CERTESL Program

  Canada

• All Other Areas in Canada: 
Saskatoon

Length of Position: 250 to 310 hours

Description: CERTESL is a university-based distance-delivered professional training program in TESL or TEFL. The core program, in combination with a university degree and relevant experience, enables completers to qualify for TESL Canada Standard I certification and, with the addition of required employment experiece, for accreditation by Alberta TESL and SCENES. Degreed completers of approved supplemental coursework within CERTESL also qualify for TESL Ontario and TESL Canada Standard II certification. The core program consists of 6 courses/250 academic training hours which must include a supervised practicum component. Exceptions to the practicum requirement are allowed if the candidate has a B.Ed. or post-degree credential in Education with internship, or has previous ESL/EFL teaching experience and does not intend to apply for TESL Canada or TESL Ontario certification. Experienced ESL/EFL educators and holders of B.Ed. degrees or post-degree credentials in Education may complete the program in two semesters (8 months.) All others study on a part-time basis and require at least one year to complete the program. A maximum of five years is allowed for completion, and alumni can return at any time to complete supplemental study for TESL Ontario and TESL Canada Standard II purposes.

Highlights: TESL (for English-speaking countries), TEFL (for overseas teaching) and TESD (for working with aboriginal North American students) streams of study are available. The CERTESL practicum can be completed in Saskatoon in the month of July, or in the candidate's home region provided a qualified supervising teacher whose credentials can be verified is available to assist. Graduates of other programs of at least 120 academic hours who must complete adult practica for TESL Canada or TESL Ontario certification purposes may enroll in the CERTESL practicum. Experienced teachers and teacher-aides with at least 80 hours of TESL/TEFL/TESD training may also enroll in a course which trains them to work with nonliterate ESL/EFL/ESD learners.

Candidates who do not plan to use CERTESL to qualify for TESL Ontario certification or for the Saskatchewan K-12 Additional Qualification Certificate, or who want a shorter program for overseas teaching or Canadian teacher-aide employment, or who plan to teach as volunteers, may enroll in a four week on-campus TEFL Intensive program which ladders into the TEFL stream of CERTESL provided its completers achieve at least 60% in each component. The on-campus Intensive incorporates classroom observations and at least 12 hours of ESL tutoring practice.

Qualifications: Standard university admission criteria: high school completion with minimum 65% average; proof of English proficiency as mandated by the University. Candidates for national or provincial adult TESL certification must have university degrees. Candidates for Saskatchewan Additional Qualification Certificate status must have B.Ed. degrees and be eligible for a Province of Saskatchewan K-12 Professional "A" teaching certificate.

Cost in US$: $3400 for Canadians/landed immigrants (all costs); others $4600

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Canada Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of Intensive only - max. 20

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

CERTESL/TEFL Programs, University of Saskatchewan's Mission Statement: The University of Saskatchewan is a full-service university dedicated to providing comprehensive postsecondary training up to the PhD level. The CERTESL program of the University's Centre for Continuing and Distance Education seeks to provide a high standard of professional training in the TESL field at the Certificate level, using a combination of on-campus and distance media in order to ensure that ESOL students can receive high-quality instruction in English regardless of their location, in Canada or globally.

Year Founded: 1907 (University); 1992 (CERTESL program)