There are two types of TESL certificates: the TESL Coursework Certificate and the TESL Certificate with Practicum.

To receive the 12-credit TESL Coursework Certificate from the Department of Language and Literacy Education, a student must complete LLED 489 (6 credits) and LLED 478 (6 credits). Note that courses other than LLED 489 that may count as prerequisites for LLED 478 cannot count as credit towards the certificate.

To receive the 15-credit TESL Certificate with Practicum, a student must complete LLED 489 (6 credits), LLED 478A (3 credits), LLED 478B (3 credits) and LLED 399 (3 credits).

There is a fee of $25.00 (cash or money order) for the TESL Certificate. A request form for the TESL Certificate can be obtained either by picking one up at the main office of the Department of Language and Literacy Education, Room 100, Ponderosa Building E, 2034 Lower Mall Road, UBC Campus
or by writing to:
TESL Certificate Request
Department of Language and Literacy Education
2125 Main Mall
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4

Letter of Completion for LLED 478C: On completion of one of the 6-credit prerequisites plus completion of LLED 478C, the Department of Language & Literacy Education will issue a letter confirming completion the required courses. There is a cost-recovery charge of $10.00 for this service. This letter will not be issued for completion of LLED 478A.

The TESL Certificate Program with Practicum offers professional training and development to teachers of ESL and prepares them for graduate studies. To receive the certificate for this 15-credit program, a student must complete: LLED 489 (6 credits), LLED 478 (6 credits), and LLED 399 (3 credits).

Both LLED 489 and LLED 478 are also taken as part of the Diploma Program in Education or the Bachelor of Education degree. A TESL Coursework Certificate is issued to students who take LLED 489 (6 credits) and LLED 478 (6 credits).

Length/Duration

The 3 courses for the TESL Certificate Program with Practicum cover a total 195 hours of teaching and practice. LLED 478 and LLED 489 are available in all three sessions of the academic year although LLED 399 is only available in Winter terms.

LLED 478 Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language (78 hours) is offered:
- every Winter Session (September to April),
- every Summer Session Term 2 (July and part of August).

LLED 489 Applied Linguistics for Teachers (78 hours) is offered:
- every Winter Session (September to April),
- every Summer Session Term 1 (May to June),
- every Summer Session Term 2 (July and part of August).

LLED 399 Practicum in Teaching English as a Second Language (39 hours) runs concurrently with the second half of LLED 478:
- every Winter Session Term 2 (January to April),
- every Summer Session Term 2 (July and part of August) with Ritsumeikan students in Kyoto, Japan (offered through EPLT).

Target Learners

The target learners include the following groups:
- School teachers who want to be certified to teach ESL
- Education students in the process of getting their bachelor degree
- Students in their third or fourth year of university study
- Other unclassified local or international students who wish to teach in colleges or private language schools in Canada or overseas

Student Admission Criteria

• Students who wish to enroll in the certificate program must have obtained their first degree or must currently be in the third or fourth year of university study.
• Students must take LLED 489 (either 489A and 489B or 489C) prior to taking LLED 478C or currently with LLED 478C in the Winter Session from September to April.
• Students who speak English as a Second Language must demonstrate high English proficiency.
• All students, especially those without ESL/EFL teaching experience, are strongly advised to volunteer in an ESL setting prior to enrollment.

Program Delivery Format

LLED 478 and LLED 489 courses are taught by means of lecture-discussions in the Language and Literacy Education Department (UBC campus, Ponderosa Annex E).

LLED 399 comprises 39 hours of teaching and practice. The practicum itself involves 10 hours of observation time and 10 hours of teaching. For each student, there will be a 4-hour pre-practicum orientation with the advisor/instructor and the sponsor teacher. The associated campus-based classes will comprise 9 hours of pre-practicum workshops and 6 hours of post-practicum workshops.

There is also a Joint TESL Certificate Program between Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto, Japan) and UBC, held in Japan. It is offered through the Department of External Programs & Learning Technologies. The Japanese students come to take LLED 489 at UBC in the summer and an LLED instructor delivers LLED 478 and LLED 399 in Japan in the following summer.

Teaching in B.C. Schools

Students who wish to teach English to ESL students in the public school system (K-12) must hold a B.C. Teaching Certificate. A teaching certificate is usually not necessary for those who wish to teach adults.

Before you register for LLED 478, please read the following information. Note that LLED 478A and LLED 478B are required for the TESL Certificate with Practicum and for the TESL Coursework Certificate.

• Registration
• LLED 478A, LLED 478B & LLED 478C Descriptions
- Prerequisites
- Time of Offering
- Content of the Course
- Calendar Description
- Course Overview
- Course Format
- Evaluation
• LLED 489A & LLED 489B Descriptions
• LLED 399 Description

Joint TESL Certificate Program between Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto, Japan) and UBC, held in Japan. Offered through External Programs & Learning Technologies (604-822-2013), email eplt.educ@ubc.ca.

Criminal Record Checks for Students Engaging in Practica

The Criminal Records Review Act ("CRRA") requires that UBC conduct a CRRA criminal record check ("CRRA Check") of all students who work with children (19 years or under) as part of their practica. Students who wish to take LLED 399 and do a practicum in schools with children rather than in colleges with adults should perform CRRA checks before taking the relevant practicum.

To get CRRA checks done, students need to

1) Verify your identity in person with two pieces of ID, and at least one being government issued and shows the student's name, date of birth, signature and photo (Driver's License preferred). Fill out Driver's License number on the consent form if that is what is used for ID.

2) Complete and sign a "consent to the Criminal Record Check" form (available at

http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/shareddocs/consent-form.pdf); and

3) forward a copy to the CRRP with appropriate payment.

More information regarding payment options and application processes is available at

http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/apply/index.htm

The CRRP will determine whether a student poses a risk and will advise UBC of its decision.