Media Advisory - Canada's Largest Conference on "English as a Second Language" for new Canadians

Toronto event centres on issues of ESL education in Canada

TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2011 /CNW/ - English as a Second Language (ESL) education is crucial for new Canadians so they can find employment, develop relationships and integrate into Canadian society. These and other ESL related issues will be addressed at the 39^th Annual TESL Ontario Conference from October 27-29, 2011, starting at 8:30 AM at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, 123 Queen Street West, in Toronto.

The conference offers a variety of workshops, plenary speakers, research symposia and a panel discussion on many relevant issues.

Of particular note are plenary speakers: Peter MacIntyre, professor of psychology, Cape Breton University, on "transforming second language learners into speakers;" Jowi Taylor, award-winning writer/broadcaster of CBC Radio's Global-Village and the radio series The Wire: The Impact of Electricity on Music, who will discuss the topic "What's Your Canada?: Building the Six String Nation;" and Diane Brenton,TESOL lecturer at University of Southern California and co-author of numerous teacher resources, who will speak about "English language teaching methods - what's new under the sun?"

The annual panel discussion takes place on Friday, October 28th, 2011 at 9:30 am. The topic is: "Building pathways to learner success." The panel of experts will discuss issues relevant to ESL education. Participants include representatives from: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and the Ministry of Education.

This is TESL Ontario's 39th annual conference, Language Learning: A Focus on Success. A highlight is ESL Week, presently taking place across Ontario through to October 30, 2011. The conference provides professional development for educators, administrators and volunteers who work with immigrants, refugees, citizens and visitors who wish to improve their ability to communicate in English.

For more information and the full conference program: www.teslontario.org.

For further information:

Media contact:

Shannon Skinner, President 
Skinner Publicity
416-576-8809 
[e-mail]

Cindy Miranda, Media Relations Co-ordinator
Skinner Publicity
[phone]
[e-mail]