There appears to be a real need for certification of Canadian tutors who train ESL students.
It is time to organize a national "Tutor Organization" with representatives from the provincial Ministries of education, the various teachers unions, the various faculties of education and the Federal CIC LINK program.
This "ORG" would require a team that approves existing education programs, materials and tutors and assemble tutor training program standards.
Having a website that promotes standards, professional development opportunities and lists contact information would provide real assistance to the individual members. There is a need for a professional and honest organization that helps Canadians become tutors and existing tutors to become better professionals.
There has to be a concerted effort to promote tutors as the first option for language learners and the various options of one to one tutors and homestay tutors and small boarding school tutoring formats across the entire country of Canada.
Canada offers a rich immersion environment from coast to coast and should be promoted as the best format for ESL, FSL and cultural learning.
Properly organized a new network could create 20,000 new jobs for Canadian tutors and double the learning curve speed for the international students.
Canada Tutor December 2005 Information on the Net
Using any of the big four search engines with the words "Canada tutor" will obtain a wild variety of results.
MSN provided 10 of 10 Canada tutor search results.
DMOZ produced 5 of 6 sites about tutors in Canada
Yahoo showed 4 USA "ad" links then 7 of 10 Canada sites.
Google displayed 2 UK, 10 USA then 4 Canadian sites.
Some Canada Search Engines were even less useful
Amray had zero tutors in their first 10 sites.
Canadaone had zero search results and two resources
Categories had no search results
When we looked for sites that tutors could use to promote their services - we got some stranger results.
This UK site promised Canadian rates of pay.
BAND 1 CAN$22 - CAN$26
BAND 2 CAN$24 - CAN$31
BAND 3 CAN$36 - CAN$43
BAND 4 CAN$36 - CAN$43
Then they told you - Registration fee $50. with no promise of students.
Listen to this hype from a USA site promoting to Canadians: Want to place yourself "a cut above" your tutoring competition? Want to improve your confidence - "buy" their certificate for $75. No promise of students and no national recognition by any educational organization. This guy should go back to selling used cars.
Professional tutors require an efficient method of promoting their services and membership in a professional organization.
It is time to organize a national "Tutor Organization" with representatives from the provincial Ministries of Education, the various teacher's unions, the various Faculties of Education and the Federal CIC LINK program.
This "ORG" would require a team that approves existing education programs, materials and tutors and assemble tutor training program standards. Having a website that promotes standards, professional development opportunities and lists contact information would be a real boost for tutors.
Suggestions for solutions, ideas, meetings, contacts can be posted to a newsletter we just set up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Canada_Tutor_Organization_Newsletter
Remember to write
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com
***********
ESL in Canada Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
Blog Feed
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Blog Disclaimer
This blog uses original and reprintable articles in whole or part. Posts can be edited for spelling, grammar, accuracy, fairness or to meet ever changing legal publishing standards. We post one link to indicate the original post or source. We rely on the accuracy of the sources. This blog is not responsible for errors or omissions or any liability for any posts or any real, imagined, fabricated, current, past or subsequent damages. For additional info: eslincanada (at) gmail (dot) -com-
No comments:
Post a Comment