Primary-Junior French as a Second Language Multi-Session (FSLM)

Bonjour! Le programme primaire-moyen - français langue seconde (FSLM), a été développé pour les candidats qui souhaitent enseigner les cours d'immersion et français de base dans une salle de classe en Ontario.

This program is geared toward those that currently have a qualifying teaching position or are seeking one (e.g., unqualified teacher, teacher on a letter of permission, school employees). The hope is that eligible candidates qualify for the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (MTCQR) and then, with Faculty of Education approval, complete practicum requirements while working in an Ontario classroom.

We also have an on-campus version of this program - find out more about the differences. 

 

Application Process

Selection of incoming teacher candidates is based on the Queen's application requirements as well as the proof of language competency submitted to Student Services. There is a French language requirement. Applicants must also meet the recommendations for Primary-Junior.

How to apply

 

 

 

Overview

  • For Primary-Junior teacher candidates only.
  • 6 successive terms over 24 months. Starting in May, the program is delivered in a blended format both on and off-campus and runs Summer, Fall/Winter, Summer, Fall/Winter.
  • The first and second summer terms are delivered in-person at Queen’s University, Faculty of Education.
  • Fall and winter terms are delivered over 4 weekends per term, at Queen's University, Faculty of Education.
  • Teacher candidates in this program prepare to teach in French Immersion, Extended and Core French programs in Ontario schools.
  • Teacher candidates receive a BEd and an Additional Qualification (AQ) in FSL Part 1
  • Teacher candidates complete 18-weeks of practicum in a French (Immersion, Extended, or Core) classroom. There is an additional 3-week Alternative Practicum that teacher candidates must complete.
  • Candidates must meet at least one of the following requirements to be admitted into the program:
    • 5.0 full-year undergraduate courses in French or completion of a degree in the French language OR
    • A French Bilingual/Immersion/Extended Certificate and original transcript from an anglophone secondary school or an original transcript if you have graduated from a francophone secondary school, OR
    • Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) You will need to achieve an overall classification of C1 (Advanced 1). Test results are valid for life, OR,
    • Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) You will need to achieve an overall classification of B1 (Intermediate 1). Test results are valid for life, OR,  
    • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) You will need to obtain a score of C1 (Advanced 1 in all four modalities: reading, listening, writing and speaking). Test results are valid for two years, OR
    • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) You will need to obtain a score of C1 (Advanced 1 in all four modalities: reading, listening, writing and speaking). Test results are valid for two years.
  • Provides the opportunity for eligible candidates who are already teaching in a school setting to qualify for the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (MTCQR) (formerly known as the Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (TCQR)) and then, with Faculty of Education approval, to complete practicum requirements while continuing to work in their classroom teaching positions.

Faculty of Education Queen's University, EOSDN, and EOSDN School Boards

Future FSLM teacher candidates have the opportunity to apply to complete the FSLM Program through the partnership with the Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network (EOSDN) and the EOSDN school boards. This pathway allows you to be hired as an MTCQR qualified teacher by one of these school boards for both years of the two-year FSLM program. It also allows you to receive release time one day per month to attend in-person classes on campus at Queen's University. 
 

Courses, Schedule, and Practicum

In the program you will take some courses that are common to all education programs, and some that are specific to French as a Second Language.

Practicum

General Practicum

Practicum are structured over 18-weeks: 7-weeks in the first and second summer term (May) and 11-weeks in the fall/winter terms.

Alternative Practicum

PRAC 458 - The Language and Culture Passport
The Alternative Practicum is the equivalent of three weeks (90 hours) beyond the 18 weeks of practicum and the program courses. FSLM candidates fulfill this requirement by completing 30 hours in each of the three parts of the Language and Culture Passport:

  • Part A - Intercultural Understanding (Grades 1- 6 Ontario FSL Curriculum)
  • Part B - Cultural Celebrations 
  • Part C - Professional Development

For program schedules, please see the Academic Calendar.

Transitional Certification: Learn & Earn

After successful completion of the first session (Spring/Summer One) of the FSLM Program, candidates are eligible to apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for a Multi-Session Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration (MTCQR). With an MTCQR, candidates employed by school boards will gain valuable practical experience in instructional settings while continuing to earn a salary.

The MTCQR is granted by the Ontario College of Teachers to eligible teacher candidates before they have completed their teacher education program. School boards may offer employment to FSLM candidates holding an MTCQR and/or pending MTCQR as qualified teachers of French as a Second Language in the P/J division. This fast track to employment is intended to support school boards in addressing the need for qualified teachers of French as a Second Language as they gain valuable practical and paid experience in instructional settings which are aligned with the areas of concentration in the candidate's program of professional education.

Step One: Transitional Certificate Qualifying Practicum – For FSLM teacher candidates, the qualifying practicum for the MTCQR must be completed in May (PRAC 418) of their first year of study. This fifteen-day observational practicum is an introduction to schools. This will be completed either in-person or in an online module for candidates already working in schools. Candidates are not expected to teach formal lessons during this practicum.

Step Two: Complete in-person, on-campus learning – To qualify for application to the Ontario College of Teachers for the MTCQR, FSLM teacher candidates must successfully complete the first term of the program. During this first term of the program, candidates are required to attend in-person classes on-campus at the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University for three weekends in May/June and full-time for the month of July.

Step Three: Apply for the Transitional Certificate of Qualification & Registration – It is the responsibility of the teacher candidate to apply for and secure employment as part of working under an MTCQR. Once employed, this certificate may permit eligible FSLM teacher candidates to complete a portion of their practicum requirements while working as a teacher in an Ontario Primary-Junior classroom.

TCQR: Practicum Requirements - Queen’s University Faculty of Education may permit MTCQR holders in FSLM to complete a percentage or all remaining practicum requirements in their own school board workplace.

Qualifying teaching positions include the following characteristics and features:

  1. in a French Primary-Junior division classroom setting.
  2. involves teaching a group of students for an extended period of time (e.g. four weeks or more).
  3. utilizes the Ontario Curriculum Guidelines.
  4. involves all aspects of instruction in the teaching role – e.g. professionalism; supporting a community of learners; planning and preparing; lesson presentation; assessment; and classroom management.
  5. supervised by a senior administrator (e.g. Principal, Vice-Principal, and/or their designate) who is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers in good standing, and who completes a formative and a summative assessment each term.

Admission Requirements and Information

Requirements:

Applicants are required to have an acceptable undergraduate degree (minimum 3-year General degree).  Preference is given to applicants with a 4-year Honours undergraduate degree.

Applicants are also required to have one of the following:

  • 5.0 full-year undergraduate courses in French or completion of a degree in the French language OR
  • A French Bilingual/Immersion/Extended Certificate and original transcript from an anglophone secondary school or an original transcript if you have graduated from a francophone secondary school, OR
  • Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF) You will need to achieve an overall classification of C1 (Advanced 1). Test results are valid for life, OR,
  • Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) You will need to achieve an overall classification of B1 (Intermediate 1). Test results are valid for life, OR,  
  • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) You will need to obtain a score of C1 (Advanced 1 in all four modalities: reading, listening, writing and speaking). Test results are valid for two years, OR
  • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) You will need to obtain a score of C1 (Advanced 1 in all four modalities: reading, listening, writing and speaking). Test results are valid for two years.

Recommendations:

  • A minimum “B” average based on the grading scheme of the issuing postsecondary institution.
  • 1 half‑year course in Developmental Psychology (or equivalent) or 1 full‑year course in Introductory Psychology (or equivalent).
  • Completion of a 4‑year Honours undergraduate degree (20 full‑year courses). If you have less than 20 full-year courses, it is recommended that you take additional courses to add up to 20, as this can be an advantage for salary and advancement.

In addition to the above, preferred status will be given to candidates who have completed at least one half-year undergraduate or graduate course in at least four of the following areas: 

  • English
  • Geography or Canadian History
  • Health and/or Physical Education
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • The Arts (visual arts, music, drama, dance)
  • Developmental Psychology or full-year Introduction to Psychology

The first 6 areas are incorporated in the content and pedagogy of Ontario Primary-Junior curriculum.

Notes on Policies:

  • Recommended courses provide a broader subject knowledge that will be helpful with a teaching career.
  • The recommendations listed in the Admissions Policies are suggested for admission. Having the recommended items may help applicants to be more competitive in the admission process, but applicants may gain admission without the recommended items.
  • Unless otherwise specified, throughout the Admissions Policies, a “course” means a university‑level or second‑year CEGEP course.
  • “1 full-year course” means a full‑year course or its equivalent (e.g., 2 half‑year courses).

Notes on OCT Requirements:

The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) sets its own document and assessment requirements and policies, which may be different from the requirements noted in these policies.

Completing the BEd degree requirements does not guarantee a teaching certificate. All graduates who apply to the OCT must meet all of the OCT requirements.

Read more about current OCT licensing requirements.

Applicants With a Graduate Degree in Progress:

  • If you are completing a graduate degree (e.g., MA, MSc) by spring, you may be eligible for additional admission points.
  • Indicate on your application that you are enrolled and the anticipated completion date. Provide a final transcript by June 30 showing that the graduate degree was conferred.

Applicants With a University Degree and a College Diploma/Applied Degree:

  • If you completed 2, 3, or 4 years of a college diploma/applied degree program, you may be eligible to receive additional admission points by submitting an official college transcript, in addition to your university transcript.
  • If you have already received substantial university transfer credit for college courses or college credit for university courses, you may not be eligible for such consideration.

Official Transcripts 

  • All transcripts submitted must be official, bearing the institutional seal and/or original signature of the institution’s registrar. Photocopied or forwarded transcripts are not acceptable.
  • All transcripts, once received, become the property of Student Services and are not returned to you.
  • Your previous academic credentials must be obtained at an institution providing an academic environment and education that prepares students for potential success in advanced study at Queen’s.
     

    Official transcripts should consist of:

  • Postsecondary transcripts from each institution you attended.
    • Ontario transcripts: Request your transcript through the TEAS application.
    • Out-of-province transcripts: Request transcripts from the issuing postsecondary institution (including CEGEP, if applicable). 
  • NOTE: Out-of-province and high school transcripts are to be sent directly to educstudentservices@queensu.ca or:
    Student Services
    Faculty of Education, Queen’s University
    Room A112, Duncan McArthur Hall
    511 Union Street
    Kingston, ON K7M 5R7
    Attention: Jamie Kincaid

International transcripts

For Bachelor of Education applicants who obtained a degree from a foreign institution (from non-Canadian or American institutions) you must have all international official transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) (ICAP course-by-course assessment).

Note that it can take upwards of six weeks for WES to receive official transcripts from a foreign academic institution, after which point the WES evaluation can take a week or longer to complete. Applicants should begin the evaluation process as early as possible.

Ensure you are on the Canadian page (a maple leaf in the banner). Applicants are responsible for the costs associated with the WES evaluation and any translation required. Applicants must request that WES evaluations be sent directly to Student Services by the official transcript deadline.

If you have questions, please contact Student Services.

Queen’s University attempts each year to admit a student body reflective of the general population of Canada. The Faculty of Education has developed an admission policy regarding equitable representation of groups that are underrepresented in the teaching profession, and has reserved a number of equity admission places in the Bachelor of Education Program. Those who complete the voluntary Equity Admission form will be considered both under the general admission procedure and under the equity admission policy.

Equity Admission Form

English is the language of instruction at Queen’s University and in the schools in Ontario where our teacher candidates carry out their required practice teaching. Applicants who are non-native speakers of English are required to provide evidence of oral and written proficiency in English in one of two ways:

  • Candidates must have studied full-time at least three full years (or the equivalent) at a university where the language of instruction and examination was in English in a country where one of the official languages is English. Time spent in ESL courses or in an ESL program is not counted toward this three-year requirement. Applicants who have attended university other than in North America must submit a letter directly from the university verifying that the language of instruction and examination was English.

Or

  • Candidates must have achieved the required level of proficiency on one of the three tests of English language listed below.

Each of the following language tests has a minimum score that must be attained before the applicant will be considered for admission to the Faculty of Education:

  1. The Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based (TOEFL iBT). The TOEFL iBT test code number 8573 must be used to ensure that the results are forwarded directly to the Faculty of Education. Required test scores: Minimum 24 on the Reading component, 23 on the Listening, 28 on each of the Writing and Speaking components, with a minimum 103 overall.
  2. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Request the Academic test. Required test scores: minimum 6.5 on both the Reading and Listening components, and a minimum of 7.0 on the Writing and Speaking components, with a minimum 7.0 overall.
  3. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). Select “Test Takers” from the top bar menu to access information, including test locations and dates. Required test score: Minimum 70 in all 4 categories and minimum 70 overall.

Candidates admitted to the program who are found to have an unsatisfactory command of the English language, either spoken or written, where their language skills interferes with their ability to communicate effectively in the classroom, may be required to take remedial work or may be asked to withdraw from the program.

Finance Your Studies

Tuition and Fees 

Find information about Tuition and Fees on the Registrar’s website (scroll down to the “education” headline and look under Consecutive & Concurrent (final year) heading. 

Financial Aid  

  • Named General Bursaries for the Faculty of Education – there are numerous bursaries available specifically for Faculty of Education students.  

Contact Us

For more information regarding admission, please contact Education Student Services.