Would anyone like to share their experiences re getting a teaching position in Canada?
I have 12 years experience of teaching in primary schools (ages 4-11) and I wondered how others have transferred from the British to the Canadian system.

In one word - don't.

Some reasons for this:
1. Your qualifications and experience will not get you a teaching job here. You "have no Canadian experience", and you will have to spend a year or more in University to get the teacher training in order to be able to even look for a teaching post. Even I had to do that way back in 1970, after the Canadian Embassy in London took our fees and blithely promised us that we would find a teaching job immediately (my ex was a teacher, also). (So - don't believe the staff at Canadian Embassies! the staff there are generally ignorant idiots).
2. The political climate here in Canada in the teaching system is not good at all. In fact, it's downright confrontational at the moment in all Provinces. The Canadian Governments, both at the Federal and Provincial levels, have over the last twenty years made it their jobs to denigrate the teaching profession. Teachers are now harassed at work (as well as being overworked!); they are almost always put on "temporary full-time" contracts - which means they don't get all the benefits and can be released at any time; the Principals (Headmasters) and VP's have been long removed from the Teacher Unions or Federations, and this means that they are now little less than enforcers for the local Boards and Superintendents, and do not really give a hoot about the teachers or what their relationship to their students is as long as they have a balanced budget; class sizes are now going up - in fact one Provincial Education authority here in Western Canada ripped up the long-standing legal agreement with teachers, and arbitrarily upped the class sizes (47+ students to a class in Edmonton). Parents are getting sick of the political interference in their schools. Schools are closing all over the place because of lack of money, and I know some kids here who are now being bussed 48km to school every morning because the Provincial Board decided to save money and close their local school!

No - if you have a job in England, and are fairly happy with it, stay there. If you really want a new experience, try teaching in the EU, or Singapore.... lots of teahers needed there and you have a nicer place.

Sorry about the downer, but Canada is not a place you want to be teaching in at the moment.

Many thanks to George Lost for his candid reply - doesn't sound like prospects are good. I had been advised that I would have to take some kind of teaching certificate for Ontario but not that jobs are impossible to get.
Although my sister in Ontario has told me of parents' dissatisfaction with the system and that many are using private tutors now.
Anyone have any views/experiences on this topic?

I was just wondering the same thing and sad to see the reply you got! What are your thoughts now? I am probably at the same point as you so I wonder if by the time an application was processed things might have changed. You know how here if you stick to your guns for long enough what you're doing comes back into fashion!? It sounds like something will have to change doesnt it???

Hi LindaK,
My wife is a primary school teacher in London and has done a lot of research into gaining employment in Ontario.
She has so far been interviewed by 2 principles in Ottawa and last October she arranged an observation in a primary school in Nepean.
It isnt as straight forward as a simple transfer but it can be done.
You do need to be registered with the Ontario Teachers Board and have your qualifications and credentials acrredited.
She has a Class 2.1 degree and 6 years experience.

One thing we found is that it maybe easier to get a teaching job in a privately run or faith school rather than a state school.

My wife would have been offered a position covering maternity leave if she had her PR status, But we only applied in July 2003 so are still waiting.

We have had help from friends that already reside in Ottawa which does give us a slight advantage and i also work for the National carrier so quick trips out their are not a problem either.

We have lots more POSITIVE information feel free to PM me.

Regards
Malcolm

I'm a teacher myself, so before applying I made some enquiries into the matter. I spoke with the Ontario college of teachers a few times. first, they told me there is actually a SHORTAGE of teachers in the province, esp in the rural areas (but not in Toronto).
Second, in order to be Ontario certified, one has to submit transcripts of all university degrees to the OCT, pass the IELTS and pay a fee, of I think 350 CAD, and of course be a landed immigrant. Then you get evaluated, and within a year, have to pass the written test (which is quite difficult). Only after that, you get Ontario certified. Once you do, there are plenty of teaching jobs available, many outside the big cities though, so get ready to be a bit flexible about it.

Hello Malcolm,
would you mind letting me know how your wife started her research. Im interested in the British Columbia area. Is there a newspaper like the TES? Any pointers would be really useful.
Many thanks
Karen

Hmmm.....not great news.

My girlfriend and i want to move to Ontario to start a new life - can't even afford a decent place to live in West Sussex!!

I have 4 years experience in technology and was told by Ontario teaching college there is a shortage - but would have to pass accreditation etc.

We are worried about work over there - not heard very positive news about immigrants getting work without having previous links or experience in Canada.

Already though i've emailed quite a few institutions etc over there trying to 'sound them out'.

And is it me - but this forum isn't the most positive of places around?

yes, this forum is very downbeat in general about Brits emmigrating to Canada. I guess if it doesnt put you off then you're ready for the big leap!

As for myself, I'm planning on moving over with my girlfriend who is a teacher. I don't think George Lost's advice is correct.
If you're a teacher in the UK George you dont need to go to university in Canada for a year as you have claimed. As for teaching not being a dream job in Canada right now its not exactly a paradise in England either.

Can anyone advise on their experiences getting work in Ontario and more importantly how long it took from landing in Canada and applying for the interim certificate along with the wait for the evaluation of your qualifications. Are we talking weeks here or months?
I have seen so much on the internet from expats saying you'd never get a job teaching in Ontario but the Ontario College of Teachers says 'Employment opportunities for teachers in Ontario are excellent, as 48 % of the current teaching workforce is expected to retire by the year 2008'.
Are they lying or is it the moaners?

This might help your case:

Information for foreign-trained elementary school teachers

Information on requirements to practise
The profession of elementary school teacher is regulated in Canada. This means that the requirements to practise are set by the provincial and territorial regulatory bodies. Teachers may be required to have a bachelor's degree in education and a provincial teaching certificate. Additional training and certification are required for teachers who would like to specialize in special education or instruction of English or French as a second-language. Once you know where you wish to settle and work in Canada, you should contact the appropriate regulatory body for more information.

Information on assessment of qualifications

Assessment of qualifications for foreign-trained teachers are done by each provincial or territorial office. However, these offices are not set up to assess foreign qualifications prior to your arrival in Canada.

Other relevant information
For a general description of duties and employment requirements, you can refer to the information prepared by Human Resources Development Canada regarding:


Regulating agency for Ontario:

Ontario College of Teachers (OCT)
121 Bloor Street East, 6th Floor
Toronto ON M4W 3M5 Canada
Tel.: (416) 961-8800 or 1-888-534-2222
Fax: (416) 961-8822
Email: [email protected]
http://www.oct.ca/


You might want to also check this out:

http://www.ctf-fce.ca/



Good luck

thanks Mick

So someone needs to hear what the Ontario College of tEachers has to say.
I've emailed but not heard back yet.

I emailed them but got back message undeliverable

i think my wife had a reply the other week, will ask and post details if this is the case

if i remember correctly, the information she was given is that english trained teachers can teach immediately in Ontario, however, they must pass the qualification test for canadaians within that year

P

My advice would be, suck it and see. Seems whatever job you suggest someone rears their ugly noggin' and tells you it's impossible to get, has horrid pay and is pretty much the most horrendous thing in the world. I'm still awaiting the verdict on brothel de-snower, apparently I need Canadian experience to clean toilets