Program Overview

The practice of teaching an ESL class is a challenging and rewarding proposition.The Acadia TESOL Certificate Program is an exciting new opportunity if you are interested in pursuing English Language teaching opportunities abroad or within Canada. The course is designed for individuals from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and levels of experience.

The course will focus on the practical application of theoretical concepts in TESOL. It will be hands-on, and you will get the opportunity to interact with ESL students as well as experienced ESL teachers. The program has an integrated curriculum of courses, workshops, and supervised teaching practice.

Course Overview

The completion of this certificate includes three courses and a practicum. You may take these courses individually, or all together. All three courses and the practicum must be completed to receive the Acadia TESOL Certification.

• learn how to plan and teach ESL classes in a variety of contexts

• analyse and develop teaching materials
• discuss issues in professional development

• explore the fundamentals of linguistics: phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, pedagogical grammar, sociolinguistics, and discourse analysis
• discuss how this linguistic knowledge is relevant to your teaching

EDUC 4863: Acquisition of Language
• find out how languages are learned
• explore how different theories of language learning have shaped the way that teachers teach English as a second language
• make well informed decisions about how you will approach your own teaching

• observe over 10 hours of ESL classes and get 10 hours of supervised teaching practice
• put into practice material from all three courses as you plan and teach your own classes under the supervision of experienced teachers
• the practicum may be completed on-site at Acadia University, or at another approved institution

• in order to take the practicum, you must be enrolled in EDUC 4673, 4683, and/or 4863 as pre- or co-requisites

Award of Certification and Credit

Each of the three courses in the Acadia TESOL Certificate Program is a 3-hour university credit. These credits may be used as Professional Studies credits for any academic program. Upon successful completion of the Acadia TESOL Certificate Program (3 courses plus practicum), students will receive an Acadia University Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The Acadia TESOL Certificate program is accredited by TESL Canada. Graduates with undergraduate degrees will be eligible to apply for TESL Canada Level I Certification.  For questions about this accreditation or certification, please contact Open Acadia or check the TESL Canada website at www.tesl.ca

Note: Only candidates who possess a recognized university degree will be eligible to receive TESL Canada Level I status for teaching in Canada. Please contact TESL Canada for more information: admin@tesl.ca