Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
Overview
Seneca's part-time TESL Certificate program will prepare you to teach English language skills to adult learners enrolled in a variety of ESL or EAP programs. This program is designed for both experienced and novice teachers, and includes theoretical and methodology courses.
As part of this program, you will observe qualified, experienced ESL teachers in a classroom environment and practice teaching in an ESL class under their supervision. As a TESL provider, we are also proud to have the lowest tuition of all providers within the Greater Toronto Area.
Have questions about Seneca's part-time Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language programs?
Book a day and time to chat with us. Please note: all bookings are for phone call appointments. We are not conducting in-person meetings at this time.
The part-time Seneca TESL certificate program is recognized by TESL Ontario.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the TESL program will be prepared to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults in Canada as well as in programs offered overseas. Graduates teach in college and university ESL, EAP programs, community ESL, adult ESL with the school boards and private schools.
Entry Requirements
- An undergraduate degree in which the language of instruction was English from a country on TESL Ontario's list.
OR
- An undergraduate degree from a country NOT on TESL Ontario's above list AND the minimum score on an English proficiency test recognized by TESL Ontario and listed on their web site.
If you have any questions, please email one of our program contacts.
Prerequisites
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Apply Now
Apply for the Teacher of English as a Second Language Certificate program through OCAS.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Curriculum
Program admission to TESL or TEFL
This course presents students with an overview of the foundations in syntax, morphology, phonetics/phonology etcetera and the applications of such to the adult ESL learner.
The methodology of second language teaching is crucial to the success of the adult learner. The methodology of teaching ESL students in different skills areas such as conversation, listening, reading and writing is discussed.
Acquiring skills in the evaluation of students' work is critical to becoming a successful teacher. This course teaches students the principles and tools of ESL assessment and gives students practical guidance on using and developing tasks in different language settings such as EAP and settlement-oriented ESL (PBLA).
Program admission to TESL and TSL203
This practicum involves 30 hours of observation of instruction and learning in the ESL classroom. It gives students the opportunity to observe different ESL classes and levels, ESL classroom dynamics, a variety of learning and instructional styles and techniques, and practical teaching skills such as classroom management, instructional methods and strategies, time/content/material management, and instructional language.
This practicum gives students valuable experience as well as an opportunity to actively participate in teaching a class, utilizing all the principles that have been taught in previous TESL courses. Students must complete all specified courses before beginning Practicum I. There is a mandatory orientation.
The TESL certificate provides hands-on experience through a practicum that consists of both an observation and a supervised teaching component. Each course provides background on important theoretical issues and practice in the application of these issues to language teaching. This program is approved by TESL Ontario. Students must complete all courses in the TESL programs to be eligible to apply for the TESL Ontario Certificate.
Graduation/Convocation
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Minimum Performance for Graduation
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Testimonials
Marilyn Church
Through my TESL training at Seneca, I have been introduced to a wealth of theoretical knowledge and provided with opportunities for the practical application of that knowledge. The instructors are highly experienced and deliver the curricula using efficient, hands-on teaching models rich in student participation. The Observation and Practicum courses are well designed and extremely helpful.
I was delighted to learn so much useful stuff, easily applied in the classroom. I am an experienced teacher, having already completed my Bachelor of Education and taught in the public school system. I was at first hesitant to start yet another teacher training course in order to obtain my TESL certificate. But I have become a much more resourceful and self-confident instructor of English as a result of Seneca's TESL programme.
Danielle Mercier
Seneca's TESL program gave me the confidence and skills needed to be an effective Teacher of English as a Second Language and also to be a better overall communicator. The program's focus on English grammar fundamentals helped me improve my writing tremendously. The interactive and engaging approach of the instructors made learning the complexities of the English language fun, and I try to implement this same approach when I teach. The program's focus on cultural awareness helped me further understand and appreciate diversity and communicate more effectively cross-culturally with students, customers and co-workers. The program's practicums and observations provided hands-on, experiential learning, and during these placements, I learned many best practices and techniques that I still use to this day in my classroom. I would recommend the TESL program to anyone who wants to improve their overall communication and refine their teaching of the English language.
Andrew Vance
Teaching English as a Second Language was a later career choice for me, and I wanted a program that was both well-regarded in the profession, and was rigorous in its curriculum. Seneca was the clear choice on both counts. It offered a thorough grounding in theory and a well-managed practicum component that prepared me to step into a full-time teaching job even before I graduated.
For me, teaching English has proved to be a great fit for my personality and skill set. Since graduating, I have moved into teaching TOEFL and IELTS test preparation, am a distance education instructor for the federal government's LINC program and am also an English proficiency examiner. None of these positions would have been obtainable without the solid grounding that I received in the Seneca TESL program.
Program Contacts
Jennifer Stemerdink
Program Assistant
Jennifer.Stemerdink@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0982
Rosemare Mariaseelan
Academic Program Manager
Rosemare.Mariaseelan@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-9890
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.