VIU Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language Certification Program (TESL/TEFL)

Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESOL)

  • Credential 
    Non-Credit
  • Location Offered 
    Nanaimo

Interested in traveling and teaching English abroad? VIU’s Teaching English as a Second / Foreign Language Certificate Program can fund your wanderlust. If you have a bachelor’s degree, top it up with an affordable TESL certificate and add it to your travel documents for an exciting work and travel abroad experience!

VIU’s TESL / TEFL Certificate is accredited by TESL Canada. The program is open to Canadian citizens and international students and it is offered in a part-time (3 months) format at our Nanaimo Campus.

Graduates may go on to teaching English abroad, working as language tutors, and teaching English in Canada at private language schools. International teachers requiring a formal certificate for Professional Development purposes would also benefit from this TESL / TEFL certificate.

The Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESOL) Program

We are not currently accepting applications to the Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language program. 

This program is designed for:

  • Canadians looking for a certificate to teach English as a Foreign Language abroad
  • International teachers requiring a formal certificate for Professional Development purposes
  • Canadians requiring a certificate to teach ESL in Canada
  • TESL 010 - (Introduction to Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language)
  • TESL 020 - (Observational Practicum)
  • TESL 030 - (Teaching Practicum)
  • A completed undergraduate degree or permission of the Dean.
  • Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Academic Programs.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees per Program

Amount

Tuition

2,705.00

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

108.20

VIU Students' Union fee (3 months x $26.59 per month)

79.77

Total

2,892.97

Notes

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees per Program

Amount

Tuition

2,676.43

Ancillary Fee

104.00

VIU Students' Union fee (3 months x $26.59 per month)

79.77

Total

2,860.20

Notes

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
No
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Chair Contact

Name: Sherri McKinnon
Phone: 250.740.6328 ext. 6328
Email: Sherri.McKinnon@viu.ca

International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments
  •  
  • This program is designed for Canadians looking for a certificate to teach English as a Foreign Language abroad, international teachers requiring a formal certificate for Professional Development purposes, and Canadians requiring a certificate to teach ESL in Canada. The program currently offers two 13-week, part-time intakes (TESL-PT) starting in September and January. Admission to the program requires a completed undergraduate degree or permission of the Dean. For non-native speakers, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 88 (or equivalent) is required. The September 2021 TESL part-time intake has been cancelled. The next expected intake is January 2022. This is a part-time program and can be compeletd in 3 months, the program will run once it reaches to the minimum enrollment capacity.
  • The January 2022 TESL part-time intake has been suspended
  • For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.