So, you want to teach ESL…
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is an emerging field as English is being adopted as the language of the world. Getting started in this field can be confusing as standards and requirements are developing with the growth of the ESL industry.
Where can you teach ESL?
There are a variety of settings in which to teach English. In Canada, there are four main venues: 1) the regular public school system, 2) government sponsored ESL programs for newcomers to Canada, usually held at public or private institutions, 3) universities and colleges, and 4) private ESL schools that cater to international visa students.
For the more adventurous of spirit, there are many opportunities to teach English overseas in public or private programs. Traditionally, Japan and Korea have been the hotbeds for English teachers, but Taiwan and China are now emerging markets. There are also opportunities in Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Qualifications
Most jobs for ESL teachers, in Canada and overseas, require a university degree and strong proficiency in English as a minimum. In addition, with the rise of the industry, the standards have also increased to include TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certification.
- The public school system requires a Bachelor of Education and additional qualifications in ESL.
- Requirements at government sponsored ESL programs vary according to province.
- Universities and colleges generally require a TESOL Certification course and/or a masters degree.
- In the private ESL industry job qualifications vary, but many schools require TESOL Certification courses of at least 100-Instructional hours, plus a 20-hourr supervised practicum. These standards have been derived from those set by TESL Canada (www.tesl.ca).
TESOL/TEFL/TESL – What certification do you need?
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) are all terms used to describe the same thing – teaching English.
When investigating TESOL certification courses, you will encounter a variety of titles/certifications, course lengths and structures, tuition fees and institutions. With the growth in teaching English, many organizations have created their own TESOL course offerings in order to capture their own piece of the market. It can be confusing to choose a course that will best suit your needs and lead to better job prospects.
How do you ensure course quality and employability?
If you are serious about getting into ESL teaching, the best advice is to choose a recognized course of at least 100 hours, plus a 20-hr practicum. Shorter TESOL courses may be accepted overseas, but many institutes in Canada will not accept these certificates. Also, if a course has been approved by a governing body, for example TESL Canada, it means that it has been through a rigorous certification process and met the approval of the standards committee.
The ACE TESOL Certificate – A new standard in ESL teacher training
The industry experts of Advance Consulting for Education (www.aceducation.ca) have created a TESOL Certificate program that is recognized by TESL Canada. Based on the latest language education research and teaching methodology the ACE TESOL Certificate offers an interactive and dynamic learning experience. Individual, pair and small group work are supplemented with many opportunities for practice teaching.
The ACE TESOL certificate is offered in Edmonton at Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, 11713 – 82 Street. For more information, contact Judy Sillito at 780-423-9676, or e-mail jsillito@emcn.ab.ca.
Course Information
Application Form (print and fill out)
Application Form (fill in online, print and sign)
So, you want to teach ESL…
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is an emerging field as English is being adopted as the language of the world. Getting started in this field can be confusing as standards and requirements are developing with the growth of the ESL industry.
Where can you teach ESL?
There are a variety of settings in which to teach English. In Canada, there are four main venues: 1) the regular public school system, 2) government sponsored ESL programs for newcomers to Canada, usually held at public or private institutions, 3) universities and colleges, and 4) private ESL schools that cater to international visa students.
For the more adventurous of spirit, there are many opportunities to teach English overseas in public or private programs. Traditionally, Japan and Korea have been the hotbeds for English teachers, but Taiwan and China are now emerging markets. There are also opportunities in Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Qualifications
Most jobs for ESL teachers, in Canada and overseas, require a university degree and strong proficiency in English as a minimum. In addition, with the rise of the industry, the standards have also increased to include TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certification.
- The public school system requires a Bachelor of Education and additional qualifications in ESL.
- Requirements at government sponsored ESL programs vary according to province.
- Universities and colleges generally require a TESOL Certification course and/or a masters degree.
- In the private ESL industry job qualifications vary, but many schools require TESOL Certification courses of at least 100-Instructional hours, plus a 20-hourr supervised practicum. These standards have been derived from those set by TESL Canada (www.tesl.ca).
TESOL/TEFL/TESL – What certification do you need?
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) are all terms used to describe the same thing – teaching English.
When investigating TESOL certification courses, you will encounter a variety of titles/certifications, course lengths and structures, tuition fees and institutions. With the growth in teaching English, many organizations have created their own TESOL course offerings in order to capture their own piece of the market. It can be confusing to choose a course that will best suit your needs and lead to better job prospects.
How do you ensure course quality and employability?
If you are serious about getting into ESL teaching, the best advice is to choose a recognized course of at least 100 hours, plus a 20-hr practicum. Shorter TESOL courses may be accepted overseas, but many institutes in Canada will not accept these certificates. Also, if a course has been approved by a governing body, for example TESL Canada, it means that it has been through a rigorous certification process and met the approval of the standards committee.
The ACE TESOL Certificate – A new standard in ESL teacher training
The industry experts of Advance Consulting for Education (www.aceducation.ca) have created a TESOL Certificate program that is recognized by TESL Canada. Based on the latest language education research and teaching methodology the ACE TESOL Certificate offers an interactive and dynamic learning experience. Individual, pair and small group work are supplemented with many opportunities for practice teaching.
The ACE TESOL certificate is offered in Edmonton at Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, 11713 – 82 Street. For more information, contact Judy Sillito at 780-423-9676, or e-mail jsillito@emcn.ab.ca.
Course Information
Application Form (print and fill out)
Application Form (fill in online, print and sign)