Teacher Training: TESL Programs

Get your TESL Certificate in Vancouver at VGC! This accredited program provides pedagogical theory, teaching methodology, strategies and practical approaches to developing the skills and knowledge base you require to become an effective English language teacher. You will be given the opportunity to show application of methodology and skills in a real teaching and learning environment.

This program includes the following areas:

• Learning and teaching: background and theory
• Practical methodology: teaching skills and systems
• Language awareness
• Observations
• Practicum

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program you will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• plan a series of ESL lessons that cover different skills and systems for learners at different levels.
• competently deliver the lessons you have planned to a class of ESL learners. (For diploma students only)
• provide and receive meaningful feedback to and from peers.
• reflect on your own learning and teaching, act on feedback, and demonstrate improvement.

What’s the Difference: Certificate vs Diploma?

Diploma: If you want to have the option of teaching both here in Canada and abroad, then the diploma program is for you. As well as providing you with a solid background in theory and methodology, this 5 week program incudes a 1 week practicum where you will have the opportunity to teach real classes of our students taking ESL courses at VGC.

This experience is invaluable preparation which equips you well to find a job anywhere. This program meets the minimum requirements necessary to teach ESL both domestically and abroad.

Certificate: Are you interested in learning more about the theory and approaches behind ESL teaching? Are you interested in teaching abroad? The certificate program gives you the same in-depth background in theory and methodology but without the week practicum portion.

Which one to take: TESOL, TESL, TEFL?

Confused? These programs are essentially the same – you will receive the same set of instructions and learn the same skills. The difference in the names relate to where you’re taking the program:

• TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is the general name for the field of teaching the English language
• TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language, teaching programs that run in English-speaking countries
• TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language, teaching programs that run in countries where English is not the primary language

Watch our Student’s Experience