ALDS MA students with documented previous experience in teaching English as second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) may follow a sequence of courses in their MA program leading to professional certification as a teacher of English to adults.
This sequence of courses satisfies the requirements of TESL Ontario, the professional association of TESL practitioners in Ontario, as a qualification to teach ESL to adults in Ontario. Students graduating with these required courses will need to apply for TESL Certification through TESL Ontario. The MA TESL Stream program is also accredited with TESL Canada.
MA students who wish to follow this sequence of courses are advised to consult the website of TESL Ontario for details of the requirements for certification, especially as regards the teaching practicum component. Note also that the TESL Ontario certification requirements for English Language Proficiency exceed those of Carleton University.
The required MA courses for TESL Certification are:
- ALDS 5215: Methodology and Practicum in Teaching English as a Second Language* (1.0 credit)*
- ALDS 5207: Pedagogical Grammar in Second and Foreign Language (SL/FL) Teaching (0.5 credit) or ALDS 4801**
- ALDS 5302: Second Language Acquisition and Learning Theories (0.5 credit) or ALDS 4602**
* ALDS 5205 and ALDS 5806 have been replaced by ALDS 5215 (1.0 credit).
** Undergraduate level courses may be substituted with the permission of the TESL Coordinator.
It is important to note that these courses total 2.0 credits of a 5 credit degree, and that students wishing to pursue these courses plus Research Paper or Thesis options may need more than 5 credits to complete their degree.
Students who want to follow the TESL Certification stream should state so in their application statement, and identify themselves by contacting Dr. Brian Strong before registering for MA courses.