Become familiar with PAWS

PAWS is your personalized access to web services at the University of Saskatchewan. It is a customizable web environment used by all members of the university community. This is where you will find information about classes, registration, tuition and fees, scholarships and bursaries, textbooks and more. After you have been admitted to the University of Saskatchewan, log in to PAWS to update your profile, including your preferred name, contact details and more.

Recommended PAWS channels to add to favourites are:

• Registration
• My Textbooks
• Course Tools
• Tuition and Fees
• My Final Grades
• Transcripts and Degree Confirmation

• Log in to PAWS
• Learn more about PAWS

USask email

We keep in contact with you through your USask email account, which is automatically created when you are admitted to the University of Saskatchewan. All course information will be provided to you through your PAWS and any email communication with our office and instructors must be done through PAWS; please ensure that you check this email account on a regular basis. You can also set up your smartphone and other devices to receive your USask email directly.

Need detailed registration information? Visit Classes and Registration for a video tutorial.

All students are strongly encouraged to register in their classes by August 15 (Term 1), December 15 (Term 2) and April 15 (Spring and Summer session) to ensure that any course materials, such as textbook purchases, arrive before the start of classes.  This is particularly important for Term 2 as all University of Saskatchewan services (including the University Bookstore) are closed for the winter holiday season between December 25 and January 1.

Your class syllabus and materials will be posted online in USask learning management system, which you will access via PAWS, on the first day of classes at the start of the term. Visit course tools support to view tutorials videos and help documents.

All electronic contact with the instructors will be through course announcement messages found in the Course Tools or through your PAWS email (NSID@mail.usask.ca) account. Due to privacy and identification issues, instructors may not respond to messages from outside email addresses.

Course work successfully completed within the last ten years and deemed to be equivalent to CERTESL courses may be transferable into the CERTESL Program. You may be eligible to receive transfer credits into the CERTESL Program up to a maximum of 10 credit units. If you wish to have prior coursework evaluated for possible transfer, please use the course transfer application.

Please note that final exams in the CERTESL program may be invigilated and written in a live setting. Invigilated exams are not available in an online format. Not all CERTESL courses include final or invigilated exams; please review the class syllabus for information relevant to your class.

All the courses in the CERTESL program are offered in a distance education format through online delivery and independent study. Courses with insufficient enrolment are subject to cancellation.

The University of Saskatchewan employs a degree audit service, called Degree Works, that allows students to monitor completed and outstanding program requirements. To find more details and access this service, visit Degree Works.

To be awarded the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, students must complete or receive credit for the following courses in the program.

Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (CERTESL)

1. ECUR 291.3 An Introduction to the Teaching of English as a Second/Additional Language
2. ECUR 292.3 The Structure of English for Language Teaching
3. ECUR 391.3 Theory of Second/Additional Language Learning and Methods of Skills Development
4. ECUR 445.1 Observations Across CERTESL
5. ECUR 331.3 Materials and Assessment in English Language Teaching OR
   ECUR 415.3 Current Issues in English as an Additional Language
6. ECUR 393.3 Advanced Methods in Teaching English as a Second/Additional Language
7. ECUR 339.3 Teaching English as a Second Language for Adult Literacy Learners OR
   ECUR 375.3 English Language Development with Indigenous Learners
8. ECUR 446.3 Supervised Practicum for English Language Teaching OR
   ECUR 448.3 Professional Project in English Language Teaching
9. ECUR 447.1 Practicum Additional Hours

Important Information

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

• Six credit units of ENG and/or LING courses or the equivalent is the prerequisite to ECUR 291.3
• ECUR 291.3 is the prerequisite or corequisite of all other courses in the CERTESL Program
• ECUR 331.3 is the prerequisite of ECUR 339.3
• ECUR 391.3 is the prerequisite or corequisite of all other courses in the CERTESL Program except ECUR 291.3 and ECUR 292.3
• ECUR 391.3 and ECUR 445.1 require concurrent registration
• ECUR 446.3 and ECUR 447.1 require concurrent registration

Notes:

• TESL 333.3 is equivalent to ECUR 292.3 and TESL 442.3 is equivalent to ECUR 446.3
• You may obtain permission to complete ECUR 415.3 in lieu of ECUR 331.3 if you have previously obtained a B.Ed. degree, plan to teach pre-K to 12 EAL, and complete the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Bootcamp
• You are encouraged to complete ECUR 445.1 over up to two academic terms with a grade of In Progress
• Laboratory/materials fees in addition to tuition apply to ECUR 446.3
• You may only obtain permission to complete ECUR 448.3 in lieu of ECUR 446.3 if you have previously obtained a B.Ed. degree and/or possess significant demonstrable and relevant teaching experience
• You may obtain permission to complete ECUR 448.3 in lieu of the ECUR 339.3 or ECUR 375.3 elective requirement

Professional Accreditation/Certification:

• You will require ECUR 446.3 for most professional accreditations or certifications
• You will require ECUR 447.1 if you are pursuing certain professional accreditations or certifications
• You may NOT complete ECUR 375.3 if you are pursuing certain professional accreditations or certifications
• See the Professional Certification section for additional details

Class Syllabus and Course Information

A syllabus must be provided for each class under University of Saskatchewan academic policy. Your class syllabus provides important information about learning outcomes, textbooks and required materials, learning module schedules with assignment and exam dates, relative marking weight of assignments and examinations, and instructor contact information and availability. Class syllabi (current and historical) are published in the Course Catalogue. To view the specific syllabus for a class you are current registered in, login to your online learning modules through PAWS. A syllabus for each class will be available by the first day of classes at the start of the term.

Textbooks

Information regarding the required and recommended textbooks will be included in each class syllabus as well as the "My Textbooks" menu option in the Academics channel in your PAWS account. You are encouraged to place your textbook orders early to avoid delays. Textbooks may be purchased from the University’s Bookstore. For full details on searching for textbook and ordering information, please visit the University of Saskatchewan Bookstore. You may also choose to obtain your textbooks through alternative retailers; however, the University Bookstore maintains competitive pricing and stocks all textbooks required for University of Saskatchewan courses.

You are encouraged to register for your course(s) and order textbooks early. Late registration may result in textbook shortages and delays. In particular, internationally-located students are encouraged to register in courses and order textbooks as soon possible after they are informed of acceptance as international shipping timelines can be significant and can take up to six weeks in some cases.

Study Skills

Distance education classes can require a great deal of persistence and self-discipline. Courses in the CERTESL Program are delivered at a upper-year university level; you should expect to work a minimum of ten hours per week per course. Remember that keeping on top of your coursework will help alleviate stress associated with assignment deadlines and exams. Academic support is always available through your course instructors and the Academic Coordinator. It is essential that students communicate any issues with course material with their instructors. Study Skills Help is available through the University of Saskatchewan Library.

Distance and Distributed Library Services

Distance and Distributed Library Services are available to all University of Saskatchewan students who reside outside of Saskatoon and cannot access Library collections and services in person. All students residing of outside Saskatoon are encouraged to visit Distance and Distributed Library Services to review of the full range of resources and services available.

Tuition for the CERTESL program is assessed on a course-by-course basis under Education Category 2.  If you are not a citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada, you will be assessed tuition using the international student schedule.  Students enrolled in online distance education courses are also subject to off-campus student fees.  Registration, tuition and fee payment, and withdrawal deadlines apply to all students, including off-campus and international students.

• Tuition and Fees

Examination Regulations

• USask Exams and Costs

Access and Equity Services

If you require accommodations based on a diagnosed learning, medical, physical, or mental health disability; religion; family status, including pregnancy; and/or gender identity, you must register with Access and Equity Services (AES), formerly Disability Services for Students (DSS), in order to access AES programs and supports. For AES exam accommodations, please ensure that you compete the AES Exam Accommodation form within the applicable deadlines. 

For more information, please visit Access and Equity Services or contact 306-966-7273 or aes@usask.ca.

Deferred Examinations

There are set rules and regulations that govern deferred exam requests at the University of Saskatchewan. Applicable circumstances include those such as for compassionate, health-related, and other legitimate unforeseen and uncontrollable reasons. A written request for a deferred exam must be directed to the Department of Curriculum Studies office within the deadlines outlined in the academic calendar.

• Deferred Exam Information

Supplemental Examinations

• Supplemental Exam Information

Students must submit the required documents prior to the strict deadlines below. Late submission will not be accepted.

ECUR 445.1 Observations Across CERTESL

You must demonstrate 10 hours of Observations Across CERTESL in an ESL/EFL classroom and have completed ECUR 445.1 prior to requesting permission to register for ECUR 446.3 (formerly TESL 442.3) or ECUR 448.3 (formerly TESL 43).

Corequisite: Concurrent registration in ECUR 391.3.

This course is designed to provide student-teacher trainees with the opportunity to observe theory and practice in the field of English as a Second Language. Trainees will observe experienced language teachers in classroom settings with various types of language learners. Student-teachers will conduct 10 hours of observation in ESL classrooms and carry out reflective learning assignments on their experiences.

• This course is graded Pass/Fail with no final examination.
• Students are encouraged to complete ECUR 445.1 over up to two academic terms with a grade of In Progress.

ECUR 446.3 Supervised Practicum

Prerequisites: Completion or equivalent of ECUR 291.3, ECUR 292.3, ECUR 391.3, and ECUR 445.1 (or Observations Across CERTESL)
Corequisite: Prior or concurrent completion of one of ECUR 331.3, ECUR 339.3, ECUR 415.3, or ECUR 490.3.

This course is designed to provide student-teacher trainees with the opportunity to apply theory and practice in the field of English as a Second Language. Trainees will observe experienced language teachers and discuss classroom applications and the needs of various types of language learners. Student-teachers will observe ESL classes, plan lessons, teach in a supervised environment, carry out a reflective teaching project, and receive scheduled feedback and guidance on their teaching from both the local sponsor-teacher and the University of Saskatchewan course instructor.

• This course is graded Pass/Fail with no final examination.
• English proficiency for both first/primary and additional language speakers of English will be assessed during the course. Excellent oral and written proficiency is required to obtain a grade of Pass. As described in the course syllabus, if you are an additional language speaker of English, your instructor must be satisfied that your proficiency is at least equivalent to a score of 5.0 in the CanTEST at the end of ECUR 446.3. If you do not meet this proficiency level, you may be required to have your English language skills re-evaluated by TOEFL, IELTS, CanTEST, or another recognized test of academic English prior to receiving a grade. Regardless of whether English is your first/primary language, you may fail ECUR 446.3 if you do not demonstrate a high standard of written and oral proficiency.
• A $150.00 materials fee is assessed with tuition at the time of registration.

During ECUR 446.3, CERTESL student-teachers are required to conduct 10 hours of in-class observations and teach for 10 hours. Student-teachers must locate and organize suitable local host venues, practicum supervisors and language learners before registering in ECUR 446.3. A qualified local practicum supervisor (see Supervisor Requirements) must observe student-teacher trainees during all of the required hours. If appropriate, a student-teacher may carry out the guided observations and supervised teaching components of ECUR 446.3 in the classroom of the supervisor. As an academic component of the course, you will be required to submit practicum plans, reports, and assignments to the instructor as listed in the course syllabus.  You must complete these components in order to receive a passing grade.

ECUR 447.1 Practicum Additional Hours

Corequisite: Concurrent registration in ECUR 446.3 or ECUR 448.3.

This course is designed to provide student-teacher trainees with additional practicum observation and teaching hours needed to qualify for the undergraduate CERTESL and TESL Saskatchewan Level 2, TESL Ontario, or TESL Canada Standard 2 credentials.

• This course is graded Pass/Fail with no final examination.

During ECUR 447.1, CERTESL student-teachers are required to conduct an additional 10 hours of in-class observations and teach for an additional 10 hours. Student-teachers must locate and organize suitable local host venues, practicum supervisors and language learners before registering in ECUR 447.1. A qualified local practicum supervisor (see Supervisor Requirements) must observe student-teacher trainees during all of the required hours. If appropriate, a student-teacher may carry out the guided observations and supervised teaching components of ECUR 447.1 in the classroom of the supervisor. As an academic component of the course, you will be required to submit practicum plans, reports, and assignments to the instructor as listed in the course syllabus.  You must complete these components in order to receive a passing grade.

Student-teachers with documented substantial ESL teaching experience must also register in this course while completing ECUR 448.3. You may have ECUR 447.1 coursework waived and a grade of Pass assigned by undergoing the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)  process within CERTESL.

Practicum Components

Supervisor Requirements

Student-teachers must locate and organize suitable local host venues, practicum supervisors and language learners before requesting permission to register in ECUR 446.3 and ECUR 447.1. A qualified local practicum supervisor must observe student-teacher trainees during all of the required hours. This supervisor must hold a university degree and have at least three years of ESL teaching experience. The supervisor must also have substantial formal academic training as an English-language teacher that meets or exceeds TESL Canada Standard 2, TESL Saskatchewan Competency, or TESL Ontario OCELT standards for ESL instructors. The supervisor should not be a relative, equal colleague, close personal friend, or reside at the same address as the student-teacher.

The supervisor will be required to observe all of the student-teaching completed to fulfill the requirements of ECUR 446.3 and/or ECUR 447.1, offer constructive oral feedback following every teaching session and submit written reports to your University of Saskatchewan course instructor(s). Detailed information will be provided to practicum supervisors prior to the beginning of the term. A modest honorarium will be paid to each supervisor after all reports and grades have been submitted. As noted above, your approved local practicum supervisor(s) must be present for all required practicum teaching hours. If it is necessary for a second individual to assist, for instance scheduling or illness, the alternate supervisor must be approved by the CERTESL Academic Coordinator. You must submit a Supervisor Approval Form for each potential supervisor prior to the strict submission deadlines, found below, before being granted permission to enrol in ECUR 446.3 and ECUR 447.1. Late approval forms will not be accepted, except in the case of sudden illness or other serious unforeseen circumstances. If any of your practicum teaching hours are supervised by anyone other than your program approved supervisor, you jeopardize your successful completion of the practicum and your future professional certification. The CERTESL Academic Coordinator will review the application and advise you of any issues regarding the approval of the suggested supervisor. If the supervisor is not acceptable to the CERTESL Program, you will be required to select a different supervisor and submit another Supervisor Approval Form.

ECUR 448.3 Professional Project

You must demonstrate 10 hours of Observations Across CERTESL in an ESL/EFL classroom and have completed ECUR 445.1 prior to requesting permission to register for ECUR 448.3 (formerly TESL 43).

Prerequisites: Completion or equivalent of ECUR 291.3, ECUR 391.3, and one of ECUR 292.3 or ECUR 331.3.
Corequisite: Prior or concurrent completion of one other three-credit unit TESL/TEAL course.

If you have documented substantial ESL teaching experience, you must still register in ECUR 447.1. You may have coursework waived and a grade of Pass assigned by undergoing the CERTESL PLAR process.

Registration in ECUR 448.3 is restricted to students who have already completed Bachelor of Education degrees and/or have significant demonstrable teaching experience. Students must draw from their teaching histories and previous internship/practicum experiences to develop projects specific to their teaching environments. NOTE: TESL Canada, TESL Ontario, and TESL Saskatchewan require candidates to have completed practicums in order to qualify for certification/accreditation; these organizations may allow practicum substitutions for candidates who have completed ECUR 448.3 and have a required number of documented teaching hours (see Professional Certification).

This course will assist in directing ongoing professional development. The project is designed to help students participate in research, or in program, curriculum, or materials development. The readings are designed to help students relate classroom practice to topics covered in the CERTESL program, develop skills of introspection and self-assessment and to improve teaching practice. This course will extend and deepen knowledge in areas of professional interest relevant to teaching in the LINC context or relevant to teaching in the K-12 or Special Purposes contexts, as appropriate for current or intended areas of practice.

English proficiency for both first/primary and additional language speakers of English will be assessed during the project. Excellent oral and written proficiency is required to obtain a passing grade; you may fail the course if you do not demonstrate a high standard of written and oral proficiency.

Practicum and Project Deadlines

Students must submit the required documents prior to the strict deadlines below. Late submission will not be accepted.

• ELT Qualifications Manual
• Practicum Supervisor Form

Should it become necessary to switch or withdraw from a class for any reason, you must drop the class in PAWS to cancel your registration. If you drop a class before the deadline for registration changes, all applicable tuition and student fees will be credited to your account or refunded and your grades will not be affected. 

If you drop a class after the deadline for registration changes, a portion of the tuition may be credited or refunded, depending on when you withdraw from the class, and you will receive a grade of Withdrawal (W). Failure to appropriately withdraw from a class will result in the full assessment of tuition and fees and the assignment of a 0% or failing grade.

See the registration deadlines for specific withdrawal deadlines.

The following academic standards ensure adequate progress is being made towards successful completion of the CERTESL program and that students meet the standards for graduation eligibility:

Completion of Coursework

• A passing grade is 50%.
• Students must submit and pass all assignments and write and pass the final exam, if applicable, in order to be assigned a passing grade in any given course.
• At the discretion of the instructor, a student may be allowed one rewrite of an assignment within a reasonable period of time during the academic term of enrollment in the course.
• A student may apply to write a supplemental final exam if he or she receives a failing overall course grade of no less than 45% after initial final grades are posted.

Retaking Courses

• Students will be permitted to take the same course more than once in order to improve their final grades. The highest grade obtained in a particular course will be used to calculate a student’s overall program average.

Requirements to Discontinue

• Students who have either failed the same course a second time or have failed two separate courses will be advised to discontinue from the CERTESL program. Students may re-apply for admission to the program after a period of one year.

Graduation Eligibility

Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language

• Graduation candidates must have obtained a minimum grade of 50% in each course.
• Graduation candidates must have successfully completed or received transfer credit for 23 credit units of CERTESL courses
• Graduation candidates must have achieved an overall average of 60% based on the following courses:
  • ECUR 291.3
  • ECUR 292.3
  • ECUR 331.3 or ECUR 415.3
  • ECUR 339.3,  ECUR 375.3, or ECUR 448.3
  • ECUR 391.3
  • ECUR 393.3
• Graduation candidates must have received a passing grade in the practicum and/or professional project courses:
  • ECUR 445.1
  • ECUR 446.3 or ECUR 448.3
  • ECUR 447.1

Certificate of Successful Completion in Teaching English as a Second Language

• Graduation candidates must have been admitted to the CERTESL Program prior to the 201905 term
• Graduation candidates must have obtained a minimum grade of 50% in each course.
• Graduation candidates must have achieved an overall average of 60% based on the following courses:
  • ECUR 291.3 or equivalent
  • ECUR 292.3 or equivalent
  • ECUR 331.3, ECUR 339.3, ECUR 415.3, or equivalent
  • ECUR 391.3, ECUR 375.3, or equivalent
  • ECUR 393.3 or equivalent
• Graduation candidates must have received a passing grade in the practicum or professional project courses:
  • ECUR 445.1 or equivalent
  • ECUR 446.3, ECUR 448.3, or equivalent

The University of Saskatchewan employs a degree audit service, called Degree Works, that allows students to monitor completed and outstanding program requirements. To find more details and access this service, visit Degree Works.

TESL Saskatchewan Accreditation

Level 1 (Introductory)

CERTESL program graduates who meet the following criteria exceed TESL Saskatchewan Level 1 accreditation standards:

• have completed university degrees and
• have completed either the Supervised Practicum OR the Professional Project and 1000 hours of documented successful ESL teaching experience, at least 500 hours of which was obtained in Canada.

Level 2 (Competency)

CERTESL program graduates who meet the following criteria are eligible for TESL Saskatchewan Level 2 accreditation standards:

• have completed university degrees and
• have completed the equivalent of seven three-credit unit classes of CERTESL coursework, including
• either the Supervised Practicum and the Practicum Additional Hours OR the Professional Project and 1000 hours of documented successful ESL teaching experience, at least 500 hours of which was obtained in Canada.
• See the Historical Course Equivalencies section for additional details.

For information on TESL Saskatchewan membership, please visit TESL Saskatchewan.

TESL Canada Certification

Standard 1

CERTESL program graduates who meet the following criteria are eligible for TESL Canada Standard 1 certification standards:

• have completed university degrees and
• have completed either the Supervised Practicum in an adult program setting OR 1000 hours of documented successful adult ESL classroom teaching experience.

Standard 2

CERTESL program graduates who meet the following criteria are eligible for TESL Canada Standard 2 certification standards:

• have completed university degrees and
• have completed the equivalent of seven three-credit unit classes of CERTESL coursework, including
• either the Supervised Practicum and the Practicum Additional Hours in an adult program setting OR 1000 hours of documented successful adult ESL classroom teaching experience.
• See the Historical Course Equivalencies section for additional details.

Students who began their training programs prior to September 2017 may not be required to complete the additional hours module.

For information on TESL Canada membership benefits, please visit TESL Canada.

TESL Ontario Accreditation

OCELT Level

CERTESL program graduates who meet the following criteria are eligible for TESL Ontario OCELT accreditation standards:

• have completed university degrees and
• have completed the equivalent of seven three-credit unit classes of CERTESL coursework, including
• either the Supervised Practicum and the Practicum Additional Hours or 500 hours of documented successful adult ESL teaching experience in Canada  OR the Professional Project and 1000 hours of documented successful adult ESL teaching experience, at least 500 hours of which was obtained in Canada.
• See the Historical Course Equivalencies section for additional details.

CTESOL Level

CERTESL students who meet the following criteria are eligible for TESL Ontario CTESOL certification standards:

• have completed university degrees and
• have completed the equivalent of five three-credit unit classes of CERTESL coursework, including
• the Supervised Practicum and Observations Across CERTESL.
• See the Historical Course Equivalencies section for additional details.
• NOTE: Students who do not complete the full CERTESL program are not eligible for graduation.

For information on TESL Ontario membership benefits, please visit TESL Ontario.

Please contact the accrediting/certifying body most relevant to your situation for more details.