ESLC2025ONTHEMOVE: Full Schedule

10:15am MDT

Concurrent Session A1: Breakout 1: How to Tease Apart Language Differences and Language Disorders?

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

This workshop picks up on this issue raised in the keynote and focuses on some solutions and practical resources for identifying whether a DLL student should be referred for speech-language assessment / special education / psychological services. Includes some background on communication disorders and assessment.

Speakers

Dr. Johanne Paradis

Professor of Linguistics and Adjunct Professor in Communication Science and Disorders, University of Alberta

Dr. Johanne Paradis is Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Adjunct Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Alberta. Her research is concerned with bilingualism in children with typical development and in children with developmental disorders... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Edinburgh Castle Room

Breakout

Subject Dual Language Learners - assessment and referals

10:15am MDT

Concurrent Session A2: Write On! Navigating AI usage for online writing tasks

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Edinburgh Holyrood Room

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges, particularly for EAL students. On the one hand, we can shift the focus away from their desire to only focus on grammar! On the other hand, there are concerns that there is a lack of critical thinking being used. This presentation will explore some strategies to enhance online writing tasks, wile also addressing ethical considerations and teacher boundaries. This will be done through the lens of an online writing course, but many of the ideas presented could be applied to an in-class setting.
Through collaborative activities and case studies, attendees will gain insights into creating engaging and responsible AI-generated writing tasks that empower EAL learners to navigate the digital landscape effectively. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with practical strategies to enhance online writing instruction for EAL students, fostering both language development and digital literacy in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Speakers

Dr. Laura Taylor

Dr. Laura Taylor is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, and an ELL specialist at the University of Toronto, Mississauga. With A Master’s degree in TESOL and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of York, Dr. Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Edinburgh Holyrood Room

Breakout

Audience General, High School, Administration

10:15am MDT

Concurrent Session A3: The NEW Benchmarks 2.0: Programming for EAL Student Success

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Balmoral

This session is designed to empower educators with the tools and strategies needed to effectively use Alberta’s new K-12 English as an Additional Language (EAL) Proficiency Benchmarks 2.0. The focus will be on how to intentionally plan for the academic success of EAL learners by utilizing these benchmarks to guide instruction and support language development. Objectives:

Understanding Benchmarks 2.0: Gain an understanding of the new EAL Proficiency Benchmarks and their application in the classroom.
Intentional planning: Use the benchmarks data to create targeted lesson plans that address the specific language needs of EAL students.
Progress monitoring: Tracking and assessing our EAL learners’ language proficiency progress.
Best Practices: Explore best practices and practical strategies for integrating the benchmarks into your lessons.

Speakers

Jacqueline Werstiuk

Jacquie Werstiuk has over 30 years teaching and consulting experience with the Edmonton Catholic School Division. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the U of A and, for the past 8 years, has worked as an English as an Additional Language... Read More →

Angelica Tan

Angelica Tan is an elementary English as an Additional Language Consultant with the Edmonton Catholic School Division. Growing up as a multilingual learner, she developed a deep passion for languages. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta, majoring... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Balmoral

Breakout

Audience General

10:15am MDT

Concurrent Session A4 - TBA

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Glamis

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Glamis

Breakout

10:15am MDT

Concurrent Session A5: Taking English Language Learning Outside

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Inverness

Discover the transformative power of place-based learning in rural and urban outdoor settings. This session explores how the outdoors can serve as an engaging English language classroom, enhancing learning through real-world experiences. Participants will learn to integrate visual journaling – a powerful tool that combines observation and creativity to deepen language acquisition and foster a connection with the environment.

Speakers

Aurelia Aiello

Aurelia is an EAL (English as an Additional Language) Consultant at the Calgary Catholic School District. She specializes in the English Language Development Sheltered Instruction Course, focusing on division 2 and 3 students. Aurelia is dedicated to enhancing language acquisition... Read More →

Deena Alexander

Deena is an EAL (English as an Additional Language) Consultant at the Calgary Catholic School District. She specializes in supporting English development and teaching in division 2 classrooms. Deena is committed to fostering language proficiency and academic achievement through tailored... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Inverness

Breakout

Audience Div. I - Div. III (Grades 1-9)

1:45pm MDT

B1 - Breakout 2: How and Why to Support Both Languages of DLLs with and without Communication Disorders

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

Edinburgh Castle Room

This workshop extends the discussion about capacity for dual language learning in children with communication disorders by focusing on the first/heritage language, its importance to child and family wellbeing, spotlight on parent experiences and beliefs about their children’s bilingualism, and how teachers can play a role in supporting both the L1 and L2 development in DLLs.

Speakers

Dr. Johanne Paradis

Professor of Linguistics and Adjunct Professor in Communication Science and Disorders, University of Alberta

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Edinburgh Castle Room

Breakout

1:45pm MDT

Concurrent Session B1: The CIIP Perspective: Implications for Vocabulary Assessment

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

Edinburgh Castle Room

In his plenary talk, the speaker presented the CIIP perspective of vocabulary knowledge and acquisition. In it, he touched on some implications of this perspective for vocabulary assessment. In this breakout session, he will go into much more detail about how to evaluate vocabulary test items, based on a CIIP viewpoint. The session will be workshop-based and hands-on in style, as the presenter takes the audience through a number of popular vocabulary test formats, together working out what each format does (and more importantly does not!) tell us about learners’ vocabulary knowledge. He will introduce the audience to a number of extant vocabulary size tests, and will offer advice on writing bespoke vocabulary tests if none of the existing ones are suitable for your context.

Speakers

Dr. Norbert Schmitt

Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Nottingham

Dr. Norbert Schmitt is Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Nottingham and is interested in all aspects of second language vocabulary. He has published 11 books on vocabulary and applied linguistics, and over 100 journal articles and book chapters. His... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Edinburgh Castle Room

Breakout

Audience General
Subject Vocabulary, Assessment

1:45pm MDT

Concurrent Session B2: Building Physical Literacy for EAL Learners

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

Edinburgh Holyrood Room

This session will go through ways to infuse physical literacy in any classroom environment (not just in PE class!). We will focus on games and activities that promote team building, sense of belonging, communication, resiliency, social-emotional learning and movement skills to help foster an inclusive, supportive and encouraging environment for EAL learners. The Alberta Health and Physical Education Council is here to support EAL learners and teachers with infusing physical literacy in their classes. Get ready to leave this session feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to elevate your teaching!

Speakers

Anne Murphy

Anne is a Jr. High Phys. Ed. and science teacher with Canadian Rockies Public Schools. She is passionate about helping students discover activities in which they can participate for life-long health, wellness, and joy. When not teaching, Anne can be found outside getting a sweat on... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Edinburgh Holyrood Room

Breakout

Audience General

1:45pm MDT

Concurrent Session B3: Planning for Oral Language in Content Areas

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

Balmoral

Join us for an engaging session focused on interactive and collaborative strategies to enhance oral language skills for English as an Additional Language (EAL) Learners. This session will delve into the development of oral language skills and offer ready-to-use strategies to facilitate language acquisition. By the end of the presentation, educators will have a toolkit of resources and techniques to foster a vibrant oral language environment, empowering EAL learners to express themselves fluently and authentically in a safe environment.

Speakers

Melissa Astle

Melissa Aste is an EAL consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools. Her background includes teaching in both bilingual and second language programs in elementary and junior high setting. As a language lover and multilingual herself, she is committed to helping EAL learners find success... Read More →

Anna Diligianis

Anna Deligianis is an Elementary English as an Additional Language Consultant with Edmonton Catholic School Division. Her background includes teaching in both the elementary and high school setting r in Alberta and Mexico for many years. Anna graduated from her Masters in Educational... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Balmoral

Breakout

Audience K-6 Educators
Subject Oral Language

1:45pm MDT

Concurrent Session B4: Empowering ELLs: Literacy Strategies

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

Glamis

This session will focus on resources and best practices to address the most critical question educators are asking themselves as individuals: what can I do right now, in this classroom and in this school, to ensure that my ELL is supported in the area of literacy? Participants will leave the session with a variety of resources, practices and strategies that can be put to immediate use in the school and the classroom. This session will focus on strategies that include building background knowledge, increasing academic vocabulary and literacy skills.

Speakers

JJ Kennedy

JJ Kennedy is currently the Assistant Principal at kisewatisiwin school in Edmonton. This is her 28th year with Edmonton Public Schools and has taught at all levels. Working in a variety of roles including ESL Consultant with EPSB , Curriculum Coordinator of special needs, Department... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Glamis

Breakout

Audience Div. III & Div. IV (Grade 7-12) Educators
Subject Literacy

1:45pm MDT

Concurrent Session B5: Supporting Language Learning in Math

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

Inverness

Verbal communication is only one of many forms of representation that can be used to communicate mathematical ideas! To support English as Additional Language (EAL) learners, we’ll explore how to embed multiple forms of mathematical representation and high impact strategies within task design to engage all learners in understanding and communicating their mathematical thinking. We will model and debrief how multiple representations in mathematical routines and problem solving might be used to ensure EAL learners can fully participate in rigorous mathematical thinking and learning. (The principles we’ll explore in the session will apply to K-12 teachers; however, the examples and content used will be applicable to K-9 teachers.).

Speakers

Kathy Beamer

Kathy Beamer (Bed., MEd) has 20+ years of experience as a classroom teacher, math coach, mathematics specialist, and mathematics/science curriculum consultant in Alberta, Australia, and England. She is currently an English as an Additional Language Strategist with the CBE, working... Read More →

Conie Goodwin

Connie Goodwin is a leadership and team coach, facilitator and educational consultant. Connie has over 30 years of experience in mathematics education and professional development. Connie is passionate about mathematics and helping teachers to find joy, wonder and confidence in their... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
Inverness

Breakout

Audience General
Subject Language Learning in Math

3:15pm MDT

Concurrent Session C1: Creating Instructional Materials for Vocabulary Development

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Edinburgh Castle Room

In this workshop, we will work together to create instructional materials for developing vocabulary in both mainstream and ESL classes. I will begin by outlining key principles to guide instruction and show how these can be used to underpin the selection of texts, the choice of exercises, and methods of assessing achievement. Participants will work in small groups to create a set of materials that can serve as a template for developing materials in their own settings.

Speakers

Dr. Diane Schmitt

Independent Education Consultant, Author

Diane Schmitt was a Senior Lecturer in EFL/TESOL for 25 years at Nottingham Trent University in the UK and now works as an independent educational consultant. She has given presentations, workshops and seminars for students and teachers in over 30 countries. Her interests include... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Edinburgh Castle Room

Breakout

Audience General
Subject Vocabulary

3:15pm MDT

Concurrent Session C2: TBA

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Edinburgh Holyrood Room

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Edinburgh Holyrood Room

Breakout

3:15pm MDT

Concurrent Session C3: A.I. in Action for EAL Learners

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Balmoral

Bring your device to explore AI tools with us in real time! Discover how to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners. This interactive session will showcase how AI can assist in creating lesson materials, assessments and resources tailored to best EAL practice. We will also present the advantages and limitations of AI from the teachers' perspective. Whether you're new to AI or looking to expand your toolkit, this session will provide actionable insights to make teaching more effective and engaging for EAL learners.

Speakers

Shelley Schwarz

Shelley Schwarz is an EAL Consultant with the Specialized Learning Support Team at Edmonton Public Schools, where she supports EAL programming. Her passion for second language learning began in the 1980s while tutoring children of a newcomer family and grew into a 30-year career as... Read More →

Annie Fung

Annie immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in 1992 as an English language learner (ELL). She holds an MEd in EAL teaching from the University of Calgary and has over 18 years of experience in teaching and leadership roles with Edmonton Public Schools and the Calgary Board of Education... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Balmoral

Breakout

Audience General
Subject Technology

3:15pm MDT

Concurrent Session C4: Introducing and Using Self-Assessments

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Glamis

Our school has been actively working on using criteria and self-assessment to improve student learning. This session will invite participants into our journey by sharing practical examples of our implementation process in division one and two classrooms with a range of English language proficiency levels (yes, even beginners!). Every journey has its challenges and unexpected benefits, these will be shared as well. Come prepared for an interactive discussion and hopefully a few laughs along the way!

Speakers

Christine McCuaig

Christine McCuaig is a Calgary Board of Education Assistant Principal in a K-6 elementary school where students speak over 40 different languages! She has a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree with a minor in TESL and a Master of Education degree focusing on Identifying and Programming... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Glamis

Breakout

Audience Div. I & Div. II (Grade 1-6)
Subject Assessment

3:15pm MDT

Concurrent Session C5: Tackling Writing with ELLs

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Inverness

Why is writing so difficult for second language learners?
A) It’s demanding
B) It takes effort and requires knowledge in quite a few areas—all in all, a heavy cognitive load.
C) Students must simultaneously think about vocabulary, grammar, and meaning, as they create original sentences and connect ideas by spelling each individual word, and applying rules around capitalization and punctuation. (And don’t forget editing and tone…)
D) All of the above!
Developing writers face a myriad of challenges that can impact the writing process. This presentation will review and tackle some of these challenges. We will consider strategies, examine engaging writing activities and have a look at actual ELL writing samples to practice feedback and determine next steps.

Speakers

Nancy Musica

Nancy Musica, M.Ed., works with Edmonton Public Schools as an Educational Consultant in the areas of EAL and Gifted Education. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher and later became a school counselor, while also running an EAL program for elementary students. She has taught... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Inverness

Breakout

Audience General
Subject Writing