New to Canada

Every Day is "Family Literacy Day" at the Library!

Every day is "family literacy day" at the library, but today is January 27 - the annual "Family Literacy Day" in Canada organized by ABC Life Literacy Canada. This special day celebrates how adults and children read and learn together, and encourages Canadian families to spend at least 15 minutes daily in reading and learning together.

Check out the many special Family Literacy Day 2012 events at library branches this weekend to celebrate literacy with stories, songs, games and special performances. We share below some more suggestions for fun family literacy activities to do at the library and at home.

 

 

VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRRARY AND FIND GREAT BOOKS:

Toronto Public Library is a great place for children and their families to spend time reading, learning and playing. Cuddle up together with a good book in the welcoming cosy library branches, find a magazine, watch a movie or join for storytime or special event.

The children's librarian will help your kids choose books they like  to read or that you can read aloud to them.  Here is a list of the top ten 2011 Canadian children's books for the youngest readers, selected by Toronto Public Library (and more lists of great first books). For more reading suggestions and ideas - please visit the blog "Growing a Reader: Kids Books, Tips and More" written by our talented children's librarians.

 

ATTEND LIBRARY STORYTIMES:

Have you joined the "Ready for Reading" storytime at your library yet? Parents/caregivers attend with their children under five and all programs are free (some need a registration so check with your library). Storytimes are a lot of fun - come enjoy great picture books, stories, songs, rhymes and crafts (here is a sample video):

 

 

 

CALL THE LIBRARY TO LISTEN TO A STORY IN 14 LANGUAGES! 

"Dial-a-story" at 416-395-5400 - currently you can listen to stories in fourteeen languages 24 hours a day: English, French, Cantonese, Gujarati, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu. The Library's FREE story phone line receives over 300,000 calls every year! 

VISIT - THE LIBRARY WEBSITE FOR KIDS:

tpl.ca/kidsspace is a safe online place for young children to start using the Internet. Kids can listen to a story online, tell a story, send an e-card and find many book lists and homework help.

 

SOME SIMPLE HOME LITERACY ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY AS A FAMILY:

• Read to your kids often and talk about you favourite books and stories.
• In the car - listen to a story (the library has many audiobooks for kids and adults) or read street signs and billboards together.
• Sing songs together and play word games.
• Ask your child to help you write the grocery shopping list and pay the bills together.
• Read and cook a recipe together.
• Write a letter or email to family members abroad

I have a lot of fun with my 4-year-old daughter! We read to her stories in Bulgarian, Polish and English. She likes to help me "read" recipies when we bake her favourite cookies and muffins. She often asks me about the meaning of street signs and we love dancing together to Raffi's children's songs. We play "daycare storytime" - her toy animals and mama sit in a circle and she "reads" a story to us :-)

 

Why not borrow a book to learn some new nursery rhymes, songs and crafts and have fun with your children at home. There are also lots of children's music CDs at the library.

                  

 

Happy Family Literacy Day! What is YOUR favourite "family literacy" activity?

 

Happy Lunar New Year in Canada

Today is the celebration of a new year in the Lunar Calendar. The Lunar calendar follows the phase of the lunar moon, and for those who follow the Lunar Calendar, today is the start of a brand-new year. According to the Chinese Zodiac of the twelve symbolic animals, 2012 is the year of the Dragon.

  
   A lion dance in celebration of Lunar New Year
   [Photo Credit: www.guidingstar.ca and www.dailymail.co.uk]


Did you notice people around you wearing red today? The colour red is thought to bring good luck and fortune in the new year. This is the reason why you will see red pocket money being given away, red fire crackers, red signs with Chinese characters, and lots of red lanterns! You will also notice that some celebrations will include lion dancing - a combination of loud and explosive dance with dragon heads, beating drums, and kung-fu arts. Take a look at a lion dance from last year's Lunar New Year Festival:

                      
                            

Traditional "Good Luck" food for the Lunar New Year include a variety of items like sweet clementines, mandarins and oranges to symbolize luck and new beginnings. Also common are glutinous rice balls with sweet paste, dumplings, fish, noodles, and lots of sweet goodies to share with friends, family, and serve as offerings to the gods.

To learn more about Lunar New Year food, have a look at some of our books:

             


Toronto Public Library has an amazing collection of Lunar New Year books to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, take a look:

  

Looking for more books on Lunar New Year celebrations? Have a look at our Library Catalogue!

There are also many different languages available in our libraries including books, audiovisual materials, and magazines. Look for books in our large collections of Chinese and Vietnamese materials.

Do you read Chinese magazines? Toronto Public Library also has Chinese e-magazines available for customers with a library card. Have a look at this great database from the comfort of your own home.

Did you also know that the library has programs conducted in Chinese? Here is a list of programs and events including Cantonese bookclubs, workshops for newcomers, English-learning classes, and recreational programs.

Today is a celebration of all things new, red, and culturally symbolic of Asian culture.
Happy Lunar New Year, everyone!

               
                   Traditional Lunar New Year food and delicious sweet glutinous rice sesame balls
                   [Photo Credit: ifood.tv and Dessert First blog]

Welcome to Winter! Part 2: How to be Winter Safe

Now that you know of all the great things that can be done during the winter season in Toronto, it’s important to understand some of the risks and dangers of colder weather.

With temperatures in Canada dropping, there are a few tips that are important to know in order to have a fun and safe winter.

Driving
With all the snow and ice on the roads, car maintenance and safe driving become crucial for safety reasons.

Drivers are encouraged to prepare their vehicles by getting a winter-ready check-up. It’s always advised to bring your vehicle into an automotive shop to get a complete check to the car including battery, ignition system, lights, brakes, and tires in case anything may need replacing.

               
            [Photo Credit: Ontario Ministry of Transportation]

This also means having proper snow tires to grip the icy roads, having sufficient windshield washer fluid and proper brushes to clear off any ice and snow from obstructed views are important to have ready.

Another safety tip for drivers to consider is having a winter survival kit ready, in the car, for any unpredicted situations. Find items in a recommended kit here.

                           
                            [Photo Credit: Ontario Ministry of Transportation]

Lastly, with winter driving it’s always safest to be alert and drive carefully!

 

Home 
Another factor to consider in the winter is home maintenance. With colder temperatures outside, it’s important to eliminate drafts coming into the home by insulating your windows and doors. In the average home, heat can escape through drafts and openings, so proper insulation and weatherproofing techniques can help save money and protect the home from the cold.

 Toronto Public Library also has many recommended websites for home maintenance, including insulation, weather proofing, and home care.

                    

Check out some of the books that your library has on weatherproofing and making your home warm, dry, and safe from the elements of winter. For even more books, visit the Toronto Public Library catalogue!

Health
Finally, it’s important to understand that with the winter season, temperatures will drop to averages of -8 degrees Celsius with possible extreme cold alerts of -15 degrees Celsius or lower. Extreme weather conditions, such as ice storms, heavy snow, freezing rain, or blizzards may also be forecasted, so it’s always a good habit to check the local weather reports before going out.

This also means that winter season is “cold and flu season,” the time of year when people are prone to developing cold and influenza illnesses. To find out how to treat these symptoms, see Body and Health Canada’s Fighting Cold and Flu Season or click into one of our Health databases with your library card.

You can also browse through the many books that the library offers to keep you and your family healthy all year long.

    

Click onto Toronto Public Library's Health and Wellness Blog to find out more about Flu season.


There are many things you can do to have an enjoyable and safe winter season in Canada. Visit your local library for a warm and relaxing day or spend a day outside and use extra precaution when the weather is cold!

Don't forget to check out part 1 of our blog in the same series: Welcome to Winter! Part 1: How to Fight the Winter Blues

What's one tip you would share to someone new to Canada's winter season?

Welcome to Winter! Part 1: How to Fight the Winter Blues

 

Winter in Canada is not easy.

Many newcomers prepare themselves for their new life in Canada by learning English or preparing for the Citizenship Test, but few think about the skills they will need to survive the cold Canadian winter.

That is why we are introducing the Welcome to Winter! series. In the next three weeks, we will talk about the skills you will need to survive the winter in Canada. This week's topic is "How to Fight the Winter Blues."

 Photo credit: http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2011/skating.htm   

 

How to Fight the Winter Blues

First comes the cold, then the shorter days, and then the snow. Winter seems to make everyday life a little more challenging. It takes longer to get anywhere because of all the ice and slush. It takes longer to get dressed because of all the layers of clothing you have to put on. The days are shorter, it get's darker faster, and it makes you feel like your whole day is gone before it has even started!

Because of all the challenges and obstacles winter brings, it's hard not to get depressed. But don't let the Winter Blues get you down!

Here are some suggestions on how you can fight the winter blues:

 

1. Play Winter Sports!

Canada is home to many winter sports! Some of the most commonly enjoyed winter sports activities in Canada include hockey, skiing and snowboarding, skating, and tobagganing. Toronto Parks and Recreation offers drop-in hockey programs. There are also two Skiing and Snowboarding Centres located in Toronto and many other popular and well-known ski resorts located outside Toronto.

One of my favourite winter activities is outdoor skating. My two favourite outdoor skating rinks are at Nathan Phillips Square, located in front of City Hall, and the Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink, where you can skate to DJ music every Saturday night! Another one of my favourite winter activities is tobogganing! Two of my favourite tobogganing hills are located at Christie Pits and Bert Robinson Park.                        

Want to learn more about winter sports? Check out these items available from the Toronto Public Library!                                                                                                               

                          

                                       

 

2. Enjoy Local Winter Festivals and Events!

During the winter many people escape to sunny destinations. But if you don't have the time or money to take a trip to a warmer climate, there are many winter festivals and events that you can enjoy in and around the city. One of the most popular winter events in the city is Winterlicious (Jan. 27 - Feb. 9), a winter food festival where you can enjoy a "fixed price" menu at various restaurants around Toronto. Another great winter event is the Bloor-Yorkville Ice Fest (Feb. 25 - 26), where you can view beautiful ice sculptures and even watch an ice carving competition! 

         Photo credit: http://www.bloor-yorkville.com/Events.aspx 

If you can travel outside the city, there are many other wonderful winter festivals and events such as Ottawa's Winterlude festival (Feb. 3 - 20), where you can skate on the world's largest skating rink and play in North America's largest snow playground, and the Bronte Creek Maple Syrup Festival, where you can sample some great Canadian maple syrup.  If you're feeling really adventurous you can visit Quebec City's famous Winter Carnaval (Jan. 27 - Mar. 31) or the Snow Village in Montreal (Jan. 6 - Mar. 31). 

If you want more information on things to see and do in the winter, Ontario Travel is a great resource! Check out their Winter Getaways Magazine.                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (Photo credit: http://www.ontariotravel.net/TCISSegmentsWeb/main.portal?language=EN)        

 

You can also learn more about winter festivals and activities by checking out the many travel guides available from Toronto Public Library. Here are some suggestions:

                                   

3. Visit Your Local Library

And finally, visit your local library! Your local library has many activities to keep you busy during the long winter months. Toronto Public Library offers many winter programs to choose from! Check out Toronto Reference Library's Winter Afternoon at the Movies program, or  Yorkville's Winter Family Storytime. Whether it's cozying up with a good book, or taking part in one of our wonderful programs, you're sure to find something at your local library to help you pass away the winter.

Below are some books available from the Toronto Public Library that prove that winter can be beautiful:

    
                                                          

With all these fun activites and things to do, winter doesn't seem so bad after all!

Share your ideas with us! How are you going to fight the Winter Blues?

Nick Noorani's 7 Success Secrets for New Immigrants

The founder of Canadian Immigrant magazine, Nick Noorani, is coming to the Toronto Reference Library on Wednesday, January 11 to talk about his secrets to success in Canada. 

Mr. Noorani was born in Mumbai, India and came to Canada in 1998 with international experience in advertising and marketing, but faced the same challenges familiar to all immigrants.  In 2000, he wrote the book Arrival Survival Canada, a guide to immigrating to Canada, Canadian Immigrant in 2004.  He then went on to found the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards.  He has hosted his own radio show and has started up other businesses and enterprises.

He is a celebrated entrepreneur and businessman with lots of experience and knowledge to share. 

Wednesday, January 11
2:00 - 4:00 pm

Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street
(1 block north of Bloor)
in the Beeton Auditorium, 1st floor

And .... why not borrow Nick Noorani's book Arrival Survival Canada from the library ?

 

 

 

 

 

The New Parent & Grandparent Super Visa: Changes in Canadian Immigration Family Sponsorship

Starting December 1, 2011 - the Canadian government is introducing the new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which will be valid for up to 10 years and will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status. Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants will be required to obtain private Canadian health-care insurance for their stay in Canada.

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) "the Super Visa is super great because processing will be quick and it will respond to a genuine need."

Tom Pang, President of The Chinese Canadian Community Alliance is quoted in the most current CIC press release, November 28, 2011: "Indeed, if they only want to come to Canada to be with their family, then all we need to do is to give them an extended visa. They will pay for their own transportation, their own health insurance, their own living expenses. That way we solve the backlog problem and they get to be united with their family."

 

                   

 

CIC has recently announced "Phase I of Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification" to help to cut the backlog and wait times for sponsored parents and grandparents. This means important changes for immigrant families in the family sponsorship program. Some of these changes include:

• As of November 5, 2011, no new applications to sponsor parents or grandparents will be accepted by CIC for processing for up to 24 months. (This does not affect sponsorship applications for spouses, partners, dependent or adopted children and other eligible relatives.)

• This is a temporary pause to prevent the build-up of an unmanageable number of new applications during these consultations and to further reduce the 165,000-strong backlog of parent and grandparent applicants.

• The government will consult Canadians on how to redesign the parents and grandparents program to ensure that it is sustainable in the future.

 

                   

According to The Globe and Mail: "About 6 per cent of all immigrants to Canada are parents and grandparents of existing immigrants. But family-unification applications have far outstripped available spaces, creating a backlog of 165,000 applicants and wait times of seven years, which will lengthen to 10 years by 2018 if there are no changes."

 Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney says: We ask those people to be patient, to use the new super visa that we're offering them so mom and dad can come and visit the grandkids in Canada for an extended period, allow us a bit of time to get the backlog down, speeding up the wait times, and open up the redesigned program in two years time."

 

More news articles about the new Canadian Super Visa for parents and grandparents:

• Government of Canada to Cut Backlog and Wait times for family reunification - Phase I of Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification, News Release, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, November 4, 2011.

• Super Visa Earns Rave Reviews, News Release, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, November. 28, 2011.

•  Immigration Minister Hits Pause on Family Reunification Applications, The Globe and Mail, November 4, 2011.

• Canada: A Nice Place to Visit But You Can't Appy to Live Here, Toronto Star, November 4, 2011.

• Kenney Tackles Parents Immigration Backlog, CBC News, November 4, 2011.

 

                    

 

 

 

 

Conversations in Canadian English for English Learners

Learning to speak English in Canada is no easy task to do. The process can be hard and challenging when there are many factors to consider when conversing. After learning and understanding proper English, there is a whole other world of English slang words, cliches, and idioms that you will need to be aware of when speaking and listening to Canadian English.

What do these expressions mean? With the help of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Slang: "Slang words are an informal nonstandard vocabulary of words." Meaning that they are words or informal phrases that are casually spoken and often adopted into a group or culture. For example, calling something "cool", "hip", or "hot" means it is very popular.

Clichés: "A cliché is a phrase or expression that has become overly familiar or commonplace." Meaning that these phrases have been used much too often, to the point where it has lost it's impact. For example, "there are plenty of fish in the sea," is an expression that is often used to describe that there are many opportunities available everywhere.

Idioms: "An idiom is part of the language that is peculiar to a people, district, community or class." Meaning that phrases and expressions could be something other than what the words literally mean. For example, someone who "gets cold feet" does not mean that the temperature of their feet has dropped, but rather it means that they are nervous instead.

 

These varying expressions may seem foreign, unfamiliar, and even ambiguous to those who are learning English, but with time and lots of conversational practice, you can 'get the hang' of all these expressions. Another great way to do this is by joining an English Conversation Circle at your local public library!

 

                [image credit: Gabriel J. Suarez's Blog]

To help familiarize your vocabulary, I have posted 12 common expressions used by Canadians, offered by Canadian Immigrant, have a look at their website to see the complete A-Z list:


1. Actions speak louder than words
In other words, what a person actually does is more important than what they say they will do.

2. American dream
The “American dream” is the reason why so many immigrants come to North America. The United States especially prides itself as a democratic place where people have the right to good education, freedom, peace and a rich life — if they work for it. 

3. Eh
Canadians are known worldwide for tacking on the word “eh” to sentences, turning them into a bit of a question — for example, “That was a good hockey game last night, eh?”

4. Fingers crossed
Keeping your “fingers crossed” means that you are hoping for good luck or a happy outcome in a situation.

5. Jack of all trades
A “Jack of all trades” is a person who can do many different kinds of work well.

6. Loonie/Toonie
Unlike many other countries, Canada has its own nicknames for its money. The “Loonie” is a $1 coin (which usually features the image of a loon), while a “Toonie” is the term used for the $2 coin (because it rhymes with “Loonie”). 

7. Needle in a haystack
To find a thin “needle in a haystack” is almost an impossible task. Thus, anything that seems impossible to find is lost like a needle in a haystack.

8. On cloud nine
When she got her citizenship, she was “on cloud nine.” That is, she was really happy and excited about it. 

9. Raining cats and dogs
This phrase is used when you want to express that it is raining very heavily outside. For instance, “This summer was not good because it was ‘raining cats and dogs’ on many of the weekends.”

10. Start from scratch
Many newcomers to Canada have to “start from scratch.” This phrase denotes that something needs to be started from the beginning, regardless of the previous work that has been done.

11. Under the weather
If you’re feeling under the weather, it simply means you’re feeling a little sick, whether the weather is rain or shine.

12. Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
To wear your heart on your sleeve is to show your emotions openly.

 

Slang words, clichés, and idioms are all expressions that can be hard for an English learner to understand. Aside from all the great resources available out there, such as the Using English website with their lists of English Idioms, Toronto Public Library also has lots of books and resources that can help you!

                  
   For more books on Slang          For more books on clichés          For more books on idioms

 

What is your favourite expression?
Mine is, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," meaning all of the tougher experiences you go through, will help you grow and make you smarter & stronger for the next time.

 

Joyful Citizenship Ceremony at the Library

The Toronto Reference Library hosted a Citizenship Ceremony on Friday, October 21.  Sixty candidates and their friends and family came, up to two hours early, to share in the excitement of becoming Canadian citizens.  The ceremony was held in the beautiful atrium of the Library, where library patrons and staff could enjoy watching the ceremony. 

After the ceremony, there was a reception with a spectacular cake made by a talented staff person.

People took pictures of each other with Citizenship Judge Patricia Phenix and the RCMP Mounted Police Officer, in his full dress uniform while they enjoyed the cake.

Many onlookers told the staff that the ceremony brought back happy memories of their own Citizenship ceremonies, while others told us that they were delighted to witness such a ceremony for the first time.  Lots of people told us that it was a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to be Canadians!

English Conversation Circles at Toronto Public Libraries

English Conversation Circles at the Toronto Public Library are great opportunities for those seeking to practise their English conversational skills. Participants from beginner to experienced are present to improve, help, and interact with one another by practising English phrases, making new friends, focusing on particular topics, and simply learning about the library.

These programs are available at many branches throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Locate a branch near you! Note that *you must be at least 18 years of age and have landed immigrant or refugee status to participate.

Flemingdon Park Library is one such branch that hosts a successful English Conversation Circle. The coordinator of this program had agreed to share their thoughts and experiences with me through the following:

“We host a full house of eager participants each class. The newcomers love
the welcoming and supportive environment and feel at ease when sharing
exciting stories and practising the English language.”

The participants gain a great deal by being a part of a positive and encouraging environment, “the program helps in building their vocabulary, strengthening their confidence and allowing their enthusiasm to shine.”

[Photo Credit: Staff @ Flemingdon Park Library]
This photo depicts an evening of conversation with the participants of the Conversation Circle.

“Many of them are excited and eager to start their life in Canada and
appreciate having an environment where they can openly discuss and
learn about assimilating into the Canadian culture."

Branches throughout the library system may run the English Conversation Circle differently, either by incorporating a different aspect or skill such as a handicraft into the program, by focusing on a different theme or career-specific area such as business professionals, or even by age group. Despite all these differences, the goals and intentions of the program are all the same and participants all enjoy the real interactions with one another.

[Photo Credit: Staff @ Flemingdon Park Library]
Flemingdon Park Library's participants of the English Conversation Circle.

“In addition, the Question & Answer period at the end of each class
allows participants to share their experience as newcomers and
develop connections with others in the program.”

I am told that this program is one of Flemingdon Park Library’s most popular adult program! English Conversation Circles run year round and can be found at most library branches. Thank you to the Flemingdon Park Library's English Conversation Circle for allowing me to share their success with all our readers!

Do you belong to any English Conversation Circles? What are your experiences?
Share them here!

Did you know that there are many other Newcomer & ESL programs available to you?
Check them out!

LSP Day 2011 and Newcomer Human Libraries @ TPL!

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) will be hosting an annual celebration of Settlement Workers with Toronto Public Library at all the LSP Branches on Friday October 21, 2011 and Saturday October 22, 2011.

The following branches will be celebrating this day with lots of fun activities including: storytimes, crafts, informative programs, and Newcomer Human Libraries!

 
[Photo credits: www.lsp-peb.ca from 2010 LSP Day]

Check it out!

Friday October 21, 2011
Agincourt Branch from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Albion Branch from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Bloor/Gladstone Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Centennial Branch from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Gerrard/Ashdale Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Yorkwoods Branch from 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday October 22, 2011
Albert Campbell Branch from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Bridlewood Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Flemingdon Park Branch from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Morningside Branch
Parkdale Branch from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
Parliament Street Branch from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Richview Branch from 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
Riverdale Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thorncliffe Branch from 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.

 

 
[Photo credits: www.lsp-peb.ca from 2010 LSP Day]

What is a Newcomer Human Library?

The Newcomer Human Library is unique to LSP Day and will be a great event that should not be missed. 

The Newcomer Human Library will include human books that are either recent immigrants or established immigrants in Canada. These individuals are here to share their experiences in Canada with you.

You will be able to sign out a human book and have a one-on-one conversation with this individual in a quiet space inside the library. Human books are multilingual so you will also have the option of selecting a language other than English.

Meet a person with a unique story to tell and discover what it's like to walk in their shoes.

Library branches hosting a Newcomer Human Library are:
Yorkwoods, Parkdale, Thorncliffe, and Centennial Branch.

 

 
 [Photo credits: North Norfolk News and Winnipeg Public Library]


Have you ever checked out a Human Book?
Did you like it? How did it feel? Would you do it again?