Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
Humber is proud to have the highest graduate employment and employer satisfaction rate of the GTA colleges based on Colleges Ontario’s key performance indicators for college graduates in 2022-2023.
Program Overview
Humber’s unique Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program builds confident and knowledgeable teachers who have a full understanding of best practices in teaching English as a second language (ESL). Humber’s innovative curriculum is based on the latest ESL teaching approaches, methods, and assessment systems, including the Canadian Language Benchmarks and the Common European Framework Reference (CEFR). You will be exposed to a wide range of theoretical issues in adult second language acquisition including the emerging field of teaching with technology, and receive a variety of opportunities to apply theory to a range of ESL classroom observations and practice teaching contexts.
Faculty members are highly respected, dedicated professionals with graduate credentials in the field, and extensive ESL teaching and teacher training experience.
Courses
At Humber, courses are delivered in a variety of formats:
In-Person - An in-person course is delivered fully on campus.
Online Asynchronous (A) - An online asynchronous course has no fixed class schedule and allows students to engage with the course at different times according to their needs. Faculty provide modules, which are completed independently by the students according to established deadlines.
Online Synchronous (S) - An online synchronous course is delivered fully online and requires faculty and students to participate in real-time according to a fixed schedule. Classes are scheduled for a specific day and time.
Hybrid - A hybrid course is a combination of in-person and online classes and follows a set schedule. Students must be available to attend in-person classes at scheduled times during the semester.
The chart below outlines the delivery options available for each course in this program, by campus. For some academic terms, there may be more than one delivery option available. You’ll be able to select your preferred options when building your course schedule during open enrolment. Preferences for course delivery will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Some Humber programs are also delivered fully online, where all courses are delivered online.
International students: the impact of studying from outside of Canada on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility differs significantly based on when you start your program. Please review the PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.
Course list will be available soon.
Work-Integrated Learning
Over the eight months of the program, students will complete a 50-hour graduated teaching practicum. Unlike many other institutions, our practicum is fully arranged and supervised, saving student teachers the time to focus on their learning and preparation. Students fulfill their practicum requirements in a variety of settings, which may include:
- Humber’s English Language Centre, in the English for Academic Purposes program
- Humber’s Continuing Education department, enhanced language training (ELT)-related programs
- adult ESL and Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and community agencies.
The Humber Advantage
Work integrated learning in the form of a teaching practicum is central to the successful development of TESL professionals. The TESL practicum will give you hands-on experience in a variety of classroom settings, and will help build the foundation for your future teaching careers. This is your opportunity to apply the concepts, knowledge, and practical skills from the classroom to the workplace. During the practicum you will also acquire teaching techniques and develop professionalism from experienced Mentor Teachers.
"I took advantage of many opportunities provided by Humber while I was a student, dedicating myself to absorb as much knowledge from the program as possible. This included observation of LINC and Humber EAP classes, classroom micro-teaching, and teaching experiences. This helped me grow my teaching style as well as helped me confirm that teaching English is my true passion."
– Takuya Ogino, Humber TESL Graduate (2018)
Current job: English Teacher
"The best part of the program is the experience to learn from very professional and encouraging teachers. They always motivated me and help with my self-esteem and any doubts. The teaching strategies and methodology allowed me to participate and gain confidence. I believe the teachers' support is the reason why I have been able to find a great job for my career."
– Cathy Wang, Humber TESL Graduate
Current job: English Teacher
In this video, Morgan Cogswell, a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), shares her experience studying and taking the practicum in the program.
Your Career
Today, approximately one billion people worldwide are learning English and by 2030, half of the world’s population is expected to speak English. Work in teaching ESL in adult ESL programs in school boards, colleges and universities, and government-sponsored agencies across Ontario, as well as in private schools and academic institutions around the world teaching English as a foreign language. Career opportunities also include workplace ESL, academic ESL and ESL program administration in the public and private sectors.
In addition, each summer, select graduates are hired as ESL teaching interns in Humber’s highly regarded and dynamic international summer language program under the guidance of a mentor faculty member. Work placements may also be available in the Humber English Language Centre’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program, in ESL courses in the Continuing Education department and in Humber’s Writing Centre.
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | Condensed Week | Lakeshore | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | Condensed Week | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International Students in Canada who apply for May 2024 start could be eligible for a $1,000 Scholarship*. Apply now
Please note the new International Admissions Process and Provincial Attestation Letters. Read the update
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | Condensed Week | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International Students Out of Canada can Apply through Humber International
Please note the new International Admissions Process and Provincial Attestation Letters. Read the update
TESL Graduate Certificate Program Video
Watch the video to learn about the benefits of the Teaching English as a Second Language Graduate Certificate program at Humber through the experience of faculty and students.
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Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
