Program Overview
Program Requirements
- Honours BA in Second Language Teaching - English
- Honours BA in Second Language Teaching - French
- Major in Second Language Teaching - French
- Major in Second Language Teaching - English
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.
Graduate programs
- Education (MA, MEd, PhD)
- English (MA, PhD)
- Enseignement postsecondaire (Certificat d'études supérieures)
- Program Evaluation (Graduate Certificate)
- Translation - Conference Interpreting (MCI)
- Translation Studies (MA, PhD)
- World Literatures and Cultures (MA)
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.
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
- Centraide Outaouais
- Center for Global and Community Engagement - University of Ottawa
- E-Blue Book Community Information Centre of Ottawa
- United Way Ottawa
- Volunteer Ottawa
- Volunteerabroad.com
Canada
Abroad
- Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks - ALSO
- Aphasia Centre of Ottawa
- CultureLink
- English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community - ELTOC
- Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization - OCISO
- People, Words & Change
- Cross-Cultural Solutions
- Global Volunteer Network
- Global Volunteer Projects - Teaching Projects
- i-to-i
- Language Corps
- Service volontaire international - SVI
- Volunteer Adventures
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.
In Canada
Ottawa/Gatineau Region
Ontario
- Canada School of Public Service
- Equinox
- Franco Langues
- Ottawa-Carlton District School Board
- Ottawa Catholic School Board
- National School Language Camps - NSL
- Translation Bureau - TB
- Educational Services
- Ministry of Education
- Nelson Education
- Pacific Language Institute - PLI
- Pearson Canada
Quebec
Other provinces and territories
- AFSL Pro
- Conseil des écoles catholiques du centre-est
- Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario
- Immigration et communautés culturelles
- Agape Learning Centre
- Conseil des écoles fransaskoises - CÉF
- Manitoba government
- Languages Canada
- International Language Institute - ILI
- Pacific Language Institute - PLI
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)
- Berlitz
- Language Marketplace
- Larousse
- International Baccalaureate Organization - IB
- Tek Translation
- American Language Communication Center - ALCC
- U.S. Department of Education
South America
Europe
Asia
Africa
- Aoyama International Education Institute
- Asia-Pacific Connections
- ASK Now-ETO
- Canadian International School Abu Dhabi
- Canadian International School of Hong Kong
- Emirates College for Advanced Education - ECAE
- Hess Educational Organization
- Korjobcanada
- Canadian International School of Egypt
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
- Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language - ATESL
- Association canadienne d'éducation de langue française - ACELF
- Association canadienne des professeurs d'immersion - ACPI
- Association of Linguistic Services Managers - ACGL
- Association of Teachers of English in Quebec
- Canadian Teachers' Federation - CTF
- Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers
- British Columbia Teachers of English as an Additional Language - B.C. TEAL
- Editors' Association of Canada
- Language Industry Association - AILIA
- Ontario College of Teachers
- Ontario Modern Language Teachers' Association
- Société pour la promotion de l'enseignement de l'anglais, langue seconde, au Québec - SPEAQ
- TESL Canada Federation
American
International
- American Association of Teachers of French - AATF
- American Federation of Teachers
- International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language - IATEFL
- Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - TESOL
Job search sites
Here are a few websites posting jobs available in Canada and abroad related to this field of study.