Week 5 has arrived...time is flying by...

Here we are already past the mid-point of the session!  No doubt you're assignments are starting to pile up!  What better reason to brush up on your skills and take advantage of the many resources and supports available to you at George Brown College:

MONDAYS

Communicate more naturally with Idioms!

1. VOCABULARY BUILDING WORKSHOP (levels 4-8)

Want to learn idiomatic language to help you communicate more naturally?  Join Stephen today in D302

When: Mondays

Where: D302 

Time: 3-4:30 pm

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

 
2.  TUTORING IN THE ESL LIBRARY  (all levels)

Come for tutoring to get help with English conversation, pronunciation and grammar!

When: Tuesdays, Thursdays

Where: D315, ESL Library

Time: 12-1 pm

3.  WRITING SKILLS & SUMMARY/PARAPHRASE WORKSHOP (levels 4-8)

 Paraphrasing and Summarizing are key skills that you will need throughout your entire academic and working career.  Come out to practice Writing skills and the essential skills of Summary and Paraphrase in a small group setting led by your Peer Leaders.

When: Tuesdays (sched A) and Thursdays (sched B)

Where: D308 Tuesday; D319 on Thursday (please note the room change on Thursday)

Time: 12:00-1:30 pm

4. TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES WORKSHOP:  

SCHED A STUDENTS (levels 6-8)

Not sure how to study for exams?  Want to build your language skills effectively?  Need to obtain a high score?  Learn strategies from Sina, a Peer Leader who would like to help you learn skills at test-taking.

When: Tues 1-2:30

Where: D316

Time: 1:00-2:30 pm

WEDNESDAYS 

 
5. SPEAK UP! (levels 4-8)

Want to improve your speaking? Meet new people and improve your confidence in conversation using games and role plays . This workshop will focus on conversation and speaking skills in a FUN and active atmosphere!

When: Wednesdays

Where: D309

Time: 3:00 to 4:30 pm

Don't forget about the range of useful supports at GBC:

1.  Peer Tutors are available M-F in room C503, at the THE Tutoring Learning Centre

Check out the TLC  Blog HERE for updates on small group study opportunities and services available to you!  

2.  ESL Peer Leaders are available to support you and your study groups (D304A) M-F.  Check the schedule on the door of D304A or drop by to arrange a session or get help with your study group! Remember: Study Smarter-not Harder!  We remember 95% of what we teach to someone else, so form a study group and teach and learn from each other!

And...

ESL Photo Contest:  

 Beating the Winter Blahs in Toronto!

Submit your artistic photos on the subject of 'beating the Winter Blahs' in Toronto!  Show us your creative photos of winter weather in Toronto.   For instance, you might submit shots of  tobogganing, skiing, skating, sightseeing, walking in the park, interesting winter scenes/architecture in winter....

Check out the creative talent so far:  CLICK HERE 

Also:

Scholarships for International Students:  Click HERE for details 

Level 7 & 8 Students: 
SAVE THE DATE

Wednesday, February 16th, 12:30-1:30, D309

Information Session on Business and Financial Services Post-Secondary Programs

Pizza provided so please arrive on time

Click HERE for details.

Registration will be via email and your teachers will be giving you further details.

Check out what's on for Week 5!

 

Caravan is just around the corner:  it isn't too late to get involved!!  Take part in planning meetings after school and showcase your country and culture to the GBC community!!

WORKSHOPS AT THE SCHOOL OF ESL

MONDAYS

1. Current Events Workshop with Stephen
(levels 5-9)
Using current stories in the news, discuss current events and expand your vocabulary in the process.  Topics are interesting and current!

When: Mondays

Where: D301

Time: 3-4:30 pm

2. Writing Skills Workshop with Arjola 
 (levels 5-9)
Develop an outline for academic writing, brainstorm with your peers and learn how to organize your thoughts.

When: Mondays

Where: D306

Time: 3-4:30 pm

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

3. SUMMARY/PARAPHRASE WORKSHOP (levels 4-9)

Practice essential skills of Summary and Paraphrase in a small group setting. All skills will be integrated and your Peer Leaders are there to faciliate!

When: Tues(sched A) and Thurs(sched B)

Where: D302 Thurs; D307 on Tuesdays (please note the room change on Tuesdays)

Time: 12:00-1:30 pm

WEDNESDAYS

4. SPEAK UP! (levels 4-9)

Want to improve your speaking? Meet new people and 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: Wednesdays

Where: D309

Time: 3:00 to 4:30 pm

FRIDAYS

 5. TOEFL Skills Workshop with Sina (levels 7-9)

Not sure how to study for TOEFL?  Want to build your language skills effectively?  Need to obtain a high score?  Learn some of the tricks needed to ace the test from a Peer Leader who did exactly that!

When: Fridays

Where: D306

Time: 3:30-5:30 pm

 Don't forget about the range of useful supports  at GBC:

1.  Tutoring in the ESL Library every Tues and Thurs,12-1pm
2.  Peer Tutors are available M-F in room C503, building C
3.  Peer Leaders are available to support you and your study groups (D304A) M-F:  Check the schedule on the door of D304A. 

GREAT OPPORTUNITY THIS WEEK!!!

BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES 

TOPIC:  Think Before you Send: The Dos and Don’ts of Emailing

Bring your Lunch....and Learn 

When:  Wednesday, November 24th

Where:  D241

Time:  12:45-1:20

• Impress your teachers, your friends, and, even, potential employers with your knowledge of the dos and don’ts of email etiquette. Come to Celina Costa’s workshop and leave with the information you need to succeed in the complicated world of emailing.

  EMAIL DOROTHY TO REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP--SPACE IS LIMITED!

  
  Save the Date!
  Coming in Week 6:  
  Advisor Lunch and Learn
  
  
  

  Meet with GBC Advisors and get the answers to all of your burning questions on topics like transitions to post-secondary programs, requirements for college programs, and resources available to you!

  When:  Friday, December 3rd, 12:45pm, Room D309

  Email Dorothy to register
   

Week 2: May 10th to 14th--Check out what's on this week!

1.  TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES Workshop
Part I
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: TODAY!  Monday, May 10th--Follow up workshops will be announced at today's meeting.
Where: D309
Time: 3:00 to 4:00pm.

2. LIBRARY ORIENTATION with Amber
When: Tues, May 11th and Thurs May 13th
Where: D315 ESL Library
Time: 11AM

3. 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

4. MICROSOFT 2007 POWERPOINT workshop with Amber
When: Wednesday May 12th
Where: D315 ESL Library
Time: 3:00-4:30pm

5.  SPEAK UP!
 New opportunity starting THIS week!!
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 WED AFTER SCHOOL, WEEKS 2-7
Where:  D309
Time:  3:00 to 4:00pm

6.  Lunch and Learn Alumni Panel

Learn about the post-secondary experiences of GBC's ESL graduates

When:  Friday, May 14th
Where:  D309
Time: 12:40-1:20


Coming:  Digital Storytelling Workshop--weeks 2 and 3 Monday after school.  You can win a tuition refund by expressing yourself through a digital story!!  Details to come.  Email Dorothy if you are interested!

Newsblog Club:  do you want to improve your writing while expressing yourself to your peers?
Why not write an article?  Need some inspiration??
Interested?  Email Dorothy or drop by D304 to chat about it!



As always, your Peer Leaders are here to help you! Set up a study group and invite us to facilitate; drop by Tuesdays and Thursday and after school for one-on-one and small group tutoring. No need to sign up in advance--drop by D304A to meet us--our schedule is posted on the door!

Week 5: April 5th-9th. What's on this week??

TODAY!  MEETING FOR THE NEWSBLOG CLUB. 
Come to a very brief meeting in D306 at 3pm to discuss ideas for our next newsblog release.  The theme of articles in this paper will be Earth Day.  Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd all over the world.  Earth Week is held between April 16th to 25th.
More than 6 million Canadians join 500 million people in over 180 countries in staging events and projects to address local environmental issues.  How will you celebrate?  Write an article, a poem, create a digital story, share your pictures and share your voice on gbcvoice.com on what you do to reduce your inpact on the environment!!

1. Tutoring in the ESL Library

Practice English! Improve your language skills!
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Where: D315 ESL Library
Time: 12:30 to 1:30pm

2. Speaking Bootcamp Workshop--postponed until next Wednesday!!!
Learn effective conversation and public speaking skills in a fun atmosphere with your peers!
When: Wednesday
Where: D306
Time: 3:05 to 4:30pm
Public speaking is a skill and it can be learned!!  Come out and practice!

3. Speaking with Confidence workshop in the PAL Centre, Building E, room E139
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Where: PAL Centre, inside of the Lifeworks Centre, Room E139 (near Treats and Subway)
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Pre-Registration required.  Email Dorothy to reserve your spot as small is limited to 10 students!

4. 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)
Where: D333 on Tuesdays and D331 on Thursdays
Time: 12:00-1:30

5. Creative Writing Workshop--no workshop this week--workshop resumes next week!!
When: Mondays (March 29th, April 12th, April 19th)
Where: D301
Time: 3:45-4:30
Pre-Registration required. This Workshop is FULL!

Coming up next week:  Lunch and Learn on Friday, April 16th.  Details to follow from your Peer Liaisons.  This session will focus on free courses being offered to Newcomers with training or experience in Business, Nursing, Health Sciences and Construction.  Stay Tuned For Details!!

Week 4, February 1st to 5th.

What's on this week in GBC's ESL Program:  LOTS!!!  Take advantage of all that is offered!


1. TODAY, February 1st, 2010

Orientation to GBC's online library resources and effective research skills.
Where:  ESL Library, D315
Time:  3:00pm

Presented by Bill McAskill, Lead Research Librarian at GBC's Casa Loma Campus

2. Microsoft Powerpoint 2007 Workshop with Amber

When: Tuesday, February 2nd & and Thursday, February 4th.
Where: D315 ESL Library
Time: 3:00pm

3. Speaking Bootcamp Workshop
Learn effective conversation and public speaking skills in a fun atmosphere with your peers!
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays
(4-week workshop:  1st workshop:  Feb 2, 4; 2nd workshop: Feb 9, 11; 3rd workshop: Feb 16, 18; 4th workshop: Feb 23, 25)
Where: D306
Time: 3:05 to 4:30pm
Public speaking is a skill and it can be learned!!

4.  Newsblog Club: Digital Storytelling Workshop 
Learn a very simple way to create a digital presentation using pictures, music, your voice and text!
When: Wednesday, February 3rd
Where: D318 (Computer Lab)
Time: 3:05 to 4:30pm
New members welcome!  Contribute to our online Blog!

5.  Summarizing and Paraphrasing Workshop
Practice essential skills of Summary and Paraphrase (spoken and written)in a small group setting
When: Weekly, every Tuesday(sched A) and Thursday (sched B)
Time:  12:00-1:30
Where: D333

6. Tutoring in the ESL Library
Improve your speaking skills!
Where: D315 ESL Library
When and Time: Every Tues and Thurs from 12:30 to 1:30

7.  NEW! 
Lunch and Learn with the Advisors
Meet with Tracy and Joseph from Advising who will be more than happy to answer your questions about what services they offer and programs at the college.

Where: D309

When:  Friday, February 5th

Time: 12:40

What's on This Week in ESL?

1. Library Orientation with Amber: Tuesday, January 19th and Thursday, January 21st. Where: D315 ESL Library. When: 11:45-12:00 pm




2. Newspaper/Newsblog Club: come out and share your ideas on how to make this happen!! When: Wednesday, January 20th from 3 to 4pm. Where: D306.

3.Lunch and Learn: Learn about Effective Learning Strategies and Learning Styles on Study Groups. When: Friday, January 22nd at 12:40pm. Where: D309.


4. Tutoring in the ESL Library, D315 Every Tues and Thurs from 12:30 to 1:30