Hello, Class! Today We’re Going to Talk About…


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

“Hello, class! Today we’re going to talk about [fill in the blank].”

If you are an ESL teacher, you have probably started at least one class this way. You might have finished the above phrase with one of these themes: food, pets, sports, or music.

Whether teaching grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading, or writing, teaching language within a theme can be very useful.

However, choosing the right theme can be tricky.

Here are some of my tips for choosing the right theme.

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 0

Experiences at the 47th Annual TESL Ontario Conference


Written by - teslontario
Photo source: Jessica Freitag

The Marriott Downtown at CF Eaton Centre in Toronto was abuzz December 5 and 6 for the TESL Ontario Annual Conference 2019. Events included three keynote speakers, over 80 presentations, 28 interactive workshops, poster and publisher exhibits, and more.

Attendees viewing exhibits at the conference
Photo source: Svjetlana Vrbanic

Two members of our blog team, Lana and Jessica, attended Day 2 of the conference and each experienced a small sample of what was available. Following are some highlights from their day.

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 0

#CdnELTchat Summary for November 19, 2019 – Out & About: LGBTQIA2+ Learners & Teachers


Written by - teslontario

By Bonnie Nicholas

The #CdnELTchat team hosted a fast-paced chat on November 19; the topic was Out & About: LGBTQIA2+ Learners & Teachers. We were thrilled to welcome Tyson Seburn (@seburnt) as our guest moderator for this chat, and we thank him for sharing his expertise and insights. Participants discussed questions under the headings of barriers, key points, teaching, materials, support, and change.

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 2

‘Tis the Season for a Conference!


Written by - teslontario
Conference Concept. Modern Line Style Illustration. Multicolor Conference Drawn on Dark Brick Wall. Doodle Icons. Doodle Design Style of Conference Concept. Conference on Dark Brick Wall. Conference.
image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

The TESL Ontario Annual Conference is right around the corner! December 5th and 6th will be here before we know it. Are you attending? We’ve been looking at the schedule and highlighting all over the place! There are so many interesting topics being covered that it’s hard to pick just one at a time.

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 0

Rubric Reflection


Written by - Paula Ogg
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

Do you use rubrics to support self-assessment, peer-assessment, and skill assessment? Do you create a separate rubric for each assignment? Do your rubrics look more like checklists? Are your rubrics really assessing skills or simply the ability to follow assignment instructions? Have you ever thought of using one common skill-specific rubric for all related assignments?

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 3

Preparing for the TESL Ontario Conference


Written by - Svjetlana Vrbanic @lanavrb

The 47th Annual TESL Ontario Conference is quickly approaching, and I am gearing up for a great time.

A Chance to Network and Learn

Background concept wordcloud illustration of professional networking
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

This will be my first conference as a newly certified teacher. I am looking forward to seeing my colleagues – some new faces, and, hopefully, some I have seen before – and learning something new.

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 1

November 5, 2019 #CdnELTchat (Intercultural Fluency in the LINC Classroom)


Written by - teslontario
Image source: teslontario

by Bonnie Nicholas

On November 5, 2019, the #CdnELTchat team was happy to welcome Sandhya Ghai (@GhaiSandhya) of Mosaic BC (@mosaicbc) as our guest moderator for a discussion of Intercultural Fluency in the LINC Classroom. This chat was a follow-up to Sandhya’s Tutela webinar on the same topic. (Tutela members can log in to view the recorded webinar.) Thanks to Diane Ramanathan (@ramdiane), Tutela Community Coordinator, for facilitating this partnership between Tutela and #CdnELTchat.

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 0

After Decades in the Field, I Am on the Board!


Written by - Guest Contributor
Inspire hand lettering phrase on watercolor imitation background with color splashes frame. Modern calligraphy inspirational quote. Vector illustration.
Image source: www.bigstockphoto.com

In 2018, after some 37 years in the TESL field, I joined the TESL Ontario Board. This is the ideal volunteer challenge for me at this point in my life. I am keen to do what I can to contribute to the health of the organization and, most importantly, to the ongoing professionalization of TESL. Throughout the life of a teacher, you gain perspective as your career progresses and at one point you realize that you are ready to pitch in and give some time to the profession at large.

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 0

October 22 #CdnELTchat (Technology, Organization, Blended Learning and Online Learning)


Written by - teslontario
Image source: #CdnELTchat

by Jennifer Chow

On October 22, enthusiastic #CdnELTchat participants talked about “Technology, Organization, Blended Learning and Online Learning”. We were excited to have Rob McBride (@LearnIT2Teach) of New Language Solutions join us as our guest moderator for this chat. Rob is one of the project managers for the EduLINC coursewareand LearnIT2Teach/Avenue.ca. Thank-you to all those who added their thoughts before, during and after the chat. 

Continue reading →
Categories:
POST COMMENT 0