Trainer Certification

The TESL Ontario TESL Trainer Certificate is for individuals who would like to work as a TESL instructor, a TESL practicum supervisor, and/or a TESL program academic coordinator for the TESL Ontario accredited TESL training providers.

The TESL Ontario Post TESL Certificate Training (PTCT) Instructor Certificate is for applicants who have extensive training and experience in one or more PTCT area.

You may apply for certification in one or more TESL Trainer roles and/or one or more PTCT content areas.

Applicants are not required to be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

TESL Theory Instructor Certification

TESL Methodology Instructor Certification

Requirements for TESL Theory Instructor Certification

Standard Membership

Applicants are required to hold valid TESL Ontario standard membership prior to submitting their OCELT & ICTEAL certification application. If you are not a standard member yet or your standard membership has expired, please go to https://applications.teslontario.org/, and click on “JOIN” or “RENEW”, as appropriate.

University Degree

Applicants are required to hold a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree, or a PhD from an accredited institution located in Canada, OR a degree deemed equivalent by a member agency of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC), such as

  • World Education Services (WES), Ontario
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS), Ontario
  • Comparative Education Service (CES), Ontario

Required proof: university degree or official transcript from Canada OR equivalency report if earned outside Canada

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

ELP must be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Completion of at least three years of full-time in-person instruction (or equivalent of that in part-time mode) leading to one or more completed degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) with English as the language of instruction in an English-speaking country:

    Canada, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nigeria, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uganda, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe

    Online courses and research-based courses do not count as in-person instruction. Also, completion of non-degree programs, i.e., one or more certificate or diploma programs, does not count as proof of ELP.

  2. Minimum acceptable scores/bands from a TESL Ontario recognized ELP test taken within three years of the TESL Ontario Certification application date:
    • Michigan English Test (MET): Listening 64 , Reading: 64 , Speaking: 64 , Writing: 64
    • IELTS-Academic Test: Listening: 7 Reading: 7 Writing: 7 Speaking: 7
    • CAEL-At a Test Centre: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • CAEL Online: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • TOEFL iBT: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Level: C2

    TESL Ontario accepts a combination of two test reports (for the same ELP test taken twice or for two different ELP tests) indicating that all required scores/bands have been obtained. Test reports older than three years are considered on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Evidence of grades 6-12 completed with English as the language of instruction in one of the countries listed in paragraph a.
    Required proof:

    • For ELP option (a): official transcript/s
    • For ELP option (b): language proficiency test report/s
    • For ELP option (c): report cards or confirmation letter from school board
Education in TESL

Master’s degree or PhD in TESL/TEFL, applied linguistics, linguistics, second language acquisition, adult education (with a focus on TESL/TEFL), or a comparable field.

Required proof: university degree and official transcript (in English or official English translation) indicating a strong concentration of courses relevant to the theory and practice of TESL such as phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, English grammar, second language acquisition, pragmatics, language teaching methods, and language testing

Proof of Name Change

Proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate, Legal Name Change document) in English or a certified translation is required only if any of your documents is under a different name than the one you are applying under.

How to Apply

To apply for TESL Theory Instructor Certification, fill out Form A-5.1: TESL Trainer Certification Application and upload your documents at https://applications.teslontario.org/

All required supporting documents must be in English. Official English translations are required for documents that are not in English.

Administration fee for first application: $125.00 + HST ($141.25); OR
Administration fee for subsequent application: $75.00 + HST ($84.75)

Requirements for TESL Methodology Instructor Certification

Standard Membership

Applicants are required to hold valid TESL Ontario standard membership prior to submitting their CCPLAR application to obtain OCELT & ICTEAL certification. If you are not a standard member yet or your standard membership has expired, please go to https://applications.teslontario.org/, and click on “JOIN” or “RENEW”, as appropriate.

University Degree

Applicants are required to hold a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree, or a PhD from an accredited institution located in Canada, OR a degree deemed equivalent by a member agency of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC), such as

  • World Education Services (WES), Ontario
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS), Ontario
  • Comparative Education Service (CES), Ontario

Required proof: university degree or official transcript from Canada OR equivalency report if earned outside Canada

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

ELP must be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Completion of at least three years of full-time in-person instruction (or equivalent of that in part-time mode) leading to one or more completed degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) with English as the language of instruction in an English-speaking country:

    Canada, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nigeria, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uganda, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe

    Online courses and research-based courses do not count as in-person instruction. Also, completion of non-degree programs, i.e., one or more certificate or diploma programs, does not count as proof of ELP.

  2. Minimum acceptable scores/bands from a TESL Ontario recognized ELP test taken within three years of the TESL Ontario Certification application date:
    • Michigan English Test (MET): Listening 64 , Reading: 64 , Speaking: 64 , Writing: 64
    • IELTS-Academic Test: Listening: 7 Reading: 7 Writing: 7 Speaking: 7
    • CAEL-At a Test Centre: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • CAEL Online: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • TOEFL iBT: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Level: C2

    TESL Ontario accepts a combination of two test reports (for the same ELP test taken twice or for two different ELP tests) indicating that all required scores/bands have been obtained. Test reports older than three years are considered on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Evidence of grades 6-12 completed with English as the language of instruction in one of the countries listed in paragraph a.
    Required proof:

    • For ELP option (a): official transcript/s
    • For ELP option (b): language proficiency test report/s
    • For ELP option (c): report cards or confirmation letter from school board
Education in TESL

Option 1

bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in TESL/TEFL, applied linguistics, linguistics, second language acquisition, adult education (with a focus on TESL/TEFL), or a comparable field.

Option 2

TESL Ontario accredited TESL training program (at least 300 hours) or TESL training which equates to or exceeds training included in a TESL Ontario accredited training program.

Required Proof:
For Option 1: university degree and official transcript (in English or official English translation) indicating a strong concentration of courses relevant to the theory and practice of TESL such as phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, English grammar, second language acquisition, pragmatics, language teaching methods, and language testing.

For Option 2: TESL Ontario OCELT Certificate, or TESL certificate issued by a TESL Ontario accredited training provider, or documents (certificate/s and transcript/s) attesting to TESL training which equates to or exceeds training included in a TESL Ontario accredited training program- Additional documentation may be required.

CLB Bootcamp & PBLA Training

The CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) Bootcamp is a 10-hour self-directed online course. The Introduction to PBLA for New Classroom Instructors is an 18- to 20-hour self-directed online course. Both courses are available free of charge.

For detailed instructions on how to self-enroll in these courses, please click here .
If you have any questions about the courses or encounter any technical issues, please contact CCLB (Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks) directly at support@language.ca

Required proof: CLB Bootcamp certificate and PBLA certificate

Adult ESL Teaching Experience

A minimum of 2000 hours of documented experience teaching ESL or EFL to adults, including at least 1400 hours in Canada.

Required proof: Letter(s) from employer(s) to substantiate that you meet this requirement.

Each letter must

  • Be on letterhead
  • Include the date it was written
  • Include the name and address of the employer
  • State the timeframe, quantity and nature of your teaching experience to show you meet
    this requirement
  • Include the name, job title and signature of the letter writer
  • Be written in English or be accompanied by a certified translation
Proof of Name Change

Proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate, Legal Name Change document) in English or a certified translation is required only if any of your documents is under a different name than the one you are applying under.

How to Apply

To apply for TESL Methodology Instructor Certification, fill out Form A-5.1: TESL Trainer Certification Application and upload your documents at https://applications.teslontario.org/

All required supporting documents must be in English. Official English translations are required for documents that are not in English.

Administration fee for first application: $125.00 + HST ($141.25); OR
Administration fee for subsequent application: $75.00 + HST ($84.75)

Practicum Supervisor Certification

Academic Coordinator Certification

Requirements for Practicum Supervisor Certification

Standard Membership

Applicants are required to hold valid TESL Ontario standard membership prior to submitting their CCPLAR application to obtain OCELT & ICTEAL certification. If you are not a standard member yet or your standard membership has expired, please go to https://applications.teslontario.org/, and click on “JOIN” or “RENEW”, as appropriate.

University Degree

Applicants are required to hold a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree, or a PhD from an accredited institution located in Canada, OR a degree deemed equivalent by a member agency of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC), such as

  • World Education Services (WES), Ontario
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS), Ontario
  • Comparative Education Service (CES), Ontario

Required proof: university degree or official transcript from Canada OR equivalency report if earned outside Canada

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

ELP must be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Completion of at least three years of full-time in-person instruction (or equivalent of that in part-time mode) leading to one or more completed degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) with English as the language of instruction in an English-speaking country:

    Canada, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nigeria, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uganda, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe

    Online courses and research-based courses do not count as in-person instruction. Also, completion of non-degree programs, i.e., one or more certificate or diploma programs, does not count as proof of ELP.

  2. Minimum acceptable scores/bands from a TESL Ontario recognized ELP test taken within three years of the TESL Ontario Certification application date:
    • Michigan English Test (MET): Listening 64 , Reading: 64 , Speaking: 64 , Writing: 64
    • IELTS-Academic Test: Listening: 7 Reading: 7 Writing: 7 Speaking: 7
    • CAEL-At a Test Centre: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • CAEL Online: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • TOEFL iBT: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Level: C2

    TESL Ontario accepts a combination of two test reports (for the same ELP test taken twice or for two different ELP tests) indicating that all required scores/bands have been obtained. Test reports older than three years are considered on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Evidence of grades 6-12 completed with English as the language of instruction in one of the countries listed in paragraph a.
    Required proof:

    • For ELP option (a): official transcript/s
    • For ELP option (b): language proficiency test report/s
    • For ELP option (c): report cards or confirmation letter from school board
Education in TESL

Option 1

bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in TESL/TEFL, applied linguistics, linguistics, second language acquisition, adult education (with a focus on TESL/TEFL), or a comparable field.

Option 2

TESL Ontario accredited TESL training program (at least 300 hours) or TESL training which equates to or exceeds training included in a TESL Ontario accredited training program.

Required Proof:
For Option 1: university degree and official transcript (in English or official English translation) indicating a strong concentration of courses relevant to the theory and practice of TESL such as phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, English grammar, second language acquisition, pragmatics, language teaching methods, and language testing.

For Option 2: TESL Ontario OCELT Certificate, or TESL certificate issued by a TESL Ontario accredited training provider, or documents (certificate/s and transcript/s) attesting to TESL training which equates to or exceeds training included in a TESL Ontario accredited training program- Additional documentation may be required.

CLB Bootcamp & PBLA Training

The CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) Bootcamp is a 10-hour self-directed online course. The Introduction to PBLA for New Classroom Instructors is an 18- to 20-hour self-directed online course. Both courses are available free of charge.

For detailed instructions on how to self-enroll in these courses, please click here .
If you have any questions about the courses or encounter any technical issues, please contact CCLB (Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks) directly at support@language.ca

Required proof: CLB Bootcamp certificate and PBLA certificate

Adult ESL Teaching Experience

A minimum of 2000 hours of documented experience teaching ESL or EFL to adults, including at least 1400 hours in Canada.

Required proof: Letter(s) from employer(s) to substantiate that you meet this requirement.

Each letter must

  • Be on letterhead
  • Include the date it was written
  • Include the name and address of the employer
  • State the timeframe, quantity and nature of your teaching experience to show you meet
    this requirement
  • Include the name, job title and signature of the letter writer
  • Be written in English or be accompanied by a certified translation
TESL Teaching Experience

A minimum of 120 hours of experience teaching theory and/or methodology courses in TESL training programs accredited by TESL Ontario.

Required proof: Letter(s) from employer(s) to substantiate that you meet this requirement.

Each letter must

  • Be on letterhead
  • Include the date it was written
  • Include the name and address of the employer
  • State the timeframe, quantity and nature of your teaching experience to show you meet
    this requirement
  • Include the name, job title and signature of the letter writer
  • Be written in English or be accompanied by a certified translation
Proof of Name Change

Proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate, Legal Name Change document) in English or a certified translation is required only if any of your documents is under a different name than the one you are applying under.

How to Apply

To apply for Practicum Supervisor Certification, fill out Form A-5.1: TESL Trainer Certification Application and upload your documents at https://applications.teslontario.org/

All required supporting documents must be in English. Official English translations are required for documents that are not in English.

Administration fee for first application: $125.00 + HST ($141.25); OR
Administration fee for subsequent application: $75.00 + HST ($84.75)

Requirements for Academic Coordinator Certification

Standard Membership

Applicants are required to hold valid TESL Ontario standard membership prior to submitting their CCPLAR application to obtain OCELT & ICTEAL certification. If you are not a standard member yet or your standard membership has expired, please go to https://applications.teslontario.org/, and click on “JOIN” or “RENEW”, as appropriate.

University Degree

Applicants are required to hold a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree, or a PhD from an accredited institution located in Canada, OR a degree deemed equivalent by a member agency of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC), such as

  • World Education Services (WES), Ontario
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS), Ontario
  • Comparative Education Service (CES), Ontario

Required proof: university degree or official transcript from Canada OR equivalency report if earned outside Canada

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

ELP must be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Completion of at least three years of full-time in-person instruction (or equivalent of that in part-time mode) leading to one or more completed degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) with English as the language of instruction in an English-speaking country:

    Canada, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nigeria, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uganda, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe

    Online courses and research-based courses do not count as in-person instruction. Also, completion of non-degree programs, i.e., one or more certificate or diploma programs, does not count as proof of ELP.

  2. Minimum acceptable scores/bands from a TESL Ontario recognized ELP test taken within three years of the TESL Ontario Certification application date:
    • Michigan English Test (MET): Listening 64 , Reading: 64 , Speaking: 64 , Writing: 64
    • IELTS-Academic Test: Listening: 7 Reading: 7 Writing: 7 Speaking: 7
    • CAEL-At a Test Centre: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • CAEL Online: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • TOEFL iBT: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Level: C2

    TESL Ontario accepts a combination of two test reports (for the same ELP test taken twice or for two different ELP tests) indicating that all required scores/bands have been obtained. Test reports older than three years are considered on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Evidence of grades 6-12 completed with English as the language of instruction in one of the countries listed in paragraph a.
    Required proof:

    • For ELP option (a): official transcript/s
    • For ELP option (b): language proficiency test report/s
    • For ELP option (c): report cards or confirmation letter from school board
Education in TESL

Master’s degree or PhD in TESL/TEFL, applied linguistics, linguistics, second language acquisition, adult education (with a focus on TESL/TEFL), or a comparable field.

Required proof: university degree and official transcript (in English or official English translation) indicating a strong concentration of courses relevant to the theory and practice of TESL such as phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, English grammar, second language acquisition, pragmatics, language teaching methods, and language testing.

CLB Bootcamp & PBLA Training

The CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) Bootcamp is a 10-hour self-directed online course. The Introduction to PBLA for New Classroom Instructors is an 18- to 20-hour self-directed online course. Both courses are available free of charge.

For detailed instructions on how to self-enroll in these courses, please click here .
If you have any questions about the courses or encounter any technical issues, please contact CCLB (Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks) directly at support@language.ca

Required proof: CLB Bootcamp certificate and PBLA certificate

Adult ESL Teaching Experience

A minimum of 2000 hours of documented experience teaching ESL or EFL to adults, including at least 1400 hours in Canada.

Required proof: Letter(s) from employer(s) to substantiate that you meet this requirement.

Each letter must

  • Be on letterhead
  • Include the date it was written
  • Include the name and address of the employer
  • State the timeframe, quantity and nature of your teaching experience to show you meet
    this requirement
  • Include the name, job title and signature of the letter writer
  • Be written in English or be accompanied by a certified translation
TESL Teaching Experience

A minimum of 120 hours of experience teaching theory and/or methodology courses in TESL training programs accredited by TESL Ontario.

Required proof: Letter(s) from employer(s) to substantiate that you meet this requirement.

Each letter must

  • Be on letterhead
  • Include the date it was written
  • Include the name and address of the employer
  • State the timeframe, quantity and nature of your teaching experience to show you meet
    this requirement
  • Include the name, job title and signature of the letter writer
  • Be written in English or be accompanied by a certified translation
Proof of Name Change

Proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate, Legal Name Change document) in English or a certified translation is required only if any of your documents is under a different name than the one you are applying under.

How to Apply

To apply for Academic Coordinator Certification, fill out Form A-5.1: TESL Trainer Certification Application and upload your documents at https://applications.teslontario.org/

All required supporting documents must be in English. Official English translations are required for documents that are not in English.

Administration fee for first application: $125.00 + HST ($141.25); OR
Administration fee for subsequent application: $75.00 + HST ($84.75)

PTCT Trainer Certification

Requirements for PTCT Trainer Certification

Standard Membership

Applicants are required to hold valid TESL Ontario standard membership prior to submitting their CCPLAR application to obtain OCELT & ICTEAL certification. If you are not a standard member yet or your standard membership has expired, please go to https://applications.teslontario.org/, and click on “JOIN” or “RENEW”, as appropriate.

University Degree

Applicants are required to hold a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree, or a PhD from an accredited institution located in Canada, OR a degree deemed equivalent by a member agency of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC), such as

  • World Education Services (WES), Ontario
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS), Ontario
  • Comparative Education Service (CES), Ontario

Required proof: university degree or official transcript from Canada OR equivalency report if earned outside Canada

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

ELP must be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Completion of at least three years of full-time in-person instruction (or equivalent of that in part-time mode) leading to one or more completed degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) with English as the language of instruction in an English-speaking country:

    Canada, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nigeria, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uganda, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe

    Online courses and research-based courses do not count as in-person instruction. Also, completion of non-degree programs, i.e., one or more certificate or diploma programs, does not count as proof of ELP.

  2. Minimum acceptable scores/bands from a TESL Ontario recognized ELP test taken within three years of the TESL Ontario Certification application date:
    • Michigan English Test (MET): Listening 64 , Reading: 64 , Speaking: 64 , Writing: 64
    • IELTS-Academic Test: Listening: 7 Reading: 7 Writing: 7 Speaking: 7
    • CAEL-At a Test Centre: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • CAEL Online: Listening: 70 Reading: 70 Writing: 70 Speaking: 70
    • TOEFL iBT: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Writing: 27 Speaking: 26
    • Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Level: C2

    TESL Ontario accepts a combination of two test reports (for the same ELP test taken twice or for two different ELP tests) indicating that all required scores/bands have been obtained. Test reports older than three years are considered on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Evidence of grades 6-12 completed with English as the language of instruction in one of the countries listed in paragraph a.
    Required proof:

    • For ELP option (a): official transcript/s
    • For ELP option (b): language proficiency test report/s
    • For ELP option (c): report cards or confirmation letter from school board
Education in TESL

Master’s degree or PhD in TESL/TEFL, applied linguistics, linguistics, second language acquisition, adult education (with a focus on TESL/TEFL), or a comparable field.

Required proof: university degree and official transcript (in English or official English translation) indicating a strong concentration of courses relevant to the theory and practice of TESL such as phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics, English grammar, second language acquisition, pragmatics, language teaching methods, and language testing.

Education and Expertise in PTCT

Extensive education and proven expertise in the selected PTCT content area/s:

  • How to teach occupation specific language training courses
  • How to teach standardized test preparation courses
  • How to teach pronunciation
  • How to teach English for Academic Purposes
  • How to use technology in teaching and learning (Ed Tech)
  • How to teach advanced grammar

Required Proof: certificates, diplomas, degrees, and official transcripts attesting to extensive education and expertise in the selected PTCT content area/s.

Adult ESL Teaching Experience

A minimum of 2000 hours of documented experience teaching ESL or EFL to adults, including at least 1400 hours in Canada.

Required proof: Letter(s) from employer(s) to substantiate that you meet this requirement.

Each letter must

  • Be on letterhead
  • Include the date it was written
  • Include the name and address of the employer
  • State the timeframe, quantity and nature of your teaching experience to show you meet
    this requirement
  • Include the name, job title and signature of the letter writer
  • Be written in English or be accompanied by a certified translation
PTCT-related Teaching Experience

A minimum of 200 hours of experience providing professional development or in-service training to adult ESL teachers in the selected PTCT content area/s.

Required proof: Letter(s) from employer(s) to substantiate that you meet this requirement.

Each letter must

  • Be on letterhead
  • Include the date it was written
  • Include the name and address of the employer
  • State the timeframe, quantity and nature of your teaching experience to show you meet
    this requirement
  • Include the name, job title and signature of the letter writer
  • Be written in English or be accompanied by a certified translation
Proof of Name Change

Proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate, Legal Name Change document) in English or a certified translation is required only if any of your documents is under a different name than the one you are applying under.

How to Apply

To apply for PTCT Trainer Certification, fill out Form A-5.2: TESL Ontario PTCT Instructor Certification Application and upload your documents at https://applications.teslontario.org/

All required supporting documents must be in English. Official English translations are required for documents that are not in English.

Administration fee for first application: $125.00 + HST ($141.25); OR
Administration fee for subsequent application: $75.00 + HST ($84.75)