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The TESL Dialogue series is an open forum where participants are free to turn on their microphones and cameras to fully immerse in a discussion about a relevant topic in ELT. A subject-matter-expert joins participants in this session to help guide the conversation and offer helpful insight when needed.
Format: Throughout the session the moderator will provide the audience with a thought-provoking question to encourage conversation. After the subject matter expert responds to the question, participants are invited to answer the questions themselves, provide a comment or example, or ask a related question to the subject matter expert and their peers. The goal of this session is to develop a community of practice which allows for as many narratives to be heard and shared as possible. The session will conclude with a breakout room reflection activity where participants are encouraged to discuss what they have learned, any remaining questions they have, and their next steps in respect to the session topic.
Upcoming TESL Dialogue Sessions
September 25 |
Motivating Learners Online |
October 19 |
The Digital Teacher Identity and Gamification |
November 13 |
Written Corrective Feedback and Second Language Learning |
December 7 |
Engaging Students Using Non-Traditional Platforms |
Access to TESL Dialogue Sessions
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TESL Dialogue: Motivating Learners Online
When: Saturday, September 25, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Subject-Matter Experts: Livia Pataki & Mustafa Jam
Session Description:
This TESL Dialogue session will explore methods to keep learners engaged throughout an online lesson or course. With classes being exclusively taught online, motivating learners can become quite difficult, especially in asynchronous environments. How can ELT professionals continue to offer insightful lessons that motivate learners to learn English? What strategies can learners be taught to help hold themselves accountable? Are there specific activities that encourage learners to apply themselves more to a course? By the end of this TESL Dialogue session, we will examine how the needs of online learners differ from learners of traditional face-to-face learning & how course teachers can support students more effectively. We will also explore the importance of academic and technological support and identify the types of support teachers and institutions can provide to students to maximize their learning. Lastly, we will analyze practical strategies on how to provide timely, personalized, and constructive feedback to keep the learning atmosphere positive.
Our facilitators, Livia & Mustafa, will guide this discussion by inviting audience members to voice their opinion and experiences. As a community of practice, attendees and the subject-matter experts will discuss ways to inspire and support unmotivated learners. As always, attendees are invited to turn on their webcam and microphone to fully immerse themselves into this interactive session.
About the subject-matter experts:
Livia F. Pataki is an ESL & EAP instructor, TESL Practicum supervisor & IELTS specialist with 21 years of experience. She's worked as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, teacher trainer in the UK & in Canada. Currently she's working as a full-time ESOL lecturer in London, UK and an EAP Instructor at the University of Waterloo. Formerly worked as a PD consultant at YWCA, an EAP Instructor at York University, a Professor at Centennial College & Sheridan College. She is a certified Online Learning Course developer by TESOL International Association since 2018.
LinkedIn: https://www.linked.com/in/liviapataki
Mustafa Jam has been in the field of teaching English for over 25 years. He has worked as curriculum developer and teacher trainer. He received his CELTA and completed his TESL Canada as well as TESL Ontario. He is currently teaching at DLL department as a course director and York University Language Institute, where he designs materials and tests for online mode.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mustafa-jam-70559341/
Please Note: Session is limited to 80 participants. This is not a presentation, it is a guided discussion and as such will not contain presentation materials such as PowerPoint visuals. Please come to the session ready and willing to participate. If you are not comfortable speaking with peers in breakout rooms, this may not be the session for you.
TESL Dialogue: The Digital Teacher Identity and Gamification
When: Tuesday, October 19, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Subject-Matter Expert: Sara Alexandre
Session Description:
Who am I in the digital classroom? How do I translate as a teacher virtually? In this session, we will be discussing the digital teaching identity and how to contend with who you were face-to-face compared to who you are in the digital world. Many teachers are still struggling with the concept of turning an interactive and engaging face-to-face lesson into a virtual one that holds the same merit. Moreover, we will be exploring the merit of gamification in the pandemic classroom and its importance for our post-pandemic classrooms.
The facilitator and participants will discuss teacher identity in the digital world and gamification. Participants will be asked to participate in answering questions, discussing their experiences and realizations, and providing suggestions to fellow attendees. The theme of gamification and teacher identity will be emphasized and analysed throughout this session. As always, attendees are invited to turn on their webcam and microphone to fully immerse themselves into this interactive session.
About the subject-matter expert:
Sara Alexandre is a multi-level ESL professor and a graduate of the first TESOL Plus programme both at Sheridan College. She has recently graduated from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick with a Master’s in Applied Linguistics. One of her main interests is applying gamification to classroom pedagogy to create engaging and challenging lessons.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-alexandre-5b6873120
Please Note: Session is limited to 80 participants. This is not a presentation, it is a guided discussion and as such will not contain presentation materials such as PowerPoint visuals. Please come to the session ready and willing to participate. If you are not comfortable speaking with peers in breakout rooms, this may not be the session for you.
TESL Dialogue: Written Corrective Feedback and Second Language Learning
When: Saturday, November 13, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Subject-Matter Experts: Mohammad Falhasiri & Fatima Hasiri
Session Description:
This TESL Dialogue Discussion will be on the effectiveness and efficacy of written corrective feedback (WCF) for second language learning. More specifically, it will discuss different types of WCF, emotional response to CF, engagement with CF, students’ expectations, and online CF. The discussion will be guided by some overarching questions that address these fundamental issues in the practice of WCF. After the participants share their perceptions regarding the usefulness of WCF by answering the discussion questions, the facilitators will discuss research findings and some ESL theories.
The session will conclude with a critical analysis of the answers. As always, attendees are invited to turn on their webcam and microphone to fully immerse themselves into this interactive session.
About the subject-matter expert:
Mohammad Falhasiri holds a Master’s Degree in TESL and is a teacher and teacher trainer. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Linguistics at York University where he works as a teaching and research assistant. He has published several articles and has presented at national and international ELT conferences.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-falhasiri-151a9253
Fatima Hasiri holds a Master’s Degree in TESL and is a PhD student in Applied Linguistics. She has over 14 years of experience teaching English and is specialized in designing and producing material for exam preparation courses. She has published a book on the IELTS speaking test.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ielts-toronto
Please Note: Session is limited to 80 participants. This is not a presentation, it is a guided discussion and as such will not contain presentation materials such as PowerPoint visuals. Please come to the session ready and willing to participate. If you are not comfortable speaking with peers in breakout rooms, this may not be the session for you.
TESL Dialogue: Engaging Students Using Non-Traditional Platforms
When: Tuesday, December 7, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Subject-Matter Expert: Stephanie Leutner
Session Description:
Are your students tired of using the same three apps everyday? Do you find you hesitate to try new things with your classes? Would you like to learn about ways to get your students excited about exploring new online platforms? This session will explore the use of social media platforms like Twitter, to engage learners and make life easier on instructors. Techniques for engaging learners, accessing ready made resources, and creating RWTs from the process will be explored. By the end, participants will gain insight into how best to implement the platforms in their own practice.
The facilitator will discuss engaging students online in unique and refreshing ways that are not commonly done. We will discuss platforms and apps that may be used and the benefits of engaging students outside of the box. Participants are encouraged to share their own difficulties and successes of interacting with students online. We will conclude by reflecting on our own experiences as learners and educators in an online world and the implications of this new reality. As always, attendees are invited to turn on their webcam and microphone to fully immerse themselves into this interactive session.
About the subject-matter expert:
Stephanie Leutner has been working in the ESL/EFL for 20+ years, teaching in Canada and Europe, writing curriculum, and becoming a PBLA Lead and Google Certified Educator. Many years ago, out of desperation to avoid a perpetually broken photocopier, she created a class Twitter account as a place to post class documents. It quickly evolved into much, much more and was a resounding success with the learners.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-leutner-19a46353
Please Note: Session is limited to 80 participants. This is not a presentation, it is a guided discussion and as such will not contain presentation materials such as PowerPoint visuals. Please come to the session ready and willing to participate. If you are not comfortable speaking with peers in breakout rooms, this may not be the session for you.
Want to Lead a Discussion?
TESL Ontario continuously accepts proposals for TESL Dialogue subject-matter experts throughout the year. Proposals will be reviewed by the Dialogue team, and if approved the subject-matter expert will be contacted to make arrangements for scheduling the TESL Dialogue session.
Visit our Become a Presenter webpage for more information.
TESL DIALOGUE VIDEO LIBRARY
| TESL Dialogue Session Title | Subject-Matter Expert | Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| Online Student Engagement | Grazzia Maria Mendoza Chirinos | 24-Oct-2020 |
| Best Practices for Teaching Intermediate/Advanced ELLs | Jacqueline Seijo, OCELT | 28-Nov-2020 |
| Professional Development in Unusual Times | James Papple, OCELT | 19-Jan-2021 |
| Best Practice for Teaching Literacy/Low Level ELLs | Sheila Nicholas, OCELT | 23-Feb-2021 |
| Cheating in Online Environments | Livia Pataki, OCELT & Mitra Rabiee, OCELT | 27-Apr-2021 |
| Teaching Language Through Literature | Alice Pivniceru | 29-May-2021 |
| Self-Regulation and Online Learning | Chadia Mansour | 22-June-2021 |
| Finding and Using Free Educational Resources in Your ELT Classroom | Sharon Tjaden-Glass & Chadia Mansour | 27-July-2021 |