Job Discussion Forums

[Timster]

Hi,

I,m a somewhat experienced EFL teacher (2.5 years in 3 different countries with a CELTA) considering moving to Canada to continue teaching. Will doing a Masters TESOL give me a reasonable shot at getting properly compensated work there. With luck could I build a life through teaching English in Toronto or Vancouver? Or is this a pipe dream and really I should face facts and move back to Asia?

Greatly appreciative of your advice
Timster

[moot point]

Good question. I've already done my MA in TESL but have yet to try my degree and experience in Canada. My cousin has a similar degree and has now worked himself into a Principal position in the Catholic School Board. When I asked him about my options holding a similar degree, he claimed I'd have have the pick of the jobs.

That said, I still don't think the salary/package can compare to posts in East Asia, the Mid-East, or other hotspots like Nigeria or Algeria.

[valley_girl]

I have no direct knowledge of Toronto or Vancouver. However, I think that you are quite marketable in Canada with a Master's in TESOL and overseas teaching experience. You should check into university ESL programs - they generally pay much more than language schools and you already meet the minimum requirements.

[valley_girl]

Addendum: In addition to uni programs, you might also want to check out job vacancies with Immigration and the DND, both of which are always looking for good, qualified ESL teachers.

[Gordon]

Jobs with immigration? Who would you be teaching? Not new immigrants, there are lots of programs for that elsewhere.

[Guy Courchesne]

Even more interesting are the DND jobs mentioned. Dept of National Defense? Do I have that right? Please elaborate.

[valley_girl]

@Gordon - I was actually referring to immigrant learning centres which are funded by the government and whose courses are free to immigrants and refugees. There is one such centre about an hour from me and I have attended workshops by one of the instructors. Here is an overview of what they teach, to give you a better idea:

Part-time LINC classes morning and afternoon
English in the Workplace
English for Work and Business
Language Learning Strategies
English for Internationally Educated Health Professionals
Communication and Orientation for Internationally Educated Engineers
ESL Literacy
Evening ESL for employed newcomers Benchmarks 4-7
Canadian Citizenship Preparation
Computer skills training
English for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Computer Assisted Language Training
Sector specific language training (eg. English for Financial Workers, English for the Health Sector)

[valley_girl]

[Guy Courchesne]

For being abroad so long, I didn't even consider that DND would teach English to French Canadians. My step-mother works in foreign affairs and we discuss such things from time to time....would have thought that such classes would be within FA's purview, regarding foreigners.

[valley_girl]

As far as I know, language instruction is available on every Canadian military base - English for French-speaking Canadians and French for English-speaking Canadians.

The woman I met in Japan specificially said her husband worked for " the DND", not "FA". I simply took her at her word (and was equally intrigued, as I hadn't previously been aware of such opportunities either).

[memorabilis]

My highschool French teacher taught ESL and FSL in Quebec City to the military for over 20 years.

[ntropy]

I just did a job search on the DND site and there is currently an opening in Victoria. Only those living within 75 km of Victoria eligible to apply.

[Guy Courchesne]

As I'm too lazy to sift through DND webpages, does anyone know if one needs government clearance/classification for ESL teaching jobs at DND or immigration? Is it part of the public service union?

[Shaman]

[Timster]

So far so encouraging then
But imagine getting government clearance is a thorny problem