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The 2020-21 Language Teacher Bursary Program is under review due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overview

The Language Teacher Bursary Program helps:

  • French and international language teachers improve their language fluency, teaching skills and knowledge through a post-secondary education experience
  • Alberta jurisdictions enhance their language teaching capacity

Funding

The program provides up to 10 bursaries of $5,000 for certificated Alberta teachers to take a summer post-secondary program in a language other than English or a language instruction course at an institution outside of Canada.

As a recipient, you:

  • may use the bursary at your discretion to recover course costs and related expenses
  • will not receive additional funds to cover costs beyond the bursary amount

Contact Teacher Qualifications Service at the Alberta Teachers' Association to learn more about language course salary qualification and assessment.

Eligibility

Applicant eligibility

You must:

  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person (visa students are not eligible)
  • be an Alberta resident by meeting one of these conditions:
    • one of your parents or legal guardians has maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to you starting post-secondary studies and residing in Alberta, or
    • Alberta is the last place you lived for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to starting post-secondary studies, or
    • you are married to an Alberta resident immediately prior to starting post-secondary studies
  • hold a valid Alberta permanent professional teaching certificate
  • demonstrate a background in language learning, or have recently started studying this language
  • plan to take a summer program at least 3 weeks long in a language and/or language teaching methodology other than English outside of Canada

Priority will be given to first time applicants. Applicants who received a bursary 5 years ago or earlier can re-apply.

Program eligibility

The summer language development program must:

  • be at least 3 weeks long
  • include at least 3 hours daily scheduled classroom instruction
  • be a university credit course or a language, culture or instructional development program in a language other than English
  • be offered by a post-secondary institution or an organization outside Canada and recognized by its local government (for example, Goethe Institute, Cervantes Institute)

Courses should include additional scheduled, structured activities, such as:

  • language conversation
  • tutorials
  • cultural activities

How to apply

Step 1. Download and fill out the application form

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Step 2. Prepare a statement of intent

This statement should explain your reasons for taking the program and be no longer than one page.

Include how:

  • this program will benefit your employment as a language teacher in Alberta and fit into your professional development or growth plan
  • you plan to share this knowledge with colleagues

If you are not currently teaching a language other than English, indicate when you would be ready to teach the language you will study.

Step 3. Create a professional development summary

This should include all relevant professional development you completed in the last 5 years.

It should focus on your recent efforts to enhance or develop:

  • skills in this language
  • instructional and/or leadership skills teaching language

Step 4: Get endorsements

The School Authority Endorsement section in the application needs to be completed by your:

  • principal filling out Part 1, page 1 to explain why you and the school will benefit from the program you want to take
  • school superintendent or representative completing Part 2 to describe how the program will assist you, the school and the school authority

Step 5. Complete the application package

Your application package must include:

  • a completed and signed application form
  • signed School Authority Endorsement Forms (Part 1 and Part 2)
  • your resume including education and work history
  • a statement of intent
  • your professional development summary
  • a syllabus or brochure in English that describes the course:
    • focus
    • duration
    • intensity

Step 6. Submit the application package

Check with your school authority to find out if they will submit your application package or if you need to send it by email to [email protected] or mail it to the Alberta Education Language Teacher Bursary Program.

After you apply

A selection committee will choose recipients that represent a variety of grade levels and languages based on the:

  • applicant’s statement of intent
  • course rigour
  • school authority endorsement
  • potential benefit for the teacher and the school authority

If selected as a recipient, you must submit proof you completed the course indicated in your application to get the bursary. If you change courses after being selected, you will not get bursary funding.

Recipients will get a T4A from Alberta Education since the Language Teacher Bursary is more than $500. This amount must be declared in Box 105 on your tax return.

Deadlines

The application period is closed.

Contact

Connect with the Alberta Education Language Teacher Bursary Program:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-5274
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Alberta Education
Language Teacher Bursary Program
Curriculum Division
8th floor, 10044 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 5E6