Job Discussion Forums

briand · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 17

Thinking about teaching in Toronto. It seems like I'll have to take a TESL course if I want to get a decent job. I have 3 years teaching experience in Korea but that doesn't seem to be enough. Is the 120 hr course enough? Could someone recommend a good/reasonably priced one? How is Hansa College?

What are some good schools to apply to for work? I'm looking into some of the Adult Schools. What are your opinions on L.I.N.C., Berlitz, Career Quest and Career Essentials?

As far as tutoring goes what is the best way to get work. Should I put up ads in libraries, advertise on Kijiji, going into the ESL schools. Anyone know anything about a company called Brilliant Tutor.

Thanks

Brian

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You don't need to take a course if you want to work for Berlitz. They use their own method and prefer to train newbies themselves.

No, teaching in Asia doesn't translate much into the ability to teach in North America. The classroom approaches/methods and the motivation of students is very different.

To get a job at any of the private language centres, outside of Berlitz, you'll need a 120 hour on-site course, including supervised teaching practice with real students (not peer trainees). CELTA is the name brand.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

LINC usually requires a TESL certificate. As a government program, it has the highest wage, but can you live off of 8-12 hours per week? It takes years to work towards the full-time positions.

If you want to work as an ESL teacher in Canada, you will need further education - either a BEd or MA - in order to pay your bills. Otherwise, you will be working 3-4 part-time jobs and miss out on a lot of life.

Chancellor

sunrader · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 101

I'm considering a move to Toronto (relationship) and want to know what the job market looks like for an American with an MA-TESL and three years experience in intensive English programs and in a university setting. I currently teach academic writing to international graduate students. I'm considering coming during December break to check out the city and see what's what. Anyone know a cheap place to stay for a couple of weeks?

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Working in Toronto

Symphany · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 117

Sunrader

Hostels seem like a good idea if you're looking to stay on the cheap, but I would echo the sentiment that you get what you pay for. You might want to look into the three universities --Toronto, York and Ryerson, to see if you can get student housing on a temporary basis, sometimes you can get a room on campus at a pro-rated rate, or the universities can let you know of people who are renting out on a temporary basis. You also mentioned that you're an

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Look up TESL Ontario and take one of the programs accepted there. There reality is that there are TONNES of people with these year-long qualifications running around Toronto because schools need to teach 30-odd people per cohort and there are more than a few schools in Toronto offering them (UofT, York, Ryerson, Humber and other colleges all offer them).

You may be able to go from a TESL Certificate into the MA without a couple of years of experience because you've already taught for three years.

Another option, of course, is to just go back to Korea and do an MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics by distance while teaching.