SAHLA 2019 Languages Education Symposium

SAHLA 2019 Languages Education Symposium: 

“Languages Learning: Alberta Asset for Education, Multiculturalism,  and Career Development” 

Saturday October 26, 2019, 9:30 am – 3pm 

Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre, 2120 – 16 Avenue NE 

Keynote Speaker: 

Hon. Jason Luan, MLA Calgary Foothills 
Alberta Associate Minister, Mental Health and Addictions 

Acknowledgements: Alberta Education 

AGENDA 

9:00 am – Registration / Breakfast open 

9:40 am – Symposium Opens. Host: Michael Gretton, Coordinator, SAHLA 

Welcome from SAHLA – Michael Embaie, President, SAHLA 

10 am Session I 

University of Calgary Continuing Education: Teaching Second Languages (TSL) Professional Development Program. 

Presenter:  Anca Roman Instructor, 

University of Calgary, Continuing Education 

Host:  Lily Lee, Director, SAHLA 

In this presentation, we will review the Teaching Second Languages program at the University of Calgary through a review of the courses offered as well as through the voices of past and present course participants.  Learn how taking professional development courses in teaching second languages will enhance the skills you already have as a language educator and how these courses will help inform your own teaching practice. Discover how taking TSL courses can broaden the art and the science of teaching languages.   

Anca Roman holds a Masters degree in Education (TESL specialization) from University of Calgary. She has worked with newcomers to Canada, mostly as a LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) teacher for 20 years. For the past 6 years she has also been teaching two courses in communication at the Faculty of Continuing Education.     

11 am Session II  Workshop: Include Me! Attending to the Affective Filter in Language Classes 

This presentation will focus on strategies that minimize the affective filter – that which can ease or challenge the development of language. Discussion and activities will promote the concepts of inclusion, identity, communication, collaboration and care.  

Presenter: Constantine Ioannou, International Languages Educators’ Association (ILEA). 

-Host:  Malik Muradov, Director, SAHLA 

Constantine Ioannou is an internationally recognized teacher and teacher trainer with over a quarter century experience in language teaching and learning. He works as a program director for international projects and exchanges for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Constantine is a former teacher, curriculum supervisor and materials writer for English and International Languages and serves as Executive Director of ILEA (international languages educators’ association) Ontario.   He is an active teacher trainer for Canadian ESL and international language teachers and international teachers of English.  

12:00 pm lunch served. 

12:15 pm SAHLA Keynote Address: Michael Embaie, President SAHLA 

Michael Embaie was born in Eritrea (East Africa or Horn of Africa) and came to Canada in 1983.  Michael has a Bachelor and a Master of Social Work Degree with specialization in Policy and International Social work from the University of Calgary.  Michael completed the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Law program, and as a result is a licensed regulated Immigration Consultant in Canada. Michael completed a graduate course (Diploma) in International Law and Protection of Refugees at York University, Toronto, Ontario.  Michael worked for the federal Government of Canada, Department of Immigration and Refugee Board for 25 years as Chief of Research and Documentation Centre for the Prairie Region (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba); and as a Tribunal Officer and Dispute Resolution Officer for Western Canada. Michael has been teaching graduate and undergraduate courses as a Sessional Instructor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work & Dept. of Sociology for 17 years. Michael also worked for the United Nations for seven years as a Resettlement Consultant & Training Expert.   

12:30 pm Keynote Speaker: Jason Luan, MLA Calgary Foothills 

Minister Luan was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Calgary-Foothills on April 16, 2019. He previously served as an MLA for Calgary-Hawkwood (2012-2015). 

Married to his wife, Ms. Fengying Zhang for 34 years, Jason Luan has two daughters. Graduating from the University of Calgary with a Masters of Social Work in 1990, he has dedicated his career to public service, promoting healthy families, strong communities and economic prosperity.  

He served in a variety of roles in provincial and municipal governments including as a child protection worker, a social planner, a manager and as a senior counsellor. 

Jason Luan has also managed funding for nonprofit social service agencies for over 20 years. He co-chaired the Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary (2006-2012) and served on the Calgary Council on Mental Health and Addictions from 2017 to 2018. He is proud to have made a difference in many lives throughout his professional services and community volunteering, and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for community services. 

Jason Luan was appointed as the Associate Minister for Mental Health and Addictions on April 30, 2019. His extensive experience in working with those suffering from addiction makes him uniquely positioned to handle the key commitment to address the opioid epidemic in Alberta. 

1:00 pm Session III – Community Language School Panel Session  

Principals from 6 different language schools will share some highlights about their school programs including brief history, purpose of school, number of students/teacher/volunteers, curriculum, activities, challenges and successes. 

Host: Aurora Dacanay, Secretary, SAHLA 

-School for East Indian Languages and Performing Arts (SILPA) – Maheen Kapadia, President 

-Calgary Italian School – Luigi de Somma, Principal 

-CNCA Nepali School – Rashmi Dhaubhadel, Principal 

-Greek Community School of Calgary – Vasiliki Koutrouyopi, Principal 

-Libyan School – Emhemmed Youssef, Principal 

-Yoruba Language School – Bola Abe, Administrator 

-Yu Feng Chinese School – Wenshan Zhang, Principal 

2:15 pm Session IV – Discussion around Common school challenges and solutions: 

Host: Michael Gretton, Coordinator, SAHLA 

-Accounting/Reporting (Ram Chengkalath, CPA, CA) 

-School management, operations, fundraising 

-Curriculum development and assessment 

-Collaboration with country of origin, other cities and provinces 

-Roles and responsibilities of principals, teachers, parents and volunteers. 

2:55 pm – Closing remarks 

3:00 pm – Symposium Close