Our Accreditations
OnTESOL is accredited and recognized by the leading Post-Secondary Education and TESOL/TEFL/TESL training organizations from Canada and the United States.
Learn moreThe leading Canadian organization for recognizing TESOL/TESL/TEFL training
TESL Canada sets the national standard for English teacher training in Canada. OnTESOL has been a recognized TESL Canada course provider since 2003 — the first online program to earn this recognition.
Recognized by:
TESL Canada
Professional Standards 1 & 2
Institutionally Accredited by:
U.S. Department of Education
Recognized Agency
Recognized Provider Since:
2003
First online program recognized
by TESL Canada
Understanding Canada's national standard for ESL teacher training — and why it matters for your career at home and abroad.
TESL Canada was set up in the 1990's to raise the standards of the English Language Teaching (ELT) industry in Canada. Today, TESL Canada is the leading Canadian organization offering recognition of TESOL/TESL/TEFL training and one of the leading organizations in the world focusing on the recognition of ESL Teacher Training courses.
TESL Canada recognizes teacher training programs offered by colleges, universities, language schools, and major institutes such as Coventry House International – OnTESOL. It is the only course recognition body in the world that has set standards for both advanced TESOL/TEFL courses and master's degree programs in Education, TESOL, and Linguistics.
You can use your TESL Canada certification to teach English in Canada and other native English-speaking countries, teach English online, or go abroad with an internationally recognized credential.
Not just for Canadians. Native speakers from Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are eligible. Non-native speakers with a valid IELTS or TOEFL score can also apply.
TESL Canada recognizes teacher training courses at three different levels. Each level builds on the previous one with more training hours, deeper methodology, and broader career access.
Courses recognized by TESL Canada at their Professional Standard 1 require a minimum of 120 hours of instruction (including a 20-hour Practicum). Courses at this level meet the minimum standard for teaching English in Canada at the entry-level. A TESL Canada Standard 1 program is equivalent to CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL worldwide because it requires 120 hours of training and a Practicum module, so schools worldwide accept TESL Canada-recognized courses at the highest level.
View 120-Hour CertificateTESL Canada Professional Standard 2 consists of advanced TESOL courses with a minimum of 250 hours and a 50-hour Practicum module. Teaching experience or prior TESOL certification is not necessary to pursue this level of accreditation. The main reasons for pursuing TESL Canada Standard 2 certification are that trainees get more training than with the standard 4-week course, greater job opportunities in the long term, and the convenience of online education because most advanced 250-hour programs are offered online.
OnTESOL's 250-hour TESOL Diploma program takes anywhere between two and eight months to complete, so trainees can study at their own pace in order to learn better and meet other commitments. Those who hold TESL Canada Professional Standard 2 are better positioned when applying for jobs anywhere in the world or when applying to a Master's program.
View 250-Hour DiplomaTESL Canada Professional Standard 3 is a Master's program in Applied Linguistics or TESOL and a Practicum module. There isn't any other accrediting institution in the world that reaches the level of an MA program. Candidates require an advanced TESOL/TEFL qualification and a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience. For more information, visit TESL Canada at tesl.ca.
| Requirement | Standard 1 | Standard 2 | Standard 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 120 hours | 250 hours | Master's degree |
| Practicum | 20 hours | 50 hours | Required |
| Prior TESOL/TEFL required | No | No | Yes |
| Teaching experience required | No | No | 2+ years |
| CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL equivalent | Exceeds CELTA | Exceeds CELTA | |
| OnTESOL program | 120-hr Certificate | 250-hr Diploma | University programs |
TESL Canada is the only course recognition body in the world that has set standards for advanced TESOL/TEFL courses, such as the ones offered by Coventry House International-OnTESOL, and master's degree programs in Education, TESOL, and Linguistics. You can get everything from your initial 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certification to a master's degree through one of the hundreds of recognized TESL Canada courses.
TESL Canada is not only for Canadian teachers who want to teach English in Canada. Native speakers and non-native speakers who have a valid proficiency score can use their TESL Canada accreditation to teach English anywhere in the world. TESL Canada exceeds the international standard of a 12-hour teaching practice module offered by CELTA. The minimum TESL Canada certification level (Standard 1) requires at least 120 hours of instruction with a 20-hour Practicum.
A recognized TESL Canada course provider such as OnTESOL is perfect for teaching abroad with an internationally recognized credential and having the flexibility to upgrade your TESL Canada certification in stages. There isn't a deadline to complete the Practicum module, so you can get certified to go abroad with a recognized online TESOL/TEFL course and complete the Practicum anywhere in the world when you are ready for your TESL Canada certification. However, if you take a TESOL/TEFL/TESL course that isn't recognized by TESL Canada and you plan to continue your teaching career in Canada, you will need to study from the beginning and spend hundreds of dollars again with a recognized TESL Canada course provider.
For work visas in South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the UAE, your certificate must be authenticated (apostilled) by the government where the course provider is based. OnTESOL's TESL Canada accreditation means our certificates qualify for official authentication by Global Affairs Canada — accepted worldwide. Read more about authentication →
TESL Canada certification opens doors to professional ESL teaching positions across Canada and internationally. Here's what each career path requires.
The minimum requirement for a teaching job at a Canadian language school is TESL Canada Professional Standard 1 certification. This means a BA degree, a recognized 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certification, and a Practicum.
The minimum requirement for international ESL teaching jobs is a BA degree in any area and a 120-hour TESOL/TEFL/TESL certification. Government authentication of TESOL/TEFL/TESL certification is required to obtain the work permit in many countries. Global Affairs Canada authenticates certificates issued by course providers on the list of recognized TESL Canada programs (find OnTESOL under Ontario). Furthermore, TESL Canada Professional Standard 1 is equivalent to CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL because it requires 120 hours of training and a Practicum module, so schools worldwide accept TESL Canada-recognized courses at the highest level.
Your TESL Canada certification will give you the credentials you need to pursue ESL teaching positions in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada), university, and college programs across Canada. Standard 2 is recommended for these positions.
IELTS is the largest examination program in the world and offers the best paying and most reputable positions for experienced ESL teachers. TESL Canada certification with the Teaching IELTS specialist course positions you for these high-demand roles.
Complete a recognized TESL Canada course and you will never have to complete another 120-hour TESOL/TEFL/TESL/CELTA course again! A TESL Canada Standard 1 program is equivalent to CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL worldwide and valid for teaching jobs abroad, online, and in Canada or the United States.
Upgrade your credentials and pursue greater career opportunities! Study online and save on the Practicum fee by completing it at the school you work at.
Get the credentials you need to teach English in Canada. You can start the program online and finish while you fulfill your contract abroad. You may also complete the Practicum abroad if the supervising teacher and classes meet the requirements.
Get the training and credentials you need to teach English in Canada and abroad. Go abroad with a recognized online TESOL/TEFL certification course offered by OnTESOL and complete the Practicum when you want to become eligible for TESL Canada accreditation! There isn't a deadline to complete the Practicum, so you can take it before leaving, while teaching abroad, or after returning home.
Upon successful completion of all exams, tasks, and assignments, you will receive a certificate awarded by Coventry House International-OnTESOL. Candidates interested in receiving TESL Canada certification must meet the following requirements.
21 years old
Undergraduate degree from Canada or its equivalency. Candidates who completed their degree outside Canada must obtain the Canadian equivalency document before applying for TESL Canada accreditation.
Candidates must have competence in English, both written and spoken. Non-native speakers who have not completed an undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country must obtain a valid English Proficiency Score:
The Practicum MUST be completed to be eligible for TESL Canada certification. There is no deadline to complete it — you can take it before, during, or after teaching abroad.
You can still enroll in the 120-hour Advanced TESOL/TEFL Certificate and receive the certificate awarded by Coventry House International-OnTESOL. TESL Canada certification is only required if you plan to teach in Canada — your OnTESOL certificate is internationally recognized for teaching English abroad and online without it.
For work visas in South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the UAE, your certificate must be authenticated (apostilled) by the government where the course provider is based. OnTESOL's TESL Canada accreditation means our certificates qualify for official authentication by Global Affairs Canada — accepted worldwide. Read more about authentication →
OnTESOL was the first online program to earn TESL Canada recognition. Our courses are also accredited by ACCET (a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency).
The online 120-hour Advanced TESOL Certificate program offered by Coventry House International-OnTESOL is recognized by TESL Canada for their Professional Standard 1 certification on completion of a separate 20-hour In-Class Practicum.
The online 250-hour TESOL Diploma program offered by Coventry House International is recognized by TESL Canada for their Professional Standard 2 certification on completion of a separate 50-hour Practicum. This online 250-hour program is for experienced ESL teachers looking for adult ESL teaching positions in Canada that require TESL Canada Professional Standard 2 certification.
Can't find your answer? Contact an advisor — we're happy to help.
From CA$650. Self-paced. TESL Canada recognized. ACCET accredited. Tutor support and job assistance included.
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