TESL DIPLOMA
Teacher of English as a Second Language certification program recognized by TESL Ontario and TESL Canada


Next full-time online program begins May 16th, 2022. Now accepting applications and registering.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Dear OCELT (Ontario Certified English Language Teacher) candidate.
Due to COVID-19 we are continuing to deliver our TESL Diploma program fully ONLINE. The safety of our students and staff is our priority. Our next full-time TESL Diploma program online starts May 16, 2022. Now accepting applications and registering.
About the TESL Diploma online:
The online version of our well-known TESL Diploma program is no different from our in class program in terms of content, assessment, faculty, and quality. The classes are delivered in synchronous format, real time, instructor-led, using Zoom, just like an in class environment where you attend class, have classmates, lots of human interaction, and TESL Ontario accredited TESL Trainers. The online classes are further supported by instructor-led Google Classrooms for the sharing of publications, resources, assignments, and additional online class time to communicate with classmates and instructors. The practicum course in this program is also done fully online, from the safety and comfort of your home.
Class Schedule:
The full-time ONLINE class schedule (20 hours per week) for this program is:
Morning classes on Zoom – Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. AND
Afternoon classes on Zoom – Monday to Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Plus four hours weekly in Google Classroom at flexible timings (accessible 24/7).
*January, May, September start dates.
Next program: May 16, 2022 to August 25, 2022. .
The part-time ONLINE class schedule (10 hours per week) for this program is:
Tuesday evening classes on Zoom from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. AND
Thursday evening classes on Zoom from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Plus two hours weekly in Google Classroom at flexible timings (accessible 24/7).
*September start date only.
Technology Requirements:
This program is designed for beginners to educational technology; no technology skills are required other than ability to use email and Internet. You will need to download a Zoom and Google Classroom application. Both Zoom and Google Classroom are FREE and very easy to use. All you need is an Internet connection on a computer or mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet. Free tutorials on using Zoom and Google Classroom are provided with this program at orientation on the first day as well.
Tuition Fee:
$3950 for domestic students/permanent residents and $5500 for visitors/international students (can be paid in monthly instalments; all fees in Canadian dollars).
How to apply:
Download application form below and submit it with supporting documents, listed on the form, by email or mail.
See program details below or email us at [email protected]
This 300-hour TESL DIPLOMA program is for those looking to become an Ontario Certified English Language Teacher (OCELT) to teach English in Ontario, Canada, and worldwide.
- College Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language
- Ontario Certified English Language Teacher (OCELT) professional designation
- TESL Ontario Adult ESL Teacher Certificate of Accreditation
- TESL Ontario International Certificate in Teaching English as an Additional Language
- TESL Canada Professional Certification Standard Two

TESL Diploma Program Outline:
Theoretical Issues – 20 hours
Linguistics – 40 hours
Language Structure and Skills – 40 hours
TESL Methodology – 65 hours
Assessment – 20 hours
Teaching Skills – 65 hours
Practicum – 50 hours
Course Descriptions:
Class Observation: 30 hours
Supervised Teaching: 20 hours
Q: What are CELTA and DELTA certificates/diplomas, and are they equivalent to TESL Diploma or OCELT?
A: CELTA is the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (formerly called the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) by Cambridge, UK. It is well known as a British credential, but not recognized here in Canada as an equivalent. CELTA is only a 120-hour course; therefore, it is not an equivalent to the 300-hour OCELT accreditation program, a TESL Diploma. There are higher standards for teaching English in Canada and Ontario’s publicly funded ESL and LINC programs where OCELT is required, so obtaining a CELTA certificate will mean needing to upgrade in the Ontario TESL market to work in government funded programs. Some employers abroad have indicated that the TESL Diploma is deemed equivalent to the DELTA (the diploma upgrade of CELTA) in terms of the number of credit hours, which is also 300. A CELTA certificate may be considered equivalent to a TESL Canada standard one certificate program (120 hours) by employers or by TESL Canada. The TESL Diploma program is recognized as standard two, again a higher standard than CELTA (120 hrs) and more comparable to DELTA (300 hrs). With the OCELT designation TESL Ontario also grants the ICTEAL (International Certificate in Teaching English as an Additional Language); TESL Diploma graduates will often go by both the OCELT and ICTEAL professional designations. Please note: CELTA certificate and DELTA diploma holders may apply for a course credit towards the TESL Diploma program, since some of the topics overlap.
- The College specializes in TESL certification, both provincially and nationally, to deliver a program of highest quality expertise.
- The program has a career focus as well and incorporates high demand “employability skills” for English language teachers in Ontario and Canada such as intensive training in Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs) and Portfolio Based Language Assessment (PBLA) taught by certified subject experts in CLB and PBLA..
- The College is well known by employers for successfully providing top-notch TESL training for more than 15 years.
- The program is a diploma program offering graduates a higher academic credential and competitive edge over certificate programs
- the program is recognized by both TESL Ontario and TESL Canada for provincial, national, and international certification; 3 certifications and OCELT designation in one program.
- there is no part one/part two, no time lapses or wait periods, no need to be upgrading or doing credit transfer, and no hidden costs; an all-in-one program complete in 15 weeks with part-time options as well to go at your own pace
- the College offers a variety of additional qualifications and professional development courses such as teaching IELTS, teaching TOEFL, teaching Online, teaching Business English, and TESL Ontario accredited Post-TESL Certificate Training (PTCT)
- tuition fees are tax-deductible
- tuition fees can be paid on an interest-free monthly payment plan
- the College employs only the highest quality of professionals and prides itself upon the quality of instruction above all things
Q: Can I complete part of this program online?
A: Yes, for those who may be looking for a “blended” TESL program which allows you to complete part of the program online and part of the program in class, we have the option to complete TESL Standard One (part one) online by first starting with the TESOL Certificate with Practicum program and then upgrading to the TESL Diploma program with advanced standing. *Please note that taking the TESL Diploma program in a standard/part one and standard/part two blended format will be more costly and take more time to complete than simply going straight for the full 300-hour all-in-one in class diploma.
Q: I have already completed a certificate-level TESL program. Can I get any credit towards the TESL Diploma or Advanced Standing?
Q: What do graduates of the program say about the training and experience at the College?
Graduate Testimonials:
“I decided to study at the Canadian College of Educators after I looked at all the larger schools in the region. CCE’s world-class faculty and short, intensive TESL program convinced me that I’d get individualized instruction that fit my schedule and budget. Years later, the benefits are still paying off. I’m a regular contributor at two LINC schools and at a Career College, and my adult education credentials are valued by the local government I work for. Besides that, the faculty at CCE still pick up the phone when I call for advice. Whether it’s for businesses trying to improve their employees’ communication skills, or for prospective teachers looking for respected Adult Ed certifications, or for the students in my classes who need specialized help to score well on qualifying exams like TOEFL, CCE is the only place I refer them to! If you don’t check out this College for yourself, you’re missing out on a great opportunity.”
“I work as an online ESL tutor/instructor, and I love it! I was skeptical at first, but choosing an online teaching position was the best decision I ever made. The flexibility is awesome, the pay is fair, and the technology platforms available are state-of-the-art. I have had great success teaching online, and I don’t know if I could ever give it up for a traditional teaching position in a classroom. The training I received from Canadian College of Educators (CCE) was invaluable. It was the best investment I ever made! Anybody wanting to succeed in an ESL teaching career, look no further than CCE!”
Mike Jackson, Online ESL Teacher, Seer English
I highly recommend CCE. I just finished the in-person 4-month course a couple of weeks ago, and I’m now teaching ESL in Toronto.
CCE has a very focused approach to TESL. There is a lot in the course about LINC. However, LINC requirements and CLBs align with the CEF and other international frameworks. So training here is useful elsewhere. Basically, if you want to teach English to adults in a TESL-Canada accredited facility, you must have this diploma, regardless of whatever experience or qualifications you hold. I have a Ph.D., a B.Ed., and an ESL A.Q., but I wanted the TESL to be able to teach in ESL schools here. Meanwhile, none of my education had covered PBLA/CLBs, so this course was a good update for me.
The instructors are highly experienced and qualified. They are well-connected in the field, and they gave careful thought to our practicum placements. They are also aware of what’s going on internationally and developments in online teaching. Finally, they are genuinely nice people. This is important in an industry where teachers are often treated like cogs in a wheel.
It’s a diverse student body, just like in every other college or university in the GTA. As you would expect of a course for English teachers, many come to the program highly qualified. Some worked in other countries as teachers for twenty years. So there is a lot of knowledge and experience among them. If you are reading this, you probably also know that there are many barriers faced by professionals new to the country. This school helps people overcome some of those barriers.
I had never gone to a private college before, and I was a little worried about that. But it’s the same as the public system–just smaller, which, I think is good–you get to know people well. I would definitely take another course at CCE in the future.
Emma Gorst, EAP Instructor, International Centre for EAP
Need More Information? Questions?
Email us at [email protected]