Elevate Your ESL Career: Accredited TEFL Courses in Toronto from The TEFL Institute

All of the courses that we provide are known for being internationally recognised and acknowledged, but the 120 hour TEFL course is one of the most hotly demanded by employers everywhere as being the benchmark for success.

Considering that there are so many different qualifications available, the 120 hour accredited course is the minimum standard accepted by most places across the world that displays competency in teaching English as a foreign language. The qualification provides you with everything you could need to teach English as a foreign language across the world, whether you choose to work in a classroom or as a private tutor.

We offer engaging content that you can complete at a pace to suit you. Flexibility is a core part of the course. You will have access to an accredited online TEFL course in Toronto, Canada which gives you all the skills and tools necessary to teach English wherever you like.

If you want to complete the course, then you only need to have a minimum C1 level of proficiency in English, and we also recommend having access to a desktop or laptop. This is a tool that you will need to teach English as a foreign language anyway, so it’s worth investing now.

Not only that, but we also have a dedicated app that you can use, and if you ever need to verify the course, we have a dedicated verification page which helps employers to feel confident that you have the skills necessary to teach English as a foreign language

The course that we are offering to you consists of 10 different modules. Each module can be viewed in a variety of different ways, with text, video and audio formats available. It’s easy to learn in a way that works for you.

You will be taught things like how to plan lessons, deliver content, and teach the nuances of the English language. Upon completion of the course, you will have gained all the skills necessary to become a qualified English teacher in another country, and you can use the skills however you choose. Some of our graduates go on to become classroom teachers, whereas others start a tutoring business. It’s up to you which route you decide to take.

On average, it takes four weeks for students to complete the course. However, it’s worth noting that you have up to 6 months of study time available to you. This is because we value your ability to balance your studies with any other obligations you have like a job or family commitments.

Naturally, there are other qualifications you can pursue if needed. Each of the courses that we offer provide a different level of knowledge and skill in teaching English as a foreign language.

Once you have qualified as a TEFL teacher in Canada, you can start using your new qualification to secure employment. You have a range of different options available to you with regards to what you do and the kind of career that you pursue. There are four main options to keep in mind as a new teacher, so let’s take a look at them.

Public Schools

Like most countries, Canada has a well-developed public education system. The entry requirements for teaching as a foreign language teacher in a Canadian public school can be quite strict more often than not, you will need a degree and a teaching certificate, so these might be things to work for once you arrive in the area.

With that being said, a lot of people who live in Canada do speak English as a primary language, so this may not be a particularly viable job market for you to focus on.

International Schools

Private education tends to be a little more diverse in terms of what it offers, and the type of students who attend, so it may be possible to secure employment in a private education setting. Academies often cater to students who have come from all over the world, and not all of them will speak English fluently.

There are a lot of private schools who would be happy to take on a teacher who can provide English as a foreign language, but these types of schools also have competitive jobs and you will be facing a lot of stiff competition for every position that is available. With that being said, it is worth looking into because the salary is often much higher and you get access to other benefits like subsidised accommodation or transport allowances.

Language Schools

Language schools are often considered to be the bread and butter of a newly qualified English teacher’s career, as they are pretty easy to get a job in, they don’t require a full teaching degree, and they can offer you reasonably secure contracts. You will primarily be working in the evening and on the weekend, teaching English to adults who are looking to improve their skill set and brush up on their English ability.

If you can get qualified to teach business English, then this will definitely help your chances of employment, as business English is a required skill for a lot of jobs. The only thing to keep in mind is that this is not going to be full-time work. At best, you will get a contract for about 30 hours a week, so you may need to supplement your income with other jobs or businesses on the side.

Tutoring

Tutoring is another option that you have available to you, depending on where you live, and what kind of spare time you have. Running your own tutoring business is a very common way to earn money on the side, and you’re free to take on the students that you want.

There are a few things to keep in mind with options like this. First of all, you will be responsible for sorting out your own income and paying taxes on it, and you will have to report accurately to the Canadian government. However, it’s a perfectly viable way of making money.

Outside of the normal ways to pursue a teaching career, you can also look at teaching online. This removes some of the boundaries involving travel and flexibility, as you can teach anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection and you’re prepared to take on students from around the world.

There are some education facilities and academies around Canada who are happy to take a remote teacher, so long as they have the necessary qualifications and evidence that they are capable of providing consistent lessons. This is definitely one of those things where having a good Internet connection is key.

If you want to teach English as a foreign language in Canada, you will need to apply for authorisation to enter the country. Depending on where you come from in the world, you will need to apply for a Visa or you can get an electronic authorisation if you are one of the visa-exempt countries.

It’s worth noting that Canada does things a little bit differently in the sense that it operates on a points system. As part of your application process, you’ll be asked to complete an online profile which lists your skills and attributes, as well as anything you can offer Canada. This converts to a certain number of points, and if you have enough points to meet the eligibility criteria, you can be offered a permit to come and live and work in the country.

Toronto

As a multicultural city in Canada, Toronto offers quite a lot for the average English teacher. The locals are friendly, the standard of living is good, and you will have plenty of career options available to you.

Vancouver

Vancouver is another location in Canada which is worth looking at for teaching purposes. It has a rich cultural history, and at one point, hosted the winter Olympic games.

Ottawa

That is the capital city of Canada, Ottawa is one of those locations, where you really can’t go wrong. It offers arguably the most diverse population, the most opportunities, and the highest earning potential. However, this is tempered by a higher cost of living overall.

The amount of money that you can earn as a teacher in Canada will depend on what you choose to do, how qualified you are, and the type of position you secure.

Obviously, if you are highly qualified, then you can expect to enjoy a salary, which is above what standard teachers would make, but depending upon the success of your online and tutoring ventures, you could bring in a comfortable salary without having to seek out employment.

The average salary for a Canadian worker is between $3000 and $4000 per month. However, your work as a teacher could be above or beyond this depending on your success.

The cost of living for Toronto is relatively high. At the time of writing, the cost of average rent is about 6% higher than the United Kingdom, and the closer you live to Toronto, the more expensive your life will be. It’s well worth purchasing property just outside the city and taking advantage of the cheaper costs.

You would also be sensible to live like a local. Enjoying local cuisine and typical entertainment in the area is much more affordable than trying to import foods and items that you recognise.

As usual, there are things you can do to bring down the cost-of-living. Taking full advantage of the public transport system that is available is recommended, as Canada has a well-developed network of public transportation.

Average costs per month:

• Salary : $3000 to $4000
• Rent: $1900
• Utilities: $200
• Mobile phone / internet: $80
• Monthly public transport: $100
• Milk: $3
• Bread: $4

It’s important to know that these figures are meant as an estimate for life in Toronto. The actual costs of living will fluctuate depending on the economic health of the country.