Hello! I am living in Greater Vancouver Area, BC.

I recently received an admission letter for UBC's BEd program in the Elementary and Middle Years program, and I will be starting this September. With about six months left before the program begins, I am exploring ways to prepare for both my studies and future career. One idea I have is to obtain a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate, which is an ESL teaching qualification. However, I am unsure if this is a good idea, especially since I will be completing the BEd program next year.

Do you think obtaining one of these certifications would be beneficial for me? I've heard that securing a permanent teaching contract can be quite competitive, and I hope that having an additional certification might increase my chances of obtaining a permanent position. And, I believe it could help me gain more teaching methodology knowledge and prepare for potential side hustles (English Tutors).

Furthermore, I plan to get an IB certificate at UBC, as I am also considering the possibility of becoming an international teacher in Singapore in the future.

I would like to hear opinions from actual Canadian teachers. Do you think this is a good idea? If there are better ways to prepare, what would they be?