Talking TESL TESL Resource Centre

In this episode of Talking TESL, join us as we explore the journey of Chaoqun Zheng, a PhD student in Concordia University's Applied Linguistics Program. From her origins on a small island in China to her current role as a respected researcher and course lecturer, Chaoqun shares her inspiring story of determination and perseverance.

Having graduated from Nanjing Agricultural University, Chaoqun pursued a Master's degree at the University College London before embarking on her PhD journey under the guidance of Professor Pavel Trofimovich. Through her experiences, she reflects on the challenges of teaching in the TESL program as a non-native speaker, and how she navigates these obstacles to provide enriching courses for her students.

Tune in to hear Chaoqun's insights on the pursuit of a PhD and teaching in the university system, and discover the role of hard work, resilience, and, in the words of Chaoqun, a little bit of luck.

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.