TCF-Funded Teaching and Learning Materials

The TCF Awards were established to promote the teaching and learning of English as an additional language. The TEAL Charitable Foundation funded the following outstanding teaching and learning materials.


English for First Aid: Materials Packages for CLB 3-4 and 5-6

Developed by Karla Hiltermann, Mike Mutter, Victoria Surtees, Paula Mannington, and Carolyn MacLaren

The English for Emergency First Aid Materials Package provides newcomers with the key language, conceptual, and self-management skills needed to successfully complete standard Emergency First Aid courses (e.g., Red Cross). The materials were developed and piloted through a collaboration with TESL and First Aid Specialists at the University of the Fraser Valley and English language specialists working with newcomers at Archway Community Services. Designed using insights from trauma-informed teaching, the materials are fully aligned with CLB standards and feature mindfulness activities, over 30 hours of First Aid related content, assessments for all four skill areas, and advice for setting up a trauma-informed learning space.

These resources can be downloaded on Tutela:

CLB 3-4 Package: https://tutela.ca/Resource_45792

CLB 5-6 Package: https://tutela.ca/Resource_46028


H5P Listening Tasks for Stage I Learners

Developed by Calla Lu Zhang  and Natalie Anderson

‘H5P Listening Tasks for Stage I Learners’ was developed by Calla Zhang and Natalie Anderson and features online listening skill-using tasks that are visual, application-based, and align with current best practises for LINC and PBLA surrounding level appropriateness and real-world relevance. Moreover, because H5P activities can be completed by the learner independently and asynchronously, provide automated feedback tailored to specific scores, and allow the learner to review and revisit results, their use in LINC embodies and reinforces the formative, assessment-for-learning principle that is such a prominent component of PBLA. Thus, if set up properly, such activities can, in the words of the PBLA Practice Guidelines(2019), “help learners become more autonomous, self-aware, and responsible for their learning” (p. 9).

With these considerations in mind, Calla Zhang and Natalie Anderson developed 12 H5P listening toolkits focusing on common settlement topics for LINC 1- 4. There are twelve tasks with accompanying skill building activities and paper-based portfolio tools at each level x the 4 LINC levels for a total of 48 skill-using tasks.

To access H5P Listening Tasks for Stage 1 Learners use the following link on tutela.ca

https://tutela.ca/Resource_43489


Talking to Everyone in Canada: LGBTQ+ Fundamentals in EAL                                     

Developed by Emily Salji

LGBTQ+ content can often be a contentious topic in EAL classes. In this presentation, we talk about ways of introducing and including LGBTQ+ people in the EAL classroom as part of a broader initiative to respectful communication with everyone in Canada.

LGBTQ+ Canadians Teachers Manual.pdf(Emily)

LGBTQ+ Canadians Small Talk Slide Show.pdf(Emily)

LGBTQ+ Canadians Small Talk Worksheet.pdf(Emily)

LGBTQ+ Canadians Talk to Everyone in Canada Worksheet.pdf (Emily)


Indigenous Peoples and Canada: Language, History, Survival, and Resilience

Developed by Diana Jeffries

The Indigenous Peoples and Canada resource is a guide with CLB/PBLA activities and assessments for teachers to use in the LINC classroom.  The resource is geared to a CLB 5+ student but can be adjusted for lower levels also. Through the use of new language skills, learning about the Indigenous experiences in Canada, and promoting awareness of some Indigenous cultural practices, immigrants and refugees will gain a deeper understanding of the Indigenous life.   This resource is intended to help newcomers avoid falling into deep-seated settler culture stereotypes and it is my hope that through this resource, teachers can facilitate a greater understanding and respect for Indigenous peoples in Canada.


Mental Health for Everyone

Developed by Natalie Anderson and Alison Heath

Mental Health for Everyone: Thriving through Transitions has been designed to support the vital work that EAL educators do in learning language, supporting settlement and breaking the isolation that newcomers face. This is a PBLA-aligned curriculum for CLB 3 – 8 to help learners to describe their feelings, moods and mental health conditions. The curriculum includes activities to increase access to mental health services in the community and respond to mental health issues of well-being.

Please click here to access this resource: Mental-Health-for-Everyone-Thriving-Through-Transitions-CLB-3-to-8-FINAL.pdf


Literacy Resources

Developed by Linda Peteherych

The written form of English is based on letter-sound relationships. In order for us to read and write we must be able to hear and say the sounds of English (phonemic awareness), we must be able to instantly recognize the letters, words, spaces and punctuation of written English (orthographic awareness), and we must learn the relationships between the two (phonics). These letter-sound linking charts will help instructors to teach phonemic awareness, orthographic awareness, and phonics.

Teacher Notes
24” x 36” colour letter-sound linking chart poster (with bleed edges for professional printing)
24” x 36” colour letter-sound linking chart poster (no bleed edges)
11” x 17”   colour letter-sound linking chart for student binders (with bleed edges for professional printing)
11” x 17”   colour letter-sound linking chart for student binders (no bleed edges)
11” x 17”   black & white letter-sound linking chart for student binders
11” x 17”   black & white letter-sound linking chart for student binders with blanks for date and name


EAL Parent and Caregiver Resource for School Age and Adult Children           

Developed by Diana Jeffries and Indi Kaur

The EAL Parent and Caregiver Resource for School Age and Adult Children is designed to support English language students who have young adult and children. This resource will provide lessons to support language acquisition with a focus on the education system, internet safety and protection for children, along with child and young adult culture in Canada. While helping parents and caregivers navigate through the social and educational systems for children, the resource will help teachers create an inclusive and trauma-informed practice while working with newcomer families.


Promoting Civic Engagement through Intercultural Education and Skilled Volunteering

Developed by Taslim Damji

Promoting Civic Engagement through Intercultural Education and Skilled  Volunteering is designed for LINC/EAL classrooms, volunteer support and employment programs. It prepares newcomers for volunteering and employment opportunities by introducing commonly encountered intercultural challenges in the workplace, providing a framework to support understanding different behaviors and strategizing to respond effectively. There are ten lesson plans in this resource and some simple assessment templates to support PBLA requirements in LINC programs.


Refugee Men’s Health and Well-being:  A Resource for Language Instructors

Developed by Andrea Solnes, Diana Jeffries and Taslim Damji

Refugee Men’s Health and Well-being: Strategies for Language Instructors has been researched and designed to help EAL instructors and male students engage in topics around men’s physical, sexual and emotional health and well-being in a safe, supported way. It offers 8 lessons at approximately CLB 3, including activities and handouts, and a resource list of information, services and EAL resources related to refugee health and well-being.


Newcomer Women’s Health Resource – New Strategies for Women Learning English for Better Health

Developed by Amea Wilbur and Diana Jeffries

The Newcomer Women’s Health Resource is designed to provide strategies and activities for teachers working with immigrant and refugee women-only classes in the settlement EAL sector. There are three parts to the resource with topics covering overall women’s health, gynaecological health needs, and healthy friendships and relationships. There are seven lesson plans and some simple assessment tools that can be used as part of PBLA requirements in a LINC program.


Helping Children Learn – Fun activities to do with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers

Developed by Joan Acosta and Bev Burke

This set of three booklets in easy-to-read English is intended for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone working with young children. Organized by age level, the booklets have simple, everyday activities to help children become successful learners.


CLB 3 and CLB English Language Lessons for the Climb for the Cause

Developed by Joan Acosta, Tanya Cowie and Virginia Christopher

These two lessons were developed to promote the annual TCF fundraising event, ‘Climb for the Cause’ and to explain the importance of fundraising for refugees in need. The lessons are at CLB 3 and CLB 6, and include reading passages and interactive learning activities.

English Language Lesson: Climb for the Cause – CLB 3

English Language Lesson: Climb for the Cause – CLB 6