CONTACT | ESL
“Bringing themselves into their writing”: Centering learner voice in the age of AI
For images, download the pdf.
How do I stop my students from writing with generative artificial intelligence (AI) in a way that does not reflect their thinking and their voices? This is a question we have heard from many educators in workshops that we have shared on the use of AI in writing. Often this larger…
The magic of rapport in language teaching: A review of rapport-building strategies from in-person to virtual classrooms
One of the indispensable elements of education in general, and language teaching in particular, is building good rapport in the classroom. A classroom with strong rapport promotes a learning environment through friendly relationships, trust, respect, and mental engagement between the teacher and students, as well as among students. Senior (2006) stated that the rapport teachers develop…
Best practices for online or blended teaching
Background of the project
The delivery of instruction through an online platform is becoming more popular every year. While students are taking advantage of the convenience provided by online instruction, their teachers are grappling with how to engage students and approximate more closely the ambiance of a traditional classroom, which is still the most familiar…
Exploring code-switching in Persian-English bilingual children: Lessons for language educators
Abstract
Code-switching, a common phenomenon among bilinguals, serves as a strategic tool for effective communication rather than a reflection of linguistic inadequacy. This article examines code-switching among Persian-English bilingual children during storytelling, shedding light on its triggers, cultural implications, and relevance to language education. By leveraging findings from qualitative research, it offers practical strategies for…
The linguistic competition and other sports
Fencing
The linguistic competition is what I like to refer to as fencing. The first round of fencing commences, and you are speared by the sword of your competitor. That sword is the primary language and the secondary language. In this case, English represents your sword that failed to draw in time. Your opponent…
Navigating language and life: Supporting immigrant learners in their ESL journey
I came to Canada in June 2022 as an immigrant because of the conflict in Ukraine, so I know directly how difficult it is to start over in a new country. I currently teach English as an additional language (EAL) to adult immigrants at ISANS, mostly dealing with students at Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) levels 1…
