Today, September 30th, 2021, marks Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led day of commemoration to remember the stolen children and survivors of the residential school system and to honour their families and communities. This year, this important day is recognized for the first time as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

My name is Jessica Portelance and I am a master’s student working under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Falzone in the Department of Education at Niagara University. As part of my master’s degree, I am conducting a research study on current English Language Instructor's/Teacher's approaches to teaching students who come from Confucian heritage cultures in an online setting. If you have experience as an English language instructor/teacher/professor/professional with students in this demographic, I would like to invite you to participate in this study and offer your insights.

In 2018, TESL Ontario received four-year project funding from Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) for the development of a new Competency and Credit Based PLAR process. TESL Ontario is pleased to announce that the project is now complete and the new Competency-and-Credit Based Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition service will be launched as of January 1, 2022. The current portfolio-based PLAR service will be discontinued as of the same date.

To be eligible for the new PLAR service, candidates must have the following:

You are invited to participate in a study on the teaching of grammar in ESL classrooms, specifically, exploring how ESL teachers are prepared and supported in developing the skills and expertise to effectively teach grammar to adults in the ESL classroom. If you are an ESL teacher and have completed a TESL Certificate or other language teacher education program, your input in an online survey would be very much appreciated! Please visit the Call for Research Participants for the study description. Feel free to contact me at antvaleo@yorku.ca

TESL Ontario is shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths of a Muslim family in London, ON., following a hate-motivated attack this week. We are pained that so many people within our own communities feel unsafe or unwelcome as they live their daily lives.

While we mourn this tremendous loss and abhorrent act of hate, we hold in our thoughts the nine-year old survivor. We stand in solidarity and support with our Muslim friends, members, colleagues and loved ones, and remain committed to providing a community free from discrimination of any kind.

Islamophobia has no place in our society and TESL Ontario is committed to ensuring it is never allowed to take root in our diverse educational community.

June marks National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate, commemorate and deeply honour the contributions, achievements, traditions and heritage of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples across Turtle Island.

This year’s observance comes at a somber moment as all Canadians come to grips with the tragic discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at a former residential school on the territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.

TESL Ontario gratefully acknowledges that we live, gather and carry out our work on the traditional territories of many First Nations. Our central location, Tkaronto, under Treaty 13, is the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit River.

TESL Ontario and our entire team have a continued commitment to promoting reconciliation and to our own ongoing learning about the history of First Nations Peoples and the continued discrimination, persecution and social issues that are faced to this day.

This week marks the beginning of Pride Month 2021, a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the 2SLGBTQ+ community here in Ontario and around the world.

While we celebrate, we also take time to recognize the ongoing challenges faced by so many members of this vibrant community, particularly those in the Trans community and those who are racialized.

We at TESL Ontario commit to acting as strong allies to the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the ongoing movement for equal rights, inclusion and equity. This year, we further commit to sourcing 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive resources and curricula to share with our membership as we work toward creating safe spaces for all in Ontario’s English language education sector.

While this year’s celebrations may once again be virtual, they are no less important and should be no less vibrant!

Happy Pride Month to all members of the TESL Ontario community!