TESL Kingston

Registration is open — and this year’s 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗟 𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 is bigger than ever.
With 70+ sessions, two inspiring keynotes, and a theme that speaks directly to our sector — 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆. — this is your chance to dive into the conversations shaping the future of ELT in Ontario.

Whether you’re looking for classroom‑ready strategies, sector insights, digital literacy support, or space to reconnect with colleagues, the program has something for every educator.

Explore the full schedule and start planning your conference experience.

🔗 Check out the full program schedule: teslontario.org/conference

Actually, many TESL professionals work all year, but in mid-late August, towards September, "back to school", of course, is always in the air.
🌟📚📔📒📕📗📘📙🌟

We wonder:
What kinds of changes do you tend to experience in September?
Is it indeed "back to school" for you, as your teaching work resumes after a summer break? Are you starting a new class?
Is student attendance affected, whether positively or negatively (with renewed energy for study, or changing childcare responsibilities for adult students, etc.)?
We welcome you to discuss in the comments! :)

The August Civic Holiday tends to be well timed for many in the TESL field - ☀️🏖️🌿
We are wishing you the very best rest and enjoyment with friends and family, this long weekend!
You deserve it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Always a good resource for things to do in Kingston! :)
https://www.visitkingston.ca/stories/25-things-to-do-in-kingston-this-august/

At least yesterday was looking better than previous days had!
Due to the smog, many Kingstonians have been taking care, this past week, rescheduling events, masking up in some cases, etc.

We wonder, how has it affected teaching work, in your experience so far?
Do you have lower class attendance, etc.?
And what about class content? Do you try to work discussion of current events like the wildfires into your lessons, or do you prefer your classes as an 'escape' for your students, keeping topics and activities more light and fun?

We'd love to hear from you in the comments! :)

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-pollution/issues/smog-causes-effects.html

Some idioms related to "cold" and indeed "hot" :) :
https://english-at-home.com/idioms/cold/

Language students often have a special experience of idioms, as they are both challenging, and a fun and interesting way to join in the culture around the language.

We wonder:
How do you or how would you approach idioms, in your teaching work?
Is it something that we should try to give students some small experience of even at lower levels, building from there, or do you worry about idioms being too 'confusing', etc., before the more advanced levels?

We welcome you to discuss in the comments! :)

Summer is officially here,
☀️☀️☀️☀️
and barbecues, picnics, etc., are at least on people's minds! :)

This past Tuesday,
my students and I enjoyed a potluck picnic at Skeleton Park.
🍗🍔🍕🥪🥗🥐🧀🥯🍰

We wonder:
How do *you* incorporate food into your classes, if at all?
Do you like to have 'food events' like potlucks, etc., sometimes? Why or why not?

Please share in the comments! :)