ESL Week is an opportunity to give due recognition of both those who have contributed and those who have benefited from ESL learning in Ontario. It celebrates ESL learners, teachers, instructors, international students and their hosts.

In 2007, TESL affiliates and ESL centres, schools, colleges and universities recognized ESL Week with a variety of events and activities such as:

Hosted a writing contest (story and/or poetry)

• Elementary/secondary/adult or beginner/intermediate/advanced categories
• Topics: learner’s experiences as an ESL student or newcomer living in Canada, stories related to teaching and learning English, autobiography, My Journey: Tears to tears of Joy , What Canada means to me
• Winning entries were posted at the local library, school board office, LINC Service provider office, mall display
• Entries were introduced at a ‘Public Reading’
• Submissions were compiled into a booklet and were distributes to ESL sites, to the mayors of our communities, to Immigrant Services Agencies and to other community partners

Hosted a Multiculturalism Day with international cuisine, singing, music, dancing, and sharing, as well as displays of students' work Held an Affiliate Dinner with guest speaker. Promoted a Reading Week (essays, poems, books, plays, picture books) with an Immigrant theme Could be organized similar to the “Canada Reads” event.

Hosted an Open House

• Included cultural displays, live dancing, a talent show, a fashion show
• Tasting booths with international cuisine
• Around the World theme – each room reflected a learner’s country or continent  with artifacts and hands-on-activities to engage visitors

Organized an Art Exhibition/Display

• Shown in centre, school, mall, library
• Action photos of program, classroom

Drawings, paintings, sculptures, prints, jewellery, photographs

Held a Public Lecture

Set up a booth at the local public library. Gave out TESL Affiliate business cards and had some of the students whose written languages are not Roman-based write out people’s names on pretty paper and explained what these names meant in their languages.  
Held a Spelling Competition for Adult ESL Learners in a public venue
Compiled and publishing an International Cookbook

Hosted an Citizenship Court

Hosted an Pre-work/lunch social

• Invite co-workers in building, neighbourhood, other school grade teachers, agency workers

Held a Speech Fest. One area invited volunteer presenters from the Dominion Institute’s Passages to Canada program.

Invited local MPP/MP/Mayor to visit ESL school/site

Celebrated with class parties