ACE TESOL Certificate program

FREE!
Information Session for the ACE TESOL Certificate
Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: Bissett School of Business (East B) Building, Room EB1108
If you wish to attend the information session to learn more about this introductory ESL teacher training program, please send an email to: srossi@mtroyal.ca .

The ACE TESOL Certificate is an introductory ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher training course that will provide you with the tools, strategies and knowledge to be successful as an English language teacher. The ACE TESOL Certificate course places a strong emphasis on practical teaching skills and uses pair work, small group work, class discussions and teaching demonstrations to enhance each participant's learning experience. The ACE TESOL Certificate curriculum is updated annually to reflect industry changes and to incorporate the latest language learning research.

The ACE TESOL Certificate, with the 20-hour practicum, is recognized by TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Canada for Professional Certificate Standard One.  The ACE TESOL Certificate also meets the requirements of PELSA (Private English Language Schools Association). With the ACE TESOL Certificate (20-hour practicum) you can teach ESL in Canada or abroad.

Benefits

The ACE TESOL Certificate course is:

• 100 hours of classroom instruction
• A 20-hour practicum (a 10-hour practicum option is also available)
• A practical, task-based and participatory learning experience
• Taught by professional, qualified, experienced and energetic trainers
• Based upon the most current teaching theory and methodologies
• Offered three times each year: September - November, January - March and April - June for 11 weeks in a part-time format (2 weeknights plus all day Saturday)

Take the ACE TESOL Certificate course to:

• Receive a professional, internationally recognized ESL teaching credential
• Increase your marketability as an ESL teacher and make you more competitive in the job market
• Obtain the qualifications and skills to teach English abroad or in Canada
• Increase your self-confidence as a teacher
• Improve your communication and presentation skills
• Have the opportunity to practice teaching in a safe environment
• Learn through pair work, small group work, teaching demonstrations and discussions

Requirements

An undergraduate degree (with any major) from an accredited post secondary institution is strongly recommended for enrolment in the ACE TESOL Certificate. A degree is required in order to be eligible for TESL Canada Professional Certification.

Applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirements for Mount Royal credit programs by providing a recent score on an accepted English proficiency test (click here for specific score requirements).

Course content

Assessment

Throughout the course students complete the following tasks for assessment: 

• an Observation Report based on observing six hours of ESL classes in the Languages Institute at Mount Royal
• a Progress Test
• an Achievement Test
• a Lesson Planning Task
• Evaluated Microteachings (mini teaching demonstrations)
• a Lesson Plan Portfolio.

Practicum

• The practicum is conducted in ESL classes either in the Languages Institute at Mount Royal or at a partner institution in Calgary.
• There are two practicum options: a 20-hour practicum and a 10-hour practicum.
  Only the 20-hour practicum is recognized by TESL Canada.
• In the 20-hour practicum students complete 10 hours of observation and 10 hours of supervised teaching. In the final three hours of supervised teaching, practicum students teach two 90-minute solo lessons.
• In the 10-hour practicum students complete 6 hours of observation and 4 hours of assisting an ESL teacher.
• The class times follow a morning or afternoon schedule (which will be assigned) and trainees must have flexibility in their schedules to allow for not only completing the required practicum hours, but also for meeting with their practicum supervisors outside of class.
• Please note that the bulk of the 20-hour practicum takes place over a two-week period towards the end of the course (see below for term-specific dates). Trainees typically come in every day or almost every day during that two-week period.

Upcoming course dates

Spring 2012 term: April 11 - June 16

• Class times: Monday / Wednesday 6:00 - 9:15 pm PLUS
  Saturday 9:00 - 4:15 pm
• The bulk of practicum work will take place from May 25 to June 8; however, participants must also complete 6 hours of classroom observations between April 17 and 30.
• In order to allow participants to focus on practicum work, there will be no ACE classes on May 30, June 2, 4, or 6.
• Registration for Spring term opens on March 12. Register in person or by phone at 403.440.3833.

Fall 2012 term: September 5 - November 19

• Class times: Monday / Wednesday 6:00 - 9:15 pm PLUS 
  Saturday 9:00 - 4:15 pm
• The bulk of practicum work will take place from October 24 to November 6; however, participants must also complete 6 hours of classroom observations between September 13 and 27.
• In order to allow participants to focus on practicum work, there will be no ACE classes on October 29, 31, November 3, 5.
• Due to a national conference for teachers of ESL, there will be no ACE classes on October 13.
• Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no classes on October 6 or 8.
• Registration for Fall term opens on June 11. Register in person or by phone at 403.440.3833.

Course fees

• Course plus 20 hour practicum — $2,200
• Course plus 10 hour practicum — $2,000

Course materials

• Approximately CDN $65 + GST (available at the MRU BookStore).

Location

• All classes are held at Lincoln Park Campus.

For more information

• Click here for a printable brochure. For further information regarding the program, please phone 403.440.5103.
• You may also visit the ACE (Advance Consulting for Education) website: www.aceducation.ca
• Please visit the Continuing Education calendar for registration information.