Week 4: May 25th to 28th--Check out what's on this week!

1. George Brown's School of ESL Digital Storytelling Competition:

Create a video or picture slideshow to tell YOUR story.
Express yourself and WIN!!
The following prizes will be credited to your tuition:
1st Prize: $200
2nd Prize: $100
3rd Prize: $50

Digital Stories Due: end of Week 6, June 11th

Length of Video/Digital Story: 2-5 minutes

What is a digital story?

1st you start with the art of storytelling. Then, you add the use of technology and your storytelling goes digital! There are many forms of digital storytelling that may combine any of the following elements: text, image, sound, voice and video, in a coherent story. The combination of these elements, each of which plays a unique role, gives the digital story its power. Unfortunately, no amount of technology will turn a poor story into a good one, so the 'storywriting' or 'storyboarding' or 'narrating' process is a key element. Pop in and speak to Dorothy in D304 or email Dorothy for details.

Use your cellphone, a video camera or create a slideshow using Photostory 3, Animoto, Windows Movie Maker, iMovie for example.

Possible Topics for your Digital Story:

• Tell Your Audience A Story: Tell your story as a new immigrant or international student OR a story about someone special, your school, an event in your life, your culture or your community here in Toronto or abroad
• Make an instructional or how-to-movie to teach your audience how to do something
• Social Issues and Environmental Concerns: Share environmental concerns and social issues important to you, to promote awareness and perhaps even encourage public action

Here are a couple of creative examples from your teachers here at GBC:
This one was created by Adeesha Hack, a teacher in our level 7 Biz Program.
It takes a critical look at the world and asks, 'what if the world were a village of 100...'


Here's a great example from Andrea Rankin, one of our level 5 teachers. She's incorporated compare-contrast into her digital story:


2. Summarizing and Paraphrasing Workshop
Practice essential skills of Summary and Paraphrase in a small group setting.
Your Peer Leaders are there to faciliate!
When: Tues(sched A) and Thurs(sched B), Weeks 2-7
Where: D333
Time: 12:00-1:30

3. TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES Workshops: Part III

Learn test-taking strategies focusing on IELTS and TOEFL!

This workshop will be led by two of your Peer Leaders that have taken and excelled at these tests.

When:
I. IELTS with Maya:
Tuesday May 25th at 11:30 in D308 (~45 min)
II. TOEFL with Mehdi G:
Thursday May 27th at 11:30 in D308 (~45 min)--bring your lunch


4. SPEAK UP!

Want to improve your speaking? Improve your confidence in conversation using games and role plays . This 6-week workshop will focus on conversation and speaking skills in a FUN and active atmosphere!
When: Every Wednesday AFTER SCHOOL, WEEKS 2-7
Where: D309
Time: 3:00 to 4:30pm

5. Essay Writing Study Group for Level 7 & 8 Students:

Engage in Peer to Peer learning to improve your academic writing skills!
When: Tues and Thurs at 10am
Where: Meet the Peer Leaders in Room D304A

6. Speaking with Confidence: Presentation Skills Workshop for Level 7 & 8 Students with Stan

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Where: D332 on Tuesdays; D316 on Thursdays
Time: 12:00 to 1:30pm

WHY NOT FORM A STUDY GROUP WITH YOUR PEERS--STUDENTS WHO STUDY IN GROUP ARE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS:
 1 hour in a study group can be as effective as 3 hours of studying on your own!

 You remember about 95% of course material that you explain to someone else.
Invite a Peer Leader to join your weekly meetings!