Toronto 2012

Toronto is Canada's largest city with a population of 4.7 million. Recognized as one of the world's most ethnically diverse cities, over 50% of its population speaks English as a second language. Toronto offers exciting attractions and is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, 350 miles northwest of New York City and one hour drive from Niagara Falls.

With cuisines of almost every nation, numerous parks and trails, unique neighborhoods and cultural sites, Toronto invites you to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Toronto’s climate is one of the mildest in Canada. Summer temperatures range from 20°C to 25°C.

York University, is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of over 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff. York’s Faculty of Education is committed to intellectual and professional excellence, and to providing a rigorous and provocative learning experience for teacher candidates, graduate students, and practising teachers. It fosters university and community collaboration, and is committed to the principles and practices of equity, cultural diversity and social justice. The Faculty works primarily with the school districts in the greater Toronto area, schools that for many years have been developing expertise in meeting the challenge of working with some of the most diverse student populations in the world.

Our two-week Canadian Studies Workshop in Toronto will provide a variety of learning experiences and cover a wide range of topics. Through presentations, discussions, tours and excursions, you will gain a first hand experience of Toronto’s diverse neighborhoods (i.e. Cabbagetown, Chinatown, Greektown, Kensington, Little Italy) and learn about the challenges and prospects of Canadian approaches to multiculturalism and diversity. PISA has shown that Canada is among a select few countries that scored near the top in reading, mathematics, and in science. So what are the differences in our educational systems? And how do local schools in Toronto respond to increasing cultural and linguistic diversity of its student population? Topics will deal with bilingual/multilingual education, school-community relationships, integration of technology into the learning process, Canadian literature for children and adolescents, arts education, etc.Excursions to the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and other relevant locations around Toronto will complement in-class learning with guest speakers and will allow you to get a better understanding of education and culture the most diverse city in the world.

The introductory seminar in Tübingen takes place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 and is the beginning of your educational experience. It serves as a valuable introduction to your stay in Toronto: You will meet the other members of your group, receive a detailed itinerary and discuss educational goals. Additional lectures and discussions will introduce you to other topics relevant to your experience.

Teilnehmerstimmen:

"[Die Dozentinnen] Laura und Kim: Beide Frauen haben mich sehr beeindruckt, sie waren die denkbar besten 'Botschaftlerinnen' einer Pädagogik der Inklusion und des Umgangs mit 'Diversity', die nun ja auch endlich hierzulande diskutiert wird."

"Das Programm war hochkarätig, sehr abwechslungsreich, oft emotional packend, durch die Exkursionen sehr anschaulich."

"An extensive and comprehensive overview of Canadian civilization, society and culture. The lectures and teachers were highly professional and delivered accurate and challenging points of view, comments and ideas. I will certainly benefit from this excellent program."

Program components:

• Preparatory seminar in Tübingen, on the 28th of April 2012, incl. lectures and lunch. Accommodation homestay, in double or single bed rooms available for an additional charge (if required).
• If participants bring a laptop, they will have 24-hour wireless access to internet on the York University campus; internet may be offered in the homestay if requested in advance for an additional charge.
• Two-week study program in Toronto, Ontario, from 27th of July –11th of August 2012, includes all lectures, transit passes and excursions that are part of the program. Costs of travel to and from the airport are not included.
• Access to an internal website will be provided to program participants for access to handouts, presentations, information about travel, etc.
• Optional self-funded trips to Niagara Falls, Stratford, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and other locations in the US (such as Chicago or New York) can be booked by participants individually through private companies.
• Accommodation (private room) with local host families and food provided (full board)   
• Transportation Frankfurt/Main – Toronto, Canada (flight with AIR CANADA)
• Cancellation insurance  

Price: € 2595,-

Price for members of either d.a.i. or GEW: € 2545,-     

Application deadline: April 14, 2012

Alle unsere Lehrerfortbildungsreisen finden in Zusammenarbeit mit der

 GEW (Gewerkschaft für Erziehung und Wissenschaft) statt.

In cooperation with Gewerkschaft für Erziehung und Wissenschaft. 

This picture by Georgesocka under CC Licence @ flickr.

The Picture Day243highparkp by Chensiyuan under GNU Free Documentation License.