@elp MAGAZINE
Issue 7 April 2017
A summary of the academics, activities and accomplishments at the English Language Program
ELP Escapes the City to YMCA Camp Wanakita • Interviews with ELP Alumni Profiles of Outstanding Volunteers
CONTENTS
@elp MAGAZINE
EDITOR & DESIGN Dan Pinese
STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Sara Bolourchian Francesca Campos Stephanie Davis Edith Krohmalnik Jessica Lim Michelle Musindo Douglas Orme Christopher Penaranda Evelyn Pedersen Jessica Pinheiro Da Silveira Karen Thomson Effie Touchings
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Teaching Excellence Winning the Language Game
Where Are They Now? Interviews with ELP Alumni
ACADEMICS
10 Project Day
8 9 11 13 14 15 18
The Best Decision of My Life Four Seasons, Thousands of Experiences Interesting Places Good Eats Around U of T Polls Conversation Café A Great Photograph...
ACTIVITIES Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong
Cover Photograph by
18 20 Winter Camping at Camp Wanakita
22 Away from the City 27 The Night Hike 28 Lester Beaver Pearson 29 Kwansei Gakuin University 30 Volunteer Profiles 31 Volunteering at the ELP
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ELP on Instagram
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Seeing the City Through Many Viewpoints
@elp MAGAZINE
accomplishments
Teaching Excellence Winning the Language Game By: Dan Pinese, ELP Program Administrator
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Evelyn Pedersen is the 2016 recipient of the ELP Excellence in Teaching Award.
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n December 15, 2016, English Language Program (ELP) Instructor, Evelyn Pedersen received the 2016 ELP Excellence in Teaching Award, an annual honour presented to an instructor based on student feedback and comments. When asked about being given the award, she humbly accepted it, giving credit also to her fellow instructors and the work they do at the ELP. “It’s an honour to receive this award. We have an expression in English, ‘to take one for the team.’ And this idiom is usually kind of negative. It means somebody will make some sacrifice from which a team or group benefits. I want to put a spin on it and say that I am representative of a whole team of fine and dedicated instructors. This year it is me, next year it will be another instructor but I am only representative of a group of fabulous instructors.” Reflecting on her career thus far, Pedersen spoke about what it was like when she started teaching at the ELP. She described a learning environment very much in contrast to what students experience today. There were no smart screens in the class, computers or even space for multiple offices. “We’ve have come so far from those days.” But Pedersen went on to add that though she feels students are more sophisticated now due to the influence of technology and access to materials on the internet, the goal of the instructor has not changed dramatically. “The number one goal we are trying to accomplish is building the students’ confidence. If we can do this, students will take risks with the language and it is in the risk-taking that people learn. And the classroom is a part of this: It’s a space where they can make mistakes and learn from them,” she said. And for a student to be successful, not just as a student inside the class but as a user of the language in everyday situations, Pedersen emphasizes listening in addition to consistent engagement with the language. “Students need to hear the language and soak it in and immerse themselves in the sounds of the new language. I would advise students to practice for 30 minutes every day if you’re serious about improving your English. Treat it as a basic life discipline, like brushing your teeth. Little by little it’s going to win the language learning game.” For Evelyn, this practicing not only translates into student success but also for the instructor. “When I see students experiencing little milestones as a result of practice. Having a small conversation, watching a movie—even if it is with subtitles—and they understand and are excited about it, that’s success for me and them—those milestones.”
accomplishments @elp
Where Are They Now? Interviews with ELP Alumni Interviews by: Sara Bolourchian, ELP Cultural Assistant
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tudying English in a vibrant multicultural city like Toronto is an amazing opportunity to take on new adventures, meet new people and learn—both inside the classroom and outside. English Language Program (ELP) alumni often regard their memories from their studies at the ELP as some of the most unforgettable moments of their lives. While they all end up pursuing a variety of different paths after their studies at the ELP—some applying to study at a Canadian university and others returning home, for example—some of our past students continue to stay in touch with us, keeping us in the loop when it comes to their academic and professional achievements. We always love to hear from our alumni! In this feature, we take a look at interviews conducted with three of our previous students— Abraham Kabre, Kawtar Ayachi, and Emilia Larrea—as they share with us the path they pursued following their studies at the ELP along with some anecdotes about their most memorable moments.
Student Name: Abraham Kabre How long ago was it when you took English classes here at the ELP? I attended the ELP in April 2016 and took English classes for six months: three months in English Plus and three months in Academic English. What was it like? Did you do any extracurricular activities? Trips? Without a doubt. It was such a good time for me and I improved my English. At the University of Toronto, and specifically at the ELP, we had the opportunity to do some extracurricular activities. This is the best way to improve your English and to get to know Canadian people. I did many volunteering activities like 50/50 ticket selling and the Evergreen Garden circle, for example. I also went to Montreal and Quebec City in order to discover others cities in Canada and meet some new friends. After you finished your classes at the ELP, where did you go, what did you do? I have a Master’s in Accounting and Financial Auditing. So, after my classes at the ELP, I went back to Paris in order to get a full-time position in my field of study. Having good English helped my résumé to fit well with my career ambitions. Right now I’m working at an accounting firm. How often do you use English in your daily life? Currently in my job, I use English when looking for financial information and laws. Otherwise, I use my English skills when I’m watching movies or listening to songs in English.
Abraham Kabre
What are some of the memories you have from your time at the English Language Program? During my time in Toronto, I got to know people and learned so much about many cultures, because Toronto is also well known as a multicultural city, and I really like it. One of my best memories is when I did my first volunteering activity with the ELP. It was at the Air Canada Center and I got a chance to give my time to a charity and watch the Toronto Raptors play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was amazing. Do you have any advice for future ELP students? Simply, I would like to say, don’t let your timidity prevent you from being fluent in English. You are in a beautiful city, at one of the best schools and mostly you will be learning from very experienced instructors. Don’t be afraid to make some mistakes or to speak English with your accent. Canadians won’t judge you or laugh when you are speaking. Good luck and make the most of it. 5
accomplishments
Student Name: Kawtar Ayachi Why did you decide to come to the English Language Program (ELP)? In January 2016, I wanted to leave my job, my country—France—because I wanted to see something else, meet other people, and of course improve my English. I had always heard beautiful things about Canada. So, I chose this beautiful country. I could have gone to England, it was closer, but I decided not to. And of course, I chose Toronto. I was not deceived. What was your experience at the ELP like? I stayed for four months, four unforgettable months. They were unforgettable because I met some wonderful people. Every Wednesday, I went to the volunteer meetings. I completed more than 100 hours of volunteering. I volunteered at the Scott Mission, the Ride to Conquer Cancer, for Jays Care, etc. I went twice to Niagara Falls, once with the ELP and once with friends. I also visited New York City, Buffalo, and Montreal. I went to the boat cruise party with almost all the cultural assistants. I went to almost all the cultural festivals: Persian, Mexican, Brazilian, Indian, for example.
Kawtar Ayachi (left) and ELP Cultural Assistant, Sara Bolourchian (right)
After you finished your classes at the ELP, where did you go and what did you do? After I finished my classes at the ELP, I returned to France, a return to habits. When you are abroad, you want to do everything, try everything, see everything. I went to different concerts, I tried salsa classes and forro classes (Brazilian dancing). I went back to my work after four months abroad. How often do you use English in your daily life? I do not have the opportunity to speak English at my work, so I practice myself, in order to not lose what I have learned. I watch movies in English. What are some of the memories you have from your time at the English Language Program? Every Thursday, we had Conversation Café for two hours. Every week, the cultural assistants tried to help us make progress in English, by making us speak on different topics. We played games: my favorite was Taboo. Before I left, I even bought an English copy!
Toronto’s Harbourfront
Do you have any advice for future ELP students? You are making a good choice if you choose the ELP: good instructors and amazing cultural assistants (Sara, Jessica, Eileen, Christopher, Edith to name a few). It is not out of the question that I will go back to re-register at the ELP. 6 Royal Ontario Museum
Ecuador, my home country, to study dentistry. I’m in my second year now and have many more years to go. I really would like to go to Canada after I graduate from college. I want to apply to the University of Toronto to do my Master’s. How often do you use English in your daily life? I use English frequently in my daily life. For school, I need to read many papers that are written in English. I watch movies in English. I write to my friends from all over the word in English. And, I listen to English music. What are some of the memories you have from your time at the ELP? I have many memories from my time at the ELP. I really enjoyed time with my host family. We did many things together and I learned many things about Canada. We took a really nice trip to Ottawa during winter. Although it was really cold, we still did many things.
Emilia Larrea
Student Name: Emilia Larrea Attended the ELP in September 2015
What was it like studying at the ELP? Did you do any extracurricular activities? It is one of the most amazing experiences that I have ever had. I really enjoyed the course at the ELP, especially the extracurricular activities because they helped me meet new people outside of my classes while also practicing my English. We had a lot of things to choose from: cultural activities like museums or expositions, different sports, and trips outside Toronto. One of the most beautiful trips that I went was to Algonquin Park. It was really beautiful because I went in fall when all the trees were different colours. I also went to Niagara Falls with some friends. It was really nice to go up close to the Falls with the boat. After you finished your classes at the ELP, where did you go, what did you do? After I finished my classes at the ELP, I went back to
Another nice memory that I have is my trip to New York that I took with my Brazilian friends. We stayed at a nice hostel for students and explored the city that never sleeps. We also went to Niagara Falls, Kensington Market and ate there. I went alone to Algonquin Park and I made friends along the way. It was a really nice experience. I loved to go for walks in the many parks around Toronto, especially in High Park. The landscapes in the fall were my favorite. Do you have any advice for future ELP students? I really recommend future ELP students practice their English by meeting new people and making friends, because some can last forever. You should be open to meet other people with different cultural backgrounds and that don’t speak the same language as you, because if you only go out with people from your country you will not speak that much English. Learn from other cultures and share your experiences with other people. I also recommend that you participate in the activities at the ELP because it is easier to make friends and get to know beautiful places.
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academics Disclaimer: Due to our diverse student population, we receive many opinion-based articles relating to global and current affairs. The views expressed in this magazine are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the English Language Program. The English Language Program does not endorse, represent or warrant the quality of products or companies mentioned within.
The Best Decision of My Life By: Sunkyung Kim of South Korea, Academic English (Level 60)
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ast November, I decided to come to the University of Toronto by myself, and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I was in my second year of university in Korea, and I was worrying about my future: what job should I try to get, what do I really want, my situation, and parents’ expectations. By asking myself questions and listening to my inner voice, I thought that I wanted to have a new experience, one that might be a turning point in my life. Therefore, I asked my parents to send me to the University of Toronto. I am having a priceless experience here in Toronto. Firstly, I have made a lot of good friends from all over the world. At first, I was afraid of making friends because of cultural difference and the language barrier. However, as I spent time here with others, that concern grew less and less. People are warm-hearted, fun, and smart. I think the best present that I got here is friends. Secondly, the environment here is a good one to achieve my dream. Every instructor is willing to help you. Also, there are lots of activities and volunteer opportunities that you can do. These are helpful not only for experience, but can also add to your resume for future university or job applications. Lastly, being here is a great opportunity to grow mentally and to become independent. Doing things by oneself seems difficult at first. However, if we try to tackle one thing at a time, we will achieve lots of things and more than we thought. Sometimes, I think that the whole situation around me is like a dream. The situation that I am in now in is so precious that I do not want to waste time, and I want to make the most of this opportunity. It was really hard to follow my inner voice because there were a lot of things to consider. However, I do not regret my decision to be here, and I will try to keep following my inner voice.
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academics @elp
Four Seasons, Thousands of Experiences By: David Quispe of Ecuador Academic English (Level 60)
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tudying a Master’s degree in Canada was what drove me to move to Toronto in July 2016. I arrived on Canada Day (July 1) to this multicultural and vibrant city. It was summer, long days with a spectacular sun, many activities and outdoor sports. These were my first impressions about this city. With my intermediate English, I had begun this incredible experience in the English Language Program at the the University of Toronto. On my first day of class in Academic English, I met friends from different countries all around the world such as Korea, Libya, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Venezuela. That mix of cultures and backgrounds helped me to improve my speaking very quickly because English was our unique way to communicate and form friendships. Summer was full of volunteer activities, BBQs on Toronto Island, soccer games at the University of Toronto campus and even Boat Cruise parties. After a few months, autumn was coming and the green of the forest changed to a bright yellow. Also, that was time to say, “Goodbye and see you soon” because some of my friends returned to their countries. With more confidence in my English and many friends, I knew that coming to Toronto and choosing the University of Toronto to improve my English was my best decision. In this season, I made friends who are like my family and we spent time exploring Toronto, touring its parks such as High Park to different Restaurants, tasting the food of the many
cultures that are part of this city. I was excited when winter arrived. It was my first winter: short days, with only a few hours of sun and white streets with snow were the signs of the winter’s beginning. Feeling cold because of the temperatures below zero, skating for first time and substituting a frozen lemonade for a hot chocolate are my winter memories. Then it was time for Christmas and the New Year. These are important holidays where I am from and where people spend time with their families. However, I was here in Toronto and I enjoyed those holidays with friends who are also family. In addition, City Hall became my favorite place in Toronto because I made many memories during my time here. Finally, spring is here and the days are getting warm. It is time to leave winter jackets and enjoy outdoor activities. Nowadays, my English is better and I know about the Canadian university lifestyle. Therefore, I feel that I am prepared to study at a Canadian university and achieve my next goal. During this time, I have improved my English and acquired the confidence to speak. My instructors identified my deficiencies and they helped me to overcome the obstacle of learning a second language. Toronto is a great city to improve your English and live an experience that will change your life. During the four seasons I have been here, many of my friends left this country. However, our experiences and friendship continue even though they are far away. 9
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Project Day By: Jessica Lim, ELP Program Administrator
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tudents may associate learning with being in a classroom and guided by the teacher. However, Academic English (AE) at the English Language Program (ELP) offers students an opportunity to take control of their own learning through Project Day, a weekly component of the 12-week AE course that focuses on engaging with English in a collaborative and active way both with their fellow students and the community at large. To get a better idea of what they are doing and the skills they are learning during Project Day classes, I spoke to some students about their projects. From these conversations, it is no surprise to find out that personal interest plays a large part in the topics of each group’s project. For example, for a Level-60 group, who have named themselves The Extraordinary Eaters, their personal expertise and experience as chefs framed their project topic on healthy food. This interest-based approach is seconded by The Cowboys, a group of students in Level 50, that is composed of active volunteers. Through connections made with community organizations by volunteering with ELP, they conducted interviews in attempts to gather information on their topic, homelessness. To them, their project is much more than simply listening and taking notes in class. “It’s more than just sitting and reading and writing. In Project Day, you get to use all of the skills you learned in the integrated class. Project Day also teaches you how to deal with different people, and how to be flexible and accepting of others’ ideas,” they said. “I think there is something more than just learning about how to speak English perfectly. You learn more about how to cooperate and have
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a conversation with other people in English, while also respecting their ideas and sharing your own.” From an instructor perspective, this is the goal of the Project Day assignments. According to Project Day instructors, Bill Mboutsiadis and Karen Thomson, during Project Day students take control of their learning and build confidence in the language through these experiences and interactions with each other and the community. “Students are going to practice, use and expand their language through authentic projects, and it also speaks to the idea of experiential learning. There’s so much research that says, ‘doing is learning rather than learning is listening,’ and we want them to develop their learner autonomy— taking control of their learning. It’s building autonomy and responsibility in their learning,” said Bill. Indeed, this autonomy and learning through doing is the crux of the reasoning behind Project Day. In addition to autonomy in the language, it also builds confidence. “The purpose of Project Day is so that students take control of their learning and use English instead of just learning about English. Sometimes, you can teach them about English, but they don’t get true confidence and know that they can use it unless they actually do it,” said Karen. In the following pages, we are excited to highlight a few samples of the Project Day work from many students representing all levels of Academic English. As you will see, students gathered information in all sorts of ways, from visiting and interviewing local businesses, community groups and even conducting informal polls with the University of Toronto community.
Interesting Places By: Academic English (Level 50)
As a part of their Project Day assignments, Academic English students in Level 50 went to community organizations around the University of Toronto campus and conducted interviews and compiled their findings. Here are a few examples. Where is it? Volunteer Toronto is located on 344 Bloor Street West, Suite 404. It is approximately 500 meters away from OISE, just west of Spadina Subway Station. Who should go there? Volunteer Toronto is open to any individual who is interested in finding opportunities. Description: Volunteer Toronto helps individuals find volunteering opportunities that match their needs as well as those of the community. They work with community organizations and other partners in many activities that can help support communities through volunteering opportunities.
VOLUNTEER TORONTO By: Gustavo, Man Su, Phuvadol and Tareq What is it? Volunteer Toronto is a non-profit organization that supports communities by helping volunteers find organizations that need help.
Notable features: Volunteer Toronto helps not only Canadian residents. They also help international students find volunteer opportunities. They have a website that provides a lot of information for individuals interested in volunteering.
this house, it looked like a beautiful French museum. (Also, there was a front desk lady who was very nice and polite!) Who should go there? Not only people who want to learn French are welcomed by this school, but also people who want to have a new experience!
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE By: Can, Shengpei and Yuhang What is it? Alliance Francaise is a school that offers opportunities for everyone to build French language skills. Also, they share and teach about the French culture. Everyone is welcome! Where is it? Alliance Francaise is located in downtown Toronto (24 Spadina Road). The school is a house which is a classical western style. When we walked into
Description: It feels very nice and comfortable when we were sitting in the visiting room. Around us, there were lots of sculptures and beautiful pieces of drawings on the wall. It really makes people feel that this place is about studying the French culture and language. Moreover, there was a nice bookstore which grabbed our attention. Notable features: There are so many activities for improving French skills such as board games, ballet, and music. There are a lot of different levels of French classes in order to help people achieve their different goals. What people say? The director said that there are three elements which makes this French school successful: cultural interaction, art, and education.
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academics Second Cup 324 Bloor Street West Description: There are unique paintings on the walls. The café has a calm atmosphere and music. Review by: Fahad, Yoon and Risako Academic English (Level 40)
Street
The Exchange 95 St. George Street Menu: Options such as salad, fruit, muffins, chicken and rice, coffee, tea, and juice.
Innis Cafe 2 Sussex Avenue
Price range: $1-$10
Description: Quiet, comfortable, good location, with friendly staff, and not too expensive.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m.
Review by: Akari and Najla Academic English (Level 40)
The staff is very busy, but they seem to like their work. Students come here to relax, talk, study, and eat. Review by: Faizah and Rie Academic English (Level 40)
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Café Reznikoff 75 St. George St., Morrison Hall, Main Hall
Description: You can show T-card to get a discount. This small café is near Roberts Library. Students usually go to this café at lunch time. Review by: Ilayda and Prem Academic English (Level 40) 12
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Good Eats Around U of T By: Academic English (Level 40)
As a part of their Project Day assignment, Academic English students in level 40 went in search of some the best cafes and retaurants around the University of Toronto campus. Here’s what they found.
B Espresso Bar 273 Bloor Street West Description: They have some coffee, cold drinks, and some foods such as cookies, sandwiches, and cakes. It has a very comfortable atmosphere because it is quiet and one can hear classical music. This building is in a music school, so people were studying, reading books and talking. The staff was very kind and friendly. Review by: Jayden and Ruka Academic English (Level 40)
Sammy’s Student Exchange Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle Menu: Healthy and fresh food made on site. This includes Halal food.
oad llege R o C ’s King
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le use Circ Hart Ho
Review by: Bahattin, Hakan and Muhannad Academic English (Level 40)
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llege Circ Co l
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8 a.m - 8 p.m Saturday 11 a.m - 3 p.m
Diablos Coffee Bar 15 Kings Collage Circle Description: We love this coffee shop. It is in a historical building which is quiet ,comfortable ,spacious, and relaxing. There are a lot of names of students who have won awards on the walls. There are wooden tables, chairs, and even a piano. The coffee shop was very small but has delicious coffee and baked goods. Staff are very friendly. Review by: Busra, Saleh and Yuto Academic English (Level 40)
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Polls
By: Academic English (Level 60)
As a part of their Project Day assignments, Academic English students in Level 60 conducted polls around the University of Toronto campus. Here are some samples of what they found.
POLL: HOW MUCH TIME DO UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO STUDENTS SPEND ON ASSIGNMENTS AND HOMEWORK EVERY WEEK? Commerce students work harder compared to other faculty students. By: Mohammad, Aibek, and Yugo
quantity and effectiveness of the homework done by university students has been always a topic that many argue about it, professors believe it is necessary for students to do some homework and assignments in order to achieve better results. This survey was done at University of Toronto (Sidney Smith Hall) among 30 students of different faculties. The main approach of the survey was asking a question about their major and how much time they spend on homework and assignments. After the data was collected and analyzed; the results were divided into different sections, according to the major of the students.
According to research, university students depending on their major have a different amounts of homework and assignments. Although, the
POLL: HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU SPEND ON SCREEN TIME PER DAY? Many U of T students spend more than 5 hours per day. By Stacey, Liu Yun, and Essa Amanda Young notes that the number of people using media is increasing. Research describes that students use cell phones, computers, and other electronics for a total of more than seven hours in front of a screen. Moreover, many students consider that looking at a screen for a long time could hurt their eyes. Even though they spend a lot of hours on the screen, they need to study and search many materials on the internet. Many students state that their screen time depends on exams because they use the computer to review their class notes before an exam. However, when not using the computer, students prefer to go to out with their friends.
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The study revealed that students from the Commerce Faculty spend more than 20 hours per week, while the students from Social Science spend less than 5 hours per week. The average result is 13 hours compared to high school which is 17 hours (USA Today College, 2014). Finally, it is necessary to mention that this research was conducted among only a small number of students and it cannot be used for any scientific purposes.
This highly unscientific poll of U of T students was conducted at Victoria College on St. George Campus on January 26, 2017. AMOUNT OF SCREEN TIME (HOURS) PER DAY
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17% 32% 17%
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Conversation Café By: Edith Krohmalnik, ELP Cultural Assistant
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onversation Café is an engaging weekly activity that brings students from many different countries and backgrounds together. The fastest way to learn a language and all of its mannerisms is to immerse yourself in it and its culture, and Conversation Café allows you to do exactly that. Unlike in class, Conversation Café does not grade the students; it is a casual setting where students from different English programs and academic levels come together to discuss different topics every week. Practicing English in a real-life environment like this mimics interactions students might have as they use English outside of class and prepares them for situations they might encounter in which they don’t have the English words they need. Conversation Café prepares you for those situations: it teaches students to think on their feet. As English is an ever-changing language littered with slang, it is vital for students to pick up on it. By interacting with Cultural Assistants during Conversation Café, they can learn slang through casual conversation, and ask questions when they don’t understand things. The best thing about Conversation Café is the experience of being put in unexpected situations and not having predetermined, translated sentences ready for you to access. This allows students to problem solve when they don’t know a specific word, and think on their feet.
Of course, Conversation Café is about more than just making conversation. Students also get to play fun games such as Charades. We play acting games that resemble theatre exercises, in which students act out an English word or activity. Students put themselves out there with these activities, and forge friendships while doing it. I’ve seen students come into Conversation Café strangers, and walk out great friends. As well, when they go back to their home countries, they remain friends with the people they met at the ELP. Students have even Skyped into Conversation Café because they miss students who were still in Canada. They also get to discover places in Toronto that only locals might know about. For example, a few weeks ago when I’d recommended a few places to eat off the top of my head, a student came up to me after Conversation Café ended. She was very interested in an ice cream place I had talked about, famous for its ice-cream cones overflowing with toppings and sauces. I told her more about it and where she could find it. At the next week’s Conversation Café, she came back and showed me pictures of what she and her friend had ordered there! I was delighted that she had had so much fun, and that Conversation Café was able to improve her stay here in Toronto, because our number one priority is always making sure students have the best experience they can have! 15
academics
A Great Photograph...
Photographs by Ilayda Sozal, Ruka Nasu, Parichut Padburee and Saleh Alhuzali (Academic English Level 40)
Photograph by Ruka Nasu
Photograph by Parichut Padburee Photograph by Ilayda Sozal
...tells a story. Photograph by Ruka Nasu
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...shows us something from a different perspective. Photograph by Parichut Padburee
...reminds us of a person, time, or place. Photograph by Saleh Abdulmalik Alhuzali
Photograph by Parichut Padburee
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Fun and Adventure
Winter Camping at YMCA Camp Wanakita By: Dan Pinese, ELP Program Administrator
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n February 24th, 2017, over 40 students from the English Language Program (ELP) boarded two buses and headed 3.5 hours north of Toronto to YMCA Camp Wanakita in Haliburton, Ontario. There, the brave campers participated in activities and games one could only dream of experiencing within the city limits of Toronto. In a jam-packed two days, ELP students went snowshoeing, challenged themselves and their fellow students by attempting (and succeeding) to climb the high ropes, sang songs around the camp fire, and even attempted to put out bonfires (safely) with snowballs in an all-out Capturethe-Flag inspired game called Fire and Ice. There was so much to do and the time simply flew by. It is with great pleasure, I present this feature on the ELP’s annual weekend stay at YMCA Camp Wanakita. The writing and photographs that follow truly represent the experience we all had in the woods northern Ontario: it was vast, inspiring and—as Cultural Assistant (CA) and fellow camper, Christopher Penaranda remembers—magical. From the night hike described later on in this feature by Francesca Campos, to the photographs taken high, high up in the trees, these dramatic and (for most) new experiences offer a taste of the fun and adventure our campers had in the snow.
Photograph by Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong 20
Photograph by Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong
Photograph by Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong
Photograph by Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong21
Photographs by Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong
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Away from the City By: Christopher Penaranda, ELP Cultural Assistant
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inter camp is more than fun winter activities, large breakfasts and camp fires. It’s a relief from the anxieties of city life. Sometimes city life is lonely, it isolates us. But something about being far away from it all, brings people together. I don’t know if it’s the quiet trees or the soothing winds or maybe the fantastic staff at Wanakita but Winter Camp has this magical effect of putting you in reset mode. I think that’s what the activities are meant to do. They are carefully crafted to bring people closer to nature, while creating an environment of mindfulness. One of my favorite activities this year was the snowshoe hike. At one point our leaders asked us to find a spot to meditate and take in all the things that were going on around us: the green pine trees, the chirping birds and cool breeze. That’s the message here, Canada isn’t found in the cities; those you can find anywhere else in the world. It’s the vast outdoors that makes this country so special. So peaceful.
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Photograph by Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong
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The High Ropes
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Snowshoeing
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Photograph by Soukphaxay (Joe) Khamphilavong 26
The Night Hike Adjusting to the Dark By: Francesca Campos, ELP Cultural Assistant
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n the city of Toronto, bright lights always shine even in the middle of the night. Just three hours up north of the city, however, is a completely different story. Camp Wanakita is a place where tall trees cover the horizon rather than towers. Over the weekend, English Language Program (ELP) students had the chance to escape the fast life of the city and embrace the captivating nature Canada offers. The cabins we stayed in were in the middle of the woods so we had to get used to walking around in the darkness. The flashlight on our phones would only get us so far. We had to rely on our eyes to adjust to the shadows of the night. THE NIGHT WALK At camp, our counsellors broke us into smaller groups and led us for a night walk in the forest. They instructed us to turn off our phones and completely absorb ourselves into the vulnerability of the dark. That night, the sky was extra dark because of the grey clouds that hovered over the moon. All we had was the candle to guide us until our counsellor instructed us to form a circle. Then she taught us how to adjust our eyes. They explained that, in the past, pirates wore eye patches to condition their eyes so that they can see in the dark. We did a similar activity where we covered an eye for a few minutes while focusing the other eye on the bright candle. A moment later, we uncovered our eyes and saw the darkness in a different way than before. We could see details of the forest much clearer with shades of grey highlighting one another. We also played a game in the middle of the dark that involved a bat and a mouse. One person would have to be the bat and the other, a mouse. The point of the game was to “see with our ears.” Just like bats, we could locate one another just by listening to the other person’s voice, footsteps, and overall movement. It was a way for us to really appreciate our senses at work. THE BONFIRE On our last night, we had a bonfire right in between the lake and the forest. Students had the chance to share their talent under the illuminating stars and in front of their fellow students. We sang, told stories, and played guitar. It was already a good time, but two ELP students —Tsukina and Rosen—captivated us with their talent. Both women completely improvised a great performance. Tsukina played the djembe (a type of drum), which she had only used once before. With the help of her experience in playing standard drum sets, however, she played an astonishing beat. Rosen, then, danced to the beat beautifully. She danced in accordance to the sound made by the djembe. Together, the duo captured our attention and mesmerized us with music and movement. Photograph by Ruka Nasu 27
activities
Lester Beaver Pearson ELP’s New Mascot By: Dan Pinese, ELP Program Administrator
M
eet Lester, the English Language Program’s new mascot. Named after former Canadian Prime Minister, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and University of Toronto alumnus, Lester B. Pearson, we are proud to welcome this adorable beaver to the ELP team. As you can see, Lester has been quite busy. In the past few months, in addition to visiting the sites in his native Toronto, Lester has visited France, Italy, Taiwan, South Korea and Nepal. Be sure to follow his travels and adventures on ELP’s social media pages. You never know where he will show up next!
Seoul, South Korea
CN Tower, Toronto Paris, France
Chames, Nepal
Milan, Italy
Taiwan
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Kwansei Gakuin University By: Jessica Pinheiro Da Silveira & Edith Krohmalnik, ELP Cultural Assistants
T
his Winter, ELP had the pleasure of hosting another great group from Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU). We had the privilege of accompanying them on many group activities such as the Toronto Trolley Tour, Casa Loma, Niagara Falls and their Graduation Dinner. We got to know their unique, fun and curious personalities and hope that they had as much fun getting to know Toronto as we did getting to know each one of them! Here are what some KGU students said about their experience:
“This experience improved my English and I hope it can help me in the future!”
–Yuna Nishikawa
“The best thing in Toronto is talking with my host family about Canadian life and culture!” –Nanase Segawa
“I will be back!”
“It is just unforgettable that the whole of Toronto was covered with heavy snow!”
– Ting-yu Hsiao
–Misaki Onishi
“My best memory in Toronto was going to Niagara Falls. I was so impressed!”
–Emina Matsumoto
“Toronto is so fascinating place. I could feel the kindness of native people, enjoy delicious dishes, and have various kinds of precious experiences!”
–Keitaro Yagi
Toronto Trolley Tour
“Toronto gave me many great friends!”
–Miki Park
“I had a lot of great times in Toronto. There were unique cultures, food, museums and people. I really love Toronto!”
–Kanae Ichi
“I could try to speak English to a lot of people in Toronto!”
–Shino Ikeda
“My best experience was going to the Royal Ontario Museum because I was able to see a lot of good dinosaurs, armors and exhibits!”
–Hiroki Taguma
Casa Loma
“I am really pleased to have come to Toronto and meet all these great people! Thank you for taking care of us! I love Toronto!”
–Yoshiko Ohara
“Experience which left an impression is that I went to Niagara Falls and it was amazing!”
–Kana Kuroda
“This is a trip that I will never forget!”
–Ayana Ishikawa
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activities
Volunteer Profiles By: Jessica Pinheiro Da Silveira, ELP Cultural Assistant
Kevin Chen
of China
Academic English Level 60
What made you join the Volunteer Program? Did you volunteer in China? Yes I volunteered in China. What made me join volunteering is that I wanted to advance, to communicate with others and being involved in groups that allowed me to meet new people. How often do you volunteer? What do you like about volunteering? I volunteer two to three times a week. Volunteering is a good thing that gives us the opportunity to help people. When they say thank you and show their gratitude, it makes you feel that if you can do something to help others, you should. I just want to help others. What has been your favorite volunteering event and why? 50/50 ticket selling because it was my first volunteering event. I used to be afraid of meeting people but selling 50/50 was the first time that I had a chance to talk and meet with Canadians. They were very friendly and kind and even when I could not speak English fluently they were always very patient with me. Kevin Chen and Rie Fukui
H
ere at the English Language Program (ELP) we offer volunteering opportunities that allow students to get out there and either directly or indirectly help those that need it right here in Toronto. From helping Scott Mission with their food bank to helping raise money for Smilezone to provide more child-friendly hospitals, volunteering offers students an opportunity to learn through helping others. Volunteering, however, would be nothing without the incredible people that take time off their own lives to participate in the volunteering activities. Studying in a new country exposes people to a new culture and reality that can be both exciting and challenging. The overwhelming support we have from the students in this program, the dedication, initiative and leadership, is truly inspiring. This year, two of these students have caught my attention. They have volunteered as much as they could, being present and enjoying the experience of each different volunteer event.
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Q: If you could describe the volunteering in one word, what would it be and why? A: Fantastic. It provides me with opportunities to volunteer and the people are very friendly and make me feel welcomed.
Rie Fukui
talked to students while always learning a new recipe. of Japan
Academic English Level 40 Why do you volunteer? I always keep it in mind that I should do something good for people. If I help someone, the same people might help me. I also like to see people smile, so that is why I try to volunteer. What is your favorite thing about volunteering at ELP? My favorite thing about volunteering at ELP is meeting new people and talking to them. What is the favorite volunteer event you have done so far and why? The Public School Breakfast Program. I love children and cooking. When I joined this volunteering event, I
If you could describe volunteering at the ELP in one word, what would it be and why? Helpful. I help others and it helps me improve my English. Rie and Kevin are only two of the students that make volunteering at the ELP the success it is. I would like to thank everyone who participates and makes every volunteering event as special as they are. As student volunteers, each one of you play an important part in the lives of the people whom you work with. Not only are you helping people when we go to volunteering events, but you also have your impact on me. Your hard work, compassion and commitment motivates me to always be a better person, to always try and be as much of a genuine volunteer as each one of you.
Volunteering at the ELP
By: Jessica Pinheiro Da Silveria, ELP Cultural Assistant & Jessica Lim, ELP Program Administrator At the English Language Program, we have a lot of opportunities for our students to volunteer with organizations around Toronto. Here are just a few of the volunteer outings our volunteers have experienced this season.
THE SCOTT MISSION The Scott Mission is dedicated to helping those in need by providing food and shelter, and empowering others. Our volunteers help with either serving lunch or sorting food that will be given to those who come to the Spadina-based shelter. A very rewarding experience, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: RESTORE Scott Mission exposes the students to the services Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that is available to help others in Toronto. dedicated to building and providing affordable homes. The ReStore is a place in which community members donate building materials which are then sold at a cheaper cost. Students help to ensure that the store is running well. FOODSHARE FoodShare is a non-profit organization that not only provides fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables, but also educates the community about healthy eating. Students help pack food orders that will later be distributed to local markets and food banks across the Greater Toronto Area. MLSE / SMILEZONE FOUNDATION: 50/50 DRAW Both the MLSE Foundation and the Smilezone Foundation are dedicated to helping the lives of children. ELP students work with MLSE and Smilezone at Toronto Raptors (National Basketball Association), Toronto Maple Leafs (National Hockey League) and Toronto Rock (National Lacrosse League) games. Students sell 50/50 tickets, where half of the ticket revenue is donated to the benefiting charity. BLAKE STREET JUNIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL: BREAKFAST PROGRAM While our students volunteer at Blake Street Junior Public School for many of their events, students have been recently assisting with their Breakfast Program. Our volunteers help prepare and serve breakfast for approximately 80 children before school starts. 31
ELP on Instagram #UofTELP
The great #NiagaraFalls.
UofTELP: Another beautiful day volunteering at Evergreen
UofTELP: Happy Halloween Everybody!
UofTELP: Beautiful morning
First stop: winery tour #UofTELP #NiagaraFalls
UofTELP: ELP students getting in the holiday spirit by volunteering at the Holly Jolly Fun Run! Stay tuned for how you can help give back to the community this holiday
#UofTELP students working hard at #ScottMission this morning
UofTELP: ELP students basking in all the amazing things we can find at the ROM!
#UofTELP students at the Cabaret musical tonight.
UofTELP: Wednesdays at the Art Gallery of Ontario
UofTELP: : ELP volunteers fighting the force for Smilezone! Star Wars theme for the Smilezone charity night at the Toronto Rock game!
UofTELP: Snowshoeing, high ropes and fun in the snow at #Wanakita. #UofTELP
UofTELP: Feeling the Christmas spirit here at the Cavalcade of Lights
UofTELP: Skating line with new friends
UofTELP: U of T spirit at Conversation Cafe!!
activities
Seeing the City Through Many Viewpoints By: Stephanie Davis, ELP Cultural Assistant
B
eing a Cultural Assistant, I have been fortunate enough to experience the sights of our beautiful city. I am always excited and grateful that I get to help show them to the English Language Program (ELP) students, who leave the city hopefully loving it as much as I do. This job also enables me to see Toronto and its events through the eyes of visitors. As someone who was raised in Toronto, some of my favourite events so far have been the events where I get to experience something new along with the ELP students. Before working at the ELP, I had never been to Casa Loma, so I had the pleasure of experiencing it with ELP students for the first time. That event was unique and especially memorable because the students and I could bond over sharing our first impressions of a new place together. From exploring the lush Casa Loma rooms to getting lost in the vast gardens, those experiences often remind the students and me that there is so much out there to see, and the ELP is here to help anyone broaden their horizons. After my first time at Casa Loma, I went there again a few more times with other groups of students. Each time I visit I enjoy it even more, through exploring it with many students I’ve seen the castle through all of their eyes! Different students notice different things about the places we visit, whether it be certain aspects of architecture, details in artifacts, or aspects of the city on our way to activities! The students’ unbounded curiosity about new places and things always adds to the experience of visits, which makes them fresh and exciting each time.
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Photograph by Ruka Nasu
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM 252 Bloor Street West, Suite 4-106 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1V6 e: learn.english@utoronto.ca w: learn.english.utoronto.ca SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES 158 St. George Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2V8 t: 416.978.2400 f: 416.978.6666 e: learn@utoronto.ca w: learn.utoronto.ca