SAMR Says, Part II


Written by - Sarah Langridge
Image taken from: Schoology

SAMR Says

Change is never comfortable, but, as we all know, it is necessary. The SAMR model is flexible and easy to use at all levels of education. To read about ‘Substitution’ and ‘Augmentation,’ please check out SAMR Says, Part I, where we discussed these stages of ‘Enhancement’ and some simple and fast tools you can find to help you move from paper to online without much stress or extra work. Using technology tools that enhance your class, as per the SAMR model, means that you are enhancing yourself, the material, and the students’ experience too.

In this blog, we will be discussing the stages of ‘Transformation’ and how to modify and redefine your approach to allow for more technology in your class.

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Personal Reflections on Online Teaching


Written by - Svjetlana Vrbanic @lanavrb
Image taken from: Big Stock Photo

Going back to class can be daunting. I feel sad to leave my online classroom and excited to interact with students in person.

I learned many lessons during this unprecedented coronavirus period. Returning to in-class teaching, I can reflect on my experience. Continue reading →

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Why Do We Need a Mentor?


Written by - Bei Zhang

If you google the meaning of “mentorship”, you can find the literal meaning in the dictionary. According to Merriam-Webster, mentorship means “the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor” (n.d.).  But what does this mean in practice? Why is having a mentor important? This article discusses the importance of mentorship at work, how to find a mentor, and how to maintain a healthy and successful mentorship.

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TESL Ontario – Building Connection and Community in a Virtual World


Written by - Allison Keown
Image Source: Canva

In this pandemic reality, a virtual world like no other has been born. Pre-pandemic, our members enjoyed a combination of online and in-person events that fulfilled both professional development needs, as well as authentic peer connections. Since 2014, TESL Ontario had been focusing its efforts on providing accessible online professional development to our members. Our successful webinar series has always allowed members to gain new skills and expand their knowledge from the comfort of their own homes. However, at that time they had other options available to them, if they were looking for something more. If they were seeking tangible connections, organic conversations with other ESL practitioners, or a basic sense of community, they often turned to in-person events, such as our annual conference, or local affiliate chapter conferences and other professional development events. 

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Enhancing Reading Comprehension II: Structured Experience Techniques


Written by - Gonul Turkdogan
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

The key feature of structured experience techniques is their combination of hands-on learner involvement, with a reassuring framework to reduce anxiety and promote active engagement. The trick is to provide supportive, structural guidance without lapsing into full-on, direct instruction. For comparison purposes, it might be helpful to begin by reviewing my earlier suggestions in ‘Enhancing Reading Comprehension I: Explicit Teaching Techniques.’ Structured experience strategies require teachers to gauge their own participation very carefully. The goal is not only to enhance learner skills but also to bolster their self-esteem through encountering success with experiential activity.

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Networking at the TESL Ontario Annual Conference


Written by - Dave Fraser
Image Source: TESL Ontario

When we think of “networking” at a conference, we tend to think of coffee breaks and catching up with colleagues in hotel lobbies and banquet centre hallways. Perhaps we think of late-night chats in a hospitality suite or conversations over lunch at a table for ten. For many, the idea of networking may not immediately translate to a virtual conference environment … but this year’s TESL Ontario Annual Conference will be putting networking front and centre.

The conference’s Supplier Showcase will run from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm each day of the conference, allowing attendees ample opportunity to chat virtually with exhibitors from all areas of the language learning sector. We encourage you to take advantage of Supplier Spotlight panel sessions to learn from and connect with exhibitors and have scheduled these opportunities so they do not conflict with any conference sessions.

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Humor in the ESL Classroom


Written by - Sarah Martinez
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Learning English (or any new language) requires student focus, repetition, and practice, so it’s easy to see why students may often feel disengaged or even bored in the classroom. This is why ESL teachers love to try off-the-wall ways to liven up their classes and infuse some enthusiasm into the topic. Continue reading →

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Up and Down the Ladder of Abstraction: Praxis in Motion


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

Praxis, the process of enacting theory, has played a significant role in my teaching practice, especially whenever my adult learners have a difficult time grasping a concept or feel like they are not learning as fast as they should. I find that when students begin to ask “why” and “how” questions or err repeatedly, I can rely on theory to explain and demonstrate the issue at hand. This methodology (Seabury, 1991) has worked for me and my adult learners, whose problem-solving curiosity is driven by their andragogical needs (Knowles, 1971).

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SMART Goals


Written by - Guest Contributor
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Guest Contributor: Catherine Crawford

September is the only month that rivals January for that feeling of a new beginning, a fresh start. As many of us have enjoyed the lazy days of summer, Fall brings a sense of change and a newfound energy with it. Whether you are headed back to school, back to the office in some capacity, or are looking for a career change, the Fall is a great time to refocus and set goals.

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Stand Out and Stay Ahead in the TESL Market


Written by - Heather Donnelly
Marathon running race, many runners feet on road racing, sport competition, fitness and healthy lifestyle concept

Even during prosperous times ESL professionals in Canada encounter precarious employment: contract work, limited hours, and no/minimal benefits (Breshears, 2019). TESL graduates often struggle as they enter the field with limited knowledge of how to navigate the diverse segments of Canada’s TESL market (Wu, 2019).

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