Program Location
Education Building
Start Term
Summer Semester
Program Type
Coursework and Internships
Schedule
Full-Time/Part-Time
Credits
60 Credits
Duration
2 years (5 semesters)
The Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) offers a comprehensive pathway to Quebec teacher certification (K-12), for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a Ministry of Education-identified teachable subject area. Incoming students should have a passion for second-language instruction and an undergraduate background related to the subject matter.
Learn through engaging coursework and two school-based internships (at the elementary and secondary levels). As an MATL student you will have the opportunity to pursue an independent Capstone Research Project and curate a professional e-portfolio to showcase your skills, preparing you for future employment. Upon successful program completion, graduates are recommended for Quebec Ministry of Education teacher certification.
Students accepted into this program should therefore be comfortable in a French workplace environment as student teaching placements are predominantly in French schools. Additional French classes and specialized communication courses are available to support language development. Graduates aiming for positions in French school boards must pass a standardized French language test, ensuring effective communication within educational settings.
Have questions?
info.education [at] mcgill.ca (Contact a Student Recruitment Associate)
Details from the eCalendar
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Teaching and Learning (Non-Thesis): English or French Second Language(60 Credits)
Offered by:Integrated Studies in Ed
Degree:Master of Arts
Program Requirement:
**The French option of this program is currently not offered.**
The M.A. in Teaching and Learning Program is a 60-credit, post-graduate degree leading to teacher certification. It is comprised of 45 credits of coursework, coupled with 15 credits (minimum of 735 hours) of internship. This professional program leads to teacher certification to those already holding an undergraduate degree in a teachable subject area identified by the Quebec Ministry of Education.
The program, which targets those with formal and/or non-formal teaching experience, begins with mandatory courses in the Summer term. The specific course sequence and progression leads students to complete the program in five consecutive terms on a full-time basis. The program must be completed within three years. Alternately, the program can be followed on a part-time basis, in which case all program requirements must be completed within five years.
Throughout the MATL, emphasis will be on the demonstration of mastery of the Québec Ministry of Education professional competencies. Upon completion, students are recommended to the Quebec Ministry of Education for certification.
Note: The Quebec Ministry of Education requires that all students pass the English Exam for Teacher Certification (EETC) or the Test de certification en français écrit pour l'enseignement (TECFÉE), as appropriate, prior to taking EDIN 610 Internship 1.
Required Courses (54 credits)
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
3 credits selected from (in accordance with teaching English or French as a second language):
3 credits selected from:
For more information, see Programs, Courses and University Regulations.
Eligibility (Admission Criteria)
- Possess an undergraduate degree.
- Have at least 45 discipline specific credits (university level). Applicants must complete the TESL Self-Assessment Grid to self-assess whether their background meets the 45 credit minimum requirement in their discipline.
Courses listed must be at the 200 level or higher (no Foundation level courses) and you must have received a grade of “C” or higher, per McGill standard. These credits may be taken as part of a degree or as an independent/special student.
Note that it is preferable to have all 45 credits of background completed to the start of the MATL program. Applicants missing up to, but not exceeding, 6 discipline-specific credits may be accepted into the MATL program. The completion of missing credits will be consider a condition of program completion. Students are strongly encouraged to complete outstanding discipline-specific credits prior to the start of the MATL program. In exceptional circumstances, students may be allowed to complete outstanding discipline-specific credits during the MATL program; however these credits should be completed prior to beginning the subject-area specific methods course. Failure to complete outstanding discipline-specific credits may result is a deferral of the first internship placement. This deferral will result in a significant delay in the students program completion. - Have minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two years of full-time studies.
- Experience working/volunteering in formal/informal education or youth sector. Informal teaching experience includes, but is not limited to, camp counselor, tutoring, mentoring, coaching, etc.
Admission decisions for graduate programs at McGill are holistic, meaning that many factors are taken into consideration in the admission decision, including academic credentials and grades. The eligibility requirements outline the minimum requirements for admission to the MATL program at McGill. These minimum requirements apply to both Canadian and international candidates. Please review the list carefully, as you must meet all of the minimum requirements in order to be considered for acceptance. Keep in mind that meeting the minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee your admission.
Application Deadlines
November 1st for International applicants and November 15 for Canadian and Permanent Resident applicants
Application Process
Applications submitted through Slate: https://future.mcgill.ca/apply/
Supporting Documents
- A current working CV
- A personal statement. 2 page maximum.
- A completed TESL Self-Assessment Grid NB, Grids must be typed and not hand written
- A copy of your unofficial transcripts from all previous university level studies ((undergraduate and graduate, including exchanges with other institutions, even if the credits appear on your home institution transcript). Official transcripts are required after you are officially admitted to the program.
- Two letters of recommendation, one from a university-level instructor and the second from a professional who has supervised you in a formal or informal education or youth sector position (if you have experience working in a formal school setting, one letter must be from a school / school board administrator qualified to assess your professional qualities). You will be prompted to provide the names and contact information of your referees in uApply. An email request will be generated prompting referees to upload their letter of recommendation directly to uApply.
- IELTS with a minimum overall band of 7.0; with a minimum Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading score of 7.0; or
- TOEFL:iBT (Internet-based test) – total score of 92 with a minimum score of 22 each for the Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading sections. N.B. Applicants are required to submit their scores electronically.
- The Department reserves the right to evaluate the applicant's language proficiency before initial registration and at the time of application.
- Applicants who meet the above English language requirement must also pass the departmental English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)- with French component to be eligible for admission (see more information on this test below)
Additional Information about English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) - with French component
Applicants to the MATL TESL program must register for a testing date after the department has confirmed academic admissibility to the program. Applicants will receive more details about how to register by email.English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)- Applicants to the MATL TESL program must pass the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) as a condition of admission. Additionally, because MATL TESL students will have internship placements in French schools, MATL TESL students are expected to have the capacity to function effectively in a French speaking environment . Therefore, the ELPT also includes an assessment of applicants' abilities to functionally communicate in French. Once the department has confirmed academic admissibility to the MATL program, applicants to the MATL TESL program will receive an email detailling regsitration procedures for the ELPT- with French component.
Eligible applicants will receive email notification requesting that they register to take the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)
If you are an applicant to the MATL - TESL program who meets the academic admission requirements, you will be required to pass an English language test unless you meet the requirements to be exempted as noted below. Please DO NOT register until you have been instructed to do so.
You are exempt from the test if:
- You have attended an English-language institution for high school and/or university in Canada or elsewhere in the world for at least four consecutive years; or
- You have attended an English-language university in Quebec for at least three consecutive years; or
- You have completed a DEC at an English-language CEGEP and/or completed Secondary IV and V in English in Quebec.
The English Language Proficiency Test is offered by McGill University's School of Continuing Studies. The purpose of the test is to determine whether your levels of written and oral English meet the standards we require for future ESL teachers. There is nothing you can do to prepare. Please do make sure you are well-rested on the day of the test and ready to demonstrate your English proficiency.
What you need to know about the School of Continuing Studies English language test:
- The test consists of both a written portion and an individual oral interview.
- Total test fees: Approximately $92 (NON-REFUNDABLE)
- *After receiving the results of the English language test, you will be required to upload your results to your application in Minerva.
Register for ELPT
