- Level
- 1-Year Graduate Certificate
- CIP code
- 13.1401
- Duration
- 8 Months (including a practicum)
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Education and Teaching
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2026-09-01
Program overview
The Teaching English as a Second Language graduate certificate is an eight-month postgraduate program with a supervised teaching practicum, accredited toward TESL Ontario certification.
Coursework covers second language acquisition theory, English grammar and linguistics for teachers, methodology for teaching listening, speaking, reading and writing, pronunciation instruction, curriculum and lesson planning, assessment and evaluation of language learners, teaching adult learners, cross-cultural communication in the classroom, technology in language teaching, and classroom management. The practicum involves observed teaching with feedback.
TESL Ontario accreditation is the practical value. Government-funded language programs for newcomers (LINC and ESL) require accredited instructors, and that is where the stable, benefited teaching positions are. Unaccredited TESL certificates do not open those doors.
The work placement is a graded part of the program, so you finish with documented Canadian experience and a referee rather than only a transcript.
Humber Polytechnic — formerly Humber College — is Ontario’s largest public college and a Designated Learning Institution (DLI O19376943122). The Lakeshore campus sits on the shore of Lake Ontario in south Etobicoke, next to Colonel Samuel Smith Park, and is home to Humber’s business degrees, media and creative arts, and social and community services programs. Heritage buildings, a residence opened in 2024 and a free shuttle to the North campus make it the most distinctive of Humber’s sites.
Its field maps to CIP 13.1401 (Teaching English as a second language). Important: this is a college credential rather than a degree, so it is not exempt from the November 2024 PGWP field-of-study restriction — eligibility depends on this CIP field appearing on IRCC’s eligible list when you apply. Humber publishes a PGWP-eligible program list with CIP codes; check it, and confirm with an Apply Study Visa counsellor before committing. IRCC makes the final decision.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: A completed 3-year advanced diploma or Bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognised institution, with a minimum 50% overall.
- IELTS: Overall 6.5, no band below 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Total 88
- PTE Academic: Overall 61
- Duolingo: 125
- GRE/GMAT: Not required.
Application fee $100 CAD, plus an initial tuition deposit of $2,000 CAD — Humber will not request your Ontario Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) until that deposit clears, so deposit timing drives your study-permit timeline. Admissions run on a rolling basis and popular programs fill months ahead under Canada’s international seat caps. Ask an Apply Study Visa counsellor to confirm current fees, seats and PGWP status before applying.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Language teaching employs across settlement, college and private sectors:
- ESL Instructor — LINC and government-funded programs
- Language Instructor — college and university pathway programs
- EAP Instructor — academic preparation programs
- Private Language School Teacher — commercial language schools
- Corporate Language Trainer — workplace English programs
- Online English Teacher — remote and international teaching
- Curriculum Developer — with experience
Confirm current TESL Ontario accreditation requirements — they determine access to funded teaching roles.
About Humber Polytechnic - Lakeshore
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.6
- World rank
- #1299
- Reference No.
- O19376943122
