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Second-Language Teaching

Program Overview

Program Requirements

Acquired skills

University education stimulates the development of many valuable skills transferable to the workplace. Employers increasingly demand a set of skills from their employees; communication, research, data use, analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organizational, responsibility, adaptability and autonomy, and teamwork skills are sought after. While they can seem limited to each program of study, skills are adaptable and extendable to a variety of situations and they can also be used to acquire other aptitudes and abilities hence ensuring the development and advancement of ones career (to further develop your skill set, see Experience section). The list of skills below can then help in the process of choosing occupations that best fit your education and aptitudes and it can also be used to communicate your employability.

General Skills

Specific Skills

  • Knowledge of the various technologies and the ability to integrate as part of communication based activities
  • Ability to think creatively
  • Capacity to assess and determine the skills and needs of others and to elaborate a plan to address these
  • Communicate orally and in writing to various audiences with precision and in a reliable manner information, arguments and analyses
  • Work both autonomously and in teams on diverse projects and in different contexts
  • Demonstrate ability to work autonomously and professionally
  • Highly developed understanding of the different aspects of the target language: reading, writing, listening and speaking
  • In depth understanding of the conditions and modalities of teaching and learning as a second language
  • Solid comprehension of diverse theoretical and methodological approaches in second language teaching and learning
  • Diversity of cognitive and social abilities traditionally associated with a humanistic post-secondary education
  • Understanding of ethnolinguistics and cultural diversity
  • Understanding of the challenges associated with the school environment 

Further studies

Many graduate programs are available for people with an undergraduate degree interested in expanding their knowledge, specializing or conducting research. The graduate programs below are examples selected from the list of graduate programs offered by the University of Ottawa. While they are related to this program of study, it is important to consult the admission requirements of the programs as not all types of degrees qualify one for admission. Moreover, additional programs and other universities could be considered depending on your career plan.

Undergraduate programs can also serve as a preparatory step toward professional programs in law, medicine or teaching. Admission to professional programs is not automatic as it is important to meet various requirements academic performance, course selection and, in some cases, the experience and the score on an entrance examination.

 

Graduate programs

Professional programs

Potential occupations

Universities studies lead to multiple occupations. Furthermore, certain professions require talent, special aptitudes, additional skills and experience beyond degrees themselves. By targeting a profession, it can make decisions easier during your schooling, throughout your job search and, finally, when choosing among job offers. The choices can change over time based on academic, personal, and professional paths and on the knowledge of occupations and of the labour market.

In order to list your choices, visit the Job Bank Canada website and, using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, view job postings, wages, employment prospects and other important information that can help you make a decision. If need be, additional and complementary information can be found via two online career exploration tools (Careercruising and Choices Planner)* also designed to facilitate your career advancement. The occupations found below are examples derived from the National Occupational Classification. They are presented by their occupational group title, in bold, followed by bulleted occupational titles specific to the program of study. Immediately after the occupational title, the hyperlinked NOC code for the occupational group is provided. Overall, the occupations are presented side by side with their employment requirements and the establishments where to find a job.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada providing a standard taxonomy and framework for dialogue on Labour Market Information. It gathers more than 30,000 occupational titles into 500 Unit Groups, organized according to skill levels and skill types.

*To obtain the access codes of these websites, visit your InfoWeb account.

Occupations related to this program

 

Secondary school teachers

  • English as a second language teacher, secondary school
  • French as a second language teacher, secondary school

Teachers of academic subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is often preceded by a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences; to specialize in special education or English or French as a second language, additional training is required; a provincial teaching certificate is required; membership in a provincial or territorial teachers' association or federation may be required

 

Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers

  • Education program officer
  • Teaching policy officer

A master's degree in education may be required; specialized training or certification may be required; several years of experience as a school teacher are usually required; a teacher's certificate for the province of employment is usually required when employed by provincial education ministries

 

Translators, terminologists and interpreters

  • Cultural or international adaptation specialist
  • Interpreter
  • Terminologist
  • Translator
  • Translator-reviser

A university degree in a related discipline such as languages, linguistics, philology and courses in linguistic transfer and two years' experience as a full-time translator working in two languages, at least one of which is an official language ; certification on dossier or by examination from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council may be required for translators, terminologists and interpreters; fluency in three languages is usually required for translators or interpreters working in an international context; membership in a provincial or territorial association of translators, interpreters and terminologists may be required

 

Authors and writers

  • Author
  • Biographer
  • Essayist
  • Novelist
  • Poet
  • Writer

Creative writing programs are offered by universities; talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria; membership in a guild or union related to the occupation may be required

 

Editors

  • Bilingual editor
  • Editorial consultant

A bachelor's degree in English, French, journalism or a related discipline is usually required; several years of experience in journalism, writing, publishing or a related field are usually required; membership in the Editors Association of Canada may be required; editors who specialize in a specific subject matter may be required to have training in that subject

 

Program officers unique to government

  • Official languages promotion officer

A bachelor's degree is usually required

 

Post-secondary teaching and research assistants

  • Research assistant
  • Teaching assistant

Enrolment in a university program is required

 

College and other vocational instructors

  • English as a second language teacher, college
  • French as a Second Language teacher, college

A master's degree in the field of instruction may be required; a certificate, diploma or degree in adult education may be required; additional courses in teaching or a provincial teaching certificate may be required

 

Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers

  • Immigration policy analyst
  • Immigration policy consultant

A master's degree in a social science or related discipline or in business administration may be required

 

Government managers education policy development and program administration

  • Education director
  • Heritage languages program director
  • Learning programs director

A master's degree in a particular educational specialization may be required; several years of combined experience as a school teacher and as a government educational policy researcher, consultant or program officer are usually required; a provincial teaching certificate is usually required

 

Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers

  • Education program planner
  • Education science specialist
  • Language assessor
  • Languages co-ordinator
  • Teaching policy officer

A master's degree in education may be required; specialized training or certification may be required; several years of experience as a school teacher are usually required; a teacher's certificate for the province of employment is usually required when employed by provincial education ministries

 

Administrators post-secondary education and vocational training

  • Language school manager

Administrators of vocational training schools usually require an undergraduate degree in business administration or expertise and certification in a subject of instruction

 

Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.

  • Linguist

A doctorate degree in the discipline is usually required

 

University professors and lecturers

  • Department head
  • Lecturer
  • Professor
  • Visiting scholar

A doctoral degree in the field of specialization is required for university professors; a master's degree in the field of specialization is required for university lecturers; licenses or professional certification may be required for professors teaching future practitioners in certain professionally regulated fields, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology or law; university professors who are also practitioners in their field of specialization must have the appropriate licenses or certification

 

Administrators post-secondary education and vocational training

  • Assistant dean
  • Dean
  • Faculty administrator

Faculty administrators require a graduate degree in a field related to the academic faculty and several years of experience as a university professor or college teacher

Related field

Although many students believe that they will pursue a career path directly connected to their university studies, quite often, graduates tend to work in related fields. Below is a list of possible related fields of work based on a given program of study. These fields present opportunities that are not typically considered as first choices when choosing a career path based on a program of study. Hopefully, this list will allow students to further consider the various fields that are loosely connected to their program of study. These results were compiled through a research of the University of Ottawa's alumni profiles which were found on the business-oriented social networking service, LinkedIn. 

 

Related Fields

  • Media and Communication
  • Consulting
  • Human Resources
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Community and Social Services

Acquiring experience

Experience is acquired by participating and trying new personal, educational and professional activities, where it is possible to discover preferences, increase confidence and improve skills. As for professional experience, it is acquired through volunteering, internships, self-employment and full-time or part-time jobs. And certainly, experience working on campus or in other settings adds to the set of skills acquired in your degree (see Acquired Skills section). The Employability Skills 2000+ presenting the skills employers look for in their employees as well as its complementary checklist can help target experience opportunities that will improve your skill set necessary for employment. In addition to developing these skills, performing work related to your program of study can strengthen your expertise and increase your employability.

All examples of volunteer experience and potential employers were selected specifically for this area of study and according to occupational groups in which it is possible to acquire experience. Examples of volunteer organizations in Canada and abroad are preceded by a list of directories that can help to find more volunteer opportunities. Examples of potential employers in Canada and abroad have been compiled in light of events held in partnership with employers, searches in company directories and well-established rankings.

Volunteer opportunities

In addition to providing an opportunity to apply theories and knowledge learned during your university studies outside the classroom, in real world situations, volunteering is a way to help the community and its many organizations. The Community Service Learning also allows students to contribute to their community by participating in projects that are related to their program of study.

 

Directories

 

Canada

Abroad

Potential employers

The following examples of employers can offer internships or employment opportunities related to students program of studies. The examples are presented according to geographic location: Ottawa and Gatineau, Ontario, Quebec and other provinces. Employers outside of Canada are either presented under their respective country or, if they operate in more than three countries, listed as globally established enterprises. Positions are also available on campus as part of the Work-Study Program or as a career (see University of Ottawa: Human Resources).

 

In Canada

Ottawa/Gatineau Region

Ontario

 

Quebec

Other provinces and territories

 

Abroad

The requirements for working abroad consider factors like administrative laws, professional standards and work permits in some countries. To learn about requirements in various countries, visit Skill Clear or MyWorldAbroad (registration with a @uOttawa.ca email is required to use MyWorldAbroad).

Established globally

North America (excluding Canada)

 

South America

Europe

 

Asia

Africa

 

Oceania

Others

Job search resources

The job search resources are designed to stimulate networking activities, develop marketing strategies and facilitate access to job postings. Networking events offer employers the opportunity to learn about the available workforce, and they give students a chance to be considered in the recruitment process. Career Development Centre offers helpful tips on networking, interview preparation techniques and different tools that can also be used to help with the preparation of resumés and cover letters.

Professional organizations

Examples of professional organizations, presented by location, provide essential information on professional development opportunities and networking activities, the examples can also provide access to publications and job opportunities.

Canadian

Provincial 

and territorial

 

American

International

Job search sites

Here are a few websites posting jobs available in Canada and abroad related to this field of study.

 

Canadian

International

General Job Search Websites

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Career Development Centre (CDC)

University Centre
(3rd Floor – Room 312)
Ottawa ON Canada
K1N 6N5

Tel.: 613-562-5806
Fax: 613-562-5154
Email: cdc@uOttawa.ca