Welcome to ATESL

The Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL) is a professional organization that promotes the highest standards of teaching and English language program provision for all learners in Alberta whose first language is other than English.

ATESL 2023: Resilience, Resources and Strength in Language Teaching

ATESL is thrilled to be hosting this year's conference in person for the first time since 2019!

The ATESL 2023 Conference theme: Resilience, Resources and Strength in Language Teaching acknowledges that the past three years have been challenging for language educators. Coming together after all this time will be an opportunity to share what we have learned in a supportive environment.

Throughout the pandemic, English Language educators exhibited their resilience, willingness to develop and share resources, and strength in their ability to adapt teaching methods and to learn new ones. ATESL would like to acknowledge that this is a vibrant and supportive group, and we are excited to host this two-day conference for our members.

We look forward to seeing you on October 27 and 28 at SAIT in Calgary.
(SAIT - 1301, 16 Ave NW )

Please note: Conference registration prices include light breakfast and two nutrition breaks on both days, but do not include a catered lunch. There are several restaurants and eateries on the SAIT campus and in the immediate vicinity.

More information will be posted as we near the conference.

Conference Registration closes on Friday, October 20th.

We have Accommodations coordinated with some hotels near the SAIT campus - please check that out!

Please email Johnson and Jani if you have any questions.

ATESL Best Practices for Adult EAL and LINC Programming in Alberta is now available on the ATESL website!

We are excited to announce that ATESL Best Practices for Adult EAL and LINC Programming in Alberta is now available on the ATESL website!

https://www.atesl.ca/resources/best-practices-adult-eal-and-linc-programming-alberta/

Explore the website to check out the new inclusion sections (2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion, Anti-racism, Indigenization). As well, check out the new sections on Skills and Language for Work, Technology and Online Learning, and Supporting Learners with Diverse Learning Needs. In those sections, as well as in the Instruction, CLB & PBLA, and EAL Literacy sections, you can link to a curated list of resources for the classroom and PD resources.

We encourage you to use the online web version with descriptions of and links to resources, glosses, interactivity, and downloadable PDF, EPUB, Checklist, or read the document on Pressbooks

We also have a limited number of print copies available. Program coordinators can contact Irene Wood to request a print copy.

Please be sure to share this resource with your colleagues in the TESL/TEAL profession!

Peace & Joy in this holiday season, and a Happy New Year!

Sara Gnida - Best Practices Project Manager
and Herly Cervera - Best Practices Project Consultant

TESL Canada Certification

Just a reminder that all ATESL members are automatically TESL Canada members and that a portion of your ATESL fees go to pay your TESL Canada dues.

In addition to that, please note that the only national certification that ATESL currently endorses for our members is TESL Canada certification. You can find out more about TESL Canada certification here: https://www.tesl.ca/certification/tesl-canada-professional-certification.html
If you have any questions about certification please email ask@atesl.ca

ATESL Member Discounts

The ATESL Board has been working hard over the past year to secure discounts for our members at Alberta retailers and service providers.

Be sure to have your ATESL Membership card on hand at the following locations and keep checking back for more discounts.
https://www.atesl.ca/membership/member-discounts/

Online Learning Resources

A Google Drive folder was created during the early days of the pandemic in 2020 as a repository of valuable teaching resources, and a Google Doc which contains links to online learning tools and sessions.

This folder will remain available to our members for the forseeable future.

This is a strong and giving community, and together we can help one another and our learners.