Congratulations, Welcome and Welcome Back!

Congratulations to our level 800 graduating classes.  We had 5 classes graduate this session.
Welcome Back to our Returning Students and Welcome to our New Students.
Today is the first day of classes at our brand new campus, 341 King Street East!!  Exciting!!!

Welcome to the New Session

Happy New Year to everyone and welcome back or welcome to the School of ESL if this is your first session!  We hope you have a wonderful experience at George Brown College

Week 1 at the School of ESL!

Welcome! OR... Welcome Back to the School of ESL!!

We wish you much success in this new session and hope you take advantage of the many supports and services available to you at the School of ESL and George Brown College. Stay tuned to the blog for weekly updates and items of interest. 

Visit our Peer Leaders in D304A for support--don't wait until the last minute!  Come early to ensure your success.  New this session:  We have a volunteer coordinator that can assist you in finding out about different volunteer opportunities available to you.  Visit Kurt in D304.

Click on the TABS at the top of this blog to find out about different supports and services available to you at George Brown College.

Welcome! or... Welcome Back to the School of ESL!

We wish you much success in this new session and hope you take advantage of the many supports and services available to you at the School of ESL and George Brown College. Stay tuned to the blog for weekly updates and items of interest.

Level 7-9 Students:
Two exciting NEW opportunities for you this session:

• IELTS CLASS:(click link for details)

• INVESTING IN ENGLISH CLASS:(click link for details)

Also:

• Information Session on upcoming Free Occupation-Specific Language Training in Business, Construction (Skilled Trades) and Health Sciences

The information session will be a great opportunity to find out more about the courses and clarify any questions that you may have.

Date/Time:  Wednesday, March 9, 2011: 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Location:  200 King Street East (King & Jarvis)
George Brown College (St. James Campus)
Career Centre - Room B155 (Workshop area # 1)

To register for the information session, please call
416-415-5000 x 6285 or email oslt@georgebrown.ca

For those who wish to register to one of the OSLT courses, please bring a copy of your resume and your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores (if you have one) for us to assess your eligibility.

 OSLT POSTER (click link for details)

Welcome to Week 2 at the School of ESL!

Today:
Library Research Skills with Bill, Reference Librarian  

Time: 3pm

Where:  D315 (ESL Library)  

Who: Levels 4 and UP

1. 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; D308 on Tuesdays

Time: 12:00-1:30 pm

2. SPEAK UP! (levels 4-9)

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 4:30 pm

ALSO:  Workshops in the Library

1.  Library Orientation with Amber: 
Tues and Thurs (Nov 2 & 4), 3pm
2.  Powerpoint 2007 Orientation: 

Wed (Nov 3) from 3-4:30

Both of these workshops are in the ESL Library, D315!

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 Leaders are available to support you and your study groups (D304A) M-F
3.  Peer Tutors are available M-F in room C503, building C

Yummy Bake Sale Treats!

FYI:  Check out the pumpkin carving and caravan pictures out below as well as the UNITED WAY BAKE SALE info--it's just around the corner--Friday, Nov 5th!!!

New Session!

Whether it's your first time at GBC or you are a returning student, WELCOME to the new session at George Brown College's School of ESL!!  Stay tuned to this blog for opportunities  to help you make the most of your time with us, both for academic supports and extra-curricular activities available to you!

Classes begin at 9am on Monday, October 25th!  

Welcome to Week 2 at George Brown's School of ESL! Check out what's on this week.

We hope you all had a restful long weekend and that you were able to beat the heat.
As you get settled in to your new session, take a look at what is available to help you improve your English at George Brown's School of English as a Second Language.  Take advantage of what is offered and take charge of your learning!!!

1. LIBRARY ORIENTATION:  
THIS WEEK with Amber
Learn about all of the software and materials available to you in the ESL library.

When: Tues, and Thurs
Where: D315, ESL Library
Time: 11am

2.  Powerpoint 2007 
THIS WEEK with Amber
When: Wednesday 3.
Where: D315, ESL Library
Time: 3-4:30 pm


3.  Summarizing and Paraphrasing Workshop with Alona (Levels 4-9)

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: D 301 (Tues); D302 (Thurs)

Time: 12:00-1:30pm

4. SPEAK UP!:  Speaking with Confidence (Levels 4-9)

A workshop facilitated by Stan Middlestat and your Peer Leaders

Want to improve your speaking? Improve your confidence in conversation using games and role plays . This 6-week workshop will focus on conversation and public speaking skills in a FUN and active atmosphere!

When: Every WED AFTER SCHOOL, 
WEEKS 2-7
Where: D309

Time: 3:00 to 4:30pm

And for the Advanced Levels...

5. Writing Skills Study Group with Corina (levels 6-9)

A workshop to assist you with developing an outline for academic writing.  Brainstorm with your peers and learn how to organize your thoughts clearly and effectively.

When:  Tues/Thurs, weeks 2-7,

Where:  D 302 (Tues); D301 (Thurs)

Time:  10-11:30am

6.  TTA--Ted Talks Activity with Mehdi G.  (levels 7-9)
Practice listening and speaking in an academic atmosphere that aims to improve your listening and communication skills.  You will have the opportunity to discuss and learn from some fabulous speeches found on TED TALKS

When:  Tues/Thurs, weeks 2-7

Where:  Meet at Peer Leader office, room D304A
Time:  9-10am

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!


This Week's Presentation Tips:

1.  Know your audience--ensure what you are saying is interesting and keeps your audience's attention (vary your pitch, intonation and pausing); speak to them and be ready to answer their questions if necessary

2.  Body Language--face your audience and use your ppt (point to the screen when appropriate); use gestures and do not read from notes or your ppt (you can refer to it, but don't read it--you'll put your audience to sleep

3.  Maintain Sincere Eye Contact:  Use the 3-second method, e.g. look straight into the eyes of a person in the audience for 3 seconds at a time. Have direct eye contact with a number of people in the audience, and occasionally scan  the whole audience while speaking. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience feel involved.

4. Pause where appropriate--don't race through your presentation, but don't be long-winded either!  Be concise in your details.

5.  Structure your presentation:  have a clear intro, body and conclusion

6.  Have a smile in your voice:   speak confidently--persuade your audience--maintain their interest

Overall, remember the 3 Vs:

VISUAL 
-look around the room:  engage with your audience

-refer to your visuals

-use appropriate gestures

VOCAL 
-use your voice as a tool

-don't speak too quickly or slowly

-pace yourself: use a variety of speeds and change the volume of your voice for emphasis

VERBAL 
-refers to the words you use and the way you organize your talk

-have a clear intro, body and conclusion; --use attention getters to grab their attention

-use a variety of transition words between points

Welcome to the Summer Session at George Brown College's School of English as a Second Language!!
Stay tuned weekly for upcoming workshops, opportunities and useful and interesting links.
Your Peer Leaders are here to assist you!

Welcome to the Student Success Blog

We hope your Winter Break provided you with some rest and relaxation! If this is your first session at GBC, welcome to the School of English as a Second Language Program at George Brown College!

Visit the Student Success Blog often! Information is changed at least a couple of times each week! Let's make it a rewarding and successful session!