Week 2 at the School of ESL: Check out the supports available to you!

Happy Halloween!!

 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE FREE SUPPORTS AVAILABLE TO YOU:

 

Visit our Peer Leaders in D304A for support--don't wait until the last minute!  Come early to ensure your success.  Form a study group and STUDY SMARTER NOT HARDER!  The Peer Leaders can meet with and support your study group.


Tutoring is available in the ESL Library, D313.  Drop by every Tues and Thurs at 12pm  for English practice.  

The Tutoring Learning Centre is also available for English Language Support.  The TLC is located in Building C, room C503.   

Have you met Kurt?  Kurt is our volunteer coordinator and is happy to speak with you about volunteer activities at GBC and in the GTA.  Drop by D304 on Mondays and Tuesdays to meet with him or drop him a line at kaydiner@hotmail.ca

Read more about him on the Peer Leader link at the top of the page. 

Ongoing Weekly Workshops:

1.  Summary Paraphrase Study Group  

Improve your skills and confidence in these skills.

When:  Mondays

Where: D301 

Time: 3:00-4:30 pm

2.  Listen Up 

Improve your listening skills, build your vocabulary and enhance cultural knowledge.

When:  Tuesdays

Where:  Schedule B, D320

Time: 11-12pm

Where:  Schedule A, D332

Time: 12-1pm


3.  Speak Up 

Practice conversation skills, improve your speaking confidence and meet new friends.

When:  Wednesdays

Where:  D309 

Time: 3:00-4:30 pm


4.  Writing Strategies
Practice Brainstorming, Outlining and effective writing skills. 

When:  Thursdays

Where:  D320 

Time:   

Schedule B,12-1:30pm
Schedule A, 3-4:30pm

 5.  Movie Club

Every other Friday beginning this Friday, Nov 4th.
Room:  D309
Time:  3:00 pm

 Also held on Friday, November 18th and Friday, Dec 2nd.

 
Would you like to improve listening strategies or practice listening logs?  Work in a writing group?  Drop by D304A to sign up for a Peer Learning Group.  
Look for the sign up sheets posted under the windows outside of D304A.
 Workshop Schedule Posted Here:

Join us on Facebook 

And, as always, we encourage you to STUDY SMARTER, NOT HARDER.  FORM A STUDY GROUP and ask a peer leader to assist you.  

Remember:  We learn 

• 50% of what we Hear and See

• 70% of what is Discussed with Others

• 80% of what we Experience Personally

• 95% of what we Teach to Someone Else

ALSO: Meet the Author:

Bite of the Mango author, Mariatu Kamara, is coming to George Brown College  on November 30th.  Mariatu is a GBC alumna and survivor of the conflict in Sierra Leone.  Read her amazing story and join in the discussion on November 30th, 3:30 pm in the St. James Career Centre. 
Copies of the book are available in our Library, the GBC Bookstore and bookstores throughout Toronto.

Take advantage of a great opportunity to meet the author of this inspiring true story.  

We need your Recipes!!  Let's make this a delicious success!

The School of ESL is creating 

an international recipe book and we need your recipes!

All Proceeds will go to the United Way. 

Our Bake Sale will be held on Friday November 11th.

Orders for the book will be taken at the bake sale.

Please share your favourite recipes!

Include your name, level, recipe origin, a couple of lines about the recipe (special occasions, what you like about it etc), a picture if possible, and clear instructions.  

Word attachments are preferable.  

Send your recipes by November 11th (the sooner the better):

Andrea:  arankin@georgebrown.ca

Celina:  ccosta@georgebrown.ca

or Dorothy:  dvangroo@georgebrown.ca

Back by popular demand!  Check out the following workshop in week 3:   
Memory Improvement and Stress Management Workshop:
Tues Nov 8 (3-4:30) and Thurs Nov 10 (3-4:30)
Learn effective stress management techniques and vocabulary retention strategies! 

Join our Facebook Community.  "Like" our page to stay in touch:

http://www.facebook.com/GBC.ESL

What's on in Toronto this weekend?

Not sure of what you want to do this weekend in Toronto?  Why not check out one of the many Halloween-inspired events happening around the city??!!
See our Facebook page for details:
www.facebook.com/GBC.ESL

Pumpkin Carving and Halloween Event at the TLC

Join the TLC staff for a pumpkin carving and Halloween event on Friday, October 28 at 3pm.  Room C503 (building C, 5th floor)


Lots of spooky fun!!

Welcome to a new session at the School of ESL

Welcome to the a new session. Check in to this blog regularly for updates, events, and study tips! Have a wonderful session!
Our Peer Leader workshops begin next week and our Peer Leaders are excited to work with you. Meet your Peer Leader team HERE!

Stunning Time-Lapse Video of Toronto.

Check out this video love letter to the city of Toronto.

Toronto Tempo from Ryan Emond on Vimeo.

Congratulations to our level 800 Graduates!

Wishing you continued success in the future!

Food Drive for the Casa Loma Food Bank. Way to go!!

Wow!!  Thanks to all who contributed to the recent food bank at Casa Loma campus!  We collected an amazing amount of food to donate to a great service at George Brown College.


Thank you to all the classes that donated generously and to the tireless work of the Class Reps who promoted the drive.
Collectively, we donated an unprecedented amount of goods to support the important service that the College Food Bank provides.


A very special thanks to Class 500D (Anthony and James) who collected over 1/3 of the goods donated. 

Sarah and Stephen's Class 600E came in a close second.
Thanks as well to:
400A
400B
400C
500A
500D
600D
600E
700C and
800D




who generously donated to the cause and to all of the students and teachers who pitched in to lend a hand!!

Interview, Resume and Job Search Workshops at the Career Centre

Week 7 Updates

Wow!  Time is flying by!

Hopefully you all had a restful holiday weekend and you enjoyed the gorgeous weather and fall colours!

GBC VOLUNTEER PICTURES

AND FALL PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK!!

Speaking of COLOURS, check out our Facebook Page to see Shooka's (Class Rep, Level 8) fabulous fall pictures taken this past Thanksgiving Weekend.  You can also see pictures of students in our program volunteering at Nuit Blanche, the Cabbagetown Festival and the Block Party for Epilepsy.  Great job, everyone!!
http://www.facebook.com/GBC.ESL

WORKSHOPS

This week is the last week of workshops for the session.  We will start up again in week 2 of the next session.

1. Vocabulary Booster

When: Tuesday

Where: Tues D320, 11am-12pm, Sched B

             Tues D317, 12pm-1pm, Sched A

2. Speak Up
Today's Topic:  Interview Skills

When: Wednesday

Where: D309

Time: 3:00-4:30 pm

3. Writing Strategies
When: Thursday
Where: Thurs D319, 12-1:30pm, Sched B
              Thurs D301, 3:00-4:30pm, Sched A

Also: 

Book Club!  "Bite of the Mango" Reading Club
We will meet in D304 (Student Success office) at lunchtime on Friday.  Pizza will be provided.  Email Dorothy by Thurs PM to confirm your attendance at this lunch meeting.

Volunteer Opportunity:  Cheer on the runners at the Scotiabank Marathon this Sunday.  Have fun and lend a hand!  Email Dorothy at dvangroo@georgebrown.ca for more details and to sign up!  Please note:  this is a new opportunity in addition to the other Scotiabank Marathon volunteer opportunities.

Cookbook for our United Way Bakesale!!  

We need your Recipes!!

The School of ESL is creating 

a recipe book and we need your recipes!

Share your favourite recipes!

Include your name, level, recipe origin, a brief story about the recipe (special occasions, what you like about it etc), a picture if possible, and clear instructions.  Word attachments are preferable.  

Send your recipes by Friday, October 28th to:

Andrea:  arankin@georgebrown.ca

Celina:  ccosta@georgebrown.ca

or Dorothy:  dvangroo@georgebrown.ca

PLUS:  Interesting Way to Improve your English

Are you interested improving your language skills and meeting new people?  Check out this Toronto Star article on "Toronto Babel":  http://www.thestar.com/living/article/1067470--social-event-helps-torontonians-practice-a-new-language-face-to-face

BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR FINAL TESTS!!

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone for their generous donations to the Campus Food Drive!!  Your generosity is much appreciated.  We'll update the blog next week to recognize all of the classes who pitched in.  Stay tuned!

And, a very Happy Thanksgiving Long Weekend to you all.  Enjoy the gorgeous weather and have a wonderful time with your family, friends and loved ones!!

Campus Food Bank Drive: Sept 26 to Oct 07

Join the George Brown College Campus Food Bank Food Drive!

Let's see which class can collect the most food.  Food Drive begins today, Sept 26 and runs until Oct. 7th!  Class Reps:  please keep track of how much your class collects and drop off your donated goods to D304 beginning next Monday, October 3rd.
There are hundreds of students who rely on the services of the George Brown Campus food banks, so please donate!
See your class rep or teacher for details.

Possible Items to Donate:

• PEANUT BUTTER
• CANNED FISH & MEAT
• CANNED FRUITS & VEGGIES
• RICE, GRAINS, LENTILS & BEANS
• DRIED PASTA & SAUCE
• CANS OF SOUP & STEW
• POWDERED, CANNED & TETRA PAK MILK

Food Drive Poster

Also:  You can volunteer for the Campus Food Drive. 
You will notice the volunteer table in the bldg E cafeteria and some of our students have already begun to volunteer there!
To volunteer for a shift, please email:  cwallace@georgebrown.ca
or speak to Kurt in D304 for details (kaydiner@hotmail.ca)
(volunteers will receive a certificate of appreciation)

Week 6 is here!

  Workshops and other Supports and Opportunities available:

1.  Tutoring is available in the ESL Library, D313.  Drop by every Tues and Thurs at 12pm  for English practice.  

2.  Visit our Peer Leaders in D304A for support--don't wait until the last minute! 
 

3.  The Tutoring Learning Centre (TLC) is now available for English Language Support.  The TLC is located in Building C, room C503.  Great news:  the hours have been extended!!  The TLC is open from 9:30am to 5:30pm daily.  Check their website for details:  www.tlcatgbc.com

Volunteer Activities

Meet with Kurt in D304 on Mondays and Tuesdays to find out more or email Kurt at:  kaydiner@hotmail.ca

• Collect donations for the  Casa Loma Campus Food Drive
• Join the Enbridge CN Tower Climb:  Sat Oct 22nd & Sun Oct 23rd (5:30am-11am--for all of you Early Birds!)
• Find out about various volunteer positions with Central Neighbourhood House

You will receive a certificate of appreciation for your volunteer hours.

Ongoing Weekly Workshops:

1.  Vocabulary Booster

Vocabulary games, phrasal verbs, collocations! Learn new expressions and boost your fluency!

When:  Tuesdays

Where: Tues D320, 11am-12pm, Sched B

             Tues D317, 12pm-1pm, Sched A

2.  Speak Up 

Practice conversation and improve your speaking confidence while meeting new friends.

When:  Wednesdays

Where:  D309 

Time: 3:00-4:30 pm



3.  Writing Strategies

 Practice Brainstorming, Outlining and effective writing skills.
When:  Thursdays

Where:  Thurs D319, 12-1:30pm, Sched B
              Thurs D301, 3:00-4:30pm, Sched 

Other Opportunities to Check Out!
  Book Club!

The TLC will be inviting Mariatu Kamara to GBC.  Read the book and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to meet the author in person!

Bite of the Mango author, Mariatu Kamara, is coming to George Brown College in NOVEMBER.  Copies of the book are available in the GBC Bookstore, Library and Bookstores throughout Toronto.

We will be meeting to discuss the book on Mondays.  
Our Book Club will be held on Monday after school in D301.  
See you there!

Our International Recipe Book for United Way!

Cookbook for our United Way Bakesale!!  We need your Recipes!!

The School of ESL is creating 

a recipe book and we need your help!

United Way Bake Sale Fundraiser and International Cookbook

Our Annual Fundraiser for the United Way is coming up in November!  

To make our bake sale even more DELISH, we’d like to compile and sell a book of recipes compiled of staff, faculty and student recipes.

Let's make this a truly international recipe book!! 
Share your favourite recipes!

Include your name, level, recipe origin, a brief story about the recipe (special occasions, what you like about it etc), a picture if possible, and clear instructions.  Word attachments are preferable.  

Send your recipes by Friday, October 28th to:

Andrea:  arankin@georgebrown.ca

Celina:  ccosta@georgebrown.ca

or Dorothy:  dvangroo@georgebrown.ca

Thanks for your participation.  Without you there would be no WAY!

 For more information on all of the incredible work that the United Way does, check out their website http://www.unitedwaytoronto.com/ and click on the What We Do tab at the top left-hand corner.
Watch the moving 2011 Campaign Video to see and hear about the important  work the United Way does in our communities.