OMLTA 2024 – the Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association Spring Conference – is not what I expected to blog about for my 100th post. In fact, I’ve been planning for blog #100 since June 2023 when I first thought it would happen. Time constraints, family situations, and my day job kept pushing off this momentous post until now.
In September 2023, I thought blog post #100 would happen in January 2024 and as the months passed, it looked like #100 would finally happen in mid-late April 2024. I had a plan for post #100 and I kept moving forward with my schedule of blogs as though nothing major was about to happen. I couldn’t have been more mistaken.
My proposal to present the session “How to Manage Google Translate and AI in the French Classroom” at OMLTA 2024 was accepted in December 2023 and I instantly booked the hotel, airfare, and rental car. Let’s go.
By lunchtime of OMLTA 2024 Day 1, I peeked at my school calendar to see if my spring break 2025 would collide with OMLTA 2025.
AND IT DOES.
Side note: OMLTA/AOPLV is the Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association/Association Ontarienne des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes. “The OMLTA/AOPLV [since 1886] continues to support language educators throughout the province through professional development resources and experiences, through advocacy at school boards and the Ministry of Education, and by cultivating partnerships with other stakeholders in second language education.” OMLTA, “About”, https://omlta2024.org, April 2024.
OMLTA 2024 – Reason #1 to return in 2025
OMLTA 2024 had high quality speakers presenting on topics which varied from planning for and sustaining split-level secondary French classes to structured literacy in the elementary French immersion classroom.
The theme of OMLTA 2024 was “Exploring the Possibilities – Celebrating Plurilingualism” and there were three stunning keynotes over two days:
- Béatrice Lafortune, poet / Friday speaker
- LeFLOFRANCO, musician from Haiti & winner of Manie Musicale 2023 / Friday concert
- Benjamin Tinsley, teacher, curriculum developer, and consultant / Saturday speaker
For this two-day conference, I focused on the application of the science of reading in the French immersion classroom and, to my delight, found many structured literacy rock stars speakers:
- Jordan Sloan (Renfrew County DSB) and Angeline Humber (Greater Essex County DSB) – “French as a Second Language and the Right to Read”
- Jordan Sloan, Angeline Humber, and Amy Turner (Upper Grand DSB) – “OMLTA Reading Network: A Response to the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read 2022 report”
- Leigh Fettes (Trillium Lakelands DSB) and Nellie Caruso (Toronto DSB)
- #1: “Fluency – The What, the Why, the How”
- #2: “Structured Literacy in the French Immersion Context – It’s More than just Phonics”
- Joanne Bertrand (IDA – Ontario, Vice President) – “IDA Ontario & ONlit: How We Can Help/Pour vous aider”
Another (non-structured literacy) rock star was:
- Amanda Cloutier (Peel DSB) – “Strategies and Resources to Survive a Tri-Level Core French Split: 2D, 3U, 4U”
- Yes, you read that right. Three levels in one class. And she had a plan!
The quality of presentations was phenomenal. Their information was backed by a body of research, clearly presented, useful, and the resources offered were plentiful. I’ll unpack some of this information in future blogs because it is so so very good.
When OMLTA 2025 picks up where OMLTA 2024 left off with the structured literacy speakers and research, then French Immersion teachers must fly, drive, walk, or run to Toronto.
OMLTA 2024 – Reason #2 to return in 2025
During the sessions and networking meetings, the resources offered for free feel limitless. And you thought TikTok and Instagram were rabbit holes to go down? The main difference is that the resources listed below build evidence-based knowledge around structured literacy for every entry point of people learning about the science of reading in the French immersion classroom.
The OMLTA 2024 expert resources made me feel as though I can jump right in at my personal learning point to choose videos and classroom materials that continue my path to a structured literacy French classroom.
Would you like a quick 10-minute video? Got that. A 60-minute video suitable for professional development? Got that, too. Oh, you want that in French? Check. Or do you prefer English? Check check. Are you ready for applicable classroom ideas in French and in English? Check check check. All of the above.
Resources for structured literacy in French and in English:
- OMLTA
- IDA-Ontario (International Dyslexia Association – Ontario Branch)
- CPF Ontario (Canadian Parents for French – Ontario Branch)
- ONlit (ONtario literacy and also a play-on-words: On lit.)
- ONlit is a comprehensive site that provides resources to educators for “evidence-based systematic and explicit instruction aligned with the new Ontario Language and Français Curricula”. (ONlit, “Home Page”, https://onlit.org, April 2024.
- ONlit’s website has been developed in collaboration with Dyslexia Canada and IDA Ontario.
The most amazing part is that this network of OMLTA 2024 presenters, the OMLTA Board of Directors, the IDA Ontario Branch, ONlit, and the CPF Ontario Branch – just to name a few – has started a groundswell movement across Ontario to make their voices heard to receive structured literacy resources for FSL (French as a Second Language) students and educators. The FSL voices include French Immersion, Core French, and Extended French from Junior Kindergarten to grade 12. And the message is crisp and clear: providing resources to educators who are ready to make the shift to structured literacy.
The best part about each one of the linked websites above is the engaged and passionate literacy professionals at the other end. These are not websites or organizations that “rah rah” structured reading instruction for all and you never see them again. These people and their organizations are leading the way and breaking ground to network us and improve how reading is taught in the elementary French classroom.
OMLTA 2024 – Reason #3 to return in 2025
The very first person I spoke to when arriving in Toronto (not counting the customs agents at the airport) was a smiling Amy – an OMLTA 2024 Board of Directors member. I didn’t know who she was at the time, but she was wearing a green shirt printed with OMLTA/AOPLV on the front. Right out of the gate, I was pointed in the right direction with my questions and this first impression held true throughout the conference. Answers to my questions were one step away.
As a speaker/presenter at OMLTA 2024, the communication leading up to the conference started in February 2024 and never let up. Questions (big and small) were answered promptly by the conference organizers. There was never a question that couldn’t be answered and the green shirts of OMLTA 2024 were everywhere I needed to find them.
The Whova conference app has everything I need to reconnect with speakers and attendees after the conference. After my Saturday presentation, some attendees contacted me through the app and it was a very easy way to continue the conversations.
From the ever present green-shirt board members to the Whova app, the OMLTA 2024 organization and communication was a key component to making this conference a success.
OMLTA 2024 – Reason #4 to return in 2025
I mentioned the Whova app – we used it to find the schedule of events, room changes, lost and found, or ask questions! There were also fun activities to connect with others such as trivia competitions, photo contests, informal meetings and dinners, or a scratch-off ticket to win prizes. Every once in a while my phone would ting-ting-ting and there’d be something new to look forward to from the OMLTA team.
The hotel conference setting of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel was perfect and easy to navigate. The breakfasts and lunches were GREAT and the hotel had fabulous rooms with views. As a first time Toronto visitor, the hotel location was easy to find from the airport and easy to navigate throughout my 5-day stay.
And let’s not forget about the Friday night concert: LeFLOFRANCO, winner of Manie Musicale 2023! I even met one of the Manie Musicale founders (Michelle from Maine!). OMG. Michelle has got some serious connections to French artists with Manie Musicale and thank you for bringing LeFLOFRANCO to Toronto! One degree of separation… just sayin’.
Side note: I love that the home page of Manie Musicale has a HELP DESK email of [email protected]. I can relate.
OMLTA 2024 – Reason #5 to return in 2025
OMLTA 2024 brought me to a city I had never seen before: Toronto, Ontario. I planned the Toronto trip for an extra day before and an extra two days after to sightsee and I wasn’t disappointed:
- The 60-minute Harbor Boat tour had a witty Scottish announcer on the tour.
- The CN Tower has a glass floor to stand on and look 1,122 ft down to street level (342m).
- Niagara Falls was thunderous and powerful with the sight and sounds of the water. I highly recommend the Hornblower Voyage to the Falls boat tour from Niagara citycruises.
When I return for OMLTA 2025, I’d easily see any of those sights again.
OMLTA 2024 – Final Thoughts
I was lucky to find the OMLTA 2024 conference in a roundabout way. A random search of the internet in early 2023 for structured literacy resources led me to some Canadian teacher videos from Kim Lockhart (Vancouver Island University) and at some point in late 2023, she referenced the OMLTA/AOPLV. I read about the OMLTA 2024 spring conference and the rest is history.
Hands down OMLTA 2024 was one of the best conferences I’ve attended in the past 15 years. I notice and appreciate the huge effort of time it took to create a seamless and worthwhile conference for the 550+ attendees. Thank you very much to the OMLTA/AOPVL Board of Directors and I look forward to OMLTA 2025.
Are you new to my blog? Explore different series of posts that relate to our World Language classrooms:
- Manage AI, ChatGPT, and Google Translate
- National Board Certification
- World Language Standards
- Scaffolding Oral Language Output
- Teach French Grammar in French
Also, please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel (L’Essentiel French Resources) where you’ll find video versions of these blogs. My name is Lisa and I love being your new French colleague. How can I help you tomorrow?
