Peter’s High Intermediate class decided to practice interviews. Here is an example of what they wrote about their classmate Thomas: Thomas Vigier was born in Lyon (France) in 1995. Last June he finished his high school studies and he will start Economic Studies at Lyon University in September. He hasn’t lived very long, but he has lots of thing to tell us. 1. If you could go on a date with a celebrity, which one would you choose? I would choose Penélope Cruz because I think she is very beautiful. (And of course because she is Spanish…) 2. How many times do you want to get married? I don’t know… maybe NEVER. I don’t want to get married. I’m too young to think about those things. Now I’m focusing on video games. 3. If you could travel back in time, where and when would you go? I would go to the Western era, the 1800s. I would like to wear a hat without its having to be a beret. I hate berets. The beret is a stupid hat. 4. What was the craziest dream ever? One time I dreamt I was flying naked with a flight of panda-birds and I crashed into the Eiffel Tower.  5. If you had $1,000,000, what would you do? I would travel all around the world and I’d keep part of the money to invest and earn more money. 6. If tomorrow was your last day, what would you do?  I would do something crazy, like go bungee jumping, go paragliding, or get married…  7. What song reminds you of your first love? “Stand by me” by Ben E. King. I remember the first time I sang it to my ex-girlfriend in the festival of Lyon. It was amazing. 8. What is your most attractive … Read more

Every Friday, EC Toronto celebrates and congratulates as students reach the end of their studies and prepare to move on. We hear comments like: ‘Everyone here has been so friendly and helpful.” ‘My teachers were awesome!” “This place has been my home for the past 6 months; I don’t really want to leave.”   Although we are sad to see them go, we rejoice in their success, and share their sense of accomplishment. At EC Toronto, we are aware of the  freedom and opportunities that their new-found knowledge of the English language will bring them.  We really believe our mission statement: we are helping students succeed in a global community.    

At EC Toronto, we have been offering a full-time teacher training program under the Cambridger umbrella for many years. Starting this September, we are offering a new part-time CELTA course in Toronto. EC Toronto’s part-time CELTA programme starts on September 10 and runs for 12 weeks ending on November 30. Lessons are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings plus six Saturdays. The Cambridge CELTA, which stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, is an initial credential for teachers of English as a foreign language. It’s perfect for people who have little or no teaching experience. Cambridge ESOL also works with international English Language Training organisations to ensure the acceptance of CELTA globally. CELTA covers methodology and techniques used in both TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). CELTA is often called an ELT (English Language Teaching) certificate because it is applicable to all types of English language teaching. Teachers who have gained their CELTA can teach English all around the world. If you want to travel and teach, a CELTA certificate will open a lot of doors to you. EC Toronto also offers full-time, 4 week CELTA courses throughout the year. See course dates and fees on our website at www.ecenglish.com and go to the Teacher Training tab.  

What do you know about Brazil? Carnival, soccer, beautiful people and samba??? Now you have a chance to explore Brazilian culture without leaving Toronto. You can’t miss the Brazilfest!!! This is the 10Th  anniversary.  The festival is filled with music, dance, crafts and workshop. And the main attraction is the Brazilian food! Many stands where you can taste typical Brazilian food like churrasco (Brazilian barbecue); pamonha; feijoada; pastel; … and lots of refreshing drinks. Don’t forget to try “Caipirinha”, Brazil’s national cocktail drink, mixing lime, sugar and Brazilian Cachaca (Brazilian liquor) if you are age 19+!   When: Sunday, 21st of July What time: from 12:00pm – 10:00 pm Where: Earlscourt Park located at St. Clair Ave West and Caledonia Road Directions:  http://goo.gl/maps/gFrN1 (take the 47 bus from Lansdowne Station or take the streetcar west from St Clair station) Cost: FREE   Bring your friends and taste the flavour of Brazil!!!

Today’s topic is something that every single EC Toronto student knows once they have landed in Toronto… Do you wonder what is it? TTC! Here is a staple in the beautiful and great city of Toronto! Its name? TTC! A bit of history… Founded in 1921, the Toronto Transportation Commission is a public transport agency that operates in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The TTC services are composed of buses, streetcars, light rail transit, and the fantastic subway, of course! …Until today! Nowadays, the TTC is one of the most efficient public transportation companies in the world. And it operates the third most heavily used urban mass transit system in North America (after New-York and Mexico City). The TTC comprises four rapid transit lines Northbound-Southbound / Westbound-Eastbound (commonly called the Yellow and Green lines) with a total of 69 stations, as well as over 149 bus routes and 11 streetcar lines, of which 148 routes make 243 connections with a rapid transit station during weekday rush hours. The TTC is directed by Andy Byford and has a team of over 12,000 employees. In October 2008, the company was named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc. So relax and enjoy your trip to school every day! Just ride the ‘Red Rocket’ to the Eglinton station on the Yonge line, walk 5 minutes west, and you are here! Your EC Toronto team   Some numbers: Average daily ridership is 2.76 million passengers (WOW!) 528 million ridership projected in 2013 (more WOW!) Average speed: subway: 70 kph Street car: 55 kph Bus 60 kph

Do you know our lost and found box? At   EC Toronto we have a ‘lost and found’ box, fortunately! Because sometimes our lovely students have their little heads in the clouds and lose a lot of things: Umbrellas, phones,   jackets, pencil cases, hats, thermos bottles… Did you lose something recently? Come to see us to the Office and tell us what it is! Maybe we have it!

Every day, EC Toronto tries to find new ways to provide better and better study conditions for its students. That’s why we are glad to introduce two extra classes: the Conversation Club and the Homework Club:     The Conversation Club:  Sometimes, some students don’t feel confident and can have difficulty speaking English outside of their class.  With the Conversation Club, we offer our students the possibility to practice their English with a native speaker, and to apply what they learned in class in a friendly environment.  Indeed, the more you use English, the better your English speaking will be. The Homework Club: This class allow our dear students to have help with their homework and to boost their progress. One of our teachers will offer homework help for students, correcting their mistakes and pointing students in the right direction. All these tips will be really useful in order to improve your English level quickly.  These two extra classes are free for all EC Toronto students and will begin the week of July 8. The Conversation club will be on Mondays at 3:45 and run for 50 minutes. The Homework club will be on Wednesdays at 3:45 and run for 50 minutes as well. Space is limited, so register quickly at the office!   Your EC Toronto Team