When I’m needed as a supply teacher, I teach English to new Canadians, mainly refugees, some of whom know very little English. Others have high-school-level fluency.
I’m a single mom with twin boys. I worked for the provincial government for many years. About seven years ago, when my divorce happened, I decided I needed to add something more to my career.
I’ve always had a passion for teaching. While working in marketing, I’d volunteered in group homes and probation offices. I wanted to follow my passion, so I went back to school part-time.
I enrolled in Centennial College‘s teaching English as a second language (TESL), teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and teaching English as a second language Ontario (TESL Ontario) programs. You have to have a university degree to attend – I have a BA in psychology from York University. It was something I could do part-time (my kids were younger then), and the job offered flexibility and opportunities to travel.
The practicum and observation courses prepared me for the work I do now. I had the chance to observe other ESL teachers and then teach in front of a live classroom. That’s a big part of the Centennial program. The courses cover subjects you teach in the classroom, such as grammar, but the main thing is that the classroom is student-centred. The teacher is not the main focus – it’s about the student.
In Ontario, teachers have to be aware of many different cultures and languages, so TESL Ontario has a specific language and culture course. The way people speak their own language can affect how they speak English and the types of mistakes they might make.
Teaching English is not about drilling in grammar, as was done in the past. Our students hear a lot of English – they watch TV – and you have a classroom of students with different levels of fluency. So you have to go with the flow. It’s about making the students feel comfortable using English, even if they make grammar mistakes. You still teach grammar, but you’re encouraging fluency.
My favourite part of the job is watching the students learn, those moments when they discover aspects of Canadian culture, see how their culture ties into ours and discover those shared moments and experiences.
One of my teachers at Centennial insisted we develop the perfect lesson plan, but in the classroom you might find that plan doesn’t flow. That’s a frustrating part of the job. I’ve had to learn to let go and realize there’s no such thing as a perfect lesson plan because tomorrow the class dynamic might change.
My goal is to eventually take on a job full-time, but also to do short contracts and travel.
I’m very grateful to my kids. They’re 14 years old and watching their mom do hours of homework. I hope I’ve instilled that work ethic in them, and the idea that learning is a continuous thing.
Find out where to study Continuing Education here.
