PRIVACY POLICY - TERMS OF SERVICE
Effective date: October 6, 2026 · Last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
American TESOL Institute (“ATI”) is committed to ensuring the protection of personal information belonging to our staff, customers, clients, and users of this website. ATI endeavors to keep personal information accurate, confidential, secure, and private. We collect personal information that you provide directly and limited information automatically through necessary technologies, server logs, and, where permitted by your privacy choices, optional analytics, advertising, embedded-content, or interactive technologies. We use and disclose personal information as described in this policy and our Notice at Collection, subject to applicable United States privacy laws.
The Ten Privacy Principles
Principle 1 – Accountability
American TESOL Institute is responsible for all personal information under its control, including any personal information disclosed to third parties for processing. ATI has established policies and procedures to comply with its own privacy code and has designated one or more persons to be accountable for compliance.
Principle 2 – Identifying Purposes
American TESOL Institute will identify the purposes for collecting personal information prior to or at the time it is provided. Personal information will not be used for a purpose not previously identified without further individual consent, unless the new purpose is required by law.
Principle 3 – Consent
The knowledge and consent of the customer are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of customer information, except where inappropriate.
Principle 4 – Limiting Collection
The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by American TESOL Institute.
Principle 5 – Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.
Principle 6 – Accuracy
Personal information shall be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
Principle 7 – Safeguarding Customer Information
American TESOL Institute protects personal information with safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
Principle 8 – Openness
American TESOL Institute will make specific information about its personal information management policies and practices readily available to individuals.
Principle 9 – Customer Access
Upon request, American TESOL Institute will inform individuals of the existence, use, and disclosure of their personal information and provide access to that information. An individual shall be able to verify the accuracy and completeness of their information and may request that it be amended, as appropriate.
Principle 10 – Handling Customer Complaints and Suggestions
American TESOL Institute will provide procedures to receive and respond to complaints or inquiries about policies and practices relating to the handling of personal information. These procedures will be easily accessible and simple to use.
Why We Collect Personal Information Online
American TESOL Institute currently collects personal information from users when they enroll for American TESOL Certification and Job Placement or when they request information about TESOL programs.
Private, Public, and Aggregate Information Obtained by ATI
Private Information
Private information is any information that allows others to contact you other than through ATI, or that allows the collection of information about you beyond what is displayed on the site. Such information is gathered from free trial members and regular members. This may include your name, email address, telephone number, mailing or billing address, enrollment details, and communications with ATI. Payment-card numbers, security codes (CVV/CVC), and card expiration details entered in a third-party secure checkout are collected and processed by the payment processor, not by ATI through its website.
Public Information
Public information is personal information that may be displayed on the site, such as gender and age, but cannot be linked to a particular user by name or address. This information may include, for example, gender, age, ethnic background, or appearance. It is used to match individuals for employment or language exchange if they so choose. Members can request that their personal information be viewable only by ATI-approved employers for job placement, which is optional with certification. Individuals are able to join ATI by disclosing personal information solely to ATI and the payment processor. Images posted by members can be used by ATI in advertisements or press releases about our services. People attending ATI events may appear in photos or images taken at such events and used in ads or press releases about our services. Posting images or attending ATI events constitutes agreement with the fair use of the images involved.
Aggregate Information
Aggregate information is information combined or de-identified so that it is not reasonably linked to an individual. Browser, device, and IP-address information may constitute personal information under applicable privacy laws. This information is gathered from all visitors to our site and is used for general website administration.
Use of Information Obtained by ATI
Private Information
We use email addresses submitted by members to forward communications and for customer support. We may use a user's email or postal address to send updates or offers we deem relevant; however, the user may opt out at any time through our unsubscribe mechanisms or by modifying their account information. Any sharing of email or postal addresses with third-party marketers only occurs with the user’s explicit consent, as indicated during signup or by later updating their email setting preferences.
Payments are handled by third-party payment processors, including Stripe where offered. The processor collects and handles payment-card numbers, card security codes, and expiration details through its secure checkout. ATI does not request or intentionally store full payment-card numbers or security codes in its website or enrollment records. For payment reconciliation, enrollment administration, support, refunds, and accounting, ATI may receive and retain the purchaser’s name, email address, billing contact information, purchased course or service, amount and currency, payment status, transaction date, processor transaction or customer reference IDs, and refund or dispute status. Depending on the processor integration, ATI may also see limited card information such as the brand and last four digits; this is not the full card number. ATI retains transaction and enrollment records only as reasonably necessary for these purposes and applicable tax, accounting, dispute-resolution, and legal obligations, as described under Retention of Personal Information. You may request access, correction, or deletion subject to applicable retention requirements.
We also use personal information in connection with newsletters, offers, and other promotional materials sent to you regarding ATI’s or third parties’ products or services. ATI provides you with options to decline receiving certain categories of communications. To operate effectively, including processing your transactions and supporting your activities, we may share your personal information with agents or contractors who assist with services such as credit card authorization or order fulfillment. We require these entities not to use your information for any other purpose.
By purchasing, registering for, or making reservations regarding products or services offered or sponsored by third parties on our site—or by electing to receive communications from third parties—you consent to our providing your personal information to them. Those third parties may have their own privacy policies; you will need to contact them directly regarding your preferences for use of your personal information.
ATI may disclose personal or financial information when necessary to comply with applicable law, to cooperate with law enforcement, or to protect the interests or safety of ATI or other visitors. We may also disclose your information to our parent or affiliated legal entities, if any. These entities will comply with this privacy policy regarding their use and disclosure of your personal information.
Public Information
Public information you provide is intended for viewing by registrants and subscribers to the site, primarily for searching and matching purposes (e.g., employment opportunities or language exchange).
Aggregate Information
IP address and browser or device information may be used for site administration, security, fraud prevention, analytics, and related purposes. We treat this information as personal information where applicable law requires.
Chat Rooms, Bulletin Boards, and Forums
ATI may make chat rooms or forums available to its users. Any information disclosed in these areas becomes public information. Exercise caution before sharing personal information online.
American TESOL Certification
An individual must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to enroll for American TESOL Certification and Job Placement. The information provided enables us to deliver services securely, and participants may change their preferences associated with any information provided. Eligible online payments are processed through third-party payment processors, including Stripe. Full payment-card numbers, security codes, and expiration details entered in a processor-hosted or processor-controlled secure checkout are handled by that processor rather than stored by ATI. ATI receives and retains the limited purchase, contact, payment-status, and transaction-reference information described above to administer enrollments, provide support, and maintain required records.
Post-Certification Job Placement Guarantee & Refund Policy
American TESOL Institute offers a Job Placement Guarantee to ATI graduates after successful completion of certification. To participate in the guarantee, graduates must select their top five (5) preferred countries where they wish to teach abroad, remain open to online English-teaching opportunities, and allow at least three (3) months post-certification to receive job offers.
- The Job Placement Guarantee begins after successful completion of ATI certification.
- Graduates must select five (5) countries where they are willing to teach abroad.
- Graduates must also remain open to online English-teaching opportunities.
- Graduates must allow at least three (3) months post-certification to receive job offers before requesting a refund under this guarantee.
American TESOL Certification and Memberships
When purchasing ATI services, the payment processor collects the card information necessary to authorize and complete the payment. ATI receives only the order, purchaser contact, transaction-status, and processor reference information needed to fulfill the purchase and maintain records; depending on the integration, limited card descriptors (such as brand and last four digits) may also be available. ATI does not intentionally retain full card numbers or security codes. See “Use of Information Obtained by ATI” and “Retention of Personal Information” for more information.
Digital Services and Service Providers
ATI uses service providers for functions such as application and website infrastructure, consent management, payment processing, forms, email delivery, analytics, customer support, AI functionality, voice functionality, maps, and related services. Depending on the feature used, these may include Base44, Stripe, ElevenLabs, Google services, and other providers. These providers may process information on ATI's behalf or under their own applicable privacy terms.
ATI's SI Education Portal and other AI-supported learning features may process prompts, messages, learning interactions, account information, and related technical data. Where a service saves conversation history, that history may be associated with an account to provide continuity and personalized learning support.
Optional voice features may use ElevenLabs. If you activate or use a voice feature, audio, conversation content, and technical information necessary to provide the feature may be transmitted to and processed by the applicable voice-service provider. Optional voice technologies are subject to the privacy and consent controls implemented on the page where they appear.
TESOL AI
You acknowledge that the TESOL AI Support, English Teacher, and Counselor on americantesol.com is an automated artificial intelligence and not a human advisor. Any advice, guidance, or information it provides is for informational purposes only and should be independently verified. ATI is not responsible or liable for any information generated by the AI, nor for any actions, decisions, or consequences that result from individuals following its suggestions.
Resume Upload
If you upload a resume for job-placement assistance, ATI may use it to provide the placement service you requested and may share relevant information with prospective employers when you request or authorize that sharing. Uploading a resume for placement assistance does not by itself authorize ATI to publish it publicly. You may contact ATI to request correction or deletion, subject to applicable legal and operational exceptions.
Email Communications
When you email us, you provide your name, email address, and any other information in your message. This information may be shared with persons outside of ATI only when required to respond effectively to your inquiry. We retain correspondence only as long as reasonably necessary for support, service, security, record-keeping, and applicable legal purposes. By completing a contact or enrollment form, you agree that ATI may contact you via email or telephone about TESOL program promotions.
Cookies, Consent, and Privacy Choices
ATI uses necessary technologies to operate and secure the website. Optional analytics, advertising, embedded-content, and interactive technologies are controlled through ATI's consent-management system, hosted using Base44 infrastructure. Where a technology is designated as optional, it is held back until the applicable privacy choice permits it. You can review or change available choices at any time through Your Privacy Choices in the site footer. ATI does not sell personal information for money. Certain advertising disclosures may constitute "sharing" under California law. ATI honors legally required, technically recognized opt-out preference signals where applicable and supported by our consent implementation.
Retention of Personal Information
ATI retains personal information no longer than reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, taking into account credential verification, operational, tax, accounting, security, dispute-resolution, and legal needs. Typical periods include approximately 7 years for enrollment/course records, 3 years for job-placement materials, marketing contact data until unsubscribe or ordinarily after 2 years of inactivity, support/chat/voice records ordinarily up to 24 months subject to provider configuration, and server/security logs ordinarily up to 12 months.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your residence and applicable law, you may have rights to know or access personal information, request correction or deletion, obtain information about collection and disclosure, opt out of sale or sharing or certain targeted advertising, and appeal certain privacy-request decisions. California residents may have rights under the CCPA/CPRA, including rights to know/access, delete, correct, opt out of sale or sharing, limit certain uses of sensitive personal information where applicable, and receive equal service when exercising privacy rights.
Use Your Privacy Choices in the footer to manage available consent and sharing preferences, visit our contact page, or call 1-877-748-7900. We may verify identity before completing certain requests.
Employee Confidentiality
Upon employment, every employee of American TESOL Institute signs a “Confidentiality Agreement and Code of Ethics,” which obligates them to handle business information—including customer information—in a strictly confidential manner.
Limitation of Liability
American TESOL Institute’s web pages may include external links to other internet sites as a convenience for users. ATI is not responsible for the availability, validity, or content of these external sites, nor does ATI endorse, warrant, or guarantee any products, services, jobs, or information described or offered at these external sites.
Disclaimer for American TESOL Institute’s Exploration of Communication Techniques
American TESOL Institute (“ATI”) provides educational content related to various communication strategies, including but not limited to mirroring and matching, anchoring, framing, pattern interrupts, embedded commands, future pacing, double binds, and mentalism. These techniques, sometimes associated with the fields of psychology, are intended solely for transparent and ethically sound instructional practices.
- Ethical Application: ATI does not endorse or encourage the use of these methods for manipulation or unethical purposes. They should always be used in a manner that respects the autonomy and well-being of learners.
- Informed Consent: Educators should inform students or participants about these techniques if they are practiced in the learning environment and, where applicable, obtain consent from relevant institutions or guardians.
- Professional Responsibility: Instructors must remain mindful of institutional policies and local regulations. Consult supervisors or administrators in case of doubt regarding appropriateness.
- No Guarantee of Results: While ATI provides theoretical frameworks and examples, results may vary depending on context, learner differences, and instructional objectives.
- Independence of Application: ATI assumes no responsibility for how individuals adapt these strategies. Any legal or ethical implications arising from their use lie with the instructor, institution, or relevant parties.
By utilizing or applying the communication strategies outlined in ATI’s materials, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these conditions. If you have concerns about the ethical use of these methods, please seek professional advice or consult your institution’s guidelines before proceeding.
Disclaimer
Complete confidentiality and security cannot be guaranteed over the internet, and the transmission of data—including personal information—may be subject to interception, loss, or alteration. Any communication provided online may be viewed by third parties, and American TESOL Institute (ATI) is not liable for any damages related to the transfer of sensitive data; such communications are at your own risk.
No refunds are available except for the guaranteed job placement provision set forth in this policy. By joining ATI or using its services and website for TESOL certification and employment, you acknowledge that American TESOL Institute, its employees, shareholders, owners, partners, affiliates, and contractual partners bear no legal responsibility in any capacity or jurisdiction for damages suffered by members, employers, or participants.
ATI currently lends its name and curriculum to schools in various international locations for TESOL certification and employment opportunities; neither ATI nor its affiliates can be held liable for damages arising from these partnerships. Traveling abroad carries inherent risks, which are documented in official travel advisories. American TESOL Institute, including its faculty, staff, partners, and investors, cannot be held liable for any damages a member may suffer while traveling, working, or residing inside or outside the United States.
By using this website, you confirm that you understand and accept these terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use immediately.
Contact Us
We hope this statement is informative and clear. Please email us at info@americantesol.com with any questions or to request further information. If you prefer, you may contact us in writing at:
American TESOL Institute
8875 Hidden River Parkway
Suite #300
Tampa, FL 33637
