English as a Second Language Week celebrated across Ontario

ESL Week rolls out

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - For new Canadians, it has never been more important than today to learn English as a Second Language (ESL). To honour learners and educators alike, a week-long celebration -- ESL Week -- is taking place across the province from November 4-10, 2012.

ESL Week, founded and organized by TESL Ontario, is an annual celebration of ESL education that involves several Ontario communities, thousands of ESL educators, students, and many learning institutions and school boards. What's more, this year marks TESL Ontario's 40^th anniversary, testament of its commitment and relevance to the industry.

"Isolation is often an experience of those newcomers who do not understand English," says Renate Tilson, executive director, TESL Ontario. "Our role is to help new Canadians, whether they are immigrants, refugees or international students, learn the basics of English so they can communicate, get jobs, develop good self-worth and, ultimately, feel a part of our amazing country that offers so much opportunity."

As part of the celebration, TESL Ontario recently held a province-wide creativity contest to celebrate ESL education, designed for both learners and educators. The winning submissions can be viewed at: http://www.teslontario.net/contest-winners.

"Given that this year marks our organization's fortieth anniversary, we are pleased to continue to use ESL Week as a way of raising awareness of the importance of ESL education for Ontarians," adds Tilson. "It allows us to express our thanks to the English language training professionals on the frontlines in a wide variety of educational settings - in elementary, secondary, post-secondary and continuing education institutions, in private schools and community agencies - who play a big role in helping new Canadians adapt to our culture."

ESL Week has been declared by 44 communities across Ontario including: Toronto, Ottawa, Barrie, Ajax, Amherstburg, Aurora, Aylmer, Brampton, Brighton, Caledon, Clarington, Cochrane, Cornwall, Durham Region, Fort Erie, Fort Frances, Gananoque, Georgina, Gwillimbury, Kirkland Lake, Markham, Midland, Milton, New Tecumseth, Newmarket, North Bay, Oakville, Oshawa, Pickering, Port Colborne, Port Hope, Quinte West, Rainy River, Richmond Hill, Smooth Rock Falls, South Bruce, Stratford, St. Charles, St. Thomas, Temiskaming Shores, Timmins, Whitby, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Windsor.

A regular highlight of ESL Week is the TESL Ontario annual conference, which takes place November 8-10, 2012 in Toronto. The conference - TESL Ontario at 40: Thriving, Excelling, Sharing, Leading -- is the largest conference of its kind in Canada, hosting more than 1,500 delegates. The conference brings together ESL educators from the public and private sector, academics, researchers, teacher trainers and representatives from both the federal and provincial governments. The conference offers a variety of workshops, plenary speakers, research symposia and a panel discussion on a current ESL topic.

TESL Ontario is the association and certifying body for non-credit adult ESL instructors in Ontario. TESL Ontario represents more than 4,600 ESL professionals working in elementary and secondary schools; colleges and universities; private schools; and LINC and ESL sites across the province. The organization has developed expertise in areas of teacher accreditation, and professional and curriculum development. For more information, visit www.teslontario.org.

SOURCE: TESL Ontario

Shannon Skinner
Skinner Publicity
416-576-8809
[email protected]

Renate Tilson
Executive Director, TESL Ontario
416-593-4243 ext. 203
[email protected]