TESL Canada
Teachers of English as a Second Language - Canada
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TESL Canada grants recognition of TESL Training Programs providing the designation as a TESL Canada Recognized Teacher Training Program. Recognition decisions are made based on a comprehensive review and assessment of the program. The assessment includes successive levels of review and includes a site visit (“inspection”) as a component of the five year recognition.
Classroom Observation: 30 hours
Supervised individual practice teaching: 20 hours
The new practicum standard requires that Standard Two recognized programs extend the mandatory practicum hours from 20 (10 hours of classroom observation + 10 hours of supervised individual practice teaching) to 50 (30 hours of classroom observation + 20 hours of supervised individual practice teaching).
The deadline for the implementation of the new practicum requirement of 50 hours is September 1, 2017.
TESL Canada board has also approved the policy that up to half of the observation and practice teaching hours may be done in online synchronous environment.
TESL Canada recognition of a teacher training program is based on an evaluation of the program's submitted curriculum, instructional staff, facilities and resources in place to prepare teachers to enter the TESL/TEFL profession. The recognition process does not include an evaluation of a program's business practices. Therefore, TESL Canada recognition does not imply TESL Canada approval or endorsement of a program's business practices.
Applications are reviewed by the TESL Canada Teacher Training Program Adjudicator. The Adjudicator shall not have a conflict of interest regarding the application under consideration. Should there be any questions regarding the application, TESL Canada will contact the institution.
In some cases, a site visit may be required as part of the review process. One week’s notice will be given to programs prior to a site visit. Programs are expected to assist the evaluator through the visit.
As part of the program adjudication process, the Adjudicator may consult with the TESL Canada Standards Committee, which is appointed by the TESL Canada Board and consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of eight TESL Canada members representing different sectors of TESL.
Applications will be reviewed within eight weeks of receipt of the complete application. Accreditation is valid for five years.
The application fee is $400.00 + $20.00 GST in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Prince Edward Island or the Yukon or $400.00 + $48.00 HST in British Columbia or $400.00 + $52.00 in Ontario, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland and Labrador or $400 + $60.00 in Nova Scotia.
The processing fee of $150.00 plus GST/HST is non-refundable if the application is denied. Please note that the annual associate fee of $150.00 + GST/HST, as noted above, must accompany the application. To maintain TESL Canada Teacher Training Program Accreditation status, an annual report fee of $100.00 plus GST/HST plus an annual associate fee of $150.00 + GST/HST need to be received in the TESL Canada office on the anniversary date.
All documentation will be kept confidential. Applicants should retain a copy of the completed application, annual reports and other documentation for future reference.
The applicant will receive a detailed report of the outcome of the application.
Fully recognized programs will receive a TESL Canada Teacher Training Program Certificate of Accreditation and have their names published in the TESL Canada List of Recognized Teacher Training Programs on the TESL Canada website. Institutions with interim status will be listed on the TESL Canada website as such and will receive a TESL Canada Teacher Training Program Certificate of Accreditation once they attain full accreditation.
Where an application outcome requires only minor revision to meet TESL Canada accreditation, the program will be allowed a period of 6 months to document that all changes have been made. Programs that are unable to document that all changes have been made may be invited to submit a new application after a full year from the original application date.
Where an application does not meet the requirements for accreditation, the program will receive a letter of explanation and may reapply for accreditation after a full year from the original application date. A new, full application must be submitted to reapply for accreditation from TESL Canada.
Institutions which do not receive TESL Canada Teacher Training Program Accreditation may appeal to TESL Canada by submitting a letter of appeal along with documentation detailing grounds for appeal. A fee of $100.00 (plus applicable GST/HST) must accompany the letter of appeal.
The Appeal Committee consists of the TESL Canada President or designate, a TESL Canada member specialized in TESL training appointed by the President, and a TESL Canada member specialized TESL training nominated by the applicant. No Appeal Committee member shall be in a conflict of interest position. The decision reached by members of this committee is final.
The TESL Canada Standards Committee recognizes content of programs based on material submitted by an institutional applicant and is not responsible for the accuracy of the programs’ description.
To be recognized, a TESL training program must meet the program content requirements as well as the practicum requirements.
Individual certification criteria are separate from those of training institutions; for example, an undergraduate degree is a requirement for individuals but not for institutions. Instructor certification application criteria are outlined in detail in the application form.
TESL Canada Federation Recognized Teacher Training Program Application Forms
