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Full-time Daytime program upcoming dates:

Jan 5 – Jan 30
Feb 2 – Feb 27
Mar 2 – Mar 27
Apr 6 – May 1
May 4 – May 29
Jun 1 – Jun 26
Jul 6 – Jul 31
Aug 4 – Aug 28
Sep 8 – Oct 2
Oct 5 – Oct 30
Nov 2 – Nov 27
Nov 30 – Dec 24*

Part-time evening program upcoming dates:

Feb 3 - May 7
May 26 - Aug 27

TEFL OFFERED IN VANCOUVER ONLY!

 

Phone 604-608-0538 for details.

 
 

TEFL/TESL/TESOL - What's the Difference?

 

TESOL, TEFL or TESL certificates. Confused? What does it all mean? How do you choose a program? You know you are interested in teaching ESL but how to start? You might want to work in Canada; you might want to go overseas tomorrow.

 Some say you need TEFL certification, some say you don't. Some courses are a few days in a hotel lobby, others are two-year Master degrees in applied linguistics. Some cost a couple of hundred dollars some a few thousand.
How to choose? Below is  the information you need to make an informed and value-driven decision about which course to take. We hope you will be inspired to choose us, but at the very least we are confident that the information you glean here will help you make well-informed choices. You will know which questions to ask about TEFL training, and what qualities to look for in a program and in your instructors. This is one common question that students have when choosing courses - which certificate is best? The acronyms can often be confusing to people who are new to the industry and even at times to those who are involved in it! At present all three terms tend to be used interchangeably to indicate someone who is involved in the teaching of English. There are, however, some subtle theoretical and historical differences that are worth being aware of.


TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Archer College uses TEFL to describe our programs for native speakers of English whether online, part-time or full time. Well known and used widely in the teaching industry, TEFL refers to teaching English in a region where English is not regularly spoken outside the classroom, such as teaching English in Italy or Japan. As many of our students head overseas after training at Archer, 'TEFL' suits our courses. For some reason also, TEFL seems to be the acronym of choice in Europe.


TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language
This acronym refers to teaching English in an environment where English is spoken outside the classroom, such as teaching English to new immigrants or international students in Canada. Here, they are learning English as a 'second language' because these students come to this country with a different first language. This seems to be the acronym of choice in North America.

TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Archer College uses TESOL to describe our teacher training programs for non-native speakers of English. Also, widely used in the language teaching community, this term is relatively new and is often used as a generic term to include all types of English language classes: TESL or TEFL.

 

Program Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for our TEFL course are as follows:     + All applicants should be aged 19 or over at the time of registration. Under certain situations an 18-year-old may be accepted into the course, however, they will have to complete a successful interview with the program supervisor.

+ All applicants must have reached a proficiency of English, both written and spoken, that enables the applicant to undertake the course and prepare for teaching a range of ESL levels including advanced classes. If you are a non-native speaker of English, we also prefer that you have lived in an English-speaking country for at least a few years.
NOTE: All non-native speakers of English will have to complete a successful interview with the program supervisor in addition to providing the necessary proof of English proficiency, in the form of ONE of the following:


1. TOEFL: Computer based 213 / Paper based 550, and TSE: 55, or
2. High school graduation from a high school in Canada , including minimum English Grade 12 . . score of 70%, or
3. Completion of an undergraduate degree from an English-speaking university.

+ All applicants will have the potential to develop the necessary skills to become effective teachers and to successfully complete the written assignments and the teaching practicum. An interview either in person or by telephone with the program supervisor is highly recommended.    

+ All applicants should have a standard of education equivalent to that required for entry into a Canadian university.    

+ Please note that although it is not necessary for applicants to possess a Bachelor's degree to enter the TEFL program, many foreign countries, Canadian ESL schools, and Canadian associations (such as TESL Canada) require university degrees from their ESL teachers.

 

- Important -

The TEFL Distance Education and the TESL Diploma program are NOT recognized by TESL Canada at this time.