New to Canada

Participate in the Many Cultural Festivals - As Toronto Public Library Celebrates Asian Heritage Month!

This year Toronto Public Library celebrates Newcomers and Asian Heritage Month with the whole package, featuring storytellers, authors, chefs, dancers, reporters, artists, drummers, painters, singers, designers and musicians, each bringing us a taste of many exotic cultures right here in our city.

Everything is free so come out and join in the fun at many branches which are proudly hosting mini-festivals. In order not to miss any of the events, you may pick up your Asian Heritage Month Program Guide and Reading List from your nearest branch.

Agincourt Library's "China Homelands Festival" is action-packed for Saturday, May 4, from 10 am-4:30 pm with the following highlights: 

Children's Storytime; A Lion Dance presentation; Chinese Calligraphy; Oriental Food and Tea sampling; "The Chinese in Canada-One Reporter's Odyssey" featuring Jan Wong; Evolution of Chinese food in Toronto, "From Chop Suey to Peaking Duck ..." by Arlene and Leo Chan. 

You may not want to miss the following: Download Agincourt Library 2013_Asian Heritage Month :

Chinese Tea (Pu-Ehr) Workshop (on May 6th @ 6:30pm); the South Asian Cuisine Tasting Table (on May 14th @ 2pm) featuring Toronto's amazing chefs, Karen Johnson & Ronica Sajnan; plus the Asian Seniors Celebration featuring Fok Dancing and Hakka Cooking Demonstration (on May 31st @ 1pm), all of which will be held at Agincourt library. Registration is required as space is limited.

You are encouraged to visit all of our branches mentioned below, and enjoy our free programs:

"Belly Dancing & Japanese Doll Making" at Woodside Square

"Asian Henna & Paper Fan hands-on Crafts" at Bridlewood

Chinese Brush Painting" at Albert Campbell

"Timar-Salek -Persian Indonesian fusion music concert" & "Henna Hand Painting" at College/Shaw

 "Feng Shui and the Environment" at Burrows Hall; 

"Oniroku Puppet Show and Origami" at Danforth/Coxwell

"Japanese Taiko Drumming Concert" at North York Central

"Pan-Asian Celebration -Ghazal, wadoks, mendhi..." at York Woods

"Hula Girls" at Queen/Saulter

"East Indian Family Night Puppet Show" at Long Branch;

"Tai Chi" at Riverdale; 

"Toronto Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir" at Goldhawk Park

"South Asia Homelands" at Cedarbrae; "West Asia Homelands" at Brentwood; "East Asia Homelands" at Malvern; "Pan Asian Food Fusion Festival" at Downsview; "Community Asian Arts Fusion Festival" at Palmerston; "Chinese Cultural Festivals" presented in partnership with Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture, at Riverdale (Brush painting with Dr Lien Chao), Sanderson (photography workshop presented in English and Cantonese by Tam Kam Chiu) and Toronto Reference Library, featuring Michael Cormier in conversation with journalist Jan Wong, discussing his new book, "The Legacy of Tiananmen Square."

This year's Program Guide  has included a Recommended Reading List of some popular Asian authors for all age groups. Here's a selection that would engage you and zap you into another world ...

Adults:

              

 

Teens:

      

 

Children:

     

For more information on this topic click here.

Toronto Public Library hopes that the Asian Heritage Month experience will be an enjoyable and meaningful one for you this year. We would certainly appreciate your feedback as to which programs you have enjoyed the most!

 

Register for adult ESL classes at the library and much more!

The new school year starts next week and not just for children, but also for many newcomers to Canada. Different branches of Toronto Public Library offer free ESL classes (English as a Second Language) for adults (aged 18 and up) which are taught by TESL-certified ESL instructors. There are classes for learners of every level from beginners to advanced. 

 

 ESL CLASSES AT TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY:

Contact the libraries listed below to find out how and when to register for a class during Fall 2012. You can also call the TPLibrary's Answerline at 416-393-7131 for branches information. Some classes have different start dates. 

If your local library does not have an ESL class, you can see if other places (schools, community centres, newcomer agencies) have classes near you (see below for our suggestions). 

These Toronto Public Library branches offer ESL classes in the Fall 2012:

Barbara Frum

Brookbanks

Cedarbrae

Dawes Road

Goldhawk Park

Jane/Sheppard

Malvern

North York Central

Parkdale

Pleasant View

Riverdale

Sanderson

Yorkwoods

 

MORE ESL CLASSES IN TORONTO - TDSB and TCDSB, 211 TORONTO info:

The two largest school boards in Toronto - The Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board  -  offer many different ESL classes across the whole city, at various times of the day, weekends, and skill levels. Click on the brochure links below to browse their programs or pick up a free print 2012-2013 TDSB ESL brochure or TCDSB brochure from your local library branch. You can also contact the school boards adult ESL programs at 416-338-4300 (TDSB) and 416-397-6600 (TCDSB). 

To find even more classes and locations that may be offered by community centres and newcomer agencies - call the free telephone service 211 Toronto. They will refer you to ESL classes and other services in your part of town. The 211 Toronto community information is also searchable online.

                                                                                                                      

BRING YOUR DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION:

When you register for a class - it is very important to bring with you the documents that prove your residency in Canada: such as a Permanent Resident Card, Refugee Claimant Document, Convention Refugee Status (white paper), Acknowledgement of Intent to Claim Refugee Status, Canadian Citizenship Card or Canadian passport. If you do not bring your documents with you, you may not be able to register.

 

BORROW LIBRARY MATERIALS TO HELP YOU LEARN ENGLISH:

In addition to ESL classes - you can find many useful ESL learning materials at your local library. Visit any library branch and staff will be happy to show you the ESL section. Borrow books, cds, dvds to use at home or login on the library's website to use online resources at home to practice your English. All you need is your free library card to login and a computer with Interet access.

 

ONLINE DATABASES from your library (library card required):

• Mango Language Learning - Improve your English or learn a new language.

• TenseBuster - Grammar lessons and practice tests for all levels.

• Learning Express Library - practice tests for GED, reading, TOEFL, TOEIC etc.

• IELTS - practice tests to help you prepare to take the IELTS exam.

• Ebsco Ebooks - electronic books, including TOEFL practice materials, you can use on computers and many portable devices.

 

OUR LARGEST ESL CENTRE - TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY, 4th FLOOR

Our biggest ESL resources collection is located on the 4th floor of the Toronto Reference Library (Bloor/Yonge subway) - and is part of the "Languages and Literature Department". You will find there many books, CDs and DVDs on various skills like pronunciation, listening, reading comprehension, grammar, English for work; course books, dictionaries, exam preparation such as TOEFL and IELTS. Some of the materials in the ESL centre you can borrow to use at home, some are reference and can only be used at the library. There are tables equipped with CD and DVD players so that language learners can practice with the latest study materials.

The peaceful and welcoming place on the 4th floor is a favourite for many ESL learners!

 

ESL CLASS VISITS AND LIBRARY TOURS: ESL teachers can also bring classes for library tours - ask at your local branch for details.

 

Do you have a favourite experience with an ESL class in Toronto? Feel free to share with your fellow readers. And have a great back-to-school season!

 

[Posted by Alyson and Iana]

Library Settlement Partnerships at Toronto Public Libraries

Did you know that there are Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) at the Toronto Public Library?

    
     [Photo Credit: LSP Program Photos from the Library Settlement Partnership Website]

LSPs are newcomer information services that are offered to different communities throughout Ontario. These LSPs provide free assistance with getting a job, learning English, getting a driver's licence, and much more.The service is made possible by a partnership of the settlement sector, public libraries, and Citizen and Immigration Canada.

                

There are 16 different Toronto Public Library branches that have a LSP worker who specializes in one-on-one settlement information and referral, group information sessions, and community outreach provided in a variety of languages. These 16 library branches include:

Within these library branches, there are eight Settlement Agency Partners that offer services and programs. These agencies are listed below, please click on the agency name to access their website.

Library Settlement Partnerships as well as Toronto Public Library continue to offer great programs that are suitable for ESL and Newcomer patrons. Visit the Toronto Public Library website.

Don't forget that we also have materials in other languages. To view the complete list, visit our website.

 

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?

English Can Be Fun: A Free Summer Program for Newcomer Children

It's not too late to sign up! 

The program begins today and runs until July 29th, but there are still spots available!

English Can Be Fun! is free program for newcomer children aged 7-10. It is a program to help children get ready for school in September by learning English through games and activities as well as becoming familiar with using the library.

Classes are held three times a week for 1.5 hours each session at 20 different library branches, listed below. Please inquire at the various locations for more information.

 
Download and print the English Can Be Fun! application form (PDF) 

Don't forget about all our other great books and services for children:

ESL materials for Children in our library catalogue
Hear-a-Story online for children to practice listening skills in English, French, Mandarin, Italian, Polish, and Urdu
Read-along Tumblebooks are great to help Children learn English as they follow along the stories

Dial-a-Story (416-395-5400) is available 24 hours a day and is for children who want to hear stories over the phone. There are stories in English, French, Cantonese, Gujarati, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tamil, and Urdu.



 
 
 
 

Celebrate Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) Day in October 2010!

The Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program and Settlement Workers provide in person one-on-one assistance to help newcomers with their settlement issues. You are welcome to participate in fun filled activities and celebrate LSP Day at your nearest LSP branch:

• Albion
• Albert Campbell
• Agincourt
• Bloor/Gladstone
• Bridlewood
• Centennial
• Eatonville
• Flemingdon Park
• Gerrard/Ashdale
• Lillian H. Smith
• Mimico
• Morningside
• Parkdale
• Parliament
• Richview
• Riverdale
• Thorncliffe
• Toronto Reference Library
• York Woods

Contact the above branches for more information.

English Can Be FUN! for Newcomer children

Free summer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are available for newcomer children ages 7 to 10 years old. Classes are conducted by qualified ESL teachers. Activities include: reading and writing; and preparation for school in September. Visit your nearest branch and fill in the application form English Can Be Fun!. Your child can start learning and having fun!

English Can Be Fun! classes are from July 5, 2010 to August 13, 2010