English as a Second Language Teacher

National Occupation Classification Code: 4131
Employment Outlook: Average growth plus turnover
Minimum Educational Requirement: Varies
Search Educational Institutions in Alberta for Training Programs: EDinfo

NEED TO KNOW:

NEED TO KNOW:

Can I practice as an ESL Teacher right away?

Yes. No consistent academic requirement has been established for teachers of adult ESL classes. The hiring policies, requirements and standards for ESL teachers in Calgary vary from employer to employer. However, the standards are evolving and more employers are looking for educational and training qualifications such as a bachelor�s degree and accreditation from Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL).

NOTE:
If teaching youth or high school ESL students - school boards such as the Calgary Board of Education and most colleges require a Bachelor of Education degree or a teacher�s certificate from Alberta Education with a specialization in ESL.

What are the duties for this occupation?

ESL Teachers provide English language and life skills instruction to immigrants, international students and other whose first language is not English. The goal is to deliver an English program that will enable new immigrants and international students to participate effectively in an English speaking society.

ESL Teachers deliver ESL instruction to improve the following skills of the students:
*listening comprehension
*reading comprehension
*pronunciation
*speech
*writing and composition
*grammar and vocabulary

ESL Teachers that provide instruction to adult immigrants and international students also focus on topics that focus on life skills and participating in Canadian society:
*renting accommodation
*using public transportation
*shopping
*banking
*communication using a telephone
*job searching
*employment

What titles or specialization areas correspond to this occupation?

Job titles or specialization areas in Alberta are as following:

*College, Technical or Vocational Instructor
*ESL Teacher/Instructor

What educational institutions offer Adult ESL Teaching Instruction?

Bachelor of Education Degree
In Calgary, only the University of Calgary has an Education Degree or Masters of Teaching program.

The Bachelor of Education Master of Teaching Program is a 2 year after-degree program designed to link theory and practice in preparing graduates who are pursuing a career as an educator. Topics learned include: understanding learners and learning; establishing an appropriate learning climate; organizing and implementing curriculum; evaluating students and progress; and communicating effectively.

Mount Royal College offers transfer courses that can be taken through their Bachelor of Education program. The courses taken in this may be used as credit towards the University of Calgary�s Bachelor of Education Master of Teaching Program program.

ESL Instruction
*The University of Calgary offers a five-course Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) diploma program.
*Bow Valley College offers a six-week (part-time) Teaching English as a Second Language Abroad certificate course. This program is more suited for those who would like to pursue teaching English outside of Canada. This certificate will not lead to ATESL accreditation.

*Search Post-Secondary Educational Institutions in Alberta to see all programs and courses offered to individuals pursuing a teaching career in Alberta: EDinfo

What salary can I expect?

ESL teachers are typically paid by the hour (ranging from about $20 to $40). Depending on where they teach and for whom, ESL teachers may be hired for short-term, per session or permanent full-time positions. Employers such as the Calgary Board of Education will hire ESL teachers to fill positions that are paid according to their negotiated pay grid.

Alberta Education also provides salary information: Facts and Statistics on Education Funding and Teaching in Alberta

A general salary range for Alberta is available at the web site of Alberta Governments WageInfo.

The Government of Canada also tracks wages for this

What is the employment outlook in Calgary?

The employment outlook in Calgary is above average with turnover to consider, as well as recent demographic trends. Calgary is the fourth largest recipient of immigrants in Canada. Calgary is home to about 15,000 new immigrants each year, not including international students and those who visit Canada on a short-term basis just to learn English. Traditional educational institutes are not the only ones hiring ESL teachers, immigrant serving agencies and Language Schools also

What do employers expect beyond technical skills?

ESL Teachers possess excellent communication skills. They are energetic, patient and committed to teaching second language speakers. ESL Teachers have cultural intelligence and demonstrate respect for the values and cultures of other ethnic groups. They are adaptable and able to foster a learning environment that will meet the needs and comfort levels of the students.

ESL Teachers take initiative and assess the individual needs of each student, while taking into consideration their personality and cultural background. Creativity is a key skill when preparing teaching materials to a diverse group of either youths or adults.

READ MORE�Employer Expectations and Soft Skills

NEED TO DO:

Start Your Path to Becoming an ESL Teacher

ATESL provides accreditation to those who wish to teach English as a Second Language. Their accreditation requirements include a bachelor�s degree, a diploma program in ESL instruction (with 250 hours of course work) and 250 hours of classroom ESL teaching experience. Prior to becoming accredited by ATESL, you must be a member, but you may apply for both at the same time.

If you intend to teach in a school operated by Alberta Education for grades K-12, you will require a teaching certificate. In order to become a certified teacher, you must apply and be accessed by Alberta Education.

1. 4 years of university education inclusive of a degree and a basic teacher preparation program from an institution acceptable to the Alberta Minister of Learning.

2. Evidence of valid certification as issued by the certificating authority in both the jurisdiction where the teacher was trained and the jurisdiction where the teacher last taught.

For further details and application forms, please view Alberta Education�s Requirements for Teacher Certification in Alberta.

If you are deemed qualified to teach in Alberta, you will receive the Alberta Interim Professional Certificate. After teaching within Alberta�s school system for a minimum of two years, you may apply to have your teaching certificate made permanent.

An Adult ESL Teacher has a different national occupational classification (NOC) than teachers that provide ESL instruction in K-12 schools. Please read about Elementary School Teachers and Secondary School for clarification.

Research Career Options and Stay Connected

*Read and learn about Professional/Working Associations that provide support and information for Calgary ESL Teachers:

- Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL)
- Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

If you intend to pursue a career in a provincial elementary, junior or senior high school:

- Alberta Education's Update for Teachers Newsletter
- Alberta Teacher�s Association (ATA)
- ATA Local 38 Calgary Public Teachers
- ATA Local 55 Calgary Separate Teachers
- Alberta Education Private School Information

*Understand Related Occupations
Search Occupation Profiles and identify also related occupations at the website of the Alberta Government � Alberta Learning Information Services

*Research Employers in Calgary and Alberta:
- Calgary Board of Education
- Calgary Catholic School District
- Education Canada Network � search under �Zone 5,� which is Calgary.