Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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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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“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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What to Look Forward to at the 2024 Conference


Written by - teslontario

Whether you’re a returning attendee or joining us for the first time, the TESL Annual Conference is underway to deliver insightful sessions, innovative topics, and networking opportunities. We spoke with two of our key organizers: Mohsen Jazeb, Event Coordinator, and Allison Keown, TESL Ontario’s Executive Director, to give you a sneak peek into what to expect. 

2024: Navigating New Routes in Language Education

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My shift to word chunks


Written by - Jennifer Hutchison
Photo by Mali Maeder; www.pexels.com

Session after session, I integrate a “word of the day” into my lessons for students to add to their notebooks. I explain what the word means, provide examples of its use, and task them with using it  that day. But I recently wondered whether it would be better to teach a “lexical chunk of the day” instead, as they tend to have a greater impact than isolated words. Also, students gravitate to these fixed expressions and are always asking what they mean. Indeed, well-known language educator Scott Thornbury supports this approach in Chunk-Spotting–A User’s Guide: “the possession of a memorized store of chunks allows more rapid processing, not only for production but also for reception. It’s quicker to process several words at a time rather than each word individually.”

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