TESL Ontario (Teachers of English as a Second Language)

🔎 New on the TESL Ontario Blog!
Member at Large 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗺𝗿𝗸𝗲 reflects on his first year of Board service in “𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑌𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑇𝐸𝑆𝐿 𝑂𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜.”
It’s an insightful look at learning, leadership, and the meaningful work that happens behind the scenes to support our ESL/ELT community.

Read Christopher’s full reflection:
🔗 https://blog.teslontario.org/

Inspired by his journey?
Learn more about joining the TESL Ontario Board of Directors:
🔗 https://teslontario.org/board-recruitment/

📅 Happening Tomorrow!
Benchmarking Digital Prowess in Language Learning
with Toby Iran Ali, OCELT
June 18, 2026 • 8:00–9:00 pm EDT

Digital skills show up in our classrooms every day — but we don’t always name them, assess them, or support them intentionally. This session takes a clear, practical look at what “digital proficiency” really means for language learners in 2026.

We’ll explore:
• the difference between everyday tech use and true digital readiness
• how digital skills are embedded in common assessment tasks
• a seven‑domain framework for benchmarking digital proficiency
• ways to make digital learning visible, assessable, and inclusive
• strategies that won’t add to your workload

If you’re supporting learners with digital tasks — from LMS navigation to portfolio‑based assessments — this session will give you tools you can use right away.

Register now and strengthen your digital teaching toolkit.
Thank you to our webinar sponsors, The Personal and Cambridge University Press for their generous support.

Build your Classroom Management toolkit this summer.
Explore the 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲.
Link: https://teslontario.learnworlds.com/

We’re extending the Call for Presenters!
You now have until 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟳 𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 to submit your proposal for 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗟 𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼’𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

If you’ve been thinking about presenting, this is your moment.

Free Canada Day Activities on CanAvenue!

Did you know that there are free, abundant and openly accessible Canadian resources and self-assessment activities just waiting for your learners? It is just a simple sign-up away.:

https://blog.teslontario.org/free-canada-day-activities-on-canavenue/

✨ VR is changing what’s possible in language learning.
In 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘝𝘙, author 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 explores how immersive VR environments strengthen vocabulary, writing, speaking, listening, and learner confidence — and how these skills transfer to real‑world communication.

We've highlighted the key insights from the CONTACT article and shown why VR is becoming a powerful tool for meaningful, authentic language practice, which pairs perfectly with our upcoming webinar 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Together, they illuminate what “digital readiness” really looks like in 2026.

📝 Read the article: https://contact.teslontario.org/from-virtual-to-reality-assessing-the-transferability-of-language-skills-acquired-through-vr/
🔗 Register for the webinar: https://teslontario.org/webinars/benchmarking-digital-prowess-in-language-learning/

💛 Recognition strengthens our community.
TESL Ontario Awards honour the people who:
• innovate
• collaborate
• mentor
• advocate
• and uplift learners every day

By nominating someone, you’re helping tell the story of who we are as a sector — resilient, relevant, and ready for what’s next.

Nominations close in September, but early submissions help us celebrate more voices.

🔗 Submit your nomination: https://teslontario.org/awards/

📣 Final Call for Session Proposals
The deadline to submit your session idea for TESL Ontario 2026 is approaching on June 14.

This year’s theme — Resilient. Relevant. Ready. — invites educators, administrators, researchers, and community partners to share the practices shaping our sector right now.

If you’ve been thinking about:
• a classroom strategy that changed your teaching
• a program innovation worth sharing
• a research insight with real‑world impact
• a story of resilience or sector leadership

…this is your moment to bring it forward.

Your voice helps illuminate the path ahead for our community.

🔗 Submit your proposal by June 14: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVESKMOTBZNGI/CallforPresentations

✨ Your teaching journey is unique — and your TESL Ontario membership should reflect that.

Our new video walks you through the three core membership paths available to educators at every stage:

🌟 𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗧 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
For educators seeking professional recognition, certification maintenance, and full access to TESL Ontario’s PD ecosystem.

🌿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
For instructors, tutors, volunteers, and professionals who want community, resources, and PD without certification requirements.

🎓 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
For TESL/TEFL students who want to start building their network early — with full PD access at a reduced rate.

No matter where you are in your career, there’s a membership designed to help you grow, connect, and belong.

🔗 Watch the video and find your membership path: https://youtu.be/2p2frU-YCKo

OCELT vs. Standard Membership: Which Path Is Right for You? Your TESL Ontario membership starts with one question: Which path f...