Advertise on podcast: 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 discusses trends she’s seeing in classrooms today, the rewards and challenges of teaching internationally, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can open the door to meaningful personal and professional growth, as she prepares for her next adventure in Australia.

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 in November 2024. For the most current information on trans rights and legislation, visit: translegislation.com

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 learning. She reflects on the deep sense of gratitude she feels towards the community that has supported her, and how she strives to give back through her work as an educator and mentor. Listen to Chalk n Coffee: https://tinyurl.com/2t5mfz97 Watch Espresso Shots: https://tinyurl.com/329vs22x Follow on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/45ebksm4

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 Nunavik, Northern Quebec—an experience that deeply influenced her approach to education. We explore key topics such as neo-colonialism in TESL, plurilingualism, and the power of gamification in language learning for children. Interested in volunteering with United for Literacy? Reach out to Suzanne at [email protected]—she’d love to connect!

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, and her story is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the joy of following one’s calling.

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 edupreneurial endeavor. These inspiring educators are here to share their journey and expertise. Want to learn more about ESL Interactive? Visit their website: https://esl-interactive.com/ Questions for Nairy and Sophie? Find them on: Instagram: @miss.nairy Facebook: ESL Interactive X (Twitter): @ESL_Interactive YouTube: ESL Interactive

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 obstacles, and fostering community in the classroom. Mona now happily teaches at École Vanguard, a school for students with severe learning disabilities. Through a positive behaviour approach and a focus on providing a safe emotional learning environment, she aims to remove obstacles for her students, enabling them to succeed. Her interests include neuroeducation, improving reading skills for students with specific learning disabilities, and promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom.

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, Chaoqun pursued a Master's degree at the University College London before embarking on her PhD journey under the guidance of Professor Pavel Trofimovich. Through her experiences, she reflects on the challenges of teaching in the TESL program as a non-native speaker, and how she navigates these obstacles to provide enriching courses for her students. Tune in to hear Chaoqun's insights on the pursuit of a PhD and teaching in the university system, and discover the role of hard work, resilience, and, in the words of Chaoqun, a little bit of luck.

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 their unique perspectives as individuals with queer identities. We discuss how their identities have shaped their experiences within the TESL program, during their internships, and beyond. Furthermore, we explore the progress they hope to see in their teaching environments and within the TESL program as a whole. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation that provides valuable insights into the diverse perspectives within the TESL community!

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 about her aspirations as a teacher. Join us as we explore the intricacies of Erika's journey and the valuable insights she brings to the field of Teaching English as a Second Language. In our conversation, Erika provides a candid glimpse into her early years, discussing the impact of her family's move to Montreal, as well as her learning disabilities, and how they influenced her path in education. Erika's reflections on her first year in the TESL program at Concordia University offer a valuable perspective for both aspiring educators and seasoned professionals. She delves into the transition from CEGEP to University and the aspects of the TESL program that surprised her the most.

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 this current strike historic – the last teacher’s strike on a similar scale occurred in 1982.   In this episode of Talking TESL, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into the current teachers strike. We are joined by Lori Newton, President of the Montreal Teachers Association, which is the union representing all teachers working for the English Montreal School Board. This is Lori’s second time on the podcast – in her first episode she discussed unions more broadly. This time we're discussing the current strike: what conditions led to it, what are the demands, and what is the current status.

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 explore the world of secondary education post-pandemic. During this episode, Nick candidly shares his insights on how the pandemic has impacted high school students, his strategies for effective communication with parents, his perspective on maintaining a work/life balance as a teacher, and much more. Join us as we dive into the evolving landscape of secondary education through Nick's experiences and reflections.

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 more. He also shares specific experiences from his classroom, sharing examples of his student interactions and how he builds rapport with his young learners.  A TESL alumnus, Alex had initially graduated from Concordia in 2014 with a B.A. in English Literature and again in 2018 with a B.Ed. in TESL. Right after graduation, he quickly began teaching at École Alternative L'Envol, where he has been happily teaching for the last 5 years. From a very young age, Alex always had an affinity for the English language — especially literature and grammar rules. He also naturally works well with younger learners. Prior to entering the teaching profession, Alex was a member of his local scouts organization for over 21 years, 11 of which he served as a leader.  Join us for an inspiring and energizing conversation that highlights the first five years of the teaching profession. Whether you're a TESL student, new teacher, or veteran who has been in the field for decades, this episode is for you.

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 learned throughout her career. In this episode, Katie-Marie gives concrete tips about:  Classroom management  Communicating with parents  Navigating the internships (she's a CT!) Building relationships with everyone at your school  Cultivating rapport with your students  ... and much more!

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, EdTech can also represent an increased cognitive load on teachers and students, who must learn digital organizational strategies and constantly familiarize themselves with new platforms.  In this episode of Talking TESL, we are joined by Dr. Mike Barcomb, who is the Educational Technologist at Concordia University's Centre for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Barcomb advises educators on how to best apply EdTech to their teaching practice. He joins us today to discuss EdTech: when does it enhance or detract from learning, the ethics of using certain platforms, and where he sees the field moving in the future.