Program type
Minor, Specialization
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) (BEd)
Primary campus
Sir George Williams (SGW)
Duration
4 to 5 years
Start term
Fall
Experiential learning
Internship
Why study Teaching English as a Second Language?
Share the gift of language and open doors for your students. As a teacher, your passion for people — both young and old — helps them fulfill their potential. When you study Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), your mastery of teaching the English language gives your students the skills needed to compete in the global marketplace.
With a curriculum that straddles theory and practice, you will have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers and instruct students as a student teacher. You’ll also:
- Study the major features of English language sounds
- Compare the grammatical structures of other major languages to English and learn to identify typical mistakes made by non-native speakers
- Learn teaching techniques aimed at children, adolescents and adults
Students graduate ready to take their place in classrooms in Quebec, across Canada and overseas, and are eligible for certification from the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur.
Special funding for out-of-province students
Up to $4000 for undergraduate programs.
Program structure
A Bachelor of Education degree with a specialization in TESL takes a minimum of four years (120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Program options
- Specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language (120 credits)
- Minor in Teaching English as a Second Language (24 credits)
Courses
The program requires 120 credits of core and elective courses. The core courses involve a stimulating and well-balanced group of selections from three areas: theory courses, method courses, and internships. The internships are undertaken in elementary, secondary and adult level classes. The program has a strong emphasis on language learner development.
Admission criteria
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec Cegep: 25
- High School: B-
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 27
- Baccalauréat français: 12
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams CC or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University Transfers (internal/external): B-
Additional requirements for admission
- Program-specific application
- Reference/Assessment forms
- Interview
- If selected for an Interview, 45 minute English Composition Placement Test (ECPT)
If required, TOEFL iBT min. score of 90 or IELTS min. score of 7.
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
Application deadlines
FALL TERM
March 1 is the deadline to apply for fall term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by February 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.
WINTER
Admission to this program is available for the Fall Term only.
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
Application procedure
Step 1
- Apply for Admissions online. You can also submit your application by logging in to the Student Hub and going to My CU Account.
- For external applicants
Fill out the Undergraduate Application. There is a $100 CAD fee. Then continue with the steps below. - Internal applicants
Read and follow the instructions for a degree transfer. There is a $46 fee. Then continue with the steps below.
- For external applicants
- Fill out the Additional Information application form / Renseignements Complémentaires and upload this document online using the document type ‘Teaching English as a Second Language Application’. You can also upload your documents by logging in to the Student Hub and going to My CU Account.
Obtain 3 referees (2 academic, 1 work-related)
Download Academic Reference form (English) / Téléchargez formulaire de référence académique (Français)
Referees can e-mail the forms to: application.support@concordia.ca
*Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your referees to send their letter of recommendation and reference form.
Additional Information for Applicants:
Student ID #
- If you were a student at Concordia, you will have a Student ID number.
- For new students, the Concordia Student ID is ONLY generated when an admission application is "submitted and finalized". After finalizing the application the Student ID number will be on the email the University sends to you.
- If you haven't submitted or finalized the application, please indicate the application number on the Reference Form instead.
Step 2
- English Composition Placement Test (ECPT)
- All candidates need to take an English Composition Placement Test. The results will be used for assessing the candidate and the possible imposition of specified make-up courses upon admission.
- This test does not replace the language proficiency requirements for admission to the university (ex. TOEFL/IELTS).
- Department of English Placement test website
- The next Placement Test session is scheduled to begin March 7 and will remain open until April 30.
- Students who already have a Moodle account will be able to enroll into the test directly.
- Applicants who are new to Concordia and do not yet have an active Moodle account should send the English department assistant (assist.english@concordia.ca) their Netname, student ID, full name and email associated with their Concordia application to have an account activated.
- Candidates can take the test after the March 1 deadline; however, it is strongly advised to take the test as early as possible as this will delay a decision to be made on your application.
Step 3
- Interview
- Selected applicants will be notified via e-mail for an interview. The day and time will be provided. Interviews are conducted by faculty members and will last approximately 35 minutes.
- Selected applicants will be notified via e-mail for an interview. The day and time will be provided. Interviews are conducted by faculty members and will last approximately 35 minutes.
Funding note
Quebec residents who enroll in this program and meet the eligibility criteria may apply for funding of $2,500 per term through the Quebec Perspective Bursary (Bourse Perspective Quebec).
United States students: A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.
After your degree
Graduates are prepared to take on challenging positions as teachers, researchers and administrators in the public and private sector.
Student story
Emmy Fecteau
Specialization Teaching English as a Second Language
Being at Concordia was the best five years of my life. Enjoy your time here because it goes by so fast.
Julie Tran
Specialization Teaching English as a Second Language
From the classroom to the gym, Julie Tran builds community for students to stay active and make new friends on campus.
Other programs of interest
Shape the future. Experience the magic and mystery of the world through the eyes of a child. As an educator, you’ll nurture children and inspire them to explore their surroundings. A BA in ECEE gives you an educational foundation for teaching children up to age 12.
Department
Faculty
This undergraduate program is offered to expert speakers of English who have a completed undergraduate degree and an interest in teaching ESL. The program does not lead to provincial certification but it provides an excellent training in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
Department
Faculty
