Talking TESL

In this episode of Talking TESL, we sit down with Georgia, an alumna of the TESL program, who is currently teaching in London, England. Georgia shares her experiences teaching across multiple grades within the British education system and reflects on how her background in TESL, Inclusive Education, and the humanities has shaped her compassionate, student-centered approach to teaching. She also dis...

In this episode, we catch up with B.Ed. student August as he reflects on his first primary internship and what it was like navigating the experience as a trans person. He shares his thoughts on classroom dynamics, his interactions with students and fellow teachers, and the rise of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation in both Canada and the United States. Please note that this episode was recorded i...

In this episode of Talking TESL , we’re joined by the inspiring Jacqueline Mallais—an ESL teacher based in Montreal and host of the popular ESL podcast Chalk n Coffee and accompanying YouTube series, Espresso Shots . Jacqueline shares her trajectory to teaching (it began with a love of Anne of Green Gables ), the challenges she’s navigated throughout her career, and the joy she finds in lifelong l...

In this episode of Talking TESL , we chat with Suzanne Tremonte, a student in the TESL certificate program at Concordia University. Suzanne shares her journey into teaching and her experiences with United for Literacy , a national charitable organization supporting learners across Canada. She reflects on her transformative summer teaching in Aupaluk, a small Inuit community of 200 people in Nunavi...

In this episode, we chat with Tammy, a passionate high school teacher and a proud graduate of Concordia University's TESL program. Tammy shares her journey of growing up in a quadrilingual household, her early love for teaching, and the unique challenges and triumphs of navigating the TESL program and her professional career as a wheelchair user. Her enthusiasm for education is truly infectious, a...

What does it take to start a business in the world of TESL? In this episode, we sit down with TESL program graduates, ESL teachers, and edupreneurs Sophie Giroux and Nairy Kazandjian to discuss their venture, ESL Interactive. We explore what inspired them to launch a business together, how they balance ESL Interactive with their teaching careers, and the key knowledge needed to kickstart an edupre...

In this episode, we sit down with secondary ESL teacher and TESL program alumna Mona Tavajohi. Mona shares her journey from her childhood in Iran to becoming the dedicated educator she is today. She discusses her experiences leaving Iran at 29 to pursue her dream of teaching students with learning challenges in Montreal. Key topics in this conversation include special education, overcoming obstacl...

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, Chaoqu...

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 th...

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 ab...

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...

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 expl...

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...

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 learn...

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, Ed...

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 primar...

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...

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 an...

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 st...

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...

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, sma...

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 te...

It is not uncommon to feel intimidated by students, especially when starting off your teaching career. Whether due to the age of your students, their personalities, or even your working environment, it can be difficult to stick to your boundaries in situations where your position of authority is being challenged. Have you ever felt intimidated by your students? TESL RC’s Lead Coordinator Yvette ha...

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...