Job Discussion Forums

[Maud]

Hello Everyone!

Well, I'm currently trying to get a job in Montreal as an ESL teacher but I don't really know where to begin/where to look.
I just got a TESL/TEFL certificate from Oxford Seminars and I am a Canadian citizen so papers are not an issue.
Oxford Seminars have a placement service but it only concerns itself with offers outside of Canada and I'm planning on staying in Montreal at least for a while.

Where should I start? Is an Oxford S. certificate enough? I have a secondary school and a college diploma.

Can anyone help out?

[cmp45]

You might try to check out the bulletin boards at some of the universities.
I know Concordia University has an ESL program and often post job offers locally and internationally. You may find something there. Just ask the help desk to point you in the right direction.

[spiral78]

Oxford Seminars (if I am thinking of the correct course) certification is not recognized as meeting the standard for employment in Canada. This is because it does not include supervised teaching practice on actual students, though I have heard sometimes of practice teaching with peer trainees being offered.

The standard course recognized in Canada is 120 hours on-site, including at least 6 hours of teaching practice on actual students.

If you do a quick search for Oxford here, you will find the weblink for a list of courses that are recognized by Canadian schools.

I very much doubt that any University would offer anyone a job with just this short certification course under his/her belt.

[cmp45]

I appologize if I gave the impression that the OP should apply for jobs WITH the university, rather the university posts jobs from outside sources...such as tutors, etc, and 'other' opprotunities /places outside the university that are hiring teachers. A bulletin board that offers emploment, not necessarily affilated with the university. It is a resource to start looking for work.

I agree it will be hard to find decent employment with out proper certification, but not completly impossible. One will have to settle for less based upon one's credentials.

[spiral78]

Ah, I see what you mean. Yes, the OP may well find international students or immigrants by placing ads on the boards at the University, and qualifications wouldn't be an issue with private students. Or, as you say, other job openings outside the uni.

I am not entirely sure about Montreal, but in Calgary a couple of years ago the private language schools underwent outside investigation to ensure that they were only hiring teachers with proper certification. I expect that it's not a provincial law, but a national one.

[Vanica]

Definitely not a federal law.

[Maud]

Thank you all for replying and for giving me advice.

I guess i'll try and post on that board at Concordia and do some tutoring if all else fails and schools don't recognize my certificate. I was hoping I could teach classes but after what you all said, I suppose that's unlikely.

[Vanica]

You can try doing private lessons with immigrant professionals doing TOEFL preparation. Many newly arrived professionals find their degrees not accepted, and they must attend university in Canada. Advertise in immigrant neighbourhoods like Cote des Neiges, Cote St Luc, Ile des Soeurs, Ville St Larent, or Guy-Concordia.