14-Week English Language Programs
Yaw left Winnipeg in 2002 for an English teaching position in Nagoya, Japan, and a chance to explore a country and culture that had long interested him. Recently graduated from his Bachelor of Arts, this was Yaw’s first formal experience with teaching EAL. After almost 2 years living in this Asian metropolis, Yaw returned to Winnipeg and began teaching part time with several EAL programs. However, after some time, he realized that he needed formal certification to proceed any further in this career.
Yaw enrolled in the ESL TCP in 2007, and after completing this program, found employment in the Intensive English Program at the University of Manitoba. Through IEP, Yaw returned to Japan to teach for a month, before returning to Winnipeg and accepting a position at the University of Winnipeg in the full-time English Language Program.
Since then, Yaw has been teaching a variety of EAL classes to students who plan on attending university in Winnipeg. He describes his current position as challenging and satisfying, stating that he enjoys the community developed among the students within the English Language Program. Although Yaw found work in the field of EAL instruction before he took the program, he states that “the ESL TCP was instrumental in securing employment options that otherwise would not have been available.”
Yaw has recently joined the English for Specific Purposes team in the English for Academic Speaking class, and is thoroughly enjoying the experience. In addition to his work with international students, he is currently the head teacher for the English for Specific Purposes Program, teaching English to internationally educated professionals.
Yaw enrolled in the ESL TCP in 2007, and after completing this program, found employment in the Intensive English Program at the University of Manitoba. Through IEP, Yaw returned to Japan to teach for a month, before returning to Winnipeg and accepting a position at the University of Winnipeg in the full-time English Language Program.
Since then, Yaw has been teaching a variety of EAL classes to students who plan on attending university in Winnipeg. He describes his current position as challenging and satisfying, stating that he enjoys the community developed among the students within the English Language Program. Although Yaw found work in the field of EAL instruction before he took the program, he states that “the ESL TCP was instrumental in securing employment options that otherwise would not have been available.”
Yaw has recently joined the English for Specific Purposes team in the English for Academic Speaking class, and is thoroughly enjoying the experience. In addition to his work with international students, he is currently the head teacher for the English for Specific Purposes Program, teaching English to internationally educated professionals.
English for Specific Purposes Program
Bequie is a woman who wear many hats; with a penchant for languages, a history of working in international youth exchange programs, and a career as an educator for international development groups, Bequie specializes in the ‘fusion’ of many unique skills to meet the challenges of her position. In spring, 2008, she decided to add one more skill to her ever-growing list, enrolling in the ESL TCP.
When this notoriously busy woman was asked why she decided to enroll in this program, she describes that “I've always been interested in languages, and I thought that having the skills to teach English would be a good complement to the kind of work I was doing.” Of her experiences within the program, Bequie states that it gave her many concrete skills, including, she adds, an understanding of English grammar! In addition to these specific language skills, the ESL TCP was “an opportunity to make a lot of great connections with other instructors and people in the EAL field. Ultimately,” she concludes, “I'm now working with some of the people who helped teach our program.”
Where is Bequie now? She continues to don her numerous hats every morning, and is teaching both in an introductory, drop-in ESL program at the UFCW Training Centre, and has also played an indispensable role in the design and delivery of the University Preparation Program run through English for Specific Purposes, which gives immigrants and refugees the opportunity to develop the skills required for success in a post-secondary environment.
Of her work within these programs, Bequie identifies it as “challenging, inspiring, humbling and ultimately wonderful. It is amazing to work with such a diverse group of students. All of them bring a high level of expertise and knowledge to our classes - whether that comes from advanced education in their home countries, or their life experience. It's a big responsibility - as an instructor, I feel very conscious of how valuable the time that newcomers invest in their language classes is - but it is very rewarding.”
When this notoriously busy woman was asked why she decided to enroll in this program, she describes that “I've always been interested in languages, and I thought that having the skills to teach English would be a good complement to the kind of work I was doing.” Of her experiences within the program, Bequie states that it gave her many concrete skills, including, she adds, an understanding of English grammar! In addition to these specific language skills, the ESL TCP was “an opportunity to make a lot of great connections with other instructors and people in the EAL field. Ultimately,” she concludes, “I'm now working with some of the people who helped teach our program.”
Where is Bequie now? She continues to don her numerous hats every morning, and is teaching both in an introductory, drop-in ESL program at the UFCW Training Centre, and has also played an indispensable role in the design and delivery of the University Preparation Program run through English for Specific Purposes, which gives immigrants and refugees the opportunity to develop the skills required for success in a post-secondary environment.
Of her work within these programs, Bequie identifies it as “challenging, inspiring, humbling and ultimately wonderful. It is amazing to work with such a diverse group of students. All of them bring a high level of expertise and knowledge to our classes - whether that comes from advanced education in their home countries, or their life experience. It's a big responsibility - as an instructor, I feel very conscious of how valuable the time that newcomers invest in their language classes is - but it is very rewarding.”
Volunteering & Short-Term Program
This graduate completed her studies in the summer intensive session of the ESL TCP. Almost immediately after completing her practicum placement, she was able to begin work in this field.
She first got her foot in the door working as a sociocultural monitor, working with international students at the University of Winnipeg in their short-terms and intensive socio-cultural activities. This continued throughout the school year, and as she continued working with these students and building relationships, she found the experience increasingly rewarding.
In addition to this employment opportunity, she also began volunteering in in the English Language Program. First, she signed up for the Language Partner Program, working one on one with a student studying in ELP. This was a valuable way to get involved and build connections with students. She also took on an additional volunteer commitment, facilitating conversation circles at the University of Winnipeg to give international students more opportunity to practice and use their speaking and listening skills in a positive and supportive environment.
After being such a familiar and friendly face to both students and staff over the school year, this graduate was offered teaching positions in the short-term programs throughout the summer. These included the Explore Program, July Intensive, and August Intensive Programs, which provide language training to students for 1 month periods. During these programs, she facilitated afternoon seminars and was able to further develop her teaching skills throughout this period. Now, it is clear that all her hard work and networking has paid off: this term, she is teaching 2 courses in the Intensive English Language Program at The University of Winnipeg.
Her advice to graduates? “Volunteer and get involved, don’t pass up any opportunity that comes your way in this field, and make an effort to network and maintain connections!”
She first got her foot in the door working as a sociocultural monitor, working with international students at the University of Winnipeg in their short-terms and intensive socio-cultural activities. This continued throughout the school year, and as she continued working with these students and building relationships, she found the experience increasingly rewarding.
In addition to this employment opportunity, she also began volunteering in in the English Language Program. First, she signed up for the Language Partner Program, working one on one with a student studying in ELP. This was a valuable way to get involved and build connections with students. She also took on an additional volunteer commitment, facilitating conversation circles at the University of Winnipeg to give international students more opportunity to practice and use their speaking and listening skills in a positive and supportive environment.
After being such a familiar and friendly face to both students and staff over the school year, this graduate was offered teaching positions in the short-term programs throughout the summer. These included the Explore Program, July Intensive, and August Intensive Programs, which provide language training to students for 1 month periods. During these programs, she facilitated afternoon seminars and was able to further develop her teaching skills throughout this period. Now, it is clear that all her hard work and networking has paid off: this term, she is teaching 2 courses in the Intensive English Language Program at The University of Winnipeg.
Her advice to graduates? “Volunteer and get involved, don’t pass up any opportunity that comes your way in this field, and make an effort to network and maintain connections!”