FOE Teacher Education

Academic preparation FOR PDP (FRENCH MODULE)

You must have the appropriate academic preparation for the level you wish to teach.  Some courses are prerequisites and the list of these courses varies according to whether you wish to teach at the elementary or secondary level.  The PDP website (in English) contains more detailed information on this subject.

The PDP is the 5th year of a Bachelor of Education degree at SFU. This 12-month program is for students who have completed (or are presently completing) a 4-year Bachelor’s degree.

You can do the French Cohort Program (FCP), offered in the Faculty of Arts and Socials Sciences at SFU, to qualify for the PDP.

Check out the French and Education Certificate Program offered by the French Department at SFU as a preparation for the PDP.

The Faculty of Education offers education courses in French.  These courses can be taken as a preparation to the PDP and could be taken as courses towards a B.Ed. Minor in French Education.

Admission to PDP is not guaranteed.  Candidates must apply to the PDP Admissions Office in the Faculty of Education.  To obtain a teaching certificate from the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB), it is essential to have successfully completed this year of training.

Admission criteria


Elementary level:
You are eligible to apply if you complete a minimum of 76 semester hours of courses acceptable for credit at SFU* (it is recommended to include 16 units of upper division) before the start of the program, and including the following prerequisite courses:

  • 2 English courses (minimum of 3 credits of English Literature)
    OR      2 French courses (6 credits, literature and composition)**
    (FREN 245 and either FREN 275 or FREN 301).
  • 1 Canadian History
  • 1 Canadian Geography
  • Math 190 or equivalent (Principles of Mathematics for Teachers)
  • 1 Laboratory Science
  • 1 Education course ***

To help you with your selection, we have provided a chart of acceptable courses offered by Simon Fraser University and other B.C. post-secondary level institutions, that will satisfy our prerequisites. Applicants who have not completed the above requirements before the start of the program will not be considered.

* If you enter the PDP without a degree, upon successful completion of the PDP you will be recommended to the TRG to receive a Conditional Certificate.  You will then have 5 years to complete your degree.  Upon completion of your degree you will be upgraded to a Professional Certificate.

** The B.Ed. as a second degree option requires that the student complete 2 courses in English Literature.

*** The Education course does not have to be completed prior to application to PDP.  If admitted to the PDP you will not be recommended to receive a Teaching Certificate until PDP and the additional education course requirement is complete.

Secondary level:
You are eligible to apply if you complete your degree requirements (minimum four years) before the start of the program, including:

  • 2 English courses (minimum of 3 credits of English Literature)
    OR      2 French courses (6 credits, literature and composition)**
    (FREN 245 and either FREN 275 or FREN 301).
  • a teachable major subject or two teachable minor subjects
  • 1 Education course ***

Your must complete your degree before the start of the program.  For example, if you complete your degree in August, you would be eligible for the September program (conditional admission).  This means you can apply with your degree in progress.

** The B.Ed. as a second degree requires the 2 English courses.

*** The Education course does not have to be completed prior to application to PDP.  If admitted to the PDP you will not be recommended to receive a Teaching Certificate until PDP and the additional education course requirement is complete.

Teachable subjects are those widely taught within the BC Public School System.  Examples:

  • History
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Sciences/Geology
  • Physics
  • Music
  • Computer Studies
  • Technology
  • English
  • French (language and literature)
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Fine Arts


List of acceptable courses that will satisfy our prerequisites:
www.educ.sfu.ca/pdp/admissions/requirements.html.

French Language Appraisal
In addition to the academic requirements, all candidates including Francophones applying to the French Module must demonstrate the appropriate level of French language by taking the mandatory French Language Appraisal (FLA).

Professional preparation

It is required to demonstrate relevant experience working with children and teenagers, preferably in a classroom setting in British Columbia. You can contact the schools and request to do volunteer work in a classroom setting.

Certificates (coaching, music, first aid) are also taken into consideration.

Linguistic preparation

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), in cooperation with the provinces and territories, administers the program Explore, a five-week intensive language-learning course.  It offers you opportunities to make discoveries, meet new people, and exchange ideas in a stimulating setting for learning your second language.