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TESOL Diploma (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

INFO SESSIONS & TOURS   Teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) Next Date: May 21, 2013 more information »

This part-time program, the largest teacher-training program of its kind in Western Canada, is designed for students who want to teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Graduates may plan to teach from literacy to university-level English internationally or at a post-secondary institution, community agency or international school in Canada. All courses are available through distance learning and face-to-face study.

If you know the admission requirements,

Find out more about this program:

Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

Apply to this Program Fees and Other Costs Additional Information Courses Check Course Schedule

Program Description

The program is comprised of 10 core courses, including a teaching internship, as well as elective options. Students studying on a part-time basis can start three times per year: January, April or September. Part-time students must complete the program within four years to qualify for a diploma.

This program is designed to involve the student in a variety of learning environments and instructional delivery methods. Throughout the program, students participate in lectures, demonstrations, peer teaching, group teaching and activities, and individual practice teaching. There may be guest instructors, instructional videos and an opportunity to use computer and audio labs. There is a supervised practicum.

Prior to enrolling in TESO 1266 Teaching Academic English and TESO 1270 Internship, students must have completed all other courses.

To receive the TESOL diploma students must complete all of the required courses.

English requirements for this program indicate the need for demonstrated proficiency in the English language with excellent oral and written communication skills.

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time January, April, September 2 to 4 years Diploma Downtown Part-time

Career Prospects

This program prepares graduates to teach from literacy to university level English language. Students may plan to teach internationally or at post-secondary educational institutions, community agencies, or international schools in Canada.

Credential opportunities for graduates of the TESOL Diploma. This program is recognized for professional certification (level 2) by TESL Canada.

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

1. Bachelor's degree required (all post-secondary transcripts must be sealed and official and mailed directly to the VCC Admissions Office from the originating institution).
2. First year university English with a minimum C+ grade or equivalent.
3. If English is not your first language and you have foreign documents, completion of an English Language Assessment is required plus an ICES evaluation. For an evaluation application and current fee information, email ICES or call toll free 1.866.434.9197. Acceptable English language assessments and scores include:
   Minimum score of 88 on the internet based TOEFL with no score lower than 22, or
   Band 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS - academic stream) with no band score less than 6.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 on the speaking and listening band, or
   Minimum score of 145/200 on the VCC English Language Assessment Test with minimum scores as follows: Listening: 27/30; Speaking: 27/30; Essay: 17/20; Reading: 50/70. The ELA score must be free of a pronunciation recommendation. TESL Canada does not recognize the ELA as a language proficiency score.
4. All requests for transfer credits or course exemptions for all courses in the program must be submitted with application to the program. Download the Request for Transfer Credit (PDF) form.

Recommended characteristics

Demonstrated proficiency in the English language with excellent oral and written communication skills Excellent command of English grammar
Awareness of the English language and approaches to teaching
Motivated and disciplined
Interest in, respect for and experience with other cultures
Empathy and patience for those learning a new language and culture
Personal qualities which contribute to success as a teacher/instructor
Personal experience with learning a foreign language

Program Status

Accepting applications - Registration opens February 18, 2013

VCC is accepting applications from international students.

Apply to this Program

Complete a VCC application first. If you require further information and/or assistance please call 604.871.7000, ext. 8665, or fax 604.443.8588, or email tesol@vcc.ca.

Applicants to the part-time TESOL diploma are not eligible to switch to the fast track program.

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.443.8450. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

Notification Alert: System Maintenance Due to scheduled maintenance, web student self-service, including online application and registration, will be unavailable starting on Monday, May 20 at 8:00 PM. Thank you for your patience. If you would like an email notification after the system maintenance is complete, please fill out our contact form.

Please apply when the system maintenance is complete.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 $3713.85

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $71.82 Student union fee $24.81 per term U-Pass $90 Other costs Textbooks: $200 to $250

Additional Information

Students who have completed all of the courses in this program must apply to receive their credential. Please complete the application for TESOL credential form and submit it to the Registrar's Office.

For additional information, please contact:
TESOL Department
School of Language Studies
Vancouver Community College
250 West Pender Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 1S9
Phone: 604.871.7000, ext. 8665
Fax: 604.443.8588
Email:tesol@vcc.ca

Important information for current TESOL distance and diploma students:

As of April 2011, all courses in the TESOL diploma will be available through both distance and face-to-face study. As such, the TESOL distance diploma program will no longer be offered. Students currently enrolled in the TESOL distance diploma will have the option of finishing their TESOL distance diploma or switching to the more comprehensive TESOL diploma. Students beginning the TESOL Diploma as of April 2011 will no longer require completion of 2.0 credits of electives. TESOL electives, however, are recommended for increased breadth of experience and professional development.

Courses