TESL Toronto's TOSCON 2023 was not just an event—it was also a celebration of the dedication and passion that teachers bring to their classrooms every day. For me, it was a reminder that, as educators, we have the ability to shape the lives of our students and empower them to develop their own voices within their communities as they learn to communicate effectively.

Plenary speaker: Antoinette Gagné

The conference highlighted the evolving nature of English language teaching. Antoinette Gagné's keynote address shed light on the sociocultural, emotional, multilingual, multimodal, and technological turns that are shaping the English language learning landscape in Canada.

It reminded us that effective teaching goes beyond linguistic skills, encompassing cultural understanding, emotional intelligence, and the integration of various modes of communication. What I loved most about her plenary session was the opportunity to interact and connect with other participants as well as her capacity to ask thought-provoking questions of her audience.

Gagné highlighted the “affective turn” that underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in education.

Connecting at Ellii's booth

As a representative of Ellii, I was inspired by the enthusiasm of teachers as they shared their experiences and the innovative ways they are implementing our platform. The updates in the Lesson Planner and student onboarding process have generated excitement and opened up new possibilities for enhanced language instruction.

The nature of education and learning is evolving, and it’s refreshing to see the willingness of educators to embrace technology and find ways to use it to meet the needs of their students.

Workshops & presentations 

The workshops and presentations offered at TOSCON provided a fantastic selection of practical strategies and ideas for educators to implement in their classrooms. From rethinking digital citizenship techniques (John Allan) to the integration of authentic materials, from blended to hyflex teaching (Tehreem Nathaniel), each session offered valuable insights that could be immediately applied to improve the learning experiences of students. The diverse range of topics ensured that attendees could find sessions that catered to their specific interests and professional development goals.

Beyond the knowledge gained and skills acquired, TOSCON fostered a sense of community and collaboration. The connections made and conversations we had during the conference were invaluable. 

Getting noticed in TO

On a lighter note, I couldn't help but chuckle at a rather unexpected experience during my time in Toronto. As I strolled through the bustling streets of the city, proudly sporting my Ellii T-shirt, something amusing happened. I was recognized by a random teacher (who hadn’t been at the conference). She spotted the logo on my shirt and exclaimed, "Hey, you're from Ellii!" For a brief moment, I felt like a celebrity, basking in the limelight of the English language teaching world. Who knew that a simple T-shirt could turn an ordinary stroll down Yonge Street into a moment of fame?

Final thoughts

As I left the conference, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose and a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education. TOSCON reminded me that as English language teachers, we have the privilege of not only teaching a language but also empowering individuals to express themselves, connect with others, and succeed in an increasingly globalized world.