Clinical researcher Stuart Brown once wrote that “play is the vital essence of life.” But what does it really mean to play? How can we incorporate playfulness into our teaching? And why is it important to do so? In this episode, we sit down with TESL program director Dr. Teresa Hernandez-Gonzalez! She delved into the experiences that had shaped her as an educator, the art of combining work and play (and perhaps deconstructing this dichotomy along the way), and the debate of whether teachers are born or made.

Are you wondering how much French you’ll need to thrive in your internships and succeed as an English teacher in Montreal? In this episode of Talking TESL, we are joined by Rachel, a graduate of the B.Ed. in TESL. She breaks down her experiences learning French, how she navigated her internships, and how to best prepare to teach ESL in a French environment as an Anglophone.

Reagan is a TESL student in his final year of studies. In this long-form episode of Talking TESL, he discusses what brought him to TESL after a career in telecommunications, his connection between judo and teaching, and much more. He delves into his experiences in the program, including insight from his internships and courses. He talks about professors who impacted him, lessons he learned from students, and where he sees himself in the future. Are you a TESL student? Would you like to share experiences from your studies and internships? Do you want to discuss your teaching philosophies, aspirations, or any other TESL-related topic you feel is important? Come be a guest on the podcast! Reach out to our Podcast Coordinator, Sivan, via any of the TESL Resource Centre social media channels.

Curious to hear the voices of our students? In this episode of Talking TESL, we sit down with Stephanie, who is in her third year of the B.Ed. in TESL. Steph initially completed a degree in sociology, but after an impactful language-learning experience in Salamanca, Spain, she decided to pursue teaching. In our conversation, she talks about her background, what led her to the program, her words of advice for current or incoming students, how her teaching philosophy has shifted, and what she plans on doing beyond the B.Ed. 

Starting the TESL program can feel daunting for new students. Not only do you have to familiarize yourself with the demands of a new program, but you need to get used to the rhythm of being a student. In this episode, we are joined by the TESLSA VP Academic and TESL student Ariella, who lays down the 12 foundational tips you need to succeed in the program. She covers organizational strategies, small actions that make a big difference for your success, and other tips that may not occur to the student who is unfamiliar with the TESL program. Ariella is a champion multi-tasker; between her studies and TESLSA role, she also is a mother of two. In this episode, she distills her knowledge to the 12 tips that all students should know, whether you are new to the program, or perhaps just in need of an organizational reset. 

Have you ever had to teach a class last minute? What about with no materials? As teachers, we are taught that thorough preparation is the foundation of a successful class. However, sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we simply do not have the time to lesson plan. In this episode of Talking TESL, our Mentorship Coordinator Lisa shares a clever teaching story about the time she had to teach a full class last minute, with no materials except two paper plates. Are you a Concordia student or grad looking for a supportive community of teachers? You can hear more interesting stories like Lisa's firsthand by joining the TESL RC Staffroom, run by Lisa herself! This shared space was created within the mentorship program to enhance the type of resources that can support our TESL RC community of teachers. Become a member of The Staffroom and you’ll get to collaborate with fellow ESL teachers of all experiences, and perhaps earn the opportunity to receive project funding! Visit our website for more information: https://www.concordia.ca/artsci/education/tesl-resource-centre/mentorship.html

It is not uncommon to feel intimidated by students, especially when starting off your teaching career. Whether due to the age of your students, their personalities, or even your working environment, it can be difficult to stick to your boundaries in situations where your position of authority is being challenged. Have you ever felt intimidated by your students? TESL RC’s Lead Coordinator Yvette has. In this short story episode of Talking TESL, Yvette shares an experience standing her ground with an aggressive student. Do you have a short teaching story to share? Whether from your internships or well into your career, we want to hear! Reach out to our Podcast Coordinator at [email protected].

Many teachers have unfortunately dealt with the uncomfortable experience of being objectified by their students. Whether it's in the form of stares, comments, jokes, unwanted messages, or even touching, these instances are difficult to approach and oftentimes normalized or dismissed by colleagues. This is one of those many topics that are not talked about in university courses, but emerges in the field, leaving it up to the teacher to navigate in the way they see fit. In this episode of Talking TESL, B.Ed. student Catherine discusses how she handled a secondary student acting inappropriately towards her, and speculates on why this behaviour is so prevalent and the conversation surrounding it so lacking. Music by Nomerodin1

It can be very challenging to be a young teacher in secondary. Students push your boundaries and question your legitimacy as an authority figure based on your appearance, and it can be difficult to know how to approach these situations. In this 15-minute episode of Talking TESL, B.Ed. student Yasmine shares one such experience while in a secondary internship. She explains her feelings and how she handled the interaction, and gives advice on how to mitigate such situations in the future. Music by Nomerodin1 

Sometimes struggling during an internship (or even in your first year) can make you feel like you are not in the right field. B.Ed. alumnus Gonzalo talks about an experience that tested his resolve, and ponders the question whether teachers are born or made. Have a 15-minute teaching story you would like to share? We want to hear! Send us a message via any of our social media platforms. Music by Nomerodin1