Our Graduates

Rewarding Careers

Our students come from all over the world for IMTE’s immersive cultural and educational experience.  Similarly, our graduates have secured rewarding teaching positions both here in Canada and internationally.  Recent jobs include: 

High School English Teacher; Assistant Professor; North American Academic Developer Specialist; Language Instructor For Newcomers To Canada; EAL Instructor; IELTS Test Supervisor; Early Childhood Educator; Educational Administrator; EAP & EAL Instructor; Academic Cohort Manage

Students who have graduated and are throwing their caps in the air

International Focus

As an IMTE student, you will be part of "Canada's international university" and meet students from around the world. Countries of origin for IMTE students include: 

Map showing where all of the different students come from around the world

 

Meet our Graduates

Daniela Jost Guimaraes, Brazil

A student posing in front of the SMU signWith over two decades of experience in ELT in Brazil, IMTE provided the ideal opportunity to consolidate my skills and further enhance my teaching practice. I was introduced to the latest developments in the ELT field such as native speakerism, English as a lingua franca, interculturalism, second language acquisition (SLA), technology in ELT, and a comprehensive language awareness course. These discussions, combined with numerous opportunities for teacher reflection and the chance to observe my peers during practicums, made this journey both enriching and transformative.

For my final practicum course, I was awarded a scholarship to pursue the Cambridge DELTA Module 3. The foundation I built through IMTE courses such as Course Design and Assessment played a crucial role in my performance during the DELTA and has been instrumental in shaping my approach and success in this endeavor.

Currently, in my role at ISANS, I facilitate a course specifically designed for Internationally Educated Accountants, where I draw on the knowledge and insights gained from the IMTE program. The program's emphasis on intercultural competence has been particularly valuable, helping me and my students navigate the complexities of intercultural communication. 

Moreover, the IMTE has equipped me with the expertise to help establish and organize the EAL Department at an independent school in Halifax. I was also hired as a Program Assistant within the IMTE program, offering me the chance to remain connected to the vibrant academic community at Saint Mary’s University.


Andy Ho, Hong Kong

Andy Ho posing with a young student, showing a bookImagine a 55-year-old man whose mother tongue is Cantonese, working now as the first non-native ESOL teacher at United World College (UWC), a renowned international school in Thailand. I am living proof of what’s possible with IMTE!

As an IMTE student, I had opportunities to apply the theories we studied in real-world settings. I observed teachers at the Immigrant Settlement Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), taught lessons at a local primary school in Halifax, and eventually interned at an international school in Thailand. These practical experiences bridged the gap between theory and practice. 

IMTE stands out because of its seasoned professors who brought their best practices and real-world experiences to the classroom, including a visiting professor from a partner university in Germany, the birthplace of many innovative and foundational educational theories, like the concepts of Kindergarten and Waldorf education. The program also kept us ahead of the curve with forward-thinking trends like Generative AI, which we explored right when ChatGPT was emerging in early 2023.

IMTE students are also encouraged to participate in professional communities of English teachers.  I had the honour of speaking at the TESOL Nova Scotia  conference, and was later invited to present at ResearchED – a national forum in Canada. These opportunities expanded my professional network and deepened my understanding of global education from both inside-out and outside-in perspectives.

Once again, IMTE is not just a Master’s degree—it’s a transformative experience for aspiring English teachers, and I’m grateful to have been part of it.


Yuan Yuan (Rae) Liu, China

EAL Instructor at Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

Being passionate about the English language and teaching led me to join the International Master of Teaching English program.

IMTE was a transformative learning experience for me, working with people I was inspired by and looked up to. Being surrounded by leading professors and supportive and talented fellow graduate students kept me motivated and focused. During the16 months in the program I gained valuable professional skills and made lifelong connections with fellow graduate students and the academic community in my field.

I was fortunate to receive a scholarship as part of my practicum course to complete the internationally recognized CELTA. A Master’s degree and a CELTA certificate proved to be a wonderful combination during my job search.

I am currently working at ISANS as an EAL Instructor. ISANS is the largest immigrant-serving agency in Atlantic Canada with over 270 staff members from more than 64 countries. ISANS offers many different English classes for immigrants to Nova Scotia, as well as language skill classes for everyday living in the community. I also remain connected to the IMTE program as a Teaching and Research Assistant, supporting faculty and students alike.


 

Diana Isabel Torres Goñi, Mexico

Student posing for picture outdoorsESL teacher at International Academy of Canada, Vancouver.

In a field like education, there are a lot of antiquated ideas that we either hold or are taught. A Master’s degree makes you think about new ways of doing things, helps expand my mind and opens new professional opportunities.

I wanted to explore language education and delve deeper into what it means to be a second language educator. I chose IMTE as it was a specialized program in language education and included extensive practicums throughout. The practicums not only provided the opportunity of observing experienced teachers in different settings, but also practice teaching independently.

My classmates and I were a small cohort, all coming from different cultural backgrounds and different teaching experiences. Everyone brought a different perspective to the table and working with each other was an eye-opening experience for me as an educator and a student. 

I am currently working at the International Language Academy of Canada, Vancouver in a program called Keep It Simple and Safe. This is an online teaching and learning program, where I teach adults General English with hopes of growing into more specialized areas. My future plans include continuing to learn and keep abreast of new research and ideas in the field of education.


 

Yuya Kurata, Japan

Yuya Kurata

Program Assistant at the Studio for Teaching & Learning / ESL Tutor for the youth and adult learners at a Japanese corporation.

I decided to pursue a Masters degree to improve my English language skills and to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge about teaching and learning English. Although I searched for similar programs in various universities in Canada, I could not find any other program which provided both English teaching as well as learning skills. The IMTE curriculum consists of two mainstreams: English teaching and English language development for teachers, both of which were extremely helpful.

I worked with people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and demographics. Through these opportunities, I realized the importance of cultural sensitivity and honed my interpersonal skills by learning about different cultural norms and nuances. I became more aware, curious, non-judgmental and open to learning about others through inquiry and connection. It had completely changed my perspective about languages and language teaching and learning.

Currently, I work as a program assistant and support a variety of educational projects. For example, I am building an Online Writing Course, supporting students who want to study abroad, and designing promotional materials. I am pleased to apply not only teaching skills but also intercultural and learning experiences at the university to my work. In the meantime, I teach English for Japanese people online using my experience at IMTE. My broad experiences in IMTE directly leads to these exciting professional opportunities.


 

Shayan Sharifi, Iran

Shayan Sharifi

I believe that earning a master’s degree adds significant value to my teaching qualifications. IMTE provided me with an opportunity to relocate and advance my career in a new environment.

As an English tutor with more than seven years of teaching experience in my home country, IMTE was the right choice for me because it provided the opportunity to explore a variety of widely known teaching methodologies and techniques in both online and in-person settings. The program helped me discover my strengths and weaknesses in areas such as classroom management, cultural awareness, and language awareness for teaching.

Working with people from diverse backgrounds provided me with a deep understanding of individual and organizational differences. Saint Mary’s University is a multicultural academic setting where one can find various students with different cultural backgrounds. I never felt alone during my residency, as the professors were always supportive and caring.

I am currently working with the Halifax Public Library, where I teach a Citizenship Course to immigrants and help them with prepare for their Canadian citizenship tests.

 

 

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