Canada
Traveling Coast to Coast as a Canadian ESL Teacher
Why Canada
Perfect for entry-level and experienced ESL teachers.
Canada is a great country to make a career change or continue to grow as an ESL teacher after teaching abroad for a few years. All you need to teach English in Canada is a BA degree in any area and a TEFL / TESL / TESOL certification recognized by TESL Canada.
Canada offers a variety of English teaching jobs and career advancement opportunities. More than 150,000 international students come to Canada every year to study English in our world-class language schools, colleges, and universities. To learn more about teaching English in Canada, this page offers information about minimum job requirements, different opportunities, how to find the right job, and how to pass the job interview.
Job Opportunities
Three types of English teaching jobs in Canada.
Most English teaching jobs in Canada are found in private language schools, which offer ESL Immersion classes to international students living in Canada between 1 and 12 months. Other types of classes offered by Canadian language schools include IELTS preparation courses, Business English courses, and university pathway programs. The largest private language school markets are in Toronto and Vancouver. Smaller yet significant markets are located in Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax. If you do not have any previous ESL teaching experience, Canadian language schools are the best place to begin your career.
Canada also enjoys a large number of world-renowned colleges and universities that attract top students from all over the world. There are more than 40 in the province of Ontario alone! Most colleges and universities offer ESL classes, IELTS preparation courses, and pathway programs for international students to prepare for degree programs. If you have previous ESL teaching experience and a Masters degree in TESOL or related field, colleges and universities offer the most reputable TESOL jobs in Canada!
Last but not least, the Government of Canada offers the LINC program to teach English to newcomers and support them with adapting to life in Canada. LINC offers well-paid positions and career advancement opportunities for experienced ESL teachers.
Pay
What English teachers earn in Canada.
| Market Segment | Hourly Pay | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Language schools (entry-level) | $23–$30/hr | TESL Canada Standard 1 |
| Language schools (senior) | up to $45/hr | TESL Canada Standard 1 + experience |
| IELTS / TOEFL Preparation | $25–$45/hr | 1+ years experience + TESL Canada Standard 1 |
| LINC (teaching newcomers) | $30–$50/hr | 1+ years experience + TESL Canada Standard 1 (TESL Ontario OCELT in Ontario) |
| Colleges & Universities | $30–$60/hr | 3+ years experience + MA in TESOL/Education. TESL Canada Standard 2 preferred |
Pay tier and certification level go hand in hand. For a detailed breakdown of what each TESL Canada standard qualifies you for — from language schools to universities and international roles — see the career pathways on the TESL Canada page.
Best Time to Apply
When to apply for English teaching jobs in Canada.
Language schools hire TESL Canada certified teachers year round, but the best times to apply for jobs is January or May because the majority of international students come to Canada in the winter and summer seasons. Most IELTS preparation courses, colleges, universities, and LINC programs hire for the term starting in September or as needed.
Where to Teach
Where ESL teaching jobs are concentrated in Canada.
Toronto
Largest ESL market · Ontario
The ESL job market in Toronto is as diverse as the city itself. You can teach English in large organizations with international chains, medium-sized ESL schools with several locations throughout Canada, or family-owned schools. Experienced teachers who hold an MA in Education or Linguistics and TESL Canada Professional Standard 2 certification are eligible to work in colleges and universities. Although the ESL market is smaller in surrounding areas, you can teach English in cities like London, Windsor, Kingston, Hamilton, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Guelph.
Teach English in Toronto →Vancouver
Second-largest ESL market · British Columbia
Vancouver is the second-largest ESL market in Canada and teachers can find as many well-paid jobs there as in Toronto. Many OnTESOL graduates prefer Vancouver for its mild weather, beautiful ocean, and mighty mountains. Vancouver is known for its laid-back attitude so it’s the perfect place for people who prefer to teach English in a large city with a relaxed environment. Victoria, Burnaby, and Kelowna have a number of ESL programs as well.
Teach English in Vancouver →Calgary
Growing ESL market · Alberta
Calgary has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade, resulting in mass migration from other Canadian provinces and even other countries. Many ESL schools have opened in Calgary and surrounding areas; even TESL Canada recently moved its head office to Calgary. Wages are high and there are beautiful mountains and lakes for those who like the outdoors. One of the benefits of teaching English in Calgary is that you can get away from it all and visit a beautiful lake or park just minutes away from the city.
Teach English in Calgary →