Four students working on laptops at the Julien Couture Resource Centre.

Second Language Teaching (SLT)

Learn more about language teaching and how to transmit your love of a language and its culture

Whether you plan to teach French or English, in Canada or abroad, you can get a head start by taking our second language teaching program. These multidisciplinary undergraduate programs offered jointly by the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Arts, through the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI), will prepare you for the training required to teach adult learners as well as elementary and high school students. Courses cover the theories of language acquisition, as well as second language learning and teaching and explore the interrelationships between language, culture and society. During your training, you will design teaching activities based on the latest educational research and methods, and you’ll have a chance to apply your knowledge during 25 hours of professional internship in an educational or community setting.

Excellent program preparing for entry into the Bachelor of Education. Through the Second Language Teaching Program, you will:

  • Gain a solid foundation in the various theories and methods used to teach and learn second languages
  • Better understand the challenges related to teaching languages in various contexts
  • Learn to evaluate the skills of learners and design an action plan that meets their needs
  • Consolidate your language skills in the language you wish to teach
  • Qualify for one of 40 spots reserved for graduates of the Second Language Teaching Program at the Faculty of Education, Teacher Education or Formation à l’enseignement, allowing you to earn a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) so you can teach in elementary or high schools.
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Second Language Teaching
Hear from our students

Choose your program

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Honours BA in Second Language Teaching (SLT) - Teach French

Most extensive and focused study in teaching of French as a second language.

Can include a major or a minor in another area.

students around table

Honours BA in Second Language Teaching (SLT) - Teach English

Most extensive and focused study in teaching of English as a second language.

Can include a major or a minor in another area.

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Major in Second Language Teaching (SLT) - Teach French

Study the art of teaching French as a second language as a combination with another Major or Minor in another area.

Students around a table practicing English with Teacher guidance

Major in Second Language Teaching (SLT) - Teach English

Study the art of teaching English as a second language as a combination with another Major or Minor in another area.

  • Teaching elementary and high school students, and adult learners
  • Academic counselling
  • Language teaching coordination
  • Academic program management
  • Educational material design
  • Second language research
  • Language skills assessment
  • Promotion of official languages
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Looking to improve your French or English language skills?

Enroll in our second language courses.

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Honours? Major? Minor?

Learn the difference between each program structure.

Anne Thibert

Curbing linguistic insecurity: A graduate’s ambitious vision

Anne Thibert is a new graduate of the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute’s Honours BA in Second Language Teaching program – Teaching English as a Second Language offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Education. From Sarnia in southwest Ontario, seven hours by car from Ottawa, she had to cross the province to study at the University, where she lived in residence.

Mylan Allen

Multilingualism: A rewarding, nonlinear journey

Mylan Allen’s journey to graduation from OLBI’s Second Language Teaching program (with a specialization in teaching French and a minor in Spanish) is a tale of determination, resilience and drive. It’s also a testament to how a bilingual environment fosters creativity, motivates further learning and promotes an open-minded perspective on the world and its many cultures and languages.

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Student for a day program

Does the transition to university seem a bit intimidating? For a taste of what to expect, and answers to your questions, try our Student for a Day program!