How much does an ESOL teacher make in Canada? How much does an ESL teacher make in Canada? The demand for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers in Canada has been steadily increasing due to the country's multicultural population and because Canada is a major destination for international students and immigrants.

As an aspiring or curious educator wishing to embark on a career in ESOL teaching, you may often wonder about the financial aspects of the profession. This article explores the salary expectations of ESOL teachers in Canada and discusses factors that may influence such as location, experience, and other essential variables. 

As students just entering university, recent graduates, or ESOL professionals, understanding the earning potential in this field can help you make more informed decisions about possible career paths and the various financial prospects in the Canadian educational landscape.

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Ryan
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Mark
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1st lesson is free!
Ethan
5
5 (87 reviews)
Ethan
$70
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Poe
5
5 (41 reviews)
Poe
$49
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Beth
5
5 (48 reviews)
Beth
$45
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Paul
5
5 (14 reviews)
Paul
$40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Delia (del)
5
5 (31 reviews)
Delia (del)
$28
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Chelsea
5
5 (22 reviews)
Chelsea
$35
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Ryan
5
5 (70 reviews)
Ryan
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mark
5
5 (12 reviews)
Mark
$100
/h
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1st lesson is free!
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How much do TESOL teachers make in Canada?

We have started with the million-dollar question! According to Canada Talent and Payscale, the average salary for a professional or ESL instructor is CAD46,000 per year. However, as expected, years of experience will impact this expected salary. Now, because the methodology of TEFL, TESOL, and TESL is very similar, and all are considered reputable certifications for English teachers in Canada, in this article, when we talk about TESOL teachers, we also include TEFL and TESL teachers.

According to Canada Talent, entry-level ESL instructor positions start at CAD38,600 annually, while more experienced workers earn up to CAD76,200 annually. According to Payscale, an entry-level ESL teacher with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average compensation of CAD20. An ESL teacher with 1-4 years of experience makes an average compensation of CAD22. A mid-career ESL teacher with 5-9 years of experience earns an average wage of CAD24. An experienced ESL teacher with 10-19 years of experience makes an average compensation of CAD25. An ESL professional with 20+ years of experience earns an average salary of CAD25.

Consider that many other factors besides years of experience could influence an ESL tutor's income. Some of these factors are:

  • Your approach to learning
  • Your level of education
  • The certifications you hold
  • The types of experience (whether you have worked abroad or with children with disabilities)
  • The type of institution or place of work
  • Whether you work in a public or public school
  • The location of your work
  • The supply and demand of teachers in your area
  • Local industry salaries

Some ways in which ESL teachers can increase their salaries are: Changing companies or employers who are willing to pay more for their skills, obtaining more advanced professional qualifications, and, of course, teaching ESOL abroad!

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"Other factors besides years of experience that could influence an ESL tutor's salary are the location and certifications." Source: Media Library

How much do foreign language instructors earn in Canada?

Foreign language teachers teach pupils to speak, read and write a new language. While teaching a language's grammar, vocabulary, and structure, they also introduce students to the culture and history of the places where the language is spoken.

Canada is home to great linguistic diversity, with major cities such as Toronto and Vancouver having a rich multicultural background where many languages are spoken. Did you know that more than 70 languages are spoken in Canada?

Due to the demand for foreign languages, according to Talent Canada, a foreign language teacher in Canada earns an average salary of CAD50,700 per year. But this will also depend on your years of experience, with entry-level positions paying CAD39,900 annually, while more experienced workers earn up to CAD80,600 annually. In addition to your years of experience, your salary as a foreign language teacher will also vary depending on your education, if you have all the ESL requirements and qualifications, the demand for the language you teach, the province you are in, the type of job and company you work for, etc.

French and Spanish are the most widely spoken foreign languages in Canada. Let's take a look at the average salaries of these professionals!

  • French language instructor - Average salary is CAD47,800 per year: Because French is one of Canada's official languages, immersing some provinces' immigrant populations is essential. About seven million Canadians already speak French, and most live in and around Quebec. In addition, nearly one million French also live in Ontario, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. Since French is one of the most popular languages to learn worldwide, especially in Canada, being a French instructor could be a great idea.
  • Spanish language instructor - Average salary is CAD53,600 per year: Spanish is a popular language among students in Canada. Around 459,000 Canadians speak Spanish as their mother tongue, so you have a good chance of finding learners interested in the language, especially in Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto. Moreover, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and is one of the main languages for business, commerce, economics, politics, and, in general, for communication and the internet.
  • Chinese language instructor - Average salary is CAD47,700 per year: Especially in provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Calgary, Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese are the most spoken languages after French and Spanish, thanks to the number of native Chinese speakers. Moreover, Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world.
The best ESL tutors available
Ethan
5
5 (87 reviews)
Ethan
$70
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Poe
5
5 (41 reviews)
Poe
$49
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Beth
5
5 (48 reviews)
Beth
$45
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Paul
5
5 (14 reviews)
Paul
$40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Delia (del)
5
5 (31 reviews)
Delia (del)
$28
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Chelsea
5
5 (22 reviews)
Chelsea
$35
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Ryan
5
5 (70 reviews)
Ryan
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mark
5
5 (12 reviews)
Mark
$100
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Ethan
5
5 (87 reviews)
Ethan
$70
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Poe
5
5 (41 reviews)
Poe
$49
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Beth
5
5 (48 reviews)
Beth
$45
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Paul
5
5 (14 reviews)
Paul
$40
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Delia (del)
5
5 (31 reviews)
Delia (del)
$28
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Chelsea
5
5 (22 reviews)
Chelsea
$35
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Ryan
5
5 (70 reviews)
Ryan
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mark
5
5 (12 reviews)
Mark
$100
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Let's go

Which province in Canada pays teachers the most?

For ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers and ESOL instructors seeking employment opportunities in Canada, finding a province with a promising job market and competitive salary compensation is a priority. ESL education plays a crucial role in integrating non-English speakers and foreigners into Canadian society, and the demand for ESL lessons and ESL teaching opportunities in Canada will continue to grow across the country. The Canadian province that pays teachers the most in Canada is:

  • Quebec: CAD61,400
  • New Brunswick: CAD61,300
  • Saskatchewan: CAD59,900
  • British Columbia: CAD46,800
  • Ontario: CAD45,800
  • Alberta: CAD44,300

However, the average compensation for ESL teachers can vary depending on the province or territory they choose to work in, their years of experience, ESL professional development, level of education, certifications, institutions they work in, supply and demand of teachers in their area and the local industry salaries. Are you ready to take your teaching career off the ground in Canada's diverse and multicultural landscape?

Seeking employment opportunities in Canada
"Finding a Canadian province with a promising job market and competitive salary compensation is a priority."  Source: Unsplash

What is expected from an ESL teacher?

ESL teachers have one primary goal: to help students become fluent in English and integrate into Canadian culture. ESL teachers are expected to work with students to acquire English so that they can use it in their daily lives, both spoken and written.

Since ESL students may have difficulty adapting to life in an English-speaking country, another role of ESL teachers is to facilitate integration between the student's native culture and the Canadian culture where their native language may not be spoken.

What are the duties and responsibilities of an ESL teacher? ESL teaching involves other related tasks in addition to teaching grammar and vocabulary, for example:

  • Assessing students' level of English proficiency and needs.
  • Planning lessons and obtaining materials to suit the learners.
  • Providing support and motivation for students' learning.
  • Reviewing and marking tests and assessments.
  • Creating progress reports and giving feedback.
  • Help with English-related tasks such as preparing a presentation.
  • Assist students in learning English for specific purposes, such as passing TOEFL or IELTS exams.

Is TESOL Canada worth it?

TESOL is aimed at students learning English in an English-speaking country, but it is also a certification that can be used abroad. TESOL, TESL, and TEFL are aimed at teaching English as a second language. TESOL/TESL/TEFL are popular acronyms in Canada and do not infer any meaning on quality; what matters is the quality of the program, the training, the tutors, and meeting the standards set by TESL Canada.

Canada is a great country to continue growing as an ESL or TESOL teacher or even make a career change after teaching abroad. All you need to teach English in Canada is a bachelor's degree in any field and a TEFL/TESL/TESOL certificate recognized by TESL Canada. So yes, TESOL is worth it in Canada.

As language learning becomes more and more popular, many non-native speakers turn to English teachers for their teaching expertise, so if you want to strengthen your professional credentials, gain more professional development and open up more opportunities in the workplace, investing in a TESOL certificate or master's degree could be a great option!

Would you like to improve your skills as an ESL teacher in Canada?

If you want to gain more skills and experience as an English teacher in Canada, one of the best ways to teach ESL English is through excellent online tutoring platforms in Canada. Would you like to know which one is the best? It is Superprof!

Superprof is the best online tutoring platform in Canada, available in 42 countries; you can offer excellent tutoring services anywhere in Canada.

Be part of a large community of online experts, and sign up as a private ESL teacher in "tutoring jobs" on Superprof's platform. Start sharing your passion for English ASAP!

Welcome to the Superprof family!

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"If you want to gain more skills and experience as an English teacher in Canada, go to Superprof!" Source: Stocksnap

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Ana Gabriela

Hello! I am Ana, originally from Mexico and living in Paris. I am a freelance writer with three years of experience creating content for education, tech, and health :)