TESL Ontario’s Magazine for Language Teachers
Utilizing the affordances of an AI bot to facilitate a grammar lesson in an EAP classroom
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Purpose
In this article, I critically analyze the integration of an artificial intelligence (AI) bot known as Pi (Personal Intelligence), introduced by Inflection AI in May 2023. The insights and implications that I share in this essay represent my observations and reflections as an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) professor at a public…
Anxiety during the Silent Period: Anxiety of the unknown specifically for temporary and refugee claimant students
Abstract
This article focuses on the importance of supporting all English language learners, specifically those who endure an added level of stress due to their immigration journey. In this article, I will raise awareness by pointing out the importance of not only being aware of temporary/visa/no status students but also to be more compassionate while teaching them.…
Teacher, I write a photograph
Introduction
Writers make the blind see. We are talking about readers here. Readers see only what writers show them. I tell my students this, adding that luckily readers can see photographs and it is their job to make good photographs.
Then we get down to business, and I run through a drill that goes…
Spotlight — Rabia Khokhar
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) presented you with the 2021 Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award. Talk to us about this special moment in your life.
This was such an incredible and humbling moment in my life! I have always been incredibly passionate about equitable education and to receive this award…
Developing a cross-cultural framework to teach academic writing in the L2 classroom
Introduction
It is through interaction with other individuals that people know and understand who they are and their roles and limitations within society (Connell & Wellborn, 1991). Different societies have different values and beliefs that shape their world views from the macro level of ideological structures to the micro level of social…
Developing targeted technology standards for Avenue language instructors, programs, and learners: An initiative of New Language Solutions
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Abstract
In August 2020 a new platform for adult newcomer language instruction was released by New Language Solutions (NLS) on Avenue.ca. NLS recognized the need for standards to support effective use of Avenue and technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) in online and blended classes. Concluding that existing technology standards from…
Transforming assessment for today’s classrooms: A guide to empowering teachers and students
Introduction
Assessment serves as the compass guiding educators and students through their academic journey. Beyond mere grading, assessment is a tool that fosters growth and understanding. In this article, tailored for classroom teachers, we will delve into four key elements reshaping the assessment landscape in education: rubrics, e-portfolios, differentiated activities, and metacognitive activities.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion: Dialoguing with TESL Ontario members
Abstract
This article reports and comments on findings from a TESL Ontario membership survey and synchronous dialogue session inquiring about challenges and opportunities related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in English Language Teaching classrooms and workplaces. The findings reveal that TESL Ontario members have most frequently experienced ageism and ethnic and cultural…
Exploring effective professional development for ESL instructors
Abstract
Professional development (PD) plays a crucial role in the success and quality of various occupations, including English as a second language (ESL) instruction. However, there is a need to understand ESL teachers’ perceptions of PD, the challenges they face, and their recommendations for enhancing the PD process. This study focuses on language schools in…
ESOL instructor’s reflections on the use of pedagogical translanguaging
Abstract
In this article, I present my reflections on the use of pedagogical translanguaging at a language centre for newly arrived adult refugees and asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. As a volunteer ESOL instructor of this course, I decided to make use of the students’ various linguistic repertoires by incorporating multilingual text reading and…
Elevating ELLs in a science classroom: Evidence-informed strategies to support language development used by a high school teacher
Learning science can be a daunting task, resembling the challenge of deciphering a complex foreign language for many individuals. The intricacy stems from the incorporation of vocabulary with Latin and Greek roots, intertwined with specialized jargon that references specific concepts. This linguistic complexity often proves to be a stumbling block for learners. As…
Spotlight — Shahriar Mirshahidi
Congratulations! You received the OCAD University Employee Equity Award. Talk to us a bit about that award and what it means to you.
I am deeply honored to receive the 2023 Employee Equity Award for my work as an English Language Learning Specialist at OCAD University’s English for Art & Design Program and the Writing…
