Job Discussion Forums

[Big Chris]

Hi all,

I'm currently on the home stretch of a successful term position in Japan and I am looking to start a TESOL certification school back home in Canada upon my return.

I am wondering how one goes about getting accredited to run such a school or what kind of licence is required to do this in Canada. Any and all help from the other TESOL experts on the board would be really appreciated!

L8'r

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Contact TESL Canada and the affiliate for your province. If it's Ontario, you almost definately will not be able to get it accredited- pretty much the only programmes that are are in the university/college sectors and take a year.

http://www.tesl.ca/

BTW- Students are going to want to know what your TESOL trainers qualifications are. Generally, it's TESL in Canada, not TESOL (except in the week-long "Sally Scamu Outtacash III- 40 hour TESOL Certificate" 's out there).

[jacqui]

I know that there are language schools here in eastern Canada such as the International Language Institue which is not a university (www.ili.com). Their program is CELTA though, not sure if that makes a difference. I think they may be the only ones accredited in Nova Scotia. I know the at least one of the universities isn't.

[valley_girl]

Gambate is right on the money. TESL Canada will give you all of the information you are looking for re: accreditation. It's a long and difficult process to get your school accredited and, as Gambate pointed out, it's pretty much only universities that get that honour (so I've heard).


Good luck!

[Gordon]

I'm sure your school will have to be up and running for some time before you can apply for accreditation. You can't apply for accreditation based on plans and ideas. They will want to observe your school and materials and interview teachers and students.

[ntropy]

Good advice so far.

One further point. Provincial legislation differs from place to place. Last I heard, Alberta had NO provincial governmental process.