By JASON COSTA Staff Writer

There is something more behind teaching English than commas and theses.Karyn Husack, 25, from Burlington, Ont., has had the dream to teach since elementary school. It was during university when she began to realize the ins and outs of the industry. 

Karyn Husack in her office at Brock University, in St. Catharines. Photo by Jason Costa

Husack decided to do something “a little different.” Enrolling in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at Humber College, in Toronto, Ont., was the best way to “beat out the competition.” “I initially went into this program to use as a stepping stone to get into teaching in a regular school; however, my attitude changed once I got there.”

Husack learned theory and methodology before being given a practical placement teaching in a real classroom, the only difference being its focus on ESL. “The great thing about ESL is that the students want to learn and you need to teach them.

If I were teaching in a high school classroom, the students would have bad attitudes and there would generally be a lack of caring.” After finishing the program, Husack attended an employment day at which representatives from different school boards talked about employment opportunities at their institutions.

Although Niagara College didn’t send a representative, it did send a message advertising plans to hire for the summer. After applying, Husack was given an interview at Niagara College and hired on the spot. She first worked an eight-week summer program and then was hired back for the English for Academic Preparation program.

According to the college website, Niagara College’s EAP program is “designed to improve all areas of your English language skills. ”Within the EAP, areas of learning include speaking, listening, writing, grammar and reading “each with their own level of difficulty (ranging from one to five) depending on the student’s skill level.

During her 10 months here, Husack taught level-one grammar and writing, level-three reading and grammar and level-two listening and speaking. “Within each of these skills you need to keep in mind that it has an academic purpose, so essentially I was getting my students prepared for college.”

At Niagara College, international students must pass all levels before being accepted into a regular academic program. “It can be very pressuring because students have visas that will expire if they don’t finish in time. If they try really hard and do well, they pass.

If they don’t try, they will fail.” Whether it was venturing through local grocery stores or travelling to Ottawa’s Winterlude festival with her students, Husack discovered a calling beyond that of just a job. “I love teaching ESL because I love the different people I have met along the way.

Teaching international students gives you a small glimpse into other cultures.” Besides assisting international students find local homestay families and deal with student or travelling visas. Niagara College organizes many extra-curricular activities for students to experience Canadian culture, Husack says she was very grateful to have experienced those aspects.

Husack now teaches at Brock University, in St. Catharines. “It’s pretty much the same thing here, except I am teaching at [higher levels] because my students need to be prepared for university.”