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)