TESL Ontario’s landmark 50th annual conference, Celebrating 50 Years of Community, Leadership and Innovation, will be here in no time! The conference, taking place October 26-28, will once again be held virtually to prioritize the safety of all of our attendees.
Here are just a few key reasons why you should mark your calendar now and make plans to join us in October!
1. Three days of learning, knowledge exchange and professional development.
With two keynote addresses, three days of concurrent conference workshops, our annual panel discussion, enhanced supplier and exhibitor presentations, technology-themed TechKnow sessions and more, this is an excellent opportunity to elevate your knowledge intake and professional development. You will learn from the experts, hear from peers about best practices, and have a chance to share your ideas in breakout sessions throughout the conference. With programming specifically designed to address the needs of the TESL community, this is a “can’t miss” PD opportunity for those in all sectors of language education. A virtual conference also means we’re able to offer you a lower registration fee for this year’s conference, along with larger capacities for our sessions. (We know … we can’t wait to all get together in person again either!)
2. A chance to make valuable “Career Connections.”
Careers and employment are top of mind for all of us as we continue to emerge from a long, uncertain two years. Our “Career Connections” team is hard at work to ensure this important component is more valuable and accessible than ever to our conference attendees. You will have the chance to attend career-focused conference presentations by our expert team, as well as our “Career Booster Forum.” This year’s Forum theme will address recruitment and hiring in an age of “The Way Forward: Flexibility, Lively Collaboration, and Transferable Skills.” A moderated panel will bring you information you need to know as a hybrid of virtual and in-person recruitment becomes the norm. And finally, you won’t want to miss our virtual Career Fair on October 27th – your chance to chat one on one with potential employers from across the sector.
3. Let’s network!
While networking may have been a little different over the past two years, it has been every bit as important. Building your personal and professional networks can help bring new insights and ideas into your life, help you develop and improve your skill set, keep abreast of the latest trends and best practices in our field, and serve a key tool in growing a successful career. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to connect with hundreds of other TESL professionals from across Ontario and beyond to share and exchange ideas for forging ahead in an age of constantly shifting priorities! The Pheedloop virtual conference platform makes it easy to connect with suppliers, presenters, TESL Ontario staff, and your fellow attendees. You can chat one-on-one with your colleagues or join us for group sessions, roundtables and large meetings.
4. Giveaways and prizes.
What conference would be complete without the chance to go home with great prizes and fun swag! We may not be able to hand you a new tote bag this year – but at our annual AGM and Awards Night, there will be plenty of chances to walk away with gift cards, 2023 conference passes and even a free TESL Ontario membership. Join us for the evening to learn what your association has been up to this year, see your fellow attendees, and be entertained. You may even end the evening with a great prize in your virtual pocket!
5. It’s a Celebration!
It’s hard to believe but this year marks a half-century celebration for TESL Ontario. October 26th sees the launch of our FIFTIETH annual conference. To celebrate this momentous achievement in the history of your association, we’re planning an evening of awards, interaction and entertainment. Make sure to put the evening of the 26th in your calendar to join us for our annual Recognition Awards presentation where we’ll celebrate our Sparks of Excellence and Distinguished Contribution Award winners. After that, stick around for an electrifying evening with celebrated mentalist and magician, Yan Markson. Yan has thrilled audiences across North America and beyond, appearing with Cirque Avaia, at the 2010 Olympic Games and on the Vegas strip with Penn & Teller. This is an evening of mind-bending fun you won’t want to miss!
We look forward to welcoming you to TESL Ontario’s 50th annual conference this November! Registration and more information can be found on our CONFERENCE WEBSITE.
