The Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (CERTESL) Program is a six-course distance-delivered program designed to meet the instructional needs of current and prospective instructors of English as a second language or dialect both in Canada and abroad. This 250-hour program (with a practicum or professional project) is recognized by TESL Canada, TESL Ontario, Alberta TESL and TESL Saskatchewan. Please note that for TESL Ontario accreditation, CERTESL students must complete 310 hours in the program.
All of the courses are delivered via distance education using primarily print. Some courses utilize CDs and/or DVDs and you will have the option to take some CERTESL courses with interactivity via computer conferencing. CERTESL students who do not have prior teaching experience or B.Ed. degrees are required to complete the practicum option (TESL 42). Note that eventual adult ESL teacher accreditation by TESL Canada or TESL Ontario requires the practicum regardless of previous teaching experience.
In the Saskatchewan pre‐K‐12 education system, CERTESL is recognized as an 18‐credit Integrated Program Component of the 30‐credit Additional Qualification Certificate (AQC). In addition, a ten course extended version of CERTESL is recognized as a complete AQC. If you hold a B.Ed. or PGDEd.and plan to teach in Saskatchewan, you may obtain further information about the salary and other benefits of AQC status and the requirements for completing an AQC from the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation or Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Education.
The
CERTESL Program consists of six courses. Students must obtain 50% or better in
each course and must maintain an overall average of 60% in the program to be
awarded the Certificate.
- TESL 21 or ECUR 291.3
- TESL 31 or ECUR 391.3 or TESL 34
- TESL 32 or TESL 36
- TESL 33
- TESL 35 or ECUR 393.3
- TESL 42 or TESL 43
Important Information:
Prerequisites/Corequisites:• TESL 21 is prerequisite or corequisite to all other 30‐level TESL courses.
• TESL 31 or TESL 34 is prerequisite or corequisite to all other TESL courses.
• A minimum of three courses must be completed before registering in TESL 42 or 43 (TESL 21, TESL 31 or TESL 34, and one other 30‐level CERTESL course).
Please note:• For TESL Ontario certification, you must complete TESL 21, 31, 32, 33, 35, 42, a supplementary Practicum Additional Hours module, and one additional course (either TESL 36 or 43).
• For TESL Canada Professional Standard I certification, you must take TESL 42 and not take TESL 34. For TESL Canada Professional Standard II eligibility, you will take one additional course in CERTESL, selecting from among TESL 32, 34, 36, and 43.
• If you teach in a public elementary or secondary school system, there may be an advantage in ECUR 291.3, ECUR 391.3 and ECUR 393.3 registration. Consult your Ministry of Education and the CERTESL Academic Coordinator.
Transfer Credit:Course work successfully completed within the last ten years and deemed to be equivalent to TESL courses may be transferable into the CERTESL Program. You may transfer credits into the CERTESL Program up to a maximum of 50% of the program (the equivalent of three TESL courses). There is no provision for transfer credit or waiver for TESL 42 or 43, except in exceptional circumstances.
The following U of S degree credit courses are considered transferable in lieu of their respective TESL twin courses:
College of Education course CERTESL Program course
ECUR 291.3 TESL 21
ECUR 391.3 TESL 31
ECUR 393.3 TESL 35
EIND 375.3 TESL 34
