue annual leave even if you’re off sick? There’s a good chance your school doesn’t. The TEFL Workers’ Union is proud to release annual leave guidance specifically tailored to zero-hours workers in the language teaching industry. The guidance includes: 1. Types of annual leave: banking systems v.…

  • TEFL Union protest outside TopUp English

    Chants and whistles rang out on Camden High Street as TEFL Workers’ Union members made noise and showed their solidarity with Emek. Today saw the launch of the TEFL Workers’ Union public campaign to support Emek, a Turkish teacher who alleges she was unfairly dismissed as a result of “native speakerism” at the TopUp Learning…

  • The TEFL Workers’ Union has a message for Neil Pick

    Teachers at Meridian English have gone months without payment – and without communication from CEO Neil Pick.  Here the teachers tell their story. The first the teachers knew about it, it was because their pay didn’t arrive. Then, through vague, sporadic, and often conflicting messages from Meridian CEO Neil Pick, the teachers learned that the…

  • Image in shades of green reads "solidarity" diagonally. An IWW logo and a peace logo are in opposite corners
    “Books not guns”: Palestine, the BC, and the UK war machine
    In this piece, a member of the TEFL Workers’ Union writes on the possibility of ELT teachers to oppose war and genocide – and the BC teachers in Italy who are leading the way! The UK has arguably been the epicentre of the Palestine solidarity campaign since the launch of Israel’s genocide against the people of Gaza. Millions on demonstrations, mass arrests, even trade union leaders addressing mass demonstrations. The reaction of the state has … Read more
  • Green background with green and yellow writing reader Know Your Rights: Annual leave. Stylised picture of a teacher on the left hand side.
    Annual leave for zero-hours workers: Know your rights
    Did you know that you should continue to accrue annual leave even if you’re off sick? There’s a good chance your school doesn’t. The TEFL Workers’ Union is proud to release annual leave guidance specifically tailored to zero-hours workers in the language teaching industry. The guidance includes: 1. Types of annual leave: banking systems v. rolled-up pay 2. Annual leave accrual during periods of sickness 3. Changes to statutory sick pay 4. Statutory sick pay … Read more
  • Image shows two men with leaflet, one in a hi viz vest, in front of TopUp English in Camden, London.
    TEFL Union protest outside TopUp English
    Chants and whistles rang out on Camden High Street as TEFL Workers’ Union members made noise and showed their solidarity with Emek. Today saw the launch of the TEFL Workers’ Union public campaign to support Emek, a Turkish teacher who alleges she was unfairly dismissed as a result of “native speakerism” at the TopUp Learning / TTI. Emek worked at TopUp for a number of years, always a popular and successful teacher. Despite this, she … Read more
  • "We've got a message for Neil Pick: Meridian teachers demand justice"
    The TEFL Workers’ Union has a message for Neil Pick
    Teachers at Meridian English have gone months without payment – and without communication from CEO Neil Pick.  Here the teachers tell their story. The first the teachers knew about it, it was because their pay didn’t arrive. Then, through vague, sporadic, and often conflicting messages from Meridian CEO Neil Pick, the teachers learned that the company was in trouble: there wasn’t money there to pay their wages or keep the company operating. The sad reality … Read more
  • Light green, dark green, and yellow background. Image reads: We've got a message for TopUp/TTI, Justice for Emek, no discrimination, respect workers right, it's time to pay up
    “Our value should not be defined by someone else’s prejudice”: The TEFL Workers’ Union Stands with Emek!
    Emek worked at TopUp Learning / TTI English school in Camden in London, a dedicated teacher who was well-liked by students and workmates alike. But her employment recently came to an end, something she believes is due to the fact her first language is Turkish. Below she lays out her allegations about how she was treated in the months leading up to her departure from the company. The TEFL Workers’ Union is actively supporting Emek … Read more
  • Green background with dark green and yellow letters. Reads: The TEFL Workers Union demands and end to native speakers in the UK
    Whose Language is it Anyway?
    Why native-speakerism in language teaching has had its day. Native-speakerism – the idea that those who can claim to have a language as their mother tongue are automatically better at teaching it and more legitimate models of what counts as good language use – has been around in English language teaching for a long time. There have been efforts to change this, and many language schools are good role models in providing opportunities for non-native … Read more