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Prospective Fall 2024 undergrad Canadian (non-Quebec) students can receive up to $12,000!

Prospective Students - TESL

This program prepares students to become specialist teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) at both the elementary school level (including regular and intensive ESL) and the secondary school level (including regular ESL and EESL – Enriched English as a Second Language). The program consists of academic and professional components. The academic components provide students with opportunities to develop a broad liberal education and to study language and language learning from linguistic, social, cultural and psychological perspectives. The professional components support school-based field experiences which are enhanced by studies in pedagogy and educational foundations.

Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) - Teaching English as a Second Language - TESL Elementary and Secondary (120 Credits)

Note: Field experiences in the TESL program at McGill are completed in French schools. Students accepted into the program who are not competent in French are advised to take French language courses early in the program. In addition, EDSL 215 Effective French Communication for ESL Teachers in Quebec is a required course in the program, and is designed to prepare students for this context.  
 


Prior to being offered admission, applicants to the B.Ed. TESL program must also pass the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT). Eligible applicants will receive email notification from the Admissions Office regarding registration for the ELPT. 

English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)

If you are an applicant to the English Second Language (TESL) program who meets the academic admission requirements, you will be required to pass an English language test unless you meet the requirements to be exempted as noted below. Please DO NOT register until you have been instructed to do so by the Admissions Office via your application checklist in Minerva.

You are exempt from the test if:

  • You have attended an English-language institution for high school and/or university in Canada or elsewhere in the world for at least four consecutive years; or
  • You have attended an English-language university in Quebec for at least three consecutive years; or
  • You have completed a DEC at an English-language CEGEP and/or completed Secondary IV and V in English in Quebec.

The English Language Proficiency Test is offered by McGill University's School of Continuing Studies. The purpose of the test is to determine whether your levels of written and oral English meet the standards we require for future ESL teachers. There is nothing you can do to prepare. Please do make sure you are well-rested on the day of the test and ready to demonstrate your English proficiency.

What you need to know about the School of Continuing Studies English language test:

  • The test consists of both a written portion and an individual oral interview.
  • Total test fees: Approximately $92 (NON-REFUNDABLE)
  • *After receiving the results of the English language test, you will be required to upload your results to your application in Minerva.

Register for ELPT

To register for the test, click here.

*NOTE: The language test or proof of exemption must be submitted before an admission decision can be made.


Sample Registration Advice

TESL Four Year Overview registration plan TESL Three Year Overview registration plan

The Four Year Overview is a plan of study for most students in the Teaching English as Second Language program.  It allocates space for completing all of the requirements in your TESL B.Ed. degree and schedules your field experiences in the correct semesters. Please note, students needing to complete a Foundation year will be starting in year 0, thus, will be following a five year study plan.

The Three Year Overview is a plan of study for students who have significant advanced standing (typically students with transfer credits from other universities), and assumes that all complementary academic and elective courses have been completed prior to entering the program.  It does not allocate room in your schedule for completing these courses.


Program information is organized for three distinct groups:

Prospective Students   Newly Admitted   Currently Registered

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