If you have a passion for helping others and want to use it to travel the world, without going very far, then you may want to consider teaching in Canada. You can meet new people, experience a different culture, experience tremendous personal growth and learn new skills. Whether you want to live in the heart of Vancouver or in a remote area in Montreal, Canada is a wonderful place to be. Or you can stay in Michigan and travel daily to teach in Canada. Regardless of why you decided to pursue teaching, you may be surprised to learn that it can be a very personally satisfying career.
Many Canadians grow up speaking French and English. There are also aboriginal individuals who speak other languages. There is a still a large percentage of Canadian natives who do not speak English. As local and global employers continue to recruit for English speaking talent, more Canadians will seek out TESL/TEFL instruction in classroom and private settings to make themselves more desirable job candidates.
Requirements and Skills for Teaching in Canada
Although Canada is a neighboring country to the United States, the teaching requirements may be similar. Ideally, you should have a high school diploma or GED, a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL (teaching English foreign language) certificate. You should also have some teaching experience. Some employers may be willing to forgo experience in exchange for one being an American whose native language is English.
To be a good candidate for teaching jobs in Canada for international applicants, you should possess many skills. Many of the skills you need can gained from teaching in any subject. You may also be able to further hone your skills to make you a more desirable candidate by furthering your education and obtaining more credentials.
Key skillsi, ii you should possess include:
- The ability to speak, write and communicate clearly and effectively.
- Exceptional problem solving abilities.
- Confidence to instruct others who may have different cultural and political beliefs, backgrounds and mindsets.
- To stay motivated while motivating students to learn.
- Exceptional classroom management abilities.
If you have previous teaching experience in other subjects, you may be able to seek out gainful employment as a tutor, nanny or private instructor. Many professionals who decide to teach in Canada supplement their income by seeking out part time and freelance opportunities in the public and private sectors. If you lack formal teaching experience, you may be able to substitute work experience as a language assistant or tutor instead.i Competition for teaching opportunities in Canada is very stiff because of the high availability of English speaking Canadians. Having a good mix of education, credentials and experience may improve your standing as a more desirable candidate for employers.
Career Expectations for Teaching English in Canada
Although there are many English speaking people in Canada, professionals who are interested in teaching English in Canada may still enjoy the wealth of opportunities that exist. Quebec and Montreal are among the largest cities in the country that still have a large population of native French speakers who interested in expanding their English speaking abilities. There are many opportunities for professionals to enhance their skills, learn more about the French Canadian culture and enjoy a personally satisfying career in the field.
When making the decision to teach abroad in Canada, make sure you examine your reasons for wanting to do so. Consider getting your certification online and further exploring your options. While you’re not likely to get rich, you may find the benefits and abundance of diverse opportunities far outweigh the dream of riches.
ii http://www.barefootteflteacher.com/esl-teachers-most-critical-skills/
