It’s hard to believe it’s November already and there’s only one month before the holiday season! Many of us will soon be attending the TESL conference from November 19 - 21 which will hopefully give us some ideas and inspiration that we can take to our classes. Also, a huge congratulations to our amazingly talented Kate who will be receiving the Sparks award of Excellence! Come out on Wednesday to show your support and cheer her on!
Key Dates & Cultural Observances in November
Here are some of the important dates and themes you may wish to weave into your teaching this month:
November is Indigenous Education Month in Canada — a time to celebrate and reflect on the history, culture, diversity and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
November 5–11: Veterans’ Week in Canada.
November 11: Remembrance Day (Canada/Canada & international). https://esldirections.ca/where-do-you-want-to-go/resources-for-beginners/build-your-own-lessons/canadian-holidays/why-do-we-celebrate-remembrance-day/
https://listn.tutela.ca/wp-content/uploads/Resources-for-Lower-Levels-Remembrance-Day.pdf
November 16–22: Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week (in Ontario, typically the third week of November) https://www.wechu.org/sites/default/files/hsch-work-sheet-bullying-awareness-toolkit-22922021-id-154878-ii.pdf
Other observances: Women’s violence/16 Days of Activism begins November 25.
Ideas for teaching: Belonging & Canadian Society
Theme focus: What does “belonging” mean? Newcomers’ stories of arriving, finding community, what being Canadian means.
Language focus:
Speaking -introductions, sharing personal stories
Listening -interviews/videos of newcomers
Reading- short articles about newcomer community integration
Writing - short paragraphs about arrival story
Activity idea: Ask learners to bring a photo or item that represents their “belonging” (to family, to a culture, to Canada). They present it in small groups, then compare “previous” (in home country) and “current” (in Canada) sense of belonging.
Homework/Task: Write a short paragraph (CLB1-4) or a two-paragraph text (CLB5-6) about “What I like about Canada / What I still miss”, and submit to include in their artefacts.
Assessment idea: Use a checklist-style speaking task: learners present for 1–2 minutes to a peer or teacher about their “belonging” item. Mark according to CLB speaking criteria.
We hope you have a wonderful November! 🧡
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