Job Discussion Forums

[Big O]

I'm considering doing the Trinity Cert. but I can't go overseas for another year.

Does anyone know what the ESL market is like in Toronto? Are there ESL jobs available, what's the pay range and what are the hours?


Also how does the Trinity Cert. compare to the CELTA Diploma?

Cheers

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Here's a tip for Toronto: look up TESL Ontario, and look at how many colleges and universities offer full year TESL certificates. Then look up what's required by the colleges and universities and you'll see that people are in schools doing practice teaching all year long. When entry level jobs come available, they often end up going to people who have been doing their practicum there. And then remember that almost everyone who does a one year certificate from any of the other colleges or universities that offer them in the province will go looking for a job in Toronto, because that's where about half of all immigrants to Canada go.

There's a reason why there are so many CDN people teaching overseas: The number of graduates far exceeds the number of jobs. But the same can be said of most work areas in Toronto, now.

[canadashirleyblue]

You won't get a job in Ontario with Trinity Cert.of CELTA. Anyone who has done so please tell us how you did it.

In fact you would find it difficult getting a job if you were 'properly' qualified.

In fact it wouldn't be easy getting any job in any area in Ontario just now. There have been massive layoffs in the automotive and related transportation industries in Ontario. Within the past month Global news has told us about schools closing and programs being axed in September. If the tax base is gone (through lower incomes) there is a good chance that there will be more cuts in public spending. Teaching jobs have been few and far between for the past 40 years - sometimes tighter than others but never easy. There is no reason to believe it is going to change next year.

[Solar Strength]

Just to echo the above poster, I have also had friends try their hand at teaching back in Ontario or Montreal and they found it quite difficult to make ends meet. The work also involved a fair bit of travelling across the cities to get to students'. It certainly can be a pretty tough go of it if you're looking to do it as a full time job.

[englishgibson]

maybe that's why so many people in TO do not speak english well or at all...i find this situation so sad, since i know that so many uni students from abroad struggle greatly...often, they give up for a cheap job or find a way around seeking a help within their own comunity..china town, lil italy etc

cheers and beers to education and bilingualism in canada

[canadashirleyblue]

Canadians who can speak English well have problems, too. Often they give up for a cheap job or take a job outside the country. The lucky (?) ones have someone who supports them in Canada.
So new Canadians welcome to the Canada!

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Alex Makar]

Without a TESL Ontario certification, it is incredibly difficult to find a decent paying job in the ESL field around Toronto. Since getting mine, I have been able to land an excellent part-time position at a LINC centre, which is funded by the government of Canada. For the higher end jobs, certification certainly helps, unless you're going to be a major entrepreneur and know how to sell yourself privately.

[Chancellor]

[Mercury Morris]

Hi All,

I've been teaching ESL in Toronto for about a year now, since moving here from Prague. Toronto is not a good place for ESL teaching in my opinion. Pay is typically $17-20/hr, mostly supply work (substitute teaching). Apartments here cost typically $1,000/month. Very high cost of living here, your teaching dollars will not go far. For example: a pint of beer in a pub costs $9, glass of wine $10.

Toronto is a Language school's market--not a teacher's market: they have the stack of resumes to replace you at a whim, you are lucky to get the hours they toss your way. Most students are from Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Brazil, kids aged 18-25 mostly.

There are better paid teaching jobs at local career colleges such as George Brown (pay $40/hr.) but you guessed it--people get these jobs, latch on, and never let go...good luck getting one. By all means go for it--but competition is fierce.

Final tip: I do not recommend teaching for Language Studies International (LSI Toronto). Friction between management and the teachers, poor morale, very disorganized, and poor communication.

All things considered, I would not recommend teaching ESL in Toronto. Why bother when you can do MUCH BETTER teaching abroad in Eastern Europe, Taiwan, Korea, etc. Any of these are much better than Canada in terms of experience and remuneration.

[deena]

What about ESL teaching in other provinces like Alberta (calgary)?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Look up the provincial affiliate and see what's required of certification. Keep in mind that 50% of ALL immigrants to Canada go to Toronto. A lot of people also go to Vancouver.

[spiral78]

The market in Calgary is similar to the market that's been described in Toronto. Private language school jobs exist, but are subsistence-level; lots of work for relatively poor pay in relation to cost of living.

The 'better' jobs (universities & etc) require a high level of quals (related MA, in many cases) and openings are few.

[deena]

Is it worth going through the hassle of getting international teaching qualifications at the BEd level approved and then applying for provincial teaching certification? Seems silly at my age (4 if after going through the rigorous process only to find out that I am unable to find a teaching position...

I will be returning to Canada in the spring (2010). If anybody knows of someone who is hiring, I'll gladly jump at the offer. My email is: [email protected]

Thank you in advance.