Opportunities to teach students or to be a student

by Heidi Riley

Would you like to help students learn how to speak their second official language?

Or are you a student wanting a summer experience while developing French language skills?

ODYSSEY and Explore are programs funded by the Government of Canada which promote the learning of Canada’s two official languages through cultural exchange and personal growth.

ODYSSEY is a program that engages ESL (English as a second language), FSL (French as a second language), and FFL (French as a first language) Language Assistants in classrooms across the country.

The Explore program is open to students aged 13 and up. Explore provides an intensive, fun way to develop French or English language skills in spring or summer sessions.

Learn more about the opportunities available in both programs:

ODYSSEY

Are you eager to expand your horizons and open career opportunities by helping students learn French or English? If so, become a Language Assistant!

Language Assistants inspire learners to practice their English-speaking or French-speaking skills while earning a salary. The nine-month program offers Language Assistants a salary, a position in a classroom setting, and the opportunity to practice their language skills. Games and activities are used to help students learn and improve their French or English-speaking skills.

Benefits to being part of the ODYSSEY program

• Paid work placement as a Language Assistant in a classroom setting
• Work from September to May
• Live and work in a different region of Canada
• Experience other cultures and ways of life
• Immerse yourself in francophone culture while helping students develop their English or French language skills
• Develop new skills and discover whether the field of education is right for you

Salary

Language Assistants earn a taxable salary of approximately $29,000 for 25 hours of work per week over nine months. That’s about $29 per hour, or $3,200 per month.

Odyssey also provides:

• other benefits paid by the employer (i.e., the local school board).
• allowances to help cover two return trips home, if you are placed more than 200 km away from your home province or territory.
• paid compulsory training sessions.
• additional compensation for Language Assistants who accept positions in remote regions or rural areas.

You will be responsible for your living expenses, including housing, food, and personal items.

To be eligible, you must meet ALL the following criteria:

• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. Those studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible.
• You need excellent oral and written language skills in the language you will be working in. Even if you are an anglophone, there are opportunities to work as a French Language Assistant. To do so, you will need to have excellent French-language skills, both oral and written.
• Have completed one of the following:
  • For studies outside Quebec in Canada – at least one full year of post-secondary studies in either college or university
  • For studies in Quebec – two years of college-level studies or one full year of university
  • For studies outside Canada – at least one full year of post-secondary studies in either college or university. You will also need to submit a formal assessment of your academic credentials

If you are working as an ESL Language Assistant, you do not need any French-language skills to apply to and participate in the program. However, you will be placed in francophone communities, where French is the first language, so basic French-speaking skills will greatly enhance your experience.

“This program gives you a chance to develop your skills and immerse yourself in a different setting and learn if you are suited for a career as a teacher,” says Mathilde Sinnasse, who works with the programs. “The job is part-time, which gives you time to do other things, for example take an online course.”

Training

Training sessions are held in August, November, and February.

Language Assistant opportunities at UPEI

“People come from Quebec to study on PEI,” says Mathilde. “We need people to help them learn English. We are looking for an English-speaking Language Assistant for the summer to work at UPEI.”

The Explore program

Are you looking to expand your language skills and/or to explore a new part of Canada? With Explore, you can learn or improve your French through immersive, government-funded programs that offer unique cultural experiences and the chance to connect with peers from across the country.

Explore is an intensive, government-funded immersion program offered during the spring and summer in exciting locations across the country. The sessions are taught at accredited institutions, and students live on campus or with local host families.

EXPLORE for students aged 13 to 15

• Summer sessions available
• Program length is 19 to 21 days
• Stay on campus or with a local host family
• Make new friends from across Canada while experiencing another part of the country
• Peers will be matched by language proficiency

EXPLORE for students aged 16 and older

• Spring and summer sessions available
• Program length is 31 to 33 days
• Stay on campus or with a local host family
• Students may be eligible for course credits
• Make new friends from across Canada while experiencing another part of the country
• Peers will be matched by age and language proficiency

What costs are covered?

• It’s free to apply to Explore
• Tuition fees for the program
• Instructional materials
• Meals and lodging (does not apply for virtual sessions)
• Workshops and cultural activities

What will it cost me?

Once your enrolment is confirmed, you are responsible for the following expenses:

• Nonrefundable registration fee
• Travel expenses
• Optional cultural activities
• Personal spending money
• Other program-related fees may apply depending on the host institution.