From Apples to Raspberries and Pumpkins

What a beautiful day! Two busloads of MicroSkills participants welcomed the cool, dry morning, perfect for apple picking.

"Where's the rain?"

All together now, with our beloved Teacher Peter--Angela, Jerrold, Hamid, the Horned Toad, Mizuho, Ling, Qiaoxia, the Hooded Reaper (was it Lydia?), and Judy

Where's Birsen and Zoya?

More pictures below ...

Field Trip on September 30th

Please note: There will be a school-wide field trip on chartered buses to Andrews Scenic Acres on Friday. Only prepaid, preregistered participants can go. No childminding facilities are available for those who visit 200 Consumers Rd.

Grand Old Dame Having a Facelift, Grand as Ever

Despite the boarded-up main entrance and ongoing changes within, the Toronto Reference Library continued to impress her visitors, including us MicroSkills field trippers today.

Classmates Ling, Qiaoxia, Lydia, Angela, Mizuho, and Judy pose tamely with Donald, but where are the funny poses? Courtesy Mizuho's camera; not pictured is Alice and two of Donald's students, June and John.

After Mizuho and Ling had gotten their library cards issued, the trip kicked off with a tour of ESL resources on the fifth level by Library Assistant Liana Wang-Wu. There we saw an impressive collection of multimedia, pedagogical, and both circulation and browse-only items. We also stared at the mighty OED, also available for free through the public library's website.

Donald then led us on a walking tour of the library, including his favourite view of the Don Valley.

 

Pictures here courtesy Angela

Courtesy Mizuho; note to self: check the memory card slot before every field trip duh!

All too soon, it was time for lunch. We took the opportunity to acquaint ourselves with the Bloor-Yonge neighbourhood as we hoofed down to Ginger Restaurant, wolfed down our Viet-Thai orders, and goofed off a little.

Getting Set for the Great and Mighty ESL Week Contest Submission

Read the guidelines:

 A cover page must be included with all writing entries including: 

o A title
o Author’s name and contact information including mailing address, email address, and
telephone number 

 Blog submissions must be presented with a synopsis including: 

o The titles of each individual post on the blog (if the blog contains more than 8 posts this is
required for the last 8 blog posts only)
o A short summary of each post on the blog (if the blog contains more than 8 posts this is
required for the last 8 blog posts only)
o The blog URL - which must be accessible for our judges to read 

How to Submit Entries

 All entries (excluding photo entries) must be submitted via email to administration@teslontario.org, including covering pages and video and blog synopsises with 

URL links.

 All entries must be accompanied by a title page and synopsis (if required) that includes the 

contact information of the contestant.

If you're unsure of how to do it, you may use the following as a template:

Please get a classmate or two to check your entry before emailing it. I will be happy to take a final look before you send.

All the best!

Field Trip to TRL, Sep. 27th

UPDATE: Bring an umbrella! It will be soggy! But at least we'll know a great place to be in inclement weather!

Our next trip is to the Toronto Reference Library, perhaps the nicest and biggest one in the Toronto Public Library system.

Let's meet at the Library entrance at approximately 10:00 - 10:15 a.m. The Level 6 - 7 class should be there as well. Donald will lead us on a tour of the library, with special emphasis on the ESL section upstairs.

View Larger Map
Depending on the weather, we may go for lunch in groups around 11:30 a.m.

Today's Assignment

1. Complete blog, short story, essay, poetry, or media entries for ESL Week Contest submission on Wednesday. Correct your work according to your Editing Checklist.
2. Listening comprehension exercise:

• Podcaster’s epidemic http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=10857958
• Being under stress http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4524267
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   

My Photo Book Sep 23 2011

Click here to view this photo book larger



Who goes there?



Today's Assignment

Welcome to today's class! Thank God for the rain!
 
 
Here's what we're doing this afternoon:

1. Blogwork: Write/Edit your blog (8 posts) for your TESL Ontario ESL Week Contest blog entry, or correct your resume on your blog or in MS Word using your Editing Checklist.
2. If you are writing an essay, short story, or poem as well, post it on your blog when you're done.
3. Do this listening comprehension exercise: Being under stress.

Have a great weekend!

POSTPONED: Field Trip Friday Sep 23: Farmville!

LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to the weather forecast, the farm trip has been postponed to next Friday, September 30.

See you in class!

Look Swank in prescription glasses for $29

Just came in this morning:

$29 for $200 Worth of Designer Prescription Sunglasses or Eyeglasses at Optical Depo

Includes a $200 voucher towards prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses and Bolle, Ray Ban and Serengeti non-prescription sunglasses.

Max 5 per person. Unlimited as gifts.

By appointment only.

Tax not included.

Expires: September 06, 2012

To find out more, click here.

Today's Assignment

1. Blogwork: Update your blog for your TESL Ontario ESL Week Contest blog entry, or type up your resume on your blog or in MS Word (get two partners and Joseph to check before printing it out).
2. Go to the local public library website and search for “English” under Books, Video, Research & more. . Then click on Online/Downloads and list the 1^st 3 results. Look up “chesterfield” in the OED. Post your findings on your blog.
3. Check out the venues available through the Museum & Arts Pass. What, if anything, surprises you as you read the rules and conditions and http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/museum-arts-passes/faq.jsp?
4. Still on the public library website, search for "MAP family saturday" and compare the results with your Museum & Arts Pass findings above. Talk to a partner about your findings.
5. Listen to this podcast and learn the vocabulary.

Today's Assignment

1. Publish up to eight new posts for your TESL Ontario ESL Week Contest blog entry. Alternatively, post your entry of a poem, essay, or short story.
2. On their webpage, identify what activities might coincide with our trip to Toronto Reference Library next Tuesday.
3. Explore a grammar point using TenseBuster, available through Toronto Public Library.

Why settle for a panoramic view when you could have a bird's eye view?

Yes, you could have CN Tower's "Total Tower Experience" for $34.99.

But for $33 more, you could pay $67, take off with the birds, and enjoy a 15 km ride helicopter tour of Toronto valued at $111.87.

Click here for more details.

Today's Assignment

1. Check your blog using the Editing Checklist we went through yesterday and today. Make all necessary corrections.
2. Watch this lesson on Canadian History for the Citizenship Test. Write 3 things you learnt from it and post them on your blog.
3. Watch this lesson on Citizenship Test and post 3 questions you find are the hardest.
4. Take the Citizenship Practice Test here on the Canadian Economy.

Planking, Owling, and now ... Batmanning!

So, are you out of ideas for your ESL Week Contest photo or video media category submission? Here's one!



Okay, let's see what you've got!

Today's Assignment

Before you much your mooncakes tonight, here's today's assignment:

1. Create/maintain/edit your blogs.
2. Progress on your ESL Week contest.
3. Read the Lesson on the Responsibilities of Canadian Citizenship (handout).
4. Take the following quizzes:
1. Citizen's Responsibilities by TCET
2. Practice Test by Richmond Public Library
5. Take notes on How to become a Canadian citizen.

Deep thoughts about 9-11 ten years ago

A pilot reflects on that event that shook our world.

Today's Assignment

1. Use this opportunity-search tool to discover any volunteer opportunities suitable to you; then talk to a classmate about what you found.
2. Headphone on, practise listening and learn vocabulary on Volunteer Work.
3. Check out the Good Samaritan Acts in Canada's provinces; then read the original story of the Good Samaritan.
4. Begin posting on your blog eight posts on the following subjects for the ESL Week contest:

• Learning a new language
• Adjusting to a new country
• Navigating the 'system' to become integrated into Canadian society, workforce, culture etc.
• Adjusting to Canadian culture/way of life

ESL Week Contest, deadline September 30: $500 could be yours

Check out the Guidelines here.


Okay, folks, all your hard work on your blogs is not gone to waste at all! You could turn your creative juices and careful editing skills into fame and success this month. Why not do something really great and win the ESL Week Contest organized by TESL Ontario?

 

As an ESL learner or student you know firsthand how an ESL program can make a difference in your adjustment to living in Canada. Show your support of ESL Week by participating in one of the following activities.

Here we are at Accesspoint on Danforth

Update: United Way's Press Release

Live blog earlier:
The response seems to be unanticipated. Hordes of participants from who knows where have descended upon this pretty yellow building at Victoria Park and Danforth, packing out the hall, upstairs and downstairs, to what looks like way beyond capacity.
And still they're streaming in, at 11:55 a.m., lucky ones getting to the food (some sort of wrap) and others milling around amidst the loud music. Yet others find an Internet terminal and blog the event. They're out of T-shirts, TTC tokens, and--my guess--food as well.
The camera crews are here waiting for things to happen. Well, at least we had an uneventful ride here from 200 Consumers Rd. Nur with Jenan had to bail, the former not feeling well. About five others took off after pocketing their tokens but before we made it to the bus stop on Victoria Park. From then on, it was smooth sailing, except possibly for the shortage of a couple of tokens and T-shirts. So, more than 50 LINC participants from 200 MicroSkills here continue to wait, at 12:01 p.m., as four cops from Toronto Police and another busload of people come in!

Monday is Labour Day; Tuesday is our Field Trip to United Way

Enjoy the long weekend, but make sure to be back Tuesday, bright and early, to visit United Way, one of MicroSkills' sponsoring agencies:

 

See Toronto from the South: for $65!

Imagine going on a boat ride just off Downtown Toronto: $65 for a Two-Hour Powerboat Rental on Lake Ontario from Harbourfront Centre Sailing & Powerboating.

Here are the highlights: Cruise Lake Ontario in style in the Paradise F13 Powerboat Enjoy picturesque views of the Toronto skyline from the water Includes safety briefing and basic boating tips and instructions Excellent way for beginners to experience boating Room for two adults and one child All gas included

Terms and Conditions: Certificate expires in one year (September 4th, 2012) Limit 2 per person (additional may be purchased as gifts) HST added at FabFind checkout Not valid with other offers Certificates cannot be combined Reservations required (M-F: 9am-9pm | Sa/Su/holidays 9am-11am) Persons aged 18-20 require a Pleasure Craft Operator card; persons 21+ require a valid driver's licence

 Check out the rest of the details at the FabFind website.

Bad News, Good News, Really Good News

First, the bad news. It's time to see the dentist for a cleanup. O no, it costs hundreds of dollars, and your health card cannot be used.

Here's the good news. How about $55 for a dental checkup and half-hour teeth cleaning and polishing at Simplysmile Dental Spa Inc. (a $150 Value)?

The really good news is that you see a registered dental hygienist in a spa atmosphere with heated massaging chairs, essential oil aromatheraphy, and more.

Check out the details:

Offer Details

• Expires February 22, 2012
• Call to book an appointment
• 48 hours cancellation policy or voucher will be void
• Valid for new patients only
• Limit 1 voucher per person, may buy more for others
• Taxes not included. No cash back.

Highlights

• Dental services in a spa atmosphere
• Registered Dental Hygienists
• Heated, massaging chairs
• Essential oil aromatherapy
• Cannot be claimed on personal insurance

Click here to get the deal!