Shannon - Winnipeg Technical College

Shannon O’Gorman is no stranger to the world of EAL instruction. She has lived abroad for over 20 years, teaching EAL in several countries, including with her husband who was running an English school in Japan. However, when she returned to Canada in 2008, she found that this experience wasn’t sufficient for finding employment in the field in Canada. So, in January 2009, Shannon enrolled in the ESL Teacher Certificate Program, viewing it as an opportunity to get her "foot in the door to language teaching within Winnipeg”.

Since graduating in April 2010, Shannon has been teaching and introductory class at Winnipeg Technical College’s English program (CLB 1). She is also teaching a higher level seminar at the University of Winnipeg that adds balance and variety to her day.

Of these experiences and the differences between the two programs, Shannon shares that “I am really enjoying teaching both of these classes. The students at WTC are immigrants who have only been in Canada a short time. They work long hours each day and then spend time away from their families each evening. They are all dealing with challenges of living and working in a new country, but they are also so excited to be learning English, and their enthusiasm is very inspiring. The students in the ELP are here for a shorter time and studying in Canada is often their first experience abroad. I enjoy hearing about their new experiences in Canada, and their lives at home.”

Although she had experience working in the field before she began in the program, Shannon explains that “the TCP certainly opened doors and gave me a lot of new teaching ideas. Although I had taught before, I was not familiar with many theories and methodologies and I generally stayed away from grammar.” In general, she admits that she has found the materials and the learning experience very useful. She shares that “what I liked best about the program was the chance it gave me to make some new friendships and to exchange ideas with other students in the class. Many of us continue to stay in touch. We bonded together as the students in the classes I now teach also do.”

Shannon is now an instructor in the ESL TCP, sharing her humorous stories, energy, and enthusiasm for teaching with new students. It's truly a gift working with her in this program.

Now, although she loves working here, Shannon still has an itch to travel and work abroad, often finding herself thinking " perhaps I should go teach in....."