Glossary

The education system is notorious for endless acronyms and constantly changing vocabulary.
Here’s an overview that will help you decipher all the lingo.

Consecutive Program

A four-semester (typically two-year) university program leading to a Bachelor of Education or a Master of Teaching for those who have completed an undergraduate degree (i.e., completing an undergraduate degree first, then completing Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching afterwards).

Concurrent Program

A university program leading to a Bachelor of Education while also completing an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than education (i.e., the pursuit of an undergraduate degree and a Bachelor of Education simultaneously).

Additional Qualifications (AQs)

Additional Qualifications allow those who are already teachers in Ontario to expand their knowledge and skills within the divisions and subjects in which they are already qualified to teach or in new subjects that they then become qualified to teach.

Basic Qualifications (BQs)

Teachers who complete their teacher education program in Ontario have the required areas of study – commonly known as Basic Qualifications – to teach in two consecutive divisions that include Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate or Intermediate/Senior. It is the Basic Qualification that determines if you are qualified as a general education or a technological education teacher, and in what language, grades and subjects you may teach.

Pre-Service Teacher vs In-Service Teacher

Pre-service teacher education is the education and training provided to student teachers before they have undertaken any teaching. In contrast, in-service teacher education provides learning opportunities for practicing teachers.

Undergraduate Degree

For the purpose of teaching in Ontario, a degree (for example, a BA or BSc) must include the equivalent of at least three years of full-time study or 90 credits or the equivalent (in addition to the four-semester teacher education program) beyond the Ontario secondary school diploma (Grade 12) or its equivalent. Your degree must come from an accredited postsecondary institution acceptable to the College.

Bachelor of Education (BEd)

In Ontario, a Bachelor of Education is a two-year teacher education program, with a mix of coursework and practice teaching, that leads to becoming a certified teacher.

Master of Teaching (MT)

In Ontario, a Master of Teaching is a two-year graduate level teacher education program, with a mix of coursework and practice teaching; that leads to becoming a certified teacher.

Initial Teacher Education

Faculties of education offer teacher education programs that are delivered consecutively and/or concurrently, such as a Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching.

Teacher Candidate

A student of an Initial Teacher Education program who is partnered with a certified teacher, often referred to as an Associate Teacher or Student Teacher, to learn in a practical setting. A teacher candidate is not employed by the board and cannot supervise classrooms alone.

Teaching Certification

In Ontario, you must be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers to teach in the province’s publicly funded schools.

French Second Language (FSL)

French Second Language programs, often called FSL programs, are for all students in English-language boards, including students with special needs and English language learners. There are three different FSL programs in Ontario:

Core French

Students learn French as a subject. At the elementary level, students must accumulate a minimum of 600 hours of French instruction by the end of Grade 8. At the secondary level, academic, applied and open courses are offered for Grades 9 and 10; university preparation and open courses are offered for Grades 11 and 12.

Extended French

Students learn French as a subject and French is the language of instruction in at least one other subject. At the elementary level, at least 25 per cent of all instruction is provided in French. At the secondary level, students accumulate seven credits in French: four are FSL language courses and three are other subjects in which French is the language of instruction.

French Immersion

Students learn French as a subject, and French serves as the language of instruction in two or more other subjects. At the elementary level, at least 50 per cent of all instruction is provided in French. At the secondary level, students accumulate ten credits in French: four are FSL language courses and six are other subjects in which French is the language of instruction.

French First Language

There are 12 French First Language school boards in Ontario and schools within these boards teach the Ontario curriculum exclusively in French, with the exception of English as a subject. French-language schools in Ontario have a mandate to protect, enhance and transmit the French language and culture.

Teaching Divisions

Primary
In Ontario, the Primary Division refers to Kindergarten to grade 3.
Junior
In Ontario, the Junior Division refers to grades 4 to 6.
Intermediate
In Ontario, the Intermediate Division refers to grades 7 to 10.
Senior
In Ontario, the Senior Division refers to grades 11 to 12.