Learning Off the Syllabus

Farnaz Karimian
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Learning Off the Syllabus is a podcast that steps into the real stories that shape language teaching and learning. Hosted by Toronto-based language educator and curriculum designer, Farnaz Karimian, each episode dives into conversations with teachers, students, leaders and thinkers to explore what teaching and learning actually feel like in an ever-evolving landscape. If you’ve ever felt the gap between policy and practice, care and control, or ideals and reality, you’re in the right place! Let's go off the syllabus, where the real learning unfolds!

Episodes

  1. Minisode: Stories from the TESL Community

    6d ago ·  Bonus

    Minisode: Stories from the TESL Community

    In this special minisode of Learning Off the Syllabus, marking the end of Season 1 (yay!), Farnaz is joined by longtime friend, former colleague, and instructional designer ⁠Ela Kaca, as they read through and react to stories sent in by members of the TESL community; laughing at the funny ones, reflecting on the heavier ones, and sharing some of their own experiences along the way. Together, they talk through things like students feeling insecure about their accents, when classroom learning finally clicks in the real world, the importance of building genuine relationships with learners, setting expectations, and the very real feeling of (literally) being lost. Ela Kaca is an Instructional Designer who loves making learning feel clear, supportive, and meaningful — never overwhelming. Her work blends visual communication, accessibility, and experience design to create learning that feels effortless for the learner and intentional behind the scenes. She has 10+ years of experience in education, digital learning, and curriculum design, and is always exploring new ways to turn ideas into engaging, learner-centered experiences. ESL= English as a Second Language LINC: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada CLB= Canadian Language Benchmarks learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    1h 1m
  2. Graham Lean: Pedagogy & Precarity & Power, Oh My!

    May 14

    Graham Lean: Pedagogy & Precarity & Power, Oh My!

    In this segment of Let's Talk Design, Farnaz and Graham (MEd, Digitally-Mediated Adult Learning) have a wide-ranging conversation about teaching, assessment, and what it means to work inside systems that don’t always prioritize learning (that's right, we said it!). Discussing Graham's chapter on "The New Colonization of Educational Lifeworlds", they unpack how institutional pressures actually shape what happens in ESL, EAP, and Communications classrooms. They also talk about life as college contract faculty, the (absence of) pedagogical culture in some educational institutions, and how precarity affects everything from curriculum design to teachers’ willingness to speak up. The conversation also turns personal: teaching as identity, what it feels like to be pushed out of systems you’ve given years to, and why, despite everything, walking away from education isn’t always possible. Graham Lean is an adult literacy educator based in Ottawa, Canada, and is interested in how learning processes are controlled, directed and manipulated at all levels of education and educational research, from the classroom to the ivory tower! His most recent writing explores how the demands of education systems become separated from teaching and learning, and the impact that separation has on how educators teach and students learn. Through his writing, he is trying to push back against the bastardization of teaching and learning in education systems. Graham's Writing: Substack: https://unknowndistance.substack.com/Research Gate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Graham_Lean2Underground Theory Vol2Literature mentioned in the episode: Rhoades, G. (2003). Democracy and Capitalism, Academic Style: Governance in Contemporary Higher Education. ResearchGate. Retrieved 18 August 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234588921_Democracy_and_Capitalism_Academic_Style_Governance_in_Contemporary_Higher_EducationSlaughter, S., & Leslie, L. (2003). Academic Capitalism: Politics, Policies, and the Entrepreneurial University. Http://Lst-Iiep.Iiep-Unesco.Org/Cgi-Bin/Wwwi32.Exe/[In=epidoc1.in]/?T2000=010922/(100).COMM= Communications (college-level writing courses) ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes ⁠⁠⁠www.learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    44 min
  3. Ruba Kallab: Small Acts of Resistance

    Apr 30

    Ruba Kallab: Small Acts of Resistance

    In this segment of Let’s Talk Design, Farnaz sits down with Ruba (PhD candidate in Language and Literacies Education) to explore what decolonizing ESL education can look like in everyday classroom practice. Throughout the conversation, Ruba shares practical examples (that move beyond tokenism and surface-level diversity) to illustrate how small acts of resistance and intentional classroom choices can shift power and create more meaningful learning experiences. Farnaz and Ruba also reflect on the realities of precarity in the field, exploring how educators can stay connected to their core values while working within rigid systems and institutional constraints. ESL= English as a Second Language LINC: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada CLB= Canadian Language Benchmarks CEFR: The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Ruba's Student's Afghani Jewelry & Clothing Store: 3085 Hurontario St. Mississauga , ON L5A4E4 Ruba Kallab is an educator and teacher trainer specializing in trauma-informed, plurilingual, and inclusive language education. With experience across adult ESL, settlement, and higher education contexts, she supports multilingual learners and mentors educators in second language acquisition, literacy, and conflict-responsive pedagogy. Her research explores how trauma-informed teaching is understood and enacted within adult settlement education in Canada. Grounded in social justice and decolonial perspectives, Ruba advocates for language classrooms as spaces of belonging, agency, and meaningful participation for newcomers. learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    50 min
  4. Shawna Shulman: Speaking of Scary Times...How did We Get Here?

    Apr 16

    Shawna Shulman: Speaking of Scary Times...How did We Get Here?

    In this segment, From the Director’s Chair, Farnaz sits down with Shawna (EdD Candidate, Higher Education Leadership) to talk about the strange, often accidental paths that lead people into ESL. Starting with Shawna’s journey from studying biology (!!) to becoming an academic leader in EAL, they reflect on the role of chance, curiosity, and unexpected opportunities in shaping careers in language education. They also explore the realities of moving between classroom teaching and leadership roles, including the delicate balance of advocating for teachers while carrying out rigid institutional responsibilities. Along the way, they unpack the purpose (and occasional awkwardness) of classroom observations, the anxiety they can bring, and how feedback, reflection, and a little bit of discomfort can push our teaching practice forward. GTA: Greater Toronto Area ESL= English as a Second Language EAL= English as an Additional Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes Shawna Shulman is the Associate Director, Student and Academic Success at Wilfrid Laurier International College. Before moving behind the scenes, she taught just about every kind of English imaginable at colleges and universities across the GTA. She first put on administrative shoes in 2014 as a teacher-coordinator at a Turkish university partnering with the York University English Language Institute, where she learned - sometimes the hard way - how institutions actually work. Since then, she’s been figuring out how to boss (and how not to boss), with mixed results but a love of the chaos of academic life. ⁠learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com⁠ Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    54 min
  5. Danny McGee: Being Neutral Is a Political Move.

    Apr 2

    Danny McGee: Being Neutral Is a Political Move.

    In this segment of Teacher Real Talk, Farnaz and Danny (MEd, Adult Education and Community Development) explore the idea of “neutrality” in the language classroom. Reflecting on the impact of political crises, including what’s happening in Iran and Gaza, they talk about how real-world events show up in very real ways for students and colleagues in ESL and EAP programs, raising broader questions about the role of language education in moments of political tension and whether staying silent in the classroom truly serves our learners. Woven throughout the conversation are reflections on teacher identity (how who we are shapes how we show up) and the importance of approaching teaching and learning with care and intentionality. Danny also shares how mindfulness practices have influenced his approach to teaching, offering ways to slow down, create space for reflection, and remain grounded when complex or emotional topics arise. EAL = English as an Additional Language ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes Danny  McGee (MEd) has been teaching English and training teachers across the private and college sector for over 20 years. For the past decade, he has predominantly been working in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). He has a keen interest in mindfulness, which has become integrated into both his personal and professional life. He would like to pursue further how mindfulness can benefit both teachers and students inside and outside the classroom. Danny's Instagram: mindful_teacherdanny Resources shared by Danny: ELLLO (Listening Lesson Library: https://www.elllo.org/ SKELL (examples, collocations and thesaurusfor learners of English): https://skell.sketchengine.eu/#home?lang=en News in Levels (World News for Students of English): https://www.newsinlevels.com/ Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: https://www.ldoceonline.com/ www.learningoffthesyllabus.com Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com⁠ Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    51 min
  6. Celine De Almeida: Like....This Wasn't in the Job Description!

    Mar 19

    Celine De Almeida: Like....This Wasn't in the Job Description!

    In this segment of Teacher Real Talk, Farnaz and Celine (MEd, Curriculum & Pedagogy) chat about the difference between empathy and compassion in language education, the importance of seeing learners as people, not just students, and the need for healthy boundaries when dealing with student trauma. They share some memorable classroom stories and reflect on how building trust and strong relationships with students can shape the learning environment and have a lasting impact beyond the classroom. They also touch on language educator resiliency, recognizing our transferrable skills and finding motivation at a time where it feels hard to keep going. LINC= Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (free English classes for adult immigrants, permanent residents or newcomers) COMM= Communications (college-level writing courses) ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes CELTA= Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Celine De Almeida has worked in several sectors of the ESL industry, including private language schools, LINC, language assessment, and teacher training in Canada and Europe for over a decade. She is an advocate for the professional development of educators and a firm believer that teachers are lifelong learners.  As an active member of the TESL Toronto community, she has served on the Executive since 2020, in which she has taken on roles such as the chair of TESL Toronto's annual spring conference, TOSCON, from 2022-2024, and as the chapter's President from 2023-2025. When she is not volunteering in the TESL universe, she is working as a Professor of Communications at George Brown College. www.learningoffthesyllabus.com Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com⁠ Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    45 min
  7. Kemal: Balancing Who I am vs. Who I was

    Mar 5

    Kemal: Balancing Who I am vs. Who I was

    In this segment of Student Voice Spotlight, Farnaz engages in a heartfelt conversation with her former student, Kemal, who shares his immigration journey and reflects on the importance of letting go, the process of unlearning, and the significance of small gestures in building relationships in a new country. They talk about the disorientation of feeling like a beginner again after years of professional experience back home, and the tension between holding onto who you were and becoming who you need to be. At its heart, this episode is about what it means to feel lost, to question your decisions, to slowly build a life again, and the realization that growth often begins in discomfort. Kemal’s reflections are a reminder that starting over is not always linear, but it becomes possible when we allow ourselves to move forward, even without a clear roadmap. EAP= English for Academic Purposes ⁠www.learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com⁠ Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    28 min
  8. Nataly Shaheen: You Gave Us Words.

    Feb 19

    Nataly Shaheen: You Gave Us Words.

    In this segment of Teacher Real Talk, Farnaz and Nataly (MA, English Literature) talk about storytelling, community, and vulnerability through the lens of Stories of Home, an online anthology that centres personal narratives from learners and educators. They reflect on what it means to ask people to share parts of themselves in a language that may not feel fully theirs, and how vulnerability, trust, and risk shape classroom relationships in ways we don’t always anticipate. They also touch on moments when community is tested, how those situations can be navigated, and what they reveal about expectations, boundaries, and responsibility. Looking back on early teaching years, they also discuss how beliefs about ESL teaching can change over time, what practices no longer align with their values, and which pieces of commonly given advice may deserve reconsideration. ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes Stories of Home: https://storiesofhome.ca/#section-Home-dobARMNVJF Nataly Shaheen has multiple MAs in English Literature and a Bachelor of Education degree. She is an ESL instructor dedicated to building cultural connections between her students and the wider Canadian community. She is also an emerging writer, long-listed for the CBC Non-Fiction Prize in 2020, with her work published in The Malahat Review in 2021. More recently, she co-edited and contributed to Stories of Home, an online anthology highlighting the voices and identities of Sheridan’s ESL community. The project received a 2022 Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities grant, was a finalist for the 2024 Canadian Online Journalism Awards, and led to a collaborative exhibit with the Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives. This work earned her Sheridan’s Dr. Mary Preece SWITCH Award in 2024. ⁠www.learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com ⁠Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    54 min
  9. David Hazell: The Calm in the Eye of the Storm

    Feb 5

    David Hazell: The Calm in the Eye of the Storm

    In this segment, From the Director's Chair,  Farnaz and David (MA, TESOL) explore what it really means to lead in ESL and EAP in Canada during times of rapid change and ongoing uncertainty. They reflect on the transition from teaching to leadership, the realities behind decision-making in educational institutions, and the tension between pedagogical values and operational pressures (think class size changes, etc).  Throughout the episode, they return to the importance of communication, empathy, and staying grounded in the human side of education, especially as the industry continues to shift in the age of AI  and governmental policy changes. David Hazell is an educational leader with 20 years of experience in adult education across the UK, Japan, and Canada. He has worked in private, college, and university settings as a teacher and teacher educator, along with extensive experience in program management and running English language departments and centres. He holds a master’s in TESOL from UCL and served on the TESL Ontario Board from 2015 to 2021, including terms as Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer. EAL= English as an Additional Language ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes COMM= Communications (college-level writing courses) PD = Professional Development www.learningoffthesyllabus.com Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com⁠Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    41 min
  10. Mike Gagné: Immersed Into a Multimodal Landscape

    Jan 22

    Mike Gagné: Immersed Into a Multimodal Landscape

    In this segment of Let's Talk Design, Farnaz and Mike (MA, Applied Linguistics) get into the concept of multimodality in teaching, emphasizing its importance in accommodating diverse learning styles and engaging students in a media-saturated world. Mike shares innovative teaching approaches that incorporate multimodality, including a lesson plan that utilizes AI music creation, highlighting the need for educators to embrace new methods and technologies to enhance student learning. They also, inevitably, discuss the current challenges in the ELT systems, particularly focusing on the precarious situation partial-load and part-time college professors are currently facing in Canada. ELT= English Language Teaching COMM= Communications (college-level writing courses) ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes C2 English level= the highest level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale, signifying near-native fluency  LMS= Learning Management System UDL= Universal Design for Learning Suno AI Music: https://suno.com/ Mike Gagne holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and a Bachelor of Design in Illustration, and has over 15 years of experience teaching ESL and Communications across the private sector and Ontario colleges. His work stands out for its thoughtful integration of design into the classroom.Alongside teaching, he works as a graphic designer and illustrator, bringing a strong design lens to his learning experiences: creating accessible materials and project-based work that encourages students to think, create, and problem-solve. For Mike, design isn’t an add-on; it’s central to how he approaches learning. ⁠⁠www.learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com Theme music: Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    44 min
  11. Dr. Sharmaine Itwaru: The Quiet De-Skilling of Language Educators

    Jan 8

    Dr. Sharmaine Itwaru: The Quiet De-Skilling of Language Educators

    In this segment of Teacher Real Talk, Farnaz and Sharmaine (EdD) discuss the misconceptions surrounding English language teaching, the importance of pedagogical qualifications when it comes to curriculum design, and the impact of institutional decisions on ESL and EAP programs today. They also talk about what the future of language education might look like in light of AI and changing educational landscapes, emphasizing the need for qualified language educators and the relational aspect of teaching. The discussion also highlights the challenges faced by language programs in Canada and the hope for a more integrated and valued approach to language instruction in the future. ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes COMM= Communications (College-level communications courses) Dr. Sharmaine Itwaru has 20 years of experience teaching and rethinking curriculum across ESL, EAP, TESOL, and teacher education. She is currently an EAP and Communications professor and Faculty Developer at George Brown College, where she supports instructors with assessment, instructional design, and navigating change in higher education. Her work is grounded in close collaboration with both instructors and students and shaped by a strong background in adult education and curriculum design. ⁠⁠⁠www.learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com Theme music  Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    33 min
  12. Introducing Learning Off the Syllabus

    Trailer

    Introducing Learning Off the Syllabus

    Welcome to Learning Off the Syllabus, where the real learning unfolds! Learning Off the Syllabus started from the conversations we don’t usually get to have in English Language Teaching; the ones after class and sometimes after hard days, over coffee (or wine) or the ones sitting quietly in our heads. I’m Farnaz. I’ve spent years teaching, designing curriculum, training educators, and working alongside international students, newcomers, and refugees. I started this podcast during a moment of real precarity in my own career. Losing work in a field I care deeply about forced me to sit with hard questions about value, care, expertise, and what language education is becoming. This podcast is a space for honest conversations about ESL and EAP; the emotional labour, the contradictions, the pressures, and the quiet ways people keep showing up (or pushing back) anyway. You’ll hear from students, teachers, leaders, and thinkers grappling with what teaching and learning actually look like right now. If you’ve ever felt the gap between policy and practice, care and control, or ideals and reality, then you’re in the right place! Join us as we go off the syllabus! ELT=English Language Teaching ESL= English as a Second Language EAP= English for Academic Purposes Farnaz Karimian (MA, OCELT) is an English language specialist with over 15 years of experience across Ontario’s ESL sector, including colleges, universities, private language schools, and settlement programs. Her work is driven by a central question: how can language education be more responsive, inclusive, and reflective of learners’ realities? Drawing on Applied Linguistics, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Critical Digital Pedagogy, she designs learning experiences that centre equity, multimodality, and real-world relevance. She is particularly interested in removing barriers in language education and exploring practical approaches to decolonizing ESL curriculum. Farnaz has held roles as a teacher, teacher trainer, curriculum developer, academic coordinator, and event planner, and is now a podcast host and producer. She previously served as President of TESL Toronto and currently sits on the TESL Ontario Board of Directors, contributing to ongoing conversations about the future of the field. ⁠⁠⁠www.learningoffthesyllabus.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: @learningoffthesyllabus Email: ⁠learningoffthesyllabus@gmail.com Theme music  Periscope by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

    3 min

Trailer

About

Learning Off the Syllabus is a podcast that steps into the real stories that shape language teaching and learning. Hosted by Toronto-based language educator and curriculum designer, Farnaz Karimian, each episode dives into conversations with teachers, students, leaders and thinkers to explore what teaching and learning actually feel like in an ever-evolving landscape. If you’ve ever felt the gap between policy and practice, care and control, or ideals and reality, you’re in the right place! Let's go off the syllabus, where the real learning unfolds!

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