5 more days!!

Last week for your submissions to our Photography Contest!! 

Share your images of Toronto and Ontario as seen through your lens
Deadline for Submissions:  THIS FRIDAY,  October 5th  

Click HERE for more detailed instructions on the Contest

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International Students Festival This Weekend
The City of Toronto is planning an International Student Festival on Saturday, October 6^th at Nathan Phillips Square for international students from both colleges and universities in the GTA and beyond. It will be a day full of cultural performances, food trucks, and networking. It's a great opportunity to meet new friends! 

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Advising Session for Domestic Students!  
Today, 3pm, Room 413.
Meet your George Brown Advisers and get the answers to your burning questions about applying to post-secondary programs.

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Workshops, Clubs and Events at a Glance for Week 6

and looking ahead to Week 7.

Workshops and Clubs:
TODAY!! Mon: Networking Essentials (ROOM CHANGE:  COMPUTER LAB Room 341):  Find out about effective  Networking Skills, your online profile and using LinkedIN to build your network. Open to all levels.
Tues: Listen Up& TESL Tutoring
Wed: Speak Up
Thurs: Writing Strategies (final week) and TESL Tutoring
Fri: Movie Club--This week's feature film:  The War Horse.  Check out the Trailer HERE

Events:
Mon: Chess Club
Wed: Blue Jays Game
Thurs: Bata Shoe Museum

Check out our full schedule listings for Sept Oct HERE

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TLC:

Head over to the TLC at 200King St. E for extra help OR drop by to see a TLC tutor here in our ESL Library Mondays and Fridays after school from 3-5pm.

TLC Website:  www.tlcatgbc.com

Beginning this Thursday:  Thursday Book Club at the TLC from 3-4pm. 

 Featured Book:  The Life of Pi  ____________________________________________________________________________

NEWSLETTER:

Also: The School of ESL is creating an E-Newsletter! This is your chance to share an article (recipe, restaurant review, favourite hang out in Toronto, cross-cultural experience etc), photo, or artwork and get yourself published in our 1st edition. Email Dorothy: dvangroo@georgebrown.ca or drop by Room 311 if you are interested in submitting your work!

Have a wonderful and safe THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!!

Week 4 Updates: We've reached the half-way point already!

Today at 3pm, Room 370

The School of ESL is having a Photography Contest!! 
Start Snapping!!!
Send us your current pictures taken anywhere in Ontario!
Deadline for Submissions:  Friday, October 5th 6pm (week 6)

Click HERE for more detailed instructions on the Contest

Workshops, Clubs and Events at a Glance for Week 3
and looking ahead to Week 4.

Workshops and Clubs:

Mon: Presentation Skills and Book Club
Tues: Listen Up, TESL Tutoring & "It's All in Your Tone" (levels 7 & 8 workshop)
Wed: Speak Up
Thurs: Writing Strategies and TESL Tutoring
Fri: Movie Club featuring The Notebook.  The Notebook stars two very famous Canadian actors:  Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.  See the movie trailer HERE.

Events:
Mon: Evergreen Brickworks Walking Tour (Leave Lobby at 3:15 sharp)
Tues: St. Louis Pub Wing Night
Thurs: Volleyball

Check out our full schedule listings for Sept Oct HERE

This Week:

• TESL Tutoring  on Tues and Thurs at 12pm
• Monday, September 17:  TLC Opens.  Click HERE for more details on their schedules and services.

Levels 7 & 8 Students:  

"Getting What you Want: It's all in Your Tone."
An extremely useful workshop aimed at helping you improve communicate effectively with others.
Fill in the sign up sheet given to you by your Class Rep to secure your space.
Note: This is a two-part workshop held on Sept 18 and 25.

Student Success Meet and Great Session was a hit!

Thanks to our fantastic Peer Leader team and volunteers for organizing and pulling off a fantastic Meet and Greet event, and thanks to all of the awesome students who came out to see all that is going on!  Get connected, get involved, get the support you need!  Here's to a great session ahead.

Check out more pictures of the event at Meet and Greet Event
and like our FACEBOOK Page to join our community!

Week 6 is already here!!

Today, Monday, June 4: Presentation Skills, 3pm, D309: 
Last chance to get assistance and feedback on your presentations.  Bring your presentation draft to this workshop to get feedback before you present!

Tuesday, June 5: Listen Up Study Group, sign up at D304A

Wednesday, June 6: Speak Up, 3pm, D309

Thursday, June 7: Writing Strategies (12pm D308; 3pm D309)

Friday, June 8th: Movie Club:  
The Devil Wears Prada!
Sit back, munch on some popcorn and enjoy this hilarious film with friends.
MOVIE TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zicgut4gpwU









STUDY GROUPS!
Drop by D304 or D304A to sign up for a study group or one-on-one assistance in speaking, reading, writing or listening or to get assistance with your presentations!!

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.  

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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.  

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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!!

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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.