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SHARE YOUR TESL EXPERTISE AT OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE


Written by - teslontario
image source: TESL Ontario

Article by Dave Fraser

Plans are well underway for TESL Ontario’s Annual Conference, “Forging Ahead: Building New Normals Together,” to be held virtually in November 2021. We are looking forward to providing a creative, informative and exciting program of sessions covering a wide range of topics that span the entire TESL sector! 
 
The TESL Ontario Annual Conference is an amazing opportunity for you to share your knowledge, expertise and experience with your peers and to make a valuable contribution to the TESL Ontario community and beyond. We welcome your thought-provoking, practical, experiential and innovative presentation submissions for this year’s conference Continue reading →

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Summary of the #teslONchat Digital Literacy & Google Apps in ESL with Stephanie Leutner


Written by - teslontario
Image source: TESL Ontario

On May 28, 2021 interested individuals gathered on Twitter to discuss digital literacy and Google Education Apps for ESL. The guest moderator of the evening was Stephanie Leutner (@leutner_s).  Stephanie has been teaching ESL/EFL and designing curriculum for 20+ years, in Canada and overseas.  She is a Level 2 Google Certified teaching-with-technology junkie.   

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Looking at 2020 through Rose-Coloured Glasses


Written by - John Allan @mrpottz
image source: John Allan

In spite of all of the negative effects of the COVID-19 crisis, do you think you could find some positive events that you experienced in 2020?   It is difficult to imagine, as we are still in the eye of this storm.  Over the winter break, however, I started a brainstorm sketch about the positive effects that have come during the pandemic in order to reframe my focus for 2021. This is my list below; possibly you might try the same exercise to reset your expectations for your teaching and personal life in 2021. 

Teaching

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Peer Feedback: Not the Sandwich, but Sunny-Side-Up, Please


Written by - Cecilia Aponte-de-Hanna @capontedehanna
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

Peer feedback (otherwise known as peer assessment) can be useful to both the receiver and the giver of the feedback as long as the feedback is meaningful. For this to happen, peer feedback needs to be constructive; it should start with a positive observation before pointing to an area or areas for improvement; and it should include a suggestion on how to improve, which means that the focus needs to be procedural. This is not the case in the sandwich feedback approach.

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Teach As If You Are Your Own Student


Written by - Bei Zhang
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

A common expression I often heard when I first started teaching was “Teacher, I don’t understand.” I would, of course, ask them which part they didn’t understand, and then give them further explanation. However, I would still see confusion on their faces. It was my turn to be confused. I had done what I was supposed to do, explain, but still they repeated “Teacher, I don’t understand.”

I didn’t find the answer until I had the chance to observe a student teacher. I had my ‘aha’ moment. The teacher was explaining vocabulary and expressions perfectly. However, she had barely considered her students’ levels and their level of understanding for the “perfect” explanations. At that moment, I realized my mistakes: 1) I treated them like their English was at my level; 2) I taught English like I was an ESL teacher.

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Remote(ly) Adjusting: Endless Possibilities


Written by - Cecilia Aponte-de-Hanna @capontedehanna
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

March 17, 2020 marked the beginning of a new teaching paradigm for schools all over Ontario as the province began its quarantine efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. As a result, schools had to instantly switch to 100% online delivery, which in a way also marked an acknowledgement that teachers are indeed instructional designers (and rightfully so). After all, instruction is not about technology for technology’s sake, but rather as a means to empower others to learn, to act on their learning, and to become independent, global citizens. With the shift online, it has become evident that as teachers we must embrace technology to be able to operate in a virtual world and do what we do best: Impart knowledge and awaken the desire to know more.

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Summary of the #teslONchat’s discussion on #SelfCare with Patrice Palmer


Written by - teslontario

On August 21, 2020, we gathered on Twitter, through the #teslONchat hashtag, to discuss self-care with Patrice Palmer – @positiveupside

Patrice has 25 years of experience as an ESL teacher, trainer, and writer in Canada and spent seven amazing years in Hong Kong. She has taught students from 8 to 80 in a variety of programs. Her experience with professional burn-out in 2015 prompted her to reflect on her lack of self-care and adopt positive psychology strategies which she shares with other educators and administrators. Continue reading →

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Productivity Tips during Quarantine


Written by - Martina Finnegan
Daily routine. Work, family, balance, harmony.
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

I’m sure what’s on everyone’s mind is this: When will this whole quarantine situation end?  How will things be afterwards?  And, will things actually return to normal?

It seems as though an endless period of time has passed during quarantine, and I sometimes have to check or be reminded what day it is. Weekends aren’t as exciting as they used to be because you can’t go anywhere, and worst of all, you can’t visit your loved ones and hug them.

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Once Upon a Time: Using Stories to Teach ESL


Written by - Keith Hunt
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

When I was a student in elementary school, I used to love “story time.” Some of my earliest and fondest memories as a child were sitting around in a circle and having the teacher read stories to the class. I’ll never forget the time my Kindergarten teacher cried while reading us “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch. Stories are powerful. Story time was the best!

I love stories, whether they be novels, movies, or a friend’s adventure. So, naturally, as a teacher I like using stories in my classes.

Here are a few examples of how I have used stories as an ESL Teacher.

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