ESL Needs in Calgary
The City of Calgary offers some interesting statistics about immigration. According to a 2001 census, a little over 20% of the city's population immigrated to the area from another country. A large proportion of these new residents come from Asia, including India, China, and the Philippines.
Of those immigrants, a 2005 study found that 43% of them did not speak English or French, the two official languages of Canada. This represents a large number of residents with a potential need for English language instruction.
The Appeal of Canada
Some people seek jobs in Canada because they already live there. They're not interested in journeying around the world to teach English in Germany or Japan. They want to help their neighbors and coworkers improve their English skills. For U.S. and U.K. residents, teaching in Canada can offer the adventure of working in another country without the need to live in a completely unfamiliar locale and culture. There is also a perception in some areas that Canada is cleaner, safer, and friendlier than the U.S. An ESL teacher who wouldn't dream of entering a classroom in Los Angeles or Chicago might welcome the chance to teach English as a Second Language in Alberta.
Finding ESL Jobs in Calgary
You can always visit general ESL teaching job boards like Dave's ESL Café in the hopes of finding positions in a specific city. However, there are several other local resources that can make your search much easier.
The education and teaching jobs section of Craig’s List is a good place to start your search for ESL positions. Because it isn't a dedicated ESL site, you will have to sift through ads for other trainers and instructors. With the site's easy interface, however, it should only take a few moments to find relevant postings.
If you are interested in positions with public and private schools, Education Canada allows you to search for jobs by province and teaching specialty.
The Calgary Board of Education posts available jobs in its schools along with application information.
There are several agencies in the area that offer resources for immigrants, including English classes potentially requiring teachers. Visit the Calgary Immigrant Educational Society, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, the Centre for Newcomers, and the Calgary Multicultural Centre for more information. Unfortunately, as social service agencies, they may be looking for volunteers instead of paid staff members. An advantage to a volunteer position, however, is that there may be less stringent educational requirements, allowing a new teacher to gain valuable experience while making a difference.
Certification Requirements
The Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language organization offers a certification process to its members. Teachers must possess a bachelor's degree, advanced training in teaching English as a second language, and classroom experience. Find out general teacher certification requirements and options at Alberta Education.
The required certification will differ depending on the position. If you're teaching at a small, private language school for adults, you may not need any additional certification. If you're teaching at a public elementary school, you will likely need professional teaching certification in addition to specific ESL credentials. When applying and interviewing for ESL jobs in Calgary, question these requirements thoroughly. You don't want to arrive in Alberta for your new job, only to find out that you lack the proper certification to teach.
Learning More About Calgary
In addition to posting available jobs, the Board of Education website also includes helpful information on teaching in Alberta.
Calgary Economic Development offers a thorough overview of the city for those considering working there. Learn about the geography and climate of the region, cost of living, transportation, cultural opportunities, health and safety, and more.
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