After completing the Teacher of Indigenous Languages as a Second Language Program (TILSL), you will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Qualification and Registration from the Ontario College of Teachers, in an Indigenous language from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The TILSL Program is OCT certified to offer the following Indigenous language teacher programs:
- Anishnaabemwin
- Cayuga
- Mohawk
- Lunaape
- Cree
Qualifications
For this program, you must meet the following qualifications:
- Minimum completion of Ontario Grade 12 or equivalent. Candidates without grade 12 can be admitted if they are 20 years or older and have been out of school for two years or more;
- A one-page statement outlining why you wish to be a teacher of Indigenous Languages;
- Two letters of reference of which one letter is from an individual (not a family member) in a professional capacity who can attest to your level of fluency (Chief and Council, Education Director, Education Authority Board member, Cultural Committee member, etc.).
Program Components
This two-year program is comprised of three components:
- summer sessions at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario;
- e-Learning delivered courses to teacher candidates in community; and,
- in-school internships under the supervision of a certified teacher, in a classroom setting.
Summer Component: Over the course of six (6) weeks, students will take six 3-credit courses, from Monday to Friday. Evenings and weekends are dedicated to group work and individual assignment completion.
e-Learning Delivery: Each semester (fall, winter, spring), teacher candidates are enrolled in one 3-credit course, delivered through video/online technologies during scheduled days/times (evening and/or weekends).
Practicum: Teacher candidates are required to complete two internships each year of the program. The first year consists of a 7-week practicum. The second year consists of a 10-week practicum and a 3-week alternative practicum (13 weeks in total in second year). The teacher candidate must complete a practicum experience in both the primary and junior divisions.
Note: Students who complete an undergraduate degree within 10 years of completing the requirements of the Teacher of Indigenous Language as a Second Language Program and who obtain an overall average of 70% on the required courses in the Teacher of Indigenous Language as a Second Language Program and their undergraduate degree will be eligible for a Bachelor of Education degree. Contact the Office of the Registrar for graduation procedures upon completion of the undergraduate degree.
Requests for information on admission to the Indigenous Summer Programs should be directed to:
Office of the Registrar
Nipissing University
100 College Drive, Box 5002
North Bay ON P1B 8L7
E-mail: iep@nipissingu.ca
Phone: 705-474-3450 ext. 4522
Fax: 705-474-1772