Calgary has plenty to offer as the cosmopolitan capital of Alberta. The city has experienced tremendous growth, with mass migration from other Canadian provinces and from abroad — opening many ESL schools in Calgary and surrounding areas. TESL Canada itself relocated its head office to Calgary, an unmistakable signal of where the industry is investing. Wages are high, and the mountains and lakes are minutes away for those who like the outdoors.
The best part about teaching English in Calgary is that it sits close to some of the most pristine mountain ranges in Canada, so locals have a deep appreciation for the outdoors. On your break, take a walk by the Bow River — many use it for meditation or a quiet jog. After a long day, enjoy the mountain view at Nose Hill Park.
The TESOL community in Calgary
If you're seeking community, professional development, and teaching resources, Calgary has an active ESL teaching network. The Alberta Teachers' Association runs specialist councils for language educators that advocate for ESL students, share classroom resources, and host professional events throughout the year — a useful way for teachers in Calgary to connect with peers and stay current. With TESL Canada's head office also based in the city, Calgary is well-positioned for ESL teachers building a long-term career.
The TESL Canada certification Calgary schools ask for
Calgary language schools and Languages Canada institutions require TESL Canada Professional Standard 1. That's OnTESOL's 120-hr Advanced TESOL Certificate plus the separate 20-hr Practicum. ACCET-accredited, recognized by TESL Canada since 2003. With TESL Canada's head office in Calgary, the local industry knows the credential well.
View TEFL Course →Explore the Rockies
For the winter lovers, head west to Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies — some of the best skiing of your life. The Park, an official UNESCO World Heritage site, is not only for skiers but for outdoor explorers of all kinds, offering gondola rides and over 1,600 km of trails, many around glacier-fed lakes. To experience the luxurious Canadian rail system, take the Rocky Mountaineer, which runs all the way to Vancouver via the "Three Sisters" mountains — on a good day you'll see countless peaks and valleys of the great west.
For the food lovers
If you have a taste for good beer, head to Big Rock Brewery, one of Calgary's most-recommended stops. As a city that feeds people with a big appetite, Calgary's Farmers' Market is essential — a taste of what local farmers have to offer, plus excellent people-watching. To get closer to the city's local cuisine, take a Calgary food tour. The tour guides are warm and well-versed, and you'll try delicious dishes you'd never find on your own.
Entertainment at its finest
For those with an interest in history, check out the Canadian Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller, only 90 miles east of Calgary. The theatre is set in a 30-acre natural badlands canyon — the topography eerily mimics that of Israel, and the audience is transported 2,000 years into the past. For music lovers, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra ranges from pop to classical, so there's something for everyone.