Teaching English

pinkthinkingcat · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: Teaching English

Slightly diifferent to the questions i have previously asked as i am a lorry driver. I am considering a change of career due to medical reasons, my lorry driving career now seems to be un-realistic.

The career i think is best suited would be to teach english-to non speakers.

The qualification for this is called TESOL, teaching english to speakers of other languages.

For the career of teaching english to non speakers i am not sure Canada would have much of a market.

None the less i feel it is worth asking here anyway.

Many thanks as always

buntingj · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Actually, with more than 250,000 Immigrants, and about 40,000 UN charter refugess coming to Canada every year, there is a demand for what we call ESL teaching. English as a Second Language, teaching adults, usually in the first year after they arrive in Canada. The TEOSL certificate is recognised here.

The employers are school boards, community settlement groups, libraries and industrial unions, all of whom will benefit from people who speak better English. Classes are held daily, for up to 3 months, and the students come from every country in the world. Their one common ground is they need to learn basic, or in some cases advaced English to be more employable in Canada.

I think this could be a good plan for you.

JIm B.

pinkthinkingcat · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Hello Jim i hope you are well.

That seems a good idea then, well that is a good positive point.

I spoke to a member of a local university today, apparently to get onto the TESOL course over here i would need practical experience.

There are other courses over here, but i think the TESOL would be a better route to go.

Jim would you know of any other qualifications over in Canada i may be able to use?

Colin

buntingj · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Colin:

The TESOL seems to be the standard certificate here, but I don't think that you need "practical experience " to get into a course.

Perhaps you should do some more research where you live, to see what the requirements are, to enter a training program, to learn how to teach this subject. Surely with all the people from other EU countries, coming to work where you are, there is a market for English language training courses ?

Jim.

wapentake · Newbie Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Toronto

The question of ESL certification is a complex one. There are many ESL teaching qualifications and many institutions that claim to offer TESL certificates.

If you hope to work in publicly-funded institutions in Ontario, go to the TESL Ontario website and see information on certification:

TESL Ontario

You will also see a link to recognized teacher training institutions.

Ontario has more stringent requirements than other provinces. For requirements of other provinces, see the TESL Canada website:

TESL Canada Certification

If you hope to work in a private ESL school in Canada, many will accept the internationally recognized CELTA qualification (University of Cambridge). This is an entry-level qualification. There are many providers worldwide:

University of Cambridge CELTA

To work in most accredited private schools in Canada, an undergraduate degree is also required.

As an aside, I know that some local authorities in the UK will provide jobseeker funding for the CELTA course. As this is often a full-time course, getting the funding can be an exercise in persistence.

Do your research before shelling out for any TESL course. Some are basically worthless.

I’ve worked in ESL for almost twenty years in Europe/North America. Let me know if you have more questions.

pinkthinkingcat · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Jim

I looked up TESOL on www.wikipedia.org, a lot of information there.

It often amazes me that this website is usually better than university or colledge ones.

Anyway it says in this information that a certifificate course is usually sufficient for most EFL jobs.

ENTRANCE QULIFICATIONS

I completed a certificate in social welfare studies by fast track in 2002, it had no entry qualifications, i would assume most certificate courses would be the same.

I shall read up a bit more, and have a chat with someone from the university career service near were i live.

Thanks also to wapentake, good pointers there, i will certainly have a look at those websites.

One of the concerns i have is my age, and lack of practical experience.

If i complete a qualification, will i be able to find a job though?

buntingj · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Colin :

I would strongly suggest that you get on the Private Message function and send a messaage to Wapentake : He is a old hand around here, and a nice guy as well, who has a lot of practical information and knowledge to share with you regarding this subject.

He has been living in the Toronto area, for a number of years, and he can give you plenty of help, I am sure. I will bow to his much superior knowledge of the TESOL and ESL world, as my understanding of this type of thing is rudimentary, at best.

Get your heads together, and see what he can tell you.

Wapentake........Thanks very much for your kind offer to help Colin with this idea, that is nice of you to try to help him.

Jim B.

pinkthinkingcat · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Jim

Well you have been a great help, as usual, many many thanks.

I will of course pm this other person who has been so good as to take the time to help.

Regards,

Colin

buntingj · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Colin :

OK let me know how you get along with this idea, please.

Jim.

pinkthinkingcat · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching English

Jim

I will indeed, i sent a pm yesterday just waiting a reply.

Thanks

Colin