With TESL Ontario’s annual conference just around the corner, prepare ahead of time to make the most of this enriching event. Whether this is your first time attending or you’re a seasoned conference-goer, this handy checklist will help ensure you are ready to engage, learn, and connect.
1. Register for the Conference
First things first—make sure you’ve registered for the conference! Registration provides access to the full range of sessions, networking events, and additional resources. Once registered, you’ll receive updates and information on how to access all the virtual and in-person events.
2. Review the Conference Schedule
Mohsen Jazeb, Event Coordinator, emphasizes the importance of planning your experience by reviewing the schedule ahead of time:
“Preparation is key to making the most of the conference. After registering, I recommend that attendees explore our conference website to review the full schedule of sessions and presentations. This allows them to plan their experience around the topics that resonate most with their interests and professional goals.”
By mapping out your schedule in advance, you can avoid missing sessions.
3. Do Some Preliminary Reading
To get the most out of the sessions, it’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with the main topics in advance. Mohsen advises:
“I also suggest doing some preliminary reading on these topics so attendees come into the sessions with a foundational understanding, ready to engage more deeply with the content.”
This preparation will allow you to ask thoughtful questions and contribute meaningfully to discussions.
4. Set Networking Goals
Networking is one of the most valuable aspects of attending a professional conference. With plenty of opportunities to connect, such as our virtual roundtables, breakout rooms, attending our Career Conversations panel, or the Q&A segments, it’s a good idea to set specific goals for who you want to meet and what connections you hope to make.
Allison Keown, TESL Ontario’s Executive Director, notes:
“The goal of the TESL Ontario annual conference is to provide leading-edge educational content and networking opportunities that empower attendees to enhance their professional skills and stay updated with the latest trends in language teaching.”
5. Note Session Replays
One great feature of the virtual format is the ability to watch session replays if you miss anything. Allison shares:
“The great thing about the virtual conferences is the ability to watch any sessions that you may have missed or that might have conflicted with other sessions you wanted to see live.”
Make a list of sessions you’d like to catch up on after the conference wraps up.
6. Stay Open to New Ideas
As Allison puts it:
“Our hope is that attendees will leave feeling inspired, and equipped with new tools and insights.”
Be ready to explore new ideas, methods, and trends in language education. The 2024 TESL Ontario Conference is packed with cutting-edge developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Plurilingualism, and Indigenous Resources.
Mohsen adds:
“I hope attendees walk away with actionable insights and practical tips that they can immediately apply in their work. Beyond that, the connections made during networking sessions will offer support and collaboration opportunities long after the conference ends.“
Conference Logistics
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for November 13-15, 2024, and visit the TESL Ontario Virtual Conference website to register and review the full schedule.
We look forward to welcoming everyone soon!
