Spelling Bee Contest

What's a Spelling Bee?  Check out this movie trailer "Akeelah and the Bee" to see:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1689583897/


Practice Session is TODAY at 3pm in D309:  C'mon out to get spelling tips and strategies for pronunciation and spelling.
The Contest Begins on Tuesday March 27th (Round 1).  Round 2 (The Semi-Finals) will be held the following week on April 3 and the Grand Finale will be on Wednesday April 11th!  
See you there and Good Luck.

Week 4 is here. We've hit the halfway point!

Study Group and Workshop Schedule

1.  Monday:  Spelling Bee Practice Session

D309 3:00-4:00pm

Come out to learn spelling strategies and get a head start on the Spelling Bee Competition starting Tues, March 27th.

Sign up TODAY in D304A to join the Spelling Bee!

2.  Tuesday, March 27th:  Spelling Bee Begins!!

D301 12-1:00pm; 3:00-4:00pm

3.  Wednesday:  Speak Up 

D309 3:00-4:30 pm

Grab a coffee/juice and a cookie, practice conversation skills, improve your speaking confidence and meet new friends.

4.  Thursday:  Writing Strategies 

D309 Schedule B,12-1:30pm  Schedule A, 3-4:30pm
Practice Paraphrase, Summary, Brainstorming, Outlining and Effective Writing Skills.  

5.  Friday:  Improv (Acting/Drama) with Natasha 

(please note that this will replace the Games Workshop Week 4) 

D309 3:00-4:30 pm

Kick back and learn English in a fun and relaxed atmosphere!  Get out of your shell!!

Other Study Groups by Appointment in D304


Also:  Don't forget about:

• Tutoring in the Library:  Tues and Thurs, 12-1pm
• TLC Tutoring (C503):  9:30-5:30 Daily

Volunteer Opportunities

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Current opportunities:

• Community Dinner at Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship: Looking for 7 volunteers to help out with our community dinner (for homeless and marginalized people) every Wednesday (from 5:30pm to 8:00pm) and possibly to continue volunteering on an ongoing basis: http://www.getinvolved.ca/profile/4198/ Full for this week! See Kurt to sign up for future events.

• 50/50 Ticket Sales for Raptors and Toronto Maple Leaf Games to benefit Kidsport! Sign up with Kurt in D304 or email him at kaydiner@hotmail.ca

Date	Team	Arrival Time
April 1 – Sunday	Toronto Raptors	4:30pm ALL SPACES FILLED!!!
April 8-Sunday	Toronto Marlies	1:15 pm 10 spots available
April 13 – Friday	Toronto Raptors	5pm 11 spots available

• Doors Open Toronto: last day to sign up with Kurt is tomorrow, March 27th!!
D.OT.: Saturday May 26th and Sunday May 27th: a fantastic opportunity to be an ambassador for Toronto meet new people and to learn more about the architecture in the city. Doors Open Toronto — one weekend, once a year — is an event when approx. 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration. Please Note: In order to attend in the Doors Open Toronto’s activity you must be in level 500 or higher, have good communication skills, and fill in the application forms. Please drop by room D304 and get a Doors Open Toronto volunteer application form from Kurt or email Kurt: kaydiner@hotmail.ca Please Note: There will be a mandatory orientation for this event on Thursday, March 29th at City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, at Queen and Bay 6:30pm to 8:30pm and you will be interviewed for this opportunity.

Volunteer Info Session Today at 3pm, D301

Come on out today, Friday March 23rd and talk to Suzan and Kurt about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Get involved and make a difference!
Improve your speaking and listening skills in an authentic environment!
Meet new people!
Have fun!

Week 3 Updates

Week 3 Check-In:  
Have you started to take advantage of all of the supports available to you?  Don't wait til it's too late!!  Improve your skills NOW!

  WoW! TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE SUPPORTS AVAILABLE TO YOU:

1.  Visit our Peer Leaders in D304A for support--don't wait until the last minute!  Come early to ensure your success.  Below, see the workshop schedule  or start your own study group!
 2.  The Tutoring Learning Centre is available for English Language  and Math Support.  The TLC is located in Building C, room C503 and is open from 9:30 to 5:30 daily.   
3.  Tutoring with TESL teachers is available in the ESL Library, D313.  Drop by every Tues and Thurs at 12pm  for English practice. 

Schedule for Study Groups, Workshops and Activities:

1.  Wednesday:  Speak Up

Grab a coffee/juice and a cookie, practice conversation skills, improve your speaking confidence and meet new friends.

D309 3:00-4:30 pm

2.  Thursday:  Writing Strategies
Practice Paraphrase, Summary, Brainstorming, Outlining and Effective Writing Skills.  

D309 Schedule B,12-1:30pm  Schedule A, 3-4:30pm

3.  Friday:  Improv (Acting/Drama) with Natasha

Kick back and learn English in a fun and relaxed atmosphere!  Get out of your shell!!

D309 3:00-4:30 pm

OR:  JOIN or FORM A STUDY GROUP and 
have a peer leader assist you.  
Listen Up  and other Study Groups

Drop by D304A and speak to the Peer Leaders about joining or forming a  study group to meet your needs.  

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 

INFORMATION MEETING ON UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH KURT AND SUZAN:  FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.
FRIDAY, MARCH 23RD, 3PM, D301


Current opportunities:

• Community Dinner at Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship:  Looking for 7  volunteers to help out with our community dinner (for homeless and marginalized people) every Wednesday (from 5:30pm to 8:00pm) and possibly to continue volunteering on an ongoing basis:  http://www.getinvolved.ca/profile/4198/ 

• 50/50 Ticket Sales for Raptors and Toronto Maple Leaf Games to benefit Kidsport!  Sign up with Kurt in D304 or email him at kaydiner@hotmail.ca

Date	Team	Arrival Time
April 1 – Sunday	Toronto Raptors	4:30pm
April 5 – Thursday	Toronto Maple Leafs	5pm
April 13 – Friday	Toronto Raptors	5pm

• Doors Open Toronto, Saturday May 26th and Sunday May 27th:  a fantastic opportunity to be an ambassador for Toronto meet new people and to learn more about the architecture in the city.   Doors Open Toronto — one weekend, once a year — is an event when approx. 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration.
  The program allows visitors free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Many locations have organized guided tours, displays and activities to enrich the visitor experience.  This opportunity is ideal for individuals who are interested in the arts, architecture and/or history of Toronto, and have a willingness to talk with the general public.
• Please Note: In order to attend in the Doors Open Toronto’s activity you must fill in the application forms. Please drop by room D304 and ask peer leaders for Doors Open Toronto volunteer application forms.  There will be a mandatory orientation for this event on Thursday, March 29th at City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, at Queen and Bay 6:30pm to 8:30pm. 

        

LIKE us on Facebook for updates on what's happening at GBC and in the GTA, volunteer updates,  as well as study tips and resources.

www.facebook.com/GBC.ESL

Read more about Kurt and the Peer Leaders on the Peer Leader link at the top of the page.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Coming Next Week!!  Spelling Bee Competition begins. 

 Win the glory and the grand prize in our 3-week competition and come out to all of the workshops/study groups for practice and spelling tips.  Details to come!!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Presentation Tips of the Week:

Use the STAR Method to capture your audience:

S:  Startle your Audience (with some surprising or shocking information eg: a statistic)

T:  Tell a Story (case study, experience)

A:  Ask a Question

R:  Recite a Quote

and remember last week's tip:  do a sound check to ensure the back of the room can hear you.  Project your voice.

Source:  How to Powerfully Begin every Presentation, Gary Hankins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq2oZRNl0Zk)

Quotes of the Week on the subject of Learning:

"Success comes in cans, failure in can'ts." (Anonymous)
"Did you know that the Chinese symbol for 'crisis' includes a symbol which means 'opportunity'? - (Jane Revell & Susan Norman)
"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself." (Chinese Proverb)  
"Spoonfeeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon." (EM Forster)

Week 2: Time to get started on the right foot!

 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE FREE SUPPORTS AVAILABLE TO YOU:

1.  Visit our Peer Leaders in D304A for support--don't wait until the last minute!  Come early to ensure your success.  Below, see the workshop schedule:
 2.  The Tutoring Learning Centre is available for English Language  and Math Support.  The TLC is located in Building C, room C503 and is open from 9:30 to 5:30 daily.   
3.  Tutoring with TESL teachers is available in the ESL Library, D313.  Beginning next week, drop by every Tues and Thurs at 12pm  for English practice.

Schedule for Study Groups, Workshops and Activities:

Study Groups and and Ongoing Weekly Workshops led by your Peer Leaders:

Speak Up

Grab a coffee/juice and a cookie, practice conversation skills, improve your speaking confidence and meet new friends.

Wednesdays D309 3:00-4:30 pm

Writing Strategies
Practice Paraphrase, Summary, Brainstorming, Outlining and Effective Writing Skills.  

Thursdays D309 Schedule B,12-1:30pm  Schedule A, 3-4:30pm

Games Club and Improv (Drama) with Natasha

Kick back and learn English in a fun and relaxed atmosphere!

Fridays D309 3:00-4:30 pm

Listen Up  and other Study Groups

Would you like to improve listening strategies or practice listening logs?  Improve your listening skills, build your vocabulary and enhance cultural knowledge?
Drop by D304A and speak to the Peer Leaders about joining or forming a listening study group to meet your needs.  

Would you like to practice a particular skill such as reading, grammar?  Drop by D304A to sign up for a STUDY GROUP.  
Speak with one of your Peer Leaders or look for the sign up sheets posted under the windows outside of D304A.
 

JOIN or FORM A STUDY GROUP and have a peer leader 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

So, join a study group with your Peer Leaders and STUDY SMARTER, NOT HARDER!

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Would you like to:   meet new people?  get Canadian experience?  improve your speaking skills, listening skills and boost your confidence? make a difference in someone's life?     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





Current opportunities:

• 50/50 Ticket Sales for Raptors and Toronto Maple Leaf Games to benefit Kidsport!

Date	Team	Arrival Time
April 1 – Sunday	Toronto Raptors	4:30pm
April 5 – Thursday	Toronto Maple Leafs	5pm
April 13 – Friday	Toronto Raptors	5pm

• Doors Open Toronto, May 26th and 27th:  a fantastic opportunity to be an ambassador for Toronto meet new people and to learn more about the architecture in the city.   Doors Open Toronto — one weekend, once a year — is an event when approx. 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration.
  The program allows visitors free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Many locations have organized guided tours, displays and activities to enrich the visitor experience.

Orientation for this event  is March 29th--see Kurt in D304 for details.
Kurt also has information on long-term volunteer opportunities.
Drop by and see him or email him for details.

LIKE us on Facebook for updates on what's happening at GBC and in the GTA, volunteer updates,  as well as study tips and resources.

www.facebook.com/GBC.ESL









Read more about Kurt and the Peer Leaders on the Peer Leader link at the top of the page.  

International Student Scholarships:  Deadline is approaching fast:  March 15th.  Submit your application to the ESL office, D313.  Information on your application is here or see 'scholarships' at the top of this page.

Welcome to the New Session

Welcome to a new session at the school of ESL!
Wishing you a wonderful session and keep in touch via this blog and our Facebook Page  www.facebook.com/GBC.ESL for updates on what's going on, supports, services and opportunities available to you

Congratulations!

Congratulations to everyone on completing your session at the School of ESL!! A very special congratulations to our Level 800 Graduating Classes!  Have a wonderful and restful weekend and see you next Monday if you are returning!