English Online (EO) participated in the 25th Annual Conference of Teaching English as an Additional Language to Adults in Manitoba (TEAM) held last May 27, 2016 at the University of Winnipeg. The EO team presented three lecture-workshops which allowed EO to share resources and expertise to educators as well as promote the Live & Learn site as their partner in developing self-directed learners.

One of the most well attended sessions at Friday’s conference was EO’s “5 free top-rated apps for learning ESL” by Natalia Aleko and Johanna Schmidt. Educators were able to download and try out recommended ESL apps which they can recommend to their learners. Apps present a quick and effective way for language learners to learn on-the-go. In the afternoon session, Tatiana Nedelko presented with EO volunteer, Jill Hart on “Mobile apps for effective time management in your classroom and beyond”. In this session, participants were given tips on how to manage time wisely and explored the use of some reminder apps to contribute to general efficiency. Finally, Margarita Berezyanskaya, Blaine Roberts and Len Loza presented “English Online –Your partner in developing learner autonomy” which shared how the Live & Learn site’s open resources can be used by teachers to supplement their EAL/ESL class activities and help their learners self-direct their learning journey.

With theme “Connections”, the conference veered away from its usual Keynote Address to start the proceedings this year. Instead, a panel of experts answered questions sent in by TEAM members as a way of addressing the sector’s current issues and urgent concerns. Featured in the keynote panel were Kerri Caldwell, Director of Red River College’s Language Training Centre (LTC); Teresa Burke, Executive Director of Manitoba English as an Additional Language Organizations (MEALO); Kristie Coates, ESL & Literacy Program Director of Regional Connections; Briar Jamieson, e-learning specialist and former Executive Director of English Online, Inc.; and Scott Poole, Coordinator at the University of Winnipeg’s ESL Teacher Certificate Program. Communications professional, Paul Graham, moderated this question and answer segment of the conference.