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Welcome to Neville David Thomas – https://nevilledavidthomas.com/
My core motivation for creating this blog is to address the malicious disinformation and misinformation spread about myself and one of my businesses online.
A Personal Statement on Recent Defamatory Attacks Against My Business and Reputation
Over the past few years, I’ve been subjected to a series of false and damaging attacks online—targeting both my company, TEFL Online Pro, and me personally. As someone who has worked hard to build a reputable, student-centered TEFL certification company, I feel it is necessary to speak openly about what has been happening behind the scenes.
This is not a post I ever imagined needing to write. But when disinformation begins to damage your professional reputation, and affect personal relationships, silence is no longer an option.
The Background
Since 2019, TEFL Online Pro has helped thousands of individuals from around the world earn internationally recognized TEFL/TESOL certification and begin meaningful teaching careers, either online or abroad. We are accredited, student-supported, and have maintained a 5-star review rating based on real graduate experiences.
Unfortunately, our success has drawn the attention of a few bad-faith actors in the TEFL industry. These individuals have made it their mission to discredit my company using coordinated, dishonest tactics:
1. The TEFL Academy and Its Affiliate Blogger
An affiliate of The TEFL Academy—Caitriona McTiernan, who runs a blog called TPR Teaching—has published multiple misleading articles that contain false claims about TEFL Online Pro. These articles are designed to manipulate online searches and damage our reputation, often using unverified and anonymous “student feedback” without any attempt at balanced reporting.
2. A Fabricated Student Complaint
In a more calculated move, a supposed student named Megan Broccoli enrolled in one of our TEFL courses, completed it, received her certificate within an hour, and then publicly claimed—also within that same hour—that our certificate was rejected by an employer. She used this fabricated scenario to post negative commentary about TEFL Online Pro on forums such as Reddit’s r/TEFL. The timing and narrative suggest this was not a genuine complaint but a staged setup.
3. Ian Leahy of ESLinsider
Another individual, Ian Leahy, who runs a competing TEFL business called ESLinsider, has also spent years spreading disinformation about our company. Ian has a long record of targeting TEFL competitors with defamatory content, and he has been banned from Facebook for repeated violations related to online misinformation and harassment.
The Real-World Impact
These attacks are not just unethical—they’ve been personally painful. When people who don’t know me read lies and half-truths about my business, it creates real doubt and can cause damage to relationships I’ve built over years. Some colleagues and clients have reached out, unsure what to believe. Others may simply move on without asking questions.
As a founder and as a person, it’s demoralizing to see your name dragged through the mud by people who’ve never even worked with you or your business. It’s affected not just my company’s reputation, but my personal mental well-being and professional relationships.
Standing Up with Integrity
I want to be clear:
- TEFL Online Pro is a legitimate, accredited TEFL course provider with thousands of satisfied graduates working around the world.
- We do not engage in competitor bashing or deceptive marketing.
- All course reviews on our website and third-party platforms are authentic and verifiable.
- We provide real job support and maintain strong relationships with employers and recruiters across the TEFL industry.
While I believe in healthy competition, I cannot stay silent while falsehoods are allowed to shape perceptions. That’s why I’ve published this statement—to bring clarity to the situation, and to assert the truth in the face of coordinated defamation.
To Those Affected by the Noise
If you are a prospective student, recruiter, or employer coming across this content, I ask that you evaluate the situation with discernment. If you have any questions, I am always available to speak with you directly. My integrity and the integrity of TEFL Online Pro matter to me deeply—and I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and continue to do.
Thank you to the many students, partners, and friends who have supported me throughout this journey. Your trust is everything.
Sincerely,
Neville David Thomas
Founder, TEFL Online Pro
https://teflonlinepro.com
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Find out more about me: https://nevilledavidthomas.com/about/
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Neville David Thomas 