President's Message
October 1 - 3 found TESL professionals from across Canada meeting together in Banff for the TESL Canada conference hosted by ATESL. We discussed theory and practice, were inspired by experts and colleagues and took time to savour the awe-inspiring natural surroundings of the Rocky Mountains. ATESL members also took time during the conference to celebrate our 30th anniversary with gifts for members, door prizes and a wonderful reception, all strongly supported by Alberta Employment and Immigration and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Celebrations were also supported at the Local level, and members in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and our emerging group in Lethbridge developed plans to mark this event in their own unique way. This 30th birthday is a significant milestone, and an opportunity to reflect on the path taken over the past decades and to look forward to opportunities that await us in the future.
In November, the new ATESL Board held its annual retreat in Red Deer, where we took part in a planning exercise to examine what we perceived as the Strengths (what we can maintain and develop); Weaknesses (what we can remedy or exit); Opportunities (what we can prioritise and optimise) and Threats (what we can counter) of ATESL as an organization. It was strongly recognized by all Board members that the people, history and the reputation of the organization were definite strengths. The ongoing commitment to and involvement in ATESL of former Board members helps us to keep continuity in our goals and strengthens our connections throughout the province. The participation of members at the Local level through involvement in professional activities or through communication on issues or concerns speaks to the strengths of the organization. On the other hand, as an organization based on the willingness of volunteers to contribute time and expertise and upon funding resources that are variable, we lack true stability. However, we know that there are many opportunities to build on what we have accomplished – by making linkages with other organizations, by reaching out to other locations in our province, and by broadening the benefits and opportunities for our members.
Best Practices, Resource Management, Curriculum Framework – these are three integrated projects that ATESL is involved in with funding and strong support from AEI and CIC and which will bring benefits to program managers, instructors and learners across Alberta and even beyond our provincial borders. The updated Best Practice Guidelines document revises and adds on to previous work and was completed after comprehensive consultation with experts across the province. It is now being released to stakeholders throughout Alberta and provides principles and self-assessment tools to be used by all ESL providers in program review and improvement. The Resource Management project will provide a centralized, organized annotated list of information that can be accessed to improve instruction or develop new programs. The Curriculum Framework project is now just underway and will involve consultants from across the province in developing a framework which will support adult ESL teaching, learning and assessment across institutions; provide a basis for program development or renewal; and serve as one of several means of facilitating an evaluation of new and established programs in a variety of contexts, both urban and rural.
We are now in the process of planning and preparing for our next major professional development activity – the annual ATESL conference, which will be held in Edmonton November 4 to 6. I encourage you all to begin your planning now to be a part of your professional organization – join the conference planning team, develop a presentation to share your ideas and expertise with your colleagues, consider putting your name forward to be a part of your local organization or the provincial Board, and most of all, do plan on joining us to celebrate another year of ATESL.
- Audrey