EAL Teacher Certificate Program FAQs

Experienced EAL teachers without certification requirements may be denied jobs due to lack of certification. Most agencies require that instructors have completed a TESL certification from a TESL Canada accredited institution (such as The University of Winnipeg’s EALTCP). Furthermore, without specialized training, teachers without certification may lack the necessary knowledge required to educate EAL students effectively, thus jeopardizing the education of their students.

The Practicum course consists of 10 hours of classroom observation and 10 hours of classroom teaching in an adult EAL classroom. Please see Practicum Placement Information for more information.

Yes, the practicum is a required part of the program. There are no exemptions or exceptions made for the practicum; all students must meet the practicum requirements, regardless of their teaching experience. Please note that the practicum is always held in an adult EAL classroom, rather than a youth classroom.

Trainees who are non-native speakers of English must prove proficiency in English by submitting official documentation for one of the following English proficiency tests before they commence the program:

• IELTS 7 overall and no lower than 6.5 on each band.

• Common European Framework: C1

• High school graduation from a high school in Canada, including minimum English Grade 12 score of 70%.

• Completion of an undergraduate degree from an English-speaking university, conditional on (1) meeting with the coordinator, and (2) review of application essay.

• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB): If an applicant has CLB 8 (completed) in every skill, they may be eligible to take this program, conditional on (1) meeting with the coordinator, and (2) review of application essay.

• Successful completion of Academic Level 5 of The University of Winnipeg's English Language Program.

After completion of the 120-hour EALTCP and the 20 hour practicum placement, an official transcript from The University of Winnipeg will be sent to you. The certificate will be sent along with the transcript, provided the full tuition has been paid and all program components and documents have been completed and submitted. Students must submit graduation application and all other required documents before graduation will be processed. Because the grades must be processed by the University Senate after every student has completed his or her Practicum, please allow 4-6 weeks for this administrative process to occur.

TESL Canada is a national organization dedicated to advancing communication and coordinating awareness of issues for those concerned with English as a Second Language and English skills development. The organization promotes advocacy for EAL learners, unifies teachers and learners by providing a forum and network capabilities, supports the sharing of knowledge and experiences across Canada, and represents diverse needs and interests in TESL nationally and internationally. For more information, visit their website www.tesl.ca

The Teach Certificate Program is accredited by TESL Canada. Please note that in order to obtain TESL Canada certification, you must hold a Bachelor's degree in addition to The University of Winnipeg's Teacher Certificate Program certification. The University of Winnipeg EALTCP does not apply for the TESL Canada certification for you; it is something you will need to apply for after you have completed the program. Information about applying for TESL Canada certification can be found at www.tesl.ca.

Yes. Courses are offered in the evenings over a 10 week period. Please click here to view information about the upcoming part-time session.

Questions about requirements will be able reviewed on an individual basis. Please contact the coordinator at 204.789.1484 if you have questions. However, a participant seeking TESL Canada certification must meet TESL Canada standards, which can be found at http://www.tesl.ca. Please note: Without a completed University degree, students will not be eligible for TESL Canada certification.

According to the TESL Canada website, the TESL Canada National Professional Certification Standards benefit educators by helping ensure that: TESL training and EAL teaching experience are recognized as main professional measures of Canadian EAL educators Teaching credentials are recognized not only from province to province but by virtue of their national status, from country to country. Credentials are recognized by international students when they compare faculty at post-secondary schools and language institutes across Canada before their arrival in Canada. As a result, programs which hire qualified professionals will attract more students. Qualifications are valued appropriately by government and non-government funders when educators request financial support for awards, scholarships, and projects.

The in-class work 120 hours, divided into 4 classes and a practicum. Each class is 30 hours, and the practicum is 20 hours.

The 120 hour program qualifies an educator for the TESL Canada Level I certification, and equips him/her with the formal recognition, skills, and knowledge, to be employable and successful in a Canadian or international EAL classroom. In addition to providing a participant with more exposure to theory and methodology relating to teaching EAL, the 250 hour program allows participants to attain TESL Canada Level II certification, assuming completion of 1500 hours of classroom teaching and an undergraduate degree. However, employers in the field of EAL education seldom select for potential employees based on TESL Canada certification level.