This program is designed to provide the communication skills, training, and critical Canadian experience to help prepare internationally educated teachers for teaching in a Canadian community college environment.

The program includes:

• Training in instructional strategies and classroom management
• Lesson planning, authentic assessment, and practice teaching
• Instruction on intercultural communication skills focusing on the educational sector
• Development of employment skills
• Observation of community college classes
• The possibility for a part-time teaching internship to gain experience in the Canadian college classroom

The program also includes a series of workshops.

ABCs of WebCT: This introductory course will familiarize students in the design and implementation of an online course management tool, WebCT, for class e-learning.

Diversity: This workshop will introduce students to the diversity of students in the GTA, community college policies, how to handle issues of diversity in the classroom, and how to design curriculum that reflects diversity.

Outcomes-Based Learning (OBL): A series of workshops that will enable students to discuss the philosophy of outcomes-based learning and use this approach to write lesson and course outcomes, lesson plans, and authentic assessments.

Technology in the Classroom: This series of workshops includes instruction in the effective use of technology for the academic environment. 

Other program advantages include:

• Training by experienced community college faculty
• Opportunity to attend in-house workshops with full-time College faculty
• Online course “Teacher Development in Higher Education”
• Integration into College programs and activities

COURSES 

Professional Communication Skills for College Teachers in Ontario: This course will use a context of educational theory and pedagogical practice to help students acquire occupational-specific language skills necessary to be successful in a post-secondary Canadian classroom.

Employment Skills for College Teachers in Ontario: This course will develop internationally trained teachers’ skills in researching, applying and interviewing for college teaching positions in Canada.

Practical Teaching Skills: This course will prepare students for teaching in the Canadian college environment. Classes will address lesson planning, the learning cycle, effective assessment strategies, classroom management, dealing with critical incidents, understanding and working with ethical issues, preparing and delivering teaching segments to the group and establishing a community of learners.

Integrative Seminar: This seminar runs throughout the program with a focus on integrating theory and practice, processing learning styles, developing critical self-reflection skills, and identifying teaching strengths and areas for improvement. In addition, students will learn to give and receive feedback effectively, develop collaborative skills essential to working with fellow professionals, and increase critical thinking skills. This course will also address stages in professional development that are ongoing challenges in a teacher’s career.

Teacher Development in Higher Education (TDHE): This online course is delivered in a series of modules that are divided into specific topics: The Teaching and Learning Environment, Assessment, Reflective Teaching, Teaching with Technology, Teaching Techniques and Linking Theory to Practice, and The Learners. The course requires students to define their personal teaching philosophy and approach, to engage in critical self-reflection as a teacher, to practice and demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of teaching and learning, to synthesize current research on teaching and learning in higher education in their discipline, and to prepare an outline of key sections in their teaching portfolio in which to profile their teaching philosophy, goals and achievements.

Internship: Successful students will have the opportunity to teach in a 42-hour internship to gain experience teaching in a Canadian post-secondary classroom.

PROGRAM DURATION 

This is a 33-week program that carries over two semesters, including all intersession weeks.