Talking TESL

Tune in to Talking TESL as we delve into the experiences of students currently in the TESL program. Join us as we sit down with August and Erin, two undergraduate students at different stages of their academic journey. In this episode, we explore their backgrounds, what drew them to TESL, and their thoughts on the program.

This episode highlights queerness and teaching, as August and Erin share their unique perspectives as individuals with queer identities. We discuss how their identities have shaped their experiences within the TESL program, during their internships, and beyond. Furthermore, we explore the progress they hope to see in their teaching environments and within the TESL program as a whole.

Don't miss this eye-opening conversation that provides valuable insights into the diverse perspectives within the TESL community!

In this episode of Talking TESL , we sit down with Erika San Roman, a first-year TESL student with a fascinating journey that began in Uruguay and led her to Montreal.

Erika shares her inspiring experiences in education, offering a unique perspective shaped by her multicultural and multilingual background. Despite facing challenges with dyslexia and autism, she remains determined and passionate about her aspirations as a teacher. Join us as we explore the intricacies of Erika's journey and the valuable insights she brings to the field of Teaching English as a Second Language.

In our conversation, Erika provides a candid glimpse into her early years, discussing the impact of her family's move to Montreal, as well as her learning disabilities, and how they influenced her path in education.

Erika's reflections on her first year in the TESL program at Concordia University offer a valuable perspective for both aspiring educators and seasoned professionals. She delves into the transition from CEGEP to University and the aspects of the TESL program that surprised her the most.

Something very big is happening next week in the world of public sector education in Quebec. Montreal’s largest service centre, the Centre de Service Scolaire de Montreal, will be closed for an indefinite period of time as of Tuesday, November 21st, as thousands of teachers go on strike. The same is true for the English Montreal School Board, with the exception of F.A.C.E. school. Some would call this current strike historic – the last teacher’s strike on a similar scale occurred in 1982.

In this episode of Talking TESL, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into the current teachers strike. We are joined by Lori Newton, President of the Montreal Teachers Association, which is the union representing all teachers working for the English Montreal School Board. This is Lori’s second time on the podcast – in her first episode she discussed unions more broadly. This time we're discussing the current strike: what conditions led to it, what are the demands, and what is the current status.

In this episode of Talking TESL, we reconnect with high school teacher Nick Garneau, who completed the TESL program in 2012 and has been teaching in secondary education ever since.

Our first interview with Nick took place during the peak of the pandemic, amidst the chaos of COVID-19 and the transition to online teaching. Now, we're catching up with him during his well-earned sabbatical to explore the world of secondary education post-pandemic.

During this episode, Nick candidly shares his insights on how the pandemic has impacted high school students, his strategies for effective communication with parents, his perspective on maintaining a work/life balance as a teacher, and much more. Join us as we dive into the evolving landscape of secondary education through Nick's experiences and reflections.

In this heartwarming episode of Talking TESL, we caught up with Alex, a primary teacher who had just completed his fifth year of teaching at two schools in Laval. Alex invites us into his world of teaching, sharing how he has evolved as a pedagogue in this formative beginning stage of his career. He discusses his strategies for lesson planning, devising his schedule, classroom management, and much more. He also shares specific experiences from his classroom, sharing examples of his student interactions and how he builds rapport with his young learners. 
A TESL alumnus, Alex had initially graduated from Concordia in 2014 with a B.A. in English Literature and again in 2018 with a B.Ed. in TESL. Right after graduation, he quickly began teaching at École Alternative L'Envol, where he has been happily teaching for the last 5 years. From a very young age, Alex always had an affinity for the English language — especially literature and grammar rules. He also naturally works well with younger learners. Prior to entering the teaching profession, Alex was a member of his local scouts organization for over 21 years, 11 of which he served as a leader. 
Join us for an inspiring and energizing conversation that highlights the first five years of the teaching profession. Whether you're a TESL student, new teacher, or veteran who has been in the field for decades, this episode is for you.

Katie-Marie Tidy graduated from the TESL program in 2010 and has been teaching ESL for over 15 years. Her teaching journey wasn't always straightforward. She switched from public school to private, elementary to high school, and her teaching style and philosophy has evolved from year to year. Now she is happily teaching Sec. 1 at a private high school and joins us to share what she's learned throughout her career. 
In this episode, Katie-Marie gives concrete tips about: 

• Classroom management 
• Communicating with parents 
• Navigating the internships (she's a CT!)
• Building relationships with everyone at your school 
• Cultivating rapport with your students 

... and much more!

Educational technology, or EdTech, is present in all aspects of a teacher's work: from lesson material and delivery, to planning, to communication with students, parents, and staff. In many ways, new technology can enhance learning and streamline many aspects of the job. After all, EdTech is intended to address the question of how to solve issues in education through technology. That said, EdTech can also represent an increased cognitive load on teachers and students, who must learn digital organizational strategies and constantly familiarize themselves with new platforms. 

In this episode of Talking TESL, we are joined by Dr. Mike Barcomb, who is the Educational Technologist at Concordia University's Centre for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Barcomb advises educators on how to best apply EdTech to their teaching practice. He joins us today to discuss EdTech: when does it enhance or detract from learning, the ethics of using certain platforms, and where he sees the field moving in the future.

If you are completing your B.Ed. in TESL, we recommend you start substitute teaching right away! You don't need your license to get started, and it's a great way to make connections in the school system and experience different classroom environments. 

Need that extra push to get started? Second-year TESL student Joëlle is here to share her experiences and knowledge about subbing in primary. Joëlle decided to start subbing because she was nervous about her internships. Subbing was a way for her to ease into teaching. She's encountered some difficult classroom management experiences (for example one student that wouldn't stop crawling under the desks), as well as some rewarding moments that reminded her of why she's in this field.

Curious about teaching internationally but have no clue where to begin? TESL graduate Samanta joins us to discuss her professional journey teaching in International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Shanghai and Kuwait. Sam is a truly accomplished educator: after working for two years in Shanghai in an IB school's Primary Years Programme, Sam moved to Kuwait to teach at the American International School. Since her move, she has trained and supported K-8 teachers, completed her Master's, and became a Workshop Leader for the International Baccalaureate Organization. She is now the Head of the Department of Language and Literature in the Middle Years Programme at her school. Sam also trains educators and evaluates schools across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. In this interview, she delves into her professional trajectory and shares her knowledge about getting jobs, preparing for these big moves, and succeeding as an international educator. If you have any interest in teaching internationally, this episode is absolutely packed with all the information you need to set you on your journey.

Music by Nomerodin1

Clinical researcher Stuart Brown once wrote that “play is the vital essence of life.” But what does it really mean to play? How can we incorporate playfulness into our teaching? And why is it important to do so? In this episode, we sit down with TESL program director Dr. Teresa Hernandez-Gonzalez! She delved into the experiences that had shaped her as an educator, the art of combining work and play (and perhaps deconstructing this dichotomy along the way), and the debate of whether teachers are born or made.

Are you wondering how much French you’ll need to thrive in your internships and succeed as an English teacher in Montreal? In this episode of Talking TESL, we are joined by Rachel, a graduate of the B.Ed. in TESL. She breaks down her experiences learning French, how she navigated her internships, and how to best prepare to teach ESL in a French environment as an Anglophone.

Reagan is a TESL student in his final year of studies. In this long-form episode of Talking TESL, he discusses what brought him to TESL after a career in telecommunications, his connection between judo and teaching, and much more. He delves into his experiences in the program, including insight from his internships and courses. He talks about professors who impacted him, lessons he learned from students, and where he sees himself in the future.

Are you a TESL student? Would you like to share experiences from your studies and internships? Do you want to discuss your teaching philosophies, aspirations, or any other TESL-related topic you feel is important? Come be a guest on the podcast! Reach out to our Podcast Coordinator, Sivan, via any of the TESL Resource Centre social media channels.

Curious to hear the voices of our students? In this episode of Talking TESL, we sit down with Stephanie, who is in her third year of the B.Ed. in TESL. Steph initially completed a degree in sociology, but after an impactful language-learning experience in Salamanca, Spain, she decided to pursue teaching. In our conversation, she talks about her background, what led her to the program, her words of advice for current or incoming students, how her teaching philosophy has shifted, and what she plans on doing beyond the B.Ed. 

Starting the TESL program can feel daunting for new students. Not only do you have to familiarize yourself with the demands of a new program, but you need to get used to the rhythm of being a student. In this episode, we are joined by the TESLSA VP Academic and TESL student Ariella, who lays down the 12 foundational tips you need to succeed in the program. She covers organizational strategies, small actions that make a big difference for your success, and other tips that may not occur to the student who is unfamiliar with the TESL program. Ariella is a champion multi-tasker; between her studies and TESLSA role, she also is a mother of two. In this episode, she distills her knowledge to the 12 tips that all students should know, whether you are new to the program, or perhaps just in need of an organizational reset. 

Have you ever had to teach a class last minute? What about with no materials? As teachers, we are taught that thorough preparation is the foundation of a successful class. However, sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we simply do not have the time to lesson plan. In this episode of Talking TESL, our Mentorship Coordinator Lisa shares a clever teaching story about the time she had to teach a full class last minute, with no materials except two paper plates.

Are you a Concordia student or grad looking for a supportive community of teachers? You can hear more interesting stories like Lisa's firsthand by joining the TESL RC Staffroom, run by Lisa herself! This shared space was created within the mentorship program to enhance the type of resources that can support our TESL RC community of teachers. Become a member of The Staffroom and you’ll get to collaborate with fellow ESL teachers of all experiences, and perhaps earn the opportunity to receive project funding! Visit our website for more information: https://www.concordia.ca/artsci/education/tesl-resource-centre/mentorship.html

Many teachers have unfortunately dealt with the uncomfortable experience of being objectified by their students. Whether it's in the form of stares, comments, jokes, unwanted messages, or even touching, these instances are difficult to approach and oftentimes normalized or dismissed by colleagues. This is one of those many topics that are not talked about in university courses, but emerges in the field, leaving it up to the teacher to navigate in the way they see fit. In this episode of Talking TESL, B.Ed. student Catherine discusses how she handled a secondary student acting inappropriately towards her, and speculates on why this behaviour is so prevalent and the conversation surrounding it so lacking.

Music by Nomerodin1

It can be very challenging to be a young teacher in secondary. Students push your boundaries and question your legitimacy as an authority figure based on your appearance, and it can be difficult to know how to approach these situations. In this 15-minute episode of Talking TESL, B.Ed. student Yasmine shares one such experience while in a secondary internship. She explains her feelings and how she handled the interaction, and gives advice on how to mitigate such situations in the future.

Music by Nomerodin1 

Sometimes struggling during an internship (or even in your first year) can make you feel like you are not in the right field. B.Ed. alumnus Gonzalo talks about an experience that tested his resolve, and ponders the question whether teachers are born or made.

Have a 15-minute teaching story you would like to share? We want to hear! Send us a message via any of our social media platforms.

Music by Nomerodin1

Typically, teaching is a unionized job. Unions are wonderful support systems that advocate on behalf of workers. However, sometimes at the beginning of your teaching career, it can be difficult to understand exactly how your union is there to help you. Especially in your first year, it is often challenging to find the time to really understand the ins and outs of your union.

To answer all union-related questions, we are joined by Lori Newton, who is the president of the Montreal Teachers Association. She will be addressing questions such as: why are unions important, and how do they negotiate on behalf of teachers? When should a teacher speak to their union representative? What is a collective agreement?

Music by Nomerodin1

Teaching in CEGEP is a career goal for many teachers. This educational system, which is unique to Quebec, acts as an intermediary between high school and university. It is a time where students can explore their interests and transition gently into a stage of life with more responsibility. Teaching in this system can be a lot of fun – and a lot of work! In this episode, Sivan and her friend Alex sit down to discuss the 8 things they wish they knew before teaching their first year in CEGEP. Topics range from how to get jobs, salaries, student motivation, and how to prepare for courses when you're given a week's notice (or sometimes less)!

Music by Nomerodin1

One unique aspect of the TESL program is that we have numerous students who are also mothers. In a very special interview, we sit down with two mothers working towards their teaching degree. They discuss their personal challenges, some tips, and how they feel motherhood has influenced their experience in the program.

Music by Bensound

To progress in our field we need to constantly be thinking critically about current practices and the status quo of teaching. In this 3-part series, we have defined critical pedagogy and discussed its history and relevance to our current teaching conditions. We have also explored the neocolonial aspects of teaching ESL abroad in developing countries.

In the final episode of this series, we'll be bringing the discussion back home to Montreal. What does it mean to practice critical pedagogy in the context of Quebec? In this episode we're joined by the wonderful high school teacher and B.Ed. graduate Amani, to speak candidly about our social issues and legislation that influence the education system, such as language tension, school funding, and Bill 21.

In this second part of our series on critical pedagogy, we cast a critical eye on perhaps one of the most familiar TESL contexts: Teaching English as a Second Language abroad, especially in developing countries. There is no question that for many teachers, TESL represents an enriching travel opportunity. Many teachers begin their careers on gap years teaching in Asian countries, where the demand for ESL teachers is extremely high, especially if you are a Caucasian Westerner who speaks English (preferably North American, British, or Australian varieties) as a mother tongue. Oftentimes, teacher training is not even a prerequisite for landing a job!

There is undeniably something off about this dynamic that is rarely spoken about openly, especially by Western teachers who have won the proverbial linguistic lottery. Why is it that a Western teacher (or non-teacher) who is usually unfamiliar with the culture and language of the host country, more qualified for an ESL position than a native who is trained and experienced? Why is there so much importance placed on having English as a mother tongue? Why are some varieties of English prioritized over others? What is the true value of the Western teacher?

In this episode of Talking TESL, we are joined by Nina Le, a graduate student who learned English at an Australian school in Vietnam. She discusses her experience of being taught by entirely Western teachers, and what messages were transmitted to her about the English language, and who it belongs to.

Music by Nomerodin1

“When we teach, we legitimize certain views of the world, which means that others are disregarded.” (Grady, 1991)

Teaching is an act of empowering students to become independent thinkers and actors in society. But how can we do that? What does taking on that role demand of us teachers?

Critical Pedagogy is a teaching philosophy coined by educator and philosopher Paulo Freire in his seminal work, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Freire maintains that we cannot separate political and social issues from our classroom content, and it is our job as teachers to problematize these social issues, prompt discourse, and find solutions.

In this episode, we are joined by the ever-inspiring Dr. Nassim Noroozi to discuss what critical pedagogy is and how we can practice it as teachers. Dr. Noroozi lectured at Concordia University’s Department of Education and is trained in philosophy of education. Her research focuses on ethics of resistance in today’s colonial context. Her work specifically examines the relationship between the phenomena of time, colonization, and resistances against it. In this episode we will address questions such as: what is critical pedagogy and why should teachers know about it? What is the banking model of education? Why is vulnerability an important aspect of being a teacher?

Music by Nomerodin1

Internships are an integral part of the TESL program. They are an opportunity to learn through doing, make connections with others in the field, and put the theory learned in class into actual practice. The internships may represent one's first foray into actual teaching in front of students. They can be all at once exciting, terrifying, challenging, and rewarding.

In this episode, we are joined by 4 amazing B.Ed. students to have a candid conversation all about their diverse internship experiences. They talk about the highs, the lows, what they wish they knew before starting out, and what they learned.

Music by Nomerodin1

The education system here in Quebec is full of programs, organizational structures and terms that to those unfamiliar can feel quite daunting and overwhelming. How does our evaluation system work? What are the competencies teachers must cover throughout the year? What kind of terminology does a new teacher need to know in order to navigate our educational system? In this episode, we are joined by Sarah, who is the Landscape Coordinator at the TESL Resource Centre. She creates our Moodle page, which is full of valuable resources for teachers looking for lesson plans, government documents, job-hunting toolkits, subbing toolkits, and much more. Sarah is a graduate of Concordia's B.Ed. in TESL and currently teaches in primary school. She's here to talk us through all the terms and systems we need to know to teach in Quebec, as well as discuss her own teaching trajectory and philosophy.

Music by Nomerodin1

Assessing students can be a point of stress for a lot of teachers. There are so many questions to consider: are my assessments fair? Have they been scaffolded? Is there a golden ratio between formative and summative assessments? What format should they be? Are my rubrics clear? Do my assessments reflect the competencies?

In this episode we are joined by Professor Heike Neumann to discuss this crucial aspect of teaching. Prof. Neumann is a faculty member in Concordia's Department of Education. Among other classes, she teaches courses on language assessment, and testing, evaluation and course design. In this episode we’ll be addressing questions such as: how should we balance initial, formative, and summative assessments? How should teachers approach external factors that may affect evaluation, such as mental health issues and unforeseen circumstances? Should assessment always be graded?

Music by Nomerodin1

Hi fellow TESL-enthusiasts! Talking TESL will be taking a month-long break. But don't worry! We'll be back in September right in time for the new school semester with plenty new interviews featuring teachers, TESL specialists, learners, and TESL students. Stay tuned, and we wish you all a wonderful summer! 

The first year teaching can be exciting as it is daunting. It's that step TESL students have been preparing years for. To really get into the nitty-gritty of that first year, we are joined by two graduates of the B.Ed. in TESL, Pilar and Rosa Li, to discuss their diverse experiences. How can new graduates best prepare for the year ahead? What do these new teachers wish they knew? What were some of the most rewarding moments? What were some surprising challenges? What were their organizational strategies?

Music by Nomerodin1

CEGEP is a wonderful institution unique to Quebec. Rather than diving straight into university at the tender age of 18, students are able to explore their interests and get a taste of independence. The CEGEP years are a special time for many students, as they are usually one step in childhood, and one in adulthood. It is also a fascinating teaching environment, where oftentimes teachers play a role in this transition. In this episode of Talking TESL, we are joined by Nick Walker, who teaches English at Ahuntsic College. Nick is the recipient of numerous teaching awards and is the creator of the Actively Engaged textbook series. In this interview, he discusses his own teaching trajectory, how to get CEGEP jobs, the challenges and rewarding aspects of the work, and the importance of innovation and reinvention.

Music by Nomerodin1

For some, grammar has a reputation for being the "boring" aspect of language learning. However, grammar is fascinating! All languages have their own unique grammatical system, and there is so much potential for it to be taught in a way that is engaging.

For that reason, in this episode we are joined by Professor Mark McAndrews to talk all about the history and different approaches to teaching grammar. Professor Mark McAndrews teaches courses in Concordia’s B.Ed. in TESL and M.A. in Applied Linguistics programs. He has previously taught in the U.S., China, and Nunavik, Northern Quebec. In this episode we’ll be addressing the questions: how can teachers make teaching grammar more engaging and student-centered? How have our approaches to teaching grammar changed over time? What discussions about grammar can we have with our students?

Music by Nomerodin1

Teacher shortages in Nunavik, Northern Quebec, often force these Inuit communities to hire teachers from “the south.” For these teachers, taking these contracts can represent a life-changing decision that is equal parts rewarding and challenging.

In this episode, we are visited again by Sebastien, a graduate of the B.Ed. in TESL. This time, we discuss Sebastien’s experience teaching in Kuujjuaq, Northern Quebec. Topics include becoming acquainted with the Inuit culture, the responsibilities of teachers in these communities, culture shock, and the neo-colonial aspects of TESL.

Music by Nomerodin1

Teaching in a different country is a goal for many students pursuing their teaching degree. In this episode, we are joined by Sebastien, a graduate of the B.Ed. in TESL, who is here to share his experience teaching in Colombia, South America. Why did he decide to teach in Colombia? What kind of culture shock did he face? How did he adapt to the new teaching environment? How did he learn Spanish?

Music by Nomerodin1

Thinking of teaching in high school? In this episode of Talking TESL, we are joined by Nicolas, a graduate of the B.Ed. in TESL who is happy in his career teaching secondary. We discuss Nick’s teaching trajectory after graduation, classroom management techniques, the highs and lows of high school teaching, and how teaching high school involves being a part-time psychologist.

Music by Nomerodin1

More often than not, the best way to learn is by doing. In this episode, we are joined by Catherine, an undergraduate student completing her B.Ed. in TESL. She decided to take some time off from school in the middle of her studies in order to teach in high school. We discuss her experiences as a young teacher, how she went about finding an appropriate contract, and how she dealt with classroom management, work/life balance, and many other aspects of teaching.

Music by Nomerodin1

Many B.Ed. graduates aspire to teach in elementary schools after graduation. In this episode, we are joined by Alex, who is a graduate of the B.Ed. in TESL at Concordia University. Alex teaches at an elementary school in Laval, and he is here to talk about his day-to-day life, how to land jobs after graduating, and the importance of making mistakes and constant reinvention.

Music by Nomerodin1

Hello TESL enthusiasts! Welcome to Talking TESL, the official podcast of Concordia University’s TESL Resource Centre. We’re here to help you survive and thrive throughout your teaching degree program and starting off your teaching career! With Talking TESL you can expect interviews with B.Ed students to give you advice about the program, conversations with ESL teachers at elementary schools, high schools, CEGEPS, and other institutions, discussions with professors about their areas of expertise in the education field, and much, much more! We believe that through open conversation, we can all build our collective knowledge about teaching English as an additional language. So come talk some TESL with us! We’re here for you!

The Talking TESL podcast is a feature of Concordia's TESL Resource Centre. For more information about us, check out our website at www.concordia.ca/tesl. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn under Concordia's TESL Resource Centre. See you there!