Why It’s Important for Students to Write by Hand


Written by - Derek Czajkowski

A pleasant surprise of my teaching career has been seeing students of all levels liking, even preferring, to write by hand. In every class, no matter if it’s Literacy or CLB 6, I always have students writing, be it copying words, as in Literacy, or more complex texts, such as emails, as in Level 6. Not just that. I have students rewriting. Writing and rewriting. Writing and rewriting. It’s a rare instance when students complain. They just do it.

I’m sure my students are thinking to themselves: Really? Again! We’ve already written the same word 10 times!

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Join Us at the 2025 TESL Ontario Annual Conference – Call for Presentations Now Open!


Written by - teslontario

Mark your calendars! The TESL Ontario Annual Conference returns from November 19–21, 2025, and this year’s theme, “Igniting the Future of Language Education,” promises to spark meaningful dialogue and innovation in our field.

We’re excited to announce that the Call for Presentation Proposals is officially open! This is your chance to showcase your knowledge, share your research, and contribute to the evolving landscape of language education.

Presenting at the TESL Ontario Conference offers more than just visibility—it’s a platform for professional growth. Engage with a dynamic audience, gain fresh perspectives, receive constructive feedback, and take part in conversations that inspire future collaborations and ideas.

By stepping into the role of presenter, you’ll enhance your communication skills, expand your professional network, and establish yourself as a leader in the TESL community. Whether you’re an experienced speaker or a first-time presenter, this opportunity can boost both your confidence and career.

Presentation formats include:

  • Papers
  • Individual or Group Presentations
  • Panel Discussions
  • Publisher’s Showcases
  • Technology-Focused Sessions

Why Present? Here are just a few of the benefits:

  1. Complimentary one-day registration on the day of your presentation
  2. A certificate of five (5) hours of Professional Development for your one-hour session
  3. A chance to sharpen your virtual presentation skills
  4. A meaningful way to expand your professional learning network
  5. The opportunity to contribute to and learn from your peers through vibrant exchange

New to presenting? No worries! You’ll have access to a detailed, self-paced training package, plus the support of our experienced organizing team, moderators, and technical staff.
Returning presenters won’t need to repeat training unless they choose to, but a quick “What’s New in 2025” orientation video will be available to keep you up to date.

To learn more about this year’s theme, session requirements, and how to submit your proposal, visit our Call for Presentations page. Be sure to submit by 12:00 PM (ET) on June 13, 2025.

We look forward to your ideas—and to seeing you in November!

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The use of AI Generative Tools for EFL Writing: A Discourse 


Written by - Ozma Siddiqui

 As schools increasingly embrace AI tools to enhance learning, some studies show that the inclusion of generative AI introduces both challenges and opportunities, particularly in EFL/ESL writing classes. Not only has AI changed the way students learn, but it has also affected how we teach. Although not all the changes are welcome, it is important to move with the times and welcome the new while retaining the old.  Continue reading →

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Understanding Task Value to Predict Academic Performance 


Written by - Patricia Patel

Educators can face challenges when trying to predict student achievement, future decisions, continuity, and overall academic success.  (Lee & Song, 2022). Understanding these factors can help language educators offer additional supports or interventions if they suspect students are struggling. According to Eccles & Wigfield (1995), Task value is about how important a student thinks a task is and how confident they feel about doing well on it (Eccles & Wigfield, 1995).

https://blog.shi.com/cybersecurity/4-areas-dominating-the-education-technology-landscape/

Task value contributes to educational development and offers insights into key motivating factors that enhance a student’s performance, choice, and persistence which helps explain both how well they accomplish a task, and the importance the assign to the task (Yue & Lu, 2022). As a result, a student’s value of a task can be considered as the driving factor behind their motivation (Kotla et al., 2023).   Continue reading →

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My personal story of re-learning a second language as an adult


Written by - Diana Lombardi

As an adult, speaking Italian became very difficult for me. When I was young, my grandmother lived with us and the main language in the house was Italian. She immigrated to Canada in the 1950s and was unable to speak English, so, in order to communicate with her, we needed to speak Italian. When she moved out of the house English became the main language of the household, and as a result, my ability to speak Italian nearly disappeared. This motivated me to learn how to speak it again and in 2014, I began my journey to re-learn the Italian language. Continue reading →

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What Toddlers Have Taught Me About Effective Language Learning 


Written by - Bei Zhang
Panoramic of Asian Toddler portrait put her chin and smiling over her hands on stack of books, Concept little bookworms joy learning to be intelligent kids, Adorable child reading book for preschool.
image source bigstockphoto.com

In my CLB 2-3 language class, I’m often reminded of toddlers learning their first words. My students, much like young children, are navigating a world of new sounds, gestures, and social interactions—sometimes with adorably direct, and occasionally awkward, bluntness. Take how they ask for help, for example. “REPEAT!” they say when it’s the only word they can think of to get help as quickly as possible. It reminds me of a toddler demanding attention, lacking the nuanced communication skills we often take for granted.   Continue reading →

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“Teacher, I’m sorry, but I’m not good at technology!” How should we address this challenge in the AI era? 


Written by - Setareh Dabbagh
https://www.dreamstime.com/online-library-concept-technology-background-d-render-digital-education-laptop-computer-colorful-books-rendering-image128803552

Technology has transformed the learning process and will continue to evolve. Even in conventional classrooms, students need to develop digital skills, as many assignments are now submitted online. Adapting to technology is no longer optional—it’s an essential part of modern education.  Continue reading →

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On the Brink


Written by - Jennifer Hutchison
Photo by Artem Podrez

I love to teach language learners how to write, from grammar and sentence structure to unity, clarity, and cohesion. As they advance, I ask them to check for rhythm and pacing, delete redundancies, and charge their writing with words that pop from the page into their readers’ imaginations. I show them how to carefully craft their sentences to persuade their audiences. Nothing makes me happier than to see these elements emerge in my students’ papers.

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Intelligent Design-Creating Worksheets for Literacy Students


Written by - Derek Czajkowski

Planning and designing worksheets are necessary skills that teachers need to achieve best practice in the classroom. Of course, there are times when we end up hastily throwing together a hand-out or using a less than appropriate one from the Internet. However, we should create our own material because we are the ones who know our students the best. Further, a well-thought-out worksheet isn’t just something to give the students; for our literacy learners, it is an essential tool for skill-building, skill-using, and for acquiring learning strategies. Here are some tips for planning and creating worksheets for literacy students.

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Why Use Kahoot! for Vocabulary Learning? 


Written by - Ozma Siddiqui
Image source: Wikimedia Commons- Kahoot! Image by Alisher Y

There is no doubt that the integrated skills approach to English language learning has become the order of the day due to the success rates. In her article, “Integrated Skills in the ESL/EFL Classroom,” ESL Magazine, Oxford states that “the integrated-skill approach, as contrasted with the purely segregated approach, exposes English language learners to authentic language and challenges them to interact naturally in the language.” However, technology driven instruction for targeted skills has also improved the classroom learning experience significantly.  The advent of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) with an emphasis on gamification has led to more interactive classrooms. Online tools like Kahoot! transform traditional classrooms into dynamic learning platforms with more student engagement and consequently, a higher probability of language acquisition.  Continue reading →

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