Take your teaching skills to the next level
The ELC provides customized professional development programs for international educators who teach English or teach their subject area in English. Designed by academic and curriculum specialists, our programs support educators at all levels, from early childhood to post-secondary education.
Available year-round, programs can be tailored to your group's goals, schedule and size. Through interactive classes, guest lectures, school visits and collaborative learning activities, participants gain new teaching strategies, strengthen their English communication skills and build an international professional network.
Upon completing our teacher training programs, graduates will have:
- A certificate of completion from a globally recognized university
- Practical teaching strategies and educational insights from experts
- Experience observing Canadian classrooms and meeting local educators
- Professional connections with educators from around the world
- First-hand exposure to Canadian culture and educational practices
Designed for educators at every level
Customized programs can be developed for:
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language Instructors
- Early Childhood Education Teachers
- Elementary School Teachers
- Middle School Teachers
- High School Teachers
- School Administrators (Principals, Directors, etc.)
- Adult and Post-Secondary Instructors
Explore sample programs
Every program is customized to meet the goals of your institution. The examples below highlight common professional development options, all of which can be adapted to your participants' needs.
Specialized TETE Professional Development Workshop Series
The English Language Centre offers short-term programs throughout the year, customized to suit the schedule and interests of individual universities and colleges.
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Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
TEFL programs offers a stimulating, interactive teaching and learning environment in which international teachers and/or graduate students can build a professional network and develop their ability to communicate and teach more effectively in English in their home country.
English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI)
English as a Medium of Instruction programs are designed for professors and researchers hoping to teach their subject matter in English. These programs offer a stimulating, interactive teaching and learning environment in which education professionals will receive teacher training and professional development in various skill areas and pedagogies.
Online Pedagogy and Internationalization
Communicating effectively in a professional environment requires specific skills and the self-confidence to apply them effectively. Accordingly, this course is designed to improve writing and speaking skills by providing practical, repeatable processes and easily applied strategies for achieving success.
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Educational Leadership
Through interactive courses, observations, and discussions, participating education professionals and/or administrators will develop leadership skills needed to build supportive and collaborative learning environments and respond to changing global needs in education.
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Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Enhance your team’s ability to provide effective instruction to early learners with this introduction to foundational knowledge of ECE in Canada. Programming includes experiential learning opportunities such as visits to early childhood education centres, kindergarten visits and interactive workshops.
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Ready to create a customized professional development experience for your educators?
Contact us to discuss your goals and program requirements.
Customized English as a Medium of Instruction
The three-week English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) program is designed to suit the unique
schedules, interests and needs of instructors of varying content areas from around the world.
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Customized Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Build skills and confidence as an international educator. This non-credit program is offered as a
three-week immersive summer session at the University of Victoria campus.
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As part of the University of Victoria, we offer established programs backed by strong governance and student protections.
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Over the past decade, the English Language Center (ELC) has expanded its reach, strengthened student support, and built new academic and industry pathways.
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The English Language Centre (ELC) received the BCCIE Award for Excellence in International Student Support for its UVic Homestay program, recognizing its long-standing commitment to welcoming and connecting international students with host families.
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The English Language Centre (ELC) is proud to receive the 2023 award for Outstanding Program in International Education.
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We are thrilled to announce that the English Language Centre (ELC) has been named a finalist for the 2023 "Language Training Provider of the Year" award by Professionals in International Education (PIE).
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The English Language Centre at thee University of Victoria is delighted to be named Language School of the Year for the second year in a row by iStudy.
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We are proud to announce that we were recently awarded with the 2017-18 Cultural Excellence Award by iStudy, an international travel publication that selects winners each year “based on their achievements and strengths in the education industry
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UVic's international community is reaching beyond new borders as host to educators in the Panama Bilingüe program, a visionary professional development initiative launched by the Panamanian Ministry of Education.
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As someone who promotes English teaching-training programs at a university for a career, I'm constantly being asked by potential students, institutions, and even experienced teachers what all these acronyms stand for and what's the difference between them. I get questions like "Should I take a TEFL class or a TESL class?" or "What's the difference between ESL and ELL?" all the time, so I wanted to write a quick blog entry to address the confusion.
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