The Practicum course for Internationally Educated Teachers (IETs) is for candidates who have completed their initial teacher education outside of Canada. After applying to OCT for recognition of foreign credentials, candidates receive a letter detailing the requirements for OCT certification. OCT may require candidates to undertake a practicum experience in Ontario. York University’s Practicum course for Internationally Educated Teachers facilitates the required practicum experience along with workshops to familiarize candidates with education in the Ontario context.
The course has three parts
- On campus seminars and online coursework
- Ethics and Legal Studies in Education (ELSE) online modules
- Practicum experience as required by OCT - typically 20-40 days in a classroom, mentored by an Ontario Certified Teacher.
Mentors are required to complete two written documents.
- A Faculty of Education Observation Protocol of a lesson, including planning, assessment and reflection. http://mtrr.blog.yorku.ca/files/2016/08/Evaluation-Protocol_2016_Text-Version2-1.pdf
- A Faculty of Education final summary report detailing the candidates’ demonstration of the Faculty of Education’s pass/fail Exiting Requirements, which is available at http://mtrr.blog.yorku.ca/practicum-resources/evaluation-forms/. Please scroll down to the REPORTS section.
The Faculty of Education recognizes the rich and diverse experiences that Internationally Educated Teachers bring to Ontario education, and understands that differentiation of the practicum experience in host classrooms is required to optimize learning for teachers who are becoming familiar with the Ontario curriculum and policy. As with all learners, IETS bring a range of strengths to the classroom, which are best developed through the application of principles of gradual release of responsibility.
As always, effective communication is key to building successful professional relationships. Please collaborate with your IET to share knowledge and strategies to facilitate skills development in long range planning, lesson planning, assessment and evaluation, classroom management, inclusive education practices, and curriculum support.
Internationally Educated Teachers may have full time jobs, requiring them to take their vacation time or an unpaid leave of absence to complete this course and practicum placement. Therefore, there is limited flexibility on the placement dates.
