How to join us

TESL Toronto is an affiliate of TESL Ontario. This means that to join us, you need to join TESL Ontario, and choose TESL Toronto as your affiliate on the membership application.

Bonus: When you join TESL Ontario, you will also automatically become a member of TESL Canada.

Benefits of membership

Visit the TESL Ontario website to learn more about the benefits of membership, including:

  • access to professional publications,
  • networking and professional development opportunities; and
  • discounts for conferences, retail outlets, insurance, and more.

Which TESL Ontario membership is right for you?

The TESL Ontario membership you choose will depend on whether or not you want to be accredited*, and if you do want accreditation, whether you want TESL Canada or TESL Ontario accreditation.

* see our Training page to learn more about accreditation

1. Membership without accreditation

If you’re not interested in accreditation, you can get a Standard membership for $86/year. The same membership is available at a discount (for $60), if you are a student, an ESL volunteer, retired, or unemployed (on the application this is called a Student/Volunteer/Friends of TESL membership).

For a Standard or a Student/Volunteer/Friends of TESL membership, click here, and either apply online or download the Application Form.

2. Membership with TESL Ontario accreditation

If you are applying for the first time for TESL Ontario accreditation, go to their Accreditation page, look under Accreditation Application Guides, and download the one you want – either Language Instructor Accreditation (for ESL teachers) or TESL Trainer Accreditation (for teachers of ESL teachers).

For a straightforward application, this membership costs $166/year, plus a one-time $100 administration fee. However, if your credentials are not recent or are from an unrecognized institution, the administration fee may go up. Details are available on the application.

3. Membership with TESL Canada accreditation

If you are applying for TESL Canada accreditation, you must first join TESL Ontario for $86/60 (see option #1 above). Then go to TESL Canada’s website, look under TESL Canada Professional Certification, and click on Certification Application. TESL Canada certification has a one-time fee of about $100, and is for life.