The TIER Program is a research-informed faculty development program that helps university professors teach their disciplines effectively in English. It combines evidence-based EMI practices with an immersive academic experience.
Teaching, Immersion & English Refinement (TIER) Program
Develop the skills, strategies, and credentials to teach your discipline confidently through English — for individual professors and institutional partners worldwide.
Why choose this program?
Program at a Glance
Join an international cohort of university professors in our open registration program for an intensive two-week residency at uOttawa. We also offer customized TIER programs delivered in Ottawa, online, or at your institution, tailored to your academic calendar, goals and faculty needs.
- Delivery: at the University of Ottawa, online, or at your campus
- Format: 2-week intensive (customizable up to 4 weeks)
- Audience: University faculty teaching or transitioning to EMI
- Proficiency: CEFR B1+
- Core elements: EMI pedagogy, classroom observation, microteaching, language labs, cultural immersion
- Language of instruction: English
Why universities choose TIER
Strengthen bilingual or EMI academic pathways
Improve faculty teaching confidence and effectiveness in English
Enhance curriculum quality and international competitiveness
Support accreditation or institutional internationalization strategies
Expand global academic networks through collaboration with a leading bilingual Canadian university
Immersive experience in Canada's national capital
The TIER Program delivers immediate, practical benefits for both faculty and the institution.
Who the Program Is For
- University professors and lecturers teaching (or transitioning to teach) in English
Faculty with English proficiency at CEFR B1+ or higher seeking to strengthen their teaching effectiveness in English
Program coordinators and academic leaders involved in EMI program development or institutional internationalization
“Participating in the TIER program [...] was a truly enriching professional and personal experience. The quality of the classes, the commitment of the teachers, and the welcoming campus environment exceeded my expectations.”
Sandra
— Universidad del Atlántico, COLOMBIA
TIER Delivery Options
TIER Ottawa — Open Registration
Join professors from universities around the world for an intensive two-week EMI experience in Ottawa. Build the skills, strategies, and credentials to teach confidently through English — register individually or send colleagues as a group.
- July 12–23, 2027 on campus
- All-inclusive fee from CAD $6,350 (early-bird)
- ~60 hours; Certificate of Completion
Open Registration Program Overview
Phase | Timing | Description |
|---|---|---|
Pre-Arrival Online Sessions (4 sessions) | June 14 – July 9, 2027 | 4 online sessions: 2 synchronous (live) and 2 asynchronous (self-paced) — prepare for the on-campus experience and connect with your cohort before arrival |
On-Campus Residency (2 weeks) | July 12–23, 2027 University of Ottawa | Two-week in-person intensive: EMI methodology sessions, Interactive Language Labs, cultural excursions, and the Pathways to International Collaboration networking session |
Post-Program Implementation Lab* (4 sessions) | July 26 – August 20, 2027 | 4 online sessions: 3 asynchronous (self-paced peer coaching and lesson redesign) and 1 synchronous capstone presentation — applying what you learned in your home institution |
Total Program | ~60 hours | Certificate of Completion in EMI Faculty Development — issued upon successful completion of all three phases |
* The post-program Implementation Lab consists of three self-paced online sessions and one live capstone presentation session, delivered over approximately four weeks after you return home.
Note for custom institutional programs
The program framework above can also serve as a foundation for customized TIER offerings designed for faculty cohorts at a single institution, with content and delivery tailored to local goals and needs.
Open Registration Program Fees
The all-inclusive fee covers everything you need for the program: tuition, on-campus accommodation, meals, and health insurance. International airfare and airport-to-campus transfers are not included.
Early-bird savings: Register and pay by January 31, 2027 and save CAD $300.
Registration closes March 31, 2027. Spaces are limited.
Rate | All-Inclusive Fee | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
Early-Bird Rate (Register & pay by January 31, 2027) | CAD $6,350 | Tuition, on-campus accommodation, meals, and health insurance |
Standard Rate (Register & pay by March 31, 2027) | CAD $6,650 | Tuition, on-campus accommodation, meals, and health insurance |
Group Airport Transfer (optional add-on) | CAD $80 round trip | Return ground transfer between Ottawa International Airport and the University of Ottawa campus. Available for institutional groups only; all participants must arrive together on the same flight and at the same time. Individual transfers are not offered. |
Payment
Institutions enrolling one or more participants may pay via institution-to-institution wire transfer. Please contact us before registering to arrange group enrollment and invoicing. Individual participants may pay by credit card through our online payment platform.
What Participants Learn
Each TIER program centres on three core components, adapted to the delivery format. The cultural-immersion component is a defining element of our in-person Ottawa programs; online and on-site variants are developed in consultation with the hosting institution. Together, the three components ensure that participants leave not just knowing more about EMI, but ready to act differently in their classrooms.
Partner With Us
Whether you are registering as an individual professor, enrolling a group from your institution, or exploring a fully customized program — our team is ready to help you find the right fit.
Contact us to request a program information package, a detailed itinerary, or a customized institutional proposal.
Contact us to request a program information package, a detailed itinerary, or a customized institutional proposal.
Contact us
Centre for Language Learning
70 Laurier Avenue East, Room 101
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada
Tel. : +1-877-868-8292
+1-613-562-5980
[email protected]
DLI O19397188593
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
September to May
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
June to August
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.