Hundreds of ESL professionals gathered in Toronto recently to recognize "English as a Second Language Week." Throughout the week, an array of activities were held to both celebrate those who have contributed and benefited from ESL learning in Ontario, and to equip teachers with the tools needed to go back to the classroom and successfully nurture students.
The recognition of ESL Week from November 12 – 18 in many communities across Ontario shows the growing significance of ESL throughout the province. More people than ever are coming to Ontario to learn and master English.
While Chinese is the world's most spoken language, and the use of Spanish has grown widely in recent years, English remains the most popular choice as a secondary language.
"To acquire a language is to acquire a culture," said Sharon Rajabi, President of TESL Ontario. "Immigrants may not only need the English language, but also cultural training. They need to know how to work in a new culture and what the conventions are."
The highlight of the week, the 34th Annual TESL Ontario Conference, tackled issues regarding ESL and social integration. Sponsored by the Teachers of English as a Second Language Association of Ontario (TESL Ontario), the conference welcomed the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Hon. Mike Colle, as a guest speaker.
Rajabi said that while the learning process for new immigrants can be very stressful and intimidating, she believes that Torontonians are "very friendly and sensitive" to the needs of immigrants. "We are so experienced in [awareness of non-native speakers' needs] because we cater to a lot of them."
Rajabi said that the two main issues for Ontario's ESL teachers that the government needs to address are provisions for more professional development time and full-time employment.
"We don't have enough money, and ESL doesn't have the voice it should have, considering that 140,000 immigrants come to Ontario every year."
Charmaine Mergulhao, Director of Studies at the English Spanish House, agrees that the ESL sector faces hurdles, and points out the necessity to implement ESL programs in the workplace. But despite the difficulties, Mergulhao admits that teaching ESL is both enriching and rewarding.
"I have learned a lot of new and exciting things from other different cultures, and I have also taught many new things about my culture and English culture itself," said Mergulhao.
While English is no more complex than any other language, it's not easy to grasp all its nuances. For that reason, certain qualities are required in an ESL teacher. Mergelhao added that when dealing with different cultural backgrounds, ESL teachers have to be counselors, friends, facilitators, and above all, patient. Going the extra mile to help newcomers is not a rare thing for an ESL teacher.
"I am an immigrant myself and I know it can be very frustrating and overwhelming to understand a culture which can be quite different from your own."
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