What course to choose after graduating from...

[santacruz2000]

Hi,
recently I moved to Canada with my family and managed to complete English studies in Poland. I've taken a peek at the courses offered at Canadian Universities and haven't found any that would be a continuation of the one I graduated from. Could you advise me on what would be the best pick and whether the Univ. would recognize my diploma (I don't feel like starting from scratch)????

[axxolotl]

What exactly is "English studies"? English lit? American lit? English
linguistics?

>whether the Univ. woul
> d recognize my diploma (I don't feel like starting from scratch)????

As MA? Unlikely, but possible. As BA? Probably. Maybe even BA Honours if
you average was high enough. You'll have to contact universities to find out
for sure. They would probably want to see the description of the courses
you've completed in Poland.

What would you like to study in Canada?

[kaya11]

I agree with axxoloti - this is NOT the best place to ask. If you moved to
Canada (where I live) the best place to ask is the university that you want to
enrol to. Go to the student services with your Polish university transcript and
ask them what you can do to continue your studies. If they don't accept your
education (it happens very often) don't get discouraged but complete it in
Canada. You are young and you can do it. Don't waste your time on fighting with
the university policy but comply with it. Good luck !

[cricks]

By the way, is it worth studying in England?

[axxolotl]

What does that have to do with getting a Polish diploma recognized in Canada?

[axxolotl]

www.cicic.ca/factsheets/factsheet4en.stm
It talks about Canadians thinking of studying abroad, but it applies to you
too, so check this website out. Not only this link, but the whole thing, as
there is a lot of useful info there.

[santacruz2000]

well, I graduated from foregin teachers training college and am thinking about taking up teaching position at one of local language schools. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't like to drop my eduaction at the level of Polish "licencjat" degree. That's why I am asking if Univ. would take into consideration years spent on studying in Poland so that I could sign up for a graduate level. As far as the course goes, I haven't decided yet. In fact, the choice is fairly limited after completing teaching english course.
I would be grateful for any suggestions or opinions from anybody who encountered similar situation.
Greetings

[kaya11]

Well, I teach in an ESL school in Canada. I can tell you one thing - they DO NOT
recognize Polish diplomas as it comes to teaching English. They have enough
native speakers to do the job, so it's very difficult to put your foot in the
door for somebody whose English is not the first language. The only way is to do
the same in Canada - go to a TESOL (teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages) Institute or to any Community College and complete the course for the
ESL teachers (some last a few months, others - up to two years). You don't have
to go to study at a university to be an ESL teacher. The education system is
completely different here. Even high school teachers don't have to have Master's
to be able to teach their subject.

[santacruz2000]

Yeah, but I found out that there is a regulatory body in the province of Ontario (Ontario College of Teachers) which recognizes foreign credentials and diplomas and after successful review of the documents permits to teach in the province.
Kaya, are you a native speaker of English?

[santacruz2000]

One more thing, even if I go to a TESOL course and complete it, I still won't be a native speaker, will I? So, what's the point of enrolling in the course, after studying 3 years in the teaching profession (in Poland), then loose one more year on a TESOL course just to find the doors of language schools closed for non- native speakers.

[kaya11]

Hi,
No, I'm not a native speaker but I have so called "near native fluency".
Santacruz, you are talking about two different things - teaching in a Canadian
public system (elementary or high school) or being an ESL teacher in a private
ESL school. I have a Canadian teaching certificate, too but I'm not teaching in
a public school. I live in British Columbia and I went through the
recertification here. I had my Polish univeristy degree evaluated (magister
anglistyki - I spend 5 years doing it) and partially accepted. What they didn't
recognize is the methodology of teaching (they still don't believe in Eastern
Europe)also - if you want to be an elementary school teacher you'll have to do
courses in math and social studies (unless you had them completed in your Polish
school - I obvioulsy didn't). In BC it took me one more year to get fully
recertified as a Teacher.
However, even with a Canadian teaching certificate they might not want to hire
you as an ESL teacher in a language school. They will ask you to show them a
Canadian TESOL certificate and if you do - they may hire if your English is good
enough for them, even if you are not a native speaker. I know a few teachers who
are successfully teaching ESL and are not Canadian born. So - follow my advice
and you will quickly get what you want. There is no way around. Also, I wouldn't
call taking a TESOL course in Canada "a loss". It won't hurt for sure and who
knows - maybe you'll learn something new ? Good luck !

[santacruz2000]

Kaya, thanks a lot for the info.
Could you give me your e-mail address(I may need some more info from you,if you don't mind).My address is [e-mail]
Greetings

[axxolotl]

What they didn't
> recognize is the methodology of teaching (they still don't believe in Eastern
> Europe)

What methodology do they teach in Poland?

[kaya11]

santacruz - I sent you an e-mail.
axxoloti - ask the Polish teachers of English.