Teacher training, professional development and certification

Teaching English as an Additional Language to adults is a field of educational expertise with its own body of professional knowledge and skills. Programs generally look for a combination of training and experience when hiring staff.

Career resource The official guidebook Employment and Hiring Information for Prospective Adult EAL Teachers profiles all language schools in Manitoba and includes program features, staff size, enrolment, hiring criteria, employment conditions, application process and contact names.

People who want to become EAL teachers can earn TEAL or TESL certificates or degrees from several post-secondary institutions in Manitoba. (TEAL stands for Teaching English as an Additional Language, TESL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language. You will see both terms used. Manitoba prefers the term EAL).

For practising teachers there are professional development opportunities offered each year through professional organizations. People who volunteer with EAL students can also participate in training sessions offered throughout the year.

EAL teacher education
Listed here is a variety of courses and programs for individuals in Manitoba interested in becoming EAL teachers. For more information contact the programs directly.

In Manitoba most English schools receive funding from the Manitoba Immigrant Integration Program. As a rule only teachers who have completed or who are in the process of completing a TESL Canada-approved training program are hired.

University of Manitoba
Phone: 474-9004, toll-free 1-800-432-1960

• Bachelor of Education offers six elective courses in TESL and encourages students to take linguistics courses offered by the Bachelor of Arts program.
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Education allows for a concentration of TESL courses.
• Master of Education provides for a major in TESL for experienced EAL teachers to take advanced courses and to do research and development in TEAL.
• Faculty of Education partners with the Extended Education department to offer the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. Program consists of five courses. For information phone the department at 474-8738 or visit the CTESL website.

University of Winnipeg
Phone: 982-6633

• Bachelor of Education program and the Faculty of Arts and Science offer a variety of TESL and related courses. For information phone 786-9491.
• The University of Winnipeg also offers an ESL Teacher Certificate Program (ESL TCP) that is fully accredited with TESL Canada. The program is an intensive eight-week program. The first six weeks focus on theory, methods and techniques for teaching English locally and abroad. Each student also participates in a 20-hour supervised practicum (10 hours of observation and 10 hours of teaching). For more information visit www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/elp-esltcp or phone 982-1141.

Providence College and Seminary
Otterburne, Manitoba
Phone: 204-433-7488, toll-free 1-800-668-7768

• TESOL certificate can be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit. The program can be completed in one year of full-time study by those without Bible college training. Those with Bible college credits can complete the one-month intensive training program offered in June, August and during the regular semester.
• A four-week, intensive summer program is also offered.
• There is a TESOL concentration in the Bachelor of Arts, Intercultural Studies, Masters of Arts, Educational Ministries and MA, Global Christian Studies.

More TESL Canada-approved programs

University of Winnipeg, phone: 982-6633

University of Alberta, phone: 780-492-5478

University of Calgary, phone: 403-220-2866, toll-free 1-866-220-4992

University of Saskatchewan, phone: 306-966-5539
U of S offers a distance-education Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. This home-study program is designed to meet the instructional needs of current and prospective teachers.

Multi-school program
The universities of Manitoba, Alberta, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Victoria have formed a consortium and collaborate on the design and delivery of their Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education program. It offers campus-based and distance-education courses.

For information contact:

• University of Manitoba Extended Education, phone: 474-6685.
• University of Alberta Faculty of Extension, phone 780-492-4057
• University of Saskatchewan Extension Division, phone: 306-966-5562
• University of Victoria Continuing Studies in Education, phone: 250-721-7860

Professional organizations

Professional organizations provide a vital opportunity for those interested in teaching EAL to meet colleagues, explore areas of interest and further develop their professional expertise.

Teachers of English as an Additional Language in Manitoba (TEAL Manitoba)
This organization sponsors the TEAL Manitoba Conference each February. This one-day conference presents internationally known EAL authorities as well as local experts. There are workshops for teachers working with EAL learners in the early years, K-12 and adult levels.

Teaching English as an Additional Language to Adults in Manitoba (TEAM)
TEAM provides a variety of PD opportunities throughout the year including an annual teacher/learner conference in the fall and a teacher event in the spring.

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