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TESL Ontario members will continue to enjoy all TESL Ontario webinars for FREE as a benefit of membership. Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela. However, TESL Ontario webinars are now available to non-members for a fee of $25 each webinar. This includes:
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Get it Write. Successfully Teaching and Assessing Writing Online – Part 2: College and University
When: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenter: Lavaughn John
Webinar Description:
How can professors and instructors adequately meet the needs of linguistically and culturally heterogeneous groups of students and facilitate their transition into higher education? In the transition from high school to higher education, students need to master general academic conventions as well as specific disciplinary writing requirements in order to be successful. How do we make lessons interactive, interesting and innovative, while achieving these goals?
In this second webinar of a three-part series on writing, we will examine the myriad of tools available to support students in their journey of writing successfully in a higher education context. We will take a look at how we can take advantage of the unique nature of teaching and learning online. At the end of the session, there will be an opportunity for questions.
This webinar will address:
- How to support first-year higher education students in becoming independent, effective writers.
- Mastering general academic conventions as well as specific disciplinary writing.
- How to support English language learners in a multi-level, heterogeneous group.
- How to maximize the use of digital offerings to enhance students’ writing skills.
Webinar Type: Technology.
Categories: Technology, assessment, instructional design, online learning / teaching.
Participant Level: All levels.
Lavaughn John taught English for Specific Purposes and English for Academic Purposes for fifteen years in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States, before becoming the Deputy Director of English at the British Council in Brazil. She has been a Professor in the department of English and Liberal Studies at Seneca College, Toronto since 2019. She is currently steering an EAP research group which focuses on Academic Writing and questions of equity and diversity in Higher Education.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ljohntesol23
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lavaughnjohn
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
This webinar is sponsored by Cambridge University Press
Mental Health, Self-care, and Teacher Wellness – a Panel Discussion
When: Sunday, May 16, 2021 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Presenters: Anjum Karimi, OCELT, Patrice Palmer, OCELT, Teresa Kinney
Webinar Description:
Are you looking for a safe space to discuss mental health? Are you interested in hearing about ways to cope and deal with difficulties? Are you interested in self-care and relaxation methods that have been used by fellow educators?
The panelists will discuss various topics surrounding mental health, self-care and teacher wellness. In particular, questions about the current pandemic and the impact it has on our current realities will be discussed. Lived experiences, strategies for dealing with challenges and activities to encourage wellness will be shared.
This panel discussion will be 90 minutes long. The panelists will respond to pre-selected questions within the first 60 minutes, then audience questions during the last half hour.
Please note: this is a panel discussion. No presentations or materials will be shared with the audience.
Webinar Type: Panel Discussion.
Categories: Health / Mental Health
Participant Level: All levels.
Anjum Karimi has more than 10 years of experience in LINC/ESL/ELT teaching stream and is a TESL methodology instructor at Canadian College of Educators. She has been practicing mindfulness and meditation from a very early age and has found it to be extremely effective in creating a positive approach to life.
Patrice Palmer has more than 23 years’ experience as an ESL teacher, trainer, and writer, in Canada and Hong Kong. She also has certificates in Positive Psychology and Positive Education and is a trained Mindfulness facilitator. She shares self-care strategies with other educators and school leaders. Patrice is a well-being advocate for students, teachers, and all school staff.
Teresa Kinney is an ESL/LINC instructor who has experience teaching in China, and working as an ELT health instructor for the LDCSB. She also provided ongoing education to healthcare staff about PTSD. Teresa has a degree in social work and has previously worked in the mental health field.
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
This webinar is sponsored by Cambridge University Press
When: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenter: Rachel Fourny, OCELT
Webinar Description:
Can you name one thing that all cultures have in common? Have you considered how important music is to your life and the lives of your students?
Music is an integral part of our lives and touches many cultures and peoples around the world. Often it is neglected in the classroom, especially in the ESL/LINC classroom. Music can serve as a conversation starter, a bridge between various cultures as well as text for reading practice and grammar lessons in addition to setting the mood for learning.
In this webinar, you will:
- learn how to use music to enhance your learning environment,
- learn how to use music in conversation classes as well as possible lesson ideas,
- learn how to use music in grammar classes as well as possible lesson ideas, and
- receive a list of songs and pieces that can be used in the ESL/LINC classrooms for a range of different levels.
Webinar Type: General.
Categories: Listening, Pronunciation, Grammar, Lesson Planning / Ideas, Literacy, Health / Mental Health.
Participant Level: All levels.
Rachel Fourny, OCELT, OCT, has 20 + years teaching ESL and FSL. A certified language assessor, she has taught in both the LINC and ESL programs and served as a lead. She is also a certified PD Partner. She holds a B.Ed from the University of Ottawa and a B.A. from Andrews University as well as a CERTESL from the University of Saskatchewan and a TEFL certificate from i-to-i in the United Kingdom.
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
This webinar is sponsored by Cambridge University Press
Get it Write. Successfully Teaching and Assessing Writing Online – Part 3: Assessing Writing in Higher Education in Online Environments
When: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenter: Lavaughn John
Webinar Description:
How do we assess college and university students’ writing in a manner which can effectively support their development as more mature writers for higher education? How do we take advantage of information and communication technologies to enhance assessment of learning? Most importantly, how do we utilize the data from assessment to personalize students’ work and guide their individual progress?
In the third of this three-part series of webinars, we will examine how we can use a myriad of tools to assess and provide feedback to students, taking advantage of the unique nature of teaching online. Finally, we will look at the challenges of summative and formative assessment of writing in online environments. At the end of the session, there will be an opportunity for questions.
By the end of the webinar, we will address:
- How to harness the power of assessment to support students in becoming effective writers.
- How we can use data from assessment, in conjunction with new tools to personalize our students’ writing development and growth.
- How to deal with cheating.
Webinar Type: Technology.
Categories: Technology, assessment, instructional design, online learning / teaching.
Participant Level: All levels.
Lavaughn John taught English for Specific Purposes and English for Academic Purposes for fifteen years in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States, before becoming the Deputy Director of English at the British Council in Brazil. She has been a Professor in the department of English and Liberal Studies at Seneca College, Toronto since 2019. She is currently steering an EAP research group which focuses on Academic Writing and questions of equity and diversity in Higher Education.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ljohntesol23
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lavaughnjohn
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
This webinar is sponsored by Cambridge University Press
Crafting Captivating Cover Letters: Standing Out is Easy!
When: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenter: Katina Deichsel, OCELT
Webinar Description:
Do you struggle with knowing what to include in your cover letter? Are you curious about the best strategies to help your cover letter stand out among the masses? Are you still confused about how best to tailor your cover letter to the job posting?
In this webinar, we will focus exclusively on how to craft a captivating cover letter that catches the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. We will focus on three key areas, including: three main sections of all cover letters, capitalizing on compliments to hook the audience, and tailoring your cover letter to demonstrate you as the best fit for the position.
At the end of the webinar, you will have mastered:
- the three key sections of every cover letter, including the exact sentences to include in each section,
- how to effectively compliment the company and demonstrate your passion for the field and position to make you the most memorable candidate, and
- how to tailor your cover letter to the job posting to demonstrate that YOU are the BEST candidate for the position
Webinar Type: Career Development.
Categories: Employment / Self Employment
Participant Level: All levels - No previous knowledge required.
Although Katina has worked in the exciting world of ESL/EAP/OSLT since 2000, she had the great privilege of returning to complete her M.Ed in Online Teaching and Learning Strategies at Ontario Tech University. Having completed her M.Ed in December 2020, Katina returned to George Brown College in January 2021, teaching in the EAP department as an English Professor for Level 8/Bridging to Post Secondary. In addition, Katina continues to serve as a Cultural Communication Specialist in several Employment & Settlement Agencies, where she has designed and delivered workshops for 10 sector-specific programs geared at helping Internationally Trained Professionals to apply, interview, secure and build their professional careers in Canada.
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katinadeichsel/
Website:https://sites.google.com/view/katinadeichselconsulting/about-me
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
This webinar is sponsored by Cambridge University Press
When: Sunday, June 27, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenter: Mehdi Khodaparast
Webinar Description:
Do you need a refresher on teaching pragmatics? Are you interested in innovative ways to help your learners better understand this concept? Would you like examples of specific activities to use in the classroom?
Pragmatics is the study of choices that you make when using a language, the reasons for those choices and the effects those choices convey. Nowadays, learners need to be competent in communication. Teaching pragmatic features gives learners the ability to avoid communication failures and confidently use the language competently.
After attending this webinar, attendees will:
- understand why it is important to teach learners pragmatics,
- identify how pragmatics and communicative competence play a key role in building confidence in learners,
- learn strategies to effectively teach pragmatic features, and
- receive ideas for relevant classroom activities to practice pragmatics with learners.
Webinar Type: General.
Categories: Grammar.
Participant Level: Moderate.
Mehdi Khodaparast is a Faculty member of Kerman Institute of Higher Education. He is the CEO of Keyhan Language School and is an International Teacher Trainer certified by British Council. He has been in the ELT field for over 15 years and runs voluntary webinars on teaching pragmatics and IELTs.
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
This webinar is sponsored by Cambridge University Press
How to Jumpstart a Successful ESL Teaching Career
When: Thursday, July 22, 2021 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Presenter: Heather Donnelly
Webinar Description:
Are you a novice ESL teacher wondering how to break into the ESL teaching industry in Canada? Are you curious about how to build a career and professional identity that is authentic to you?
This webinar will address how to evaluate and then approach potential employers. It will also address specific actions than can be taken to assist new ESL instructors in forming strong and authentic professional identities.
By the end of the webinar, you will be equipped with knowledge on:
- evaluating and approaching potential employers,
- recognizing the factors that hinder and help the process of professional identity development, and
- learning about actions than can be taken by new ESL instructors to form strong and authentic professional identities.
Webinar Type: Career Development.
Categories: Employment/Self Employment; Identity.
Participant Level: All levels - No previous knowledge required.
Heather Donnelly (BA, BA, BEd, MEd) has been a faculty member at Fanshawe College since 2015. She has also taught EAP/ESL courses for Algonquin College, Lambton College, University of Winnipeg, University of Guelph, University of Windsor, and Lakehead University. Her 2015 Master of Education thesis, "Becoming an ESL Teacher: An Autoethnography" has been cited in several articles on teacher identity and is read by MEd. students registered in the course
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
Career Bootcamp: Writing Rousing Resumes
When: Wednesday, July 28, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenter: Katina Deichsel, OCELT
Webinar Description:
Is a resume really that important when applying for jobs? What exactly should you include in your resume? What can you do to help your resume stand out from the 10, 100, 1000 other applicants?
Resumes are a necessary evil that most of us could certainly do without. In the past, I applied for jobs with the same, stock resume, only to receive rejection after rejection. However, by speaking with top recruiters and hiring managers in the ESL, EAP and OSLT fields, I have developed a tested process that consistently gets my resume noticed, and I would LOVE to share my secrets with you!
At the end of today's resume writing webinar, you will be able to:
- critically read job postings to identify essential hard and soft skills,
- integrate powerful accomplishment statements that rely on quantifying your past performance outcomes,
- utilize pre-made templates to design documents that intrigue and engage, and
- tailor your resume to showcase you as the best fit for the position, and for the company.
Webinar Type: Career Development.
Categories: Employment/Self Employment; Networking.
Participant Level: All levels.
Although Katina has worked in the exciting world of ESL / EAP / OSLT since 2000, she had the great privilege of returning to complete her M.Ed in Online Teaching and Learning Strategies at Ontario Tech University. Having completed her M.Ed in December 2020, Katina returned to George Brown College in January 2021, teaching in the EAP department as an English Professor for Level 8 / Bridging to Post Secondary. In addition, Katina continues to serve as a Cultural Communication Specialist in several Employment & Settlement Agencies, including ACCES Employment and COSTI, where she has designed and delivered workshops for 10 sector-specific programs geared at helping Internationally Trained Professionals to apply, interview, secure and build their professional careers in Canada.
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katinadeichsel/
Website:https://sites.google.com/view/katinadeichselconsulting/about-me
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
Language and Gender Representation in Language Classrooms
When: Sunday, August 15, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenters: Julie Dawson and Stephanie Kinzie, OCELT
Webinar Description:
How gender-inclusive are our teaching materials? Do our words and actions in the classroom reinforce traditional gender roles and definitions? Are we unconsciously excluding or silencing diverse voices in our classrooms?
The Language and Gender Representation in Language Classrooms webinar explores social constructs, cultural norms, and gendered language used in the classroom. We highlight pedagogical approaches and differing cultural perspectives, with a focus on the need for teacher preparedness, training, and alternative perspectives necessary to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for students and teachers.
Participants will:
- problematize notions of language, gender identity, teacher identity, and student identity,
- identify examples of gendered language and gender stereotypes in English language teaching materials, and
- create alternatives to non-inclusive language and classroom spaces.
Webinar Type: Teaching Best Practices.
Categories: Lesson Planning / Ideas, Health / Mental Health, Social Justice.
Participant Level: All levels.
Julie Dawson is a Communications Professor at Conestoga College with an avid interest in creating classroom community by employing inclusive pedagogical approaches. A recent graduate from York University's M.A. program in Applied Linguistics, Julie continues to pursue academic research interests that focus on pedagogical interventions designed to support diverse student learning outcomes. With a comprehensive background in special education, Julie welcomes new and growing experiences as she embraces language teaching in an international and global context.
Stephanie Kinzie is a recent graduate of York University's M.A. in Applied Linguistics program. Her interest in gender representation in the language classroom is part of a broader interest in analyzing relations of power that (un)consciously influence personal choices and societal norms. She has extensive experience teaching English in Canada and abroad and is currently a professor at Conestoga College.
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
Career Bootcamp: Learn the ABCs of Successful Interviewing
When: Wednesday, August 25, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Presenter: Katina Deichsel, OCELT
Webinar Description:
Are you currently applying for jobs but dreading the possibility of interviewing in the near future? Do you struggle with preparing the most effective and appropriate interview answers to common questions? Are you eager to develop your interviewing muscle to improve your chances of getting that right job, right now?
Whether you're interviewing face-to-face or virtually, this crucial step stands between you and your next career move. Many of us struggle with knowing what to do before, during and after the interview, which can result in losing out on an important professional opportunity. Don't lose out on securing the job YOU DESERVE!
In today's interview bootcamp, you will learn the four key tips & tricks for mastering your next interview, including:
- employing the SPARK interview technique to craft impressive interview answers,
- playing with your vocal toolbox to engage your interviewer,
- utilizing social media to align yourself with the company's vision and objectives, and
- integrating strategic small talk that impresses the interviewer, making you the most memorable candidate.
Webinar Type: Career Development.
Categories: Employment/Self Employment; Networking.
Participant Level: All levels.
Although Katina has worked in the exciting world of ESL / EAP / OSLT since 2000, she had the great privilege of returning to complete her M.Ed in Online Teaching and Learning Strategies at Ontario Tech University. Having completed her M.Ed in December 2020, Katina returned to George Brown College in January 2021, teaching in the EAP department as an English Professor for Level 8 / Bridging to Post Secondary. In addition, Katina continues to serve as a Cultural Communication Specialist in several Employment & Settlement Agencies, including ACCES Employment and COSTI, where she has designed and delivered workshops for 10 sector-specific programs geared at helping Internationally Trained Professionals to apply, interview, secure and build their professional careers in Canada.
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katinadeichsel/
Website:https://sites.google.com/view/katinadeichselconsulting/about-me
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.
Bringing Mindfulness to the ESL classroom
When: Thursday, September 30, 2021 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Presenter: Andreia Arai-Rissman
Webinar Description:
Have you ever been physically present in class, but mentally somewhere else? How does that impact your teaching abilities? Have you ever had students doing the same?
Come learn how to incorporate mindfulness techniques to the ESL class while students still practice their language. Become more connected to yourself and better equipped to handle the stresses of teaching more effectively and to cope with the demands of life. The techniques also open space to build a strong classroom community.
In this presentation, we will:
- learn key benefits of mindfulness,
- try some activities related to mindfulness,
- identify skills that can be covered with each technique, and
- reflect on how the activities helped you connect to yourself and your students.
Webinar Type: Teaching Best Practices.
Categories: Classroom management, Organization, Lesson Planning / Ideas, Work / Life Balance, Health / Mental Health.
Participant Level: All levels.
Andreia Arai-Rissman has been an educator for over 22 years. She has experience teaching TESOL, ESL, specialty classes such as Business, test preparation, Event Planning, HR, Hospitality, Leadership, among others. She has worked as an academic manager and a curriculum developer and has worked for several colleges and private institutions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education.
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreia-arai-rissman-17030030/
Vblog:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaaec8jkp8DGf0s4V8Uh0Mg
* Members must be a member of the TESL Ontario group on Tutela.