Gail Tiessen
Address 10 College Crescent, Otterburne, MB, R0A 1G0
Email Gail.Tiessen@prov.ca
Department FACULTY - EMERITI

Gail Tiessen

Professor Emerita of TESOL
Courses
Education

TESL Certificate

1987

Azusa Pacific University

Master of Arts (M.A.)
1979

Wilfred Laurier University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
1965

Tyndale University College

Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)
1964

Professional

Teaching Fields

(Graduate and Undergraduate levels)

  • Second Language Acquisition/Psycholinguistics
  • Applied Linguistics/Morphology, Phonology, Syntax
  • Methods and Materials in TESOL
  • Language Teacher Education
  • Language Curriculum Development
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Assessment, Placement, and Evaluation
  • TESOL Intensive Summer Institutes
  • Practicum supervision for TESOL and TTESOL

Professional Experience

  • 2013 – Present: Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks, Regional Coach for PBLA
  • 2006 – Present: Providence Theological Seminary, Professor Emerita of TESOL
  • 2006 – 2013: Adult Language Training, Manitoba, Workplace EAL: Teacher; Mentor; Curriculum Developer
  • 1997 – 2006: Providence Theological Seminary, Faculty
  • 1996 – 1997: Providence University College, Faculty
  • 1989 – 1995: Providence University College, Adjunct faculty
  • 1990 – 1995: South Eastman English and Literacy Services: ESL Teacher; Program Coordinator
  • 1987 – 1989: Peel Board of Education: ESL teacher; Curriculum Developer; Supervisor
  • 1969 – 1986: SEND International, Philippines, Missionary
  • 1967 – 1968: Tyndale University College, Adjunct Faculty

Professional Associations

  • Registry of CLB Experts
  • Teachers of English to Adults in Manitoba [TEAM]
  • TESL Manitoba
  • TESL Canada
  • TESOL International

Professional Honours

  • TEAM Manitoba Teacher of the Year Award (2000)
  • Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Literacy (2006)
Publications

English Language Curriculum

  • Who is Jesus? Part One: Birth to Temptation (ESL for children grades 4-6), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2019
  • Who is Jesus? Part Two: Miracles and Teachings (ESL for children grades 4-6), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2019
  • Who is Jesus? Part Three: Betrayal to Resurrection (ESL for children grades 4-6), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2019
  • The Good Samaritan: EFL Language Curriculum for Children (Level 1), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2019
  • The Lost Son: EFL Language Curriculum for Children (Level 2), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2019
  • The Easter Story: Five Bible Studies for English Learners. Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2018
  • Daniel in the Persian Empire, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2017
  • The Christmas Story: Four Bible Studies for English Learners, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2017
  • The Promised Saviour, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • Founding of the Christian Church, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • The Good Samaritan –Pre-beginner, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • Luke’s Family Portraits, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • Faith Ancestors (Revised), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • Faith Metaphors (Revised), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • Life of Peter, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2015
  • The English Vowel System, How Do You Say That? Vol. 1, (Revised/Audio), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2015
  • The English Consonant System, How Do You Say That? Vol. 2, (Revised/Audio), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2015
  • The Melody of English, How Do You Say That? Vol. 3, (Revised/Audio), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2015
  • The Life of Joseph, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • The Prodigal Son, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • Discussion Guide: I Am…Metaphors, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • Discussion Guide: The Lamb of God, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • Discussion Guide: Abraham’s Family, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • Discussion Guide: Acts of the Apostles, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • The English Vowel System, How Do You Say That? Vol. 1, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • The English Consonant System, How Do You Say That? Vol. 2, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • The Melody of English, How Do You Say That? Vol. 3, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • The Peace Seekers Instructor Manual, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • The Good Samaritan, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2013
  • Developing Listening & Speaking Skills: First Century Christianity Vol. I, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2012
  • Developing Pronunciation Skills: First Century Christianity Vol. II, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2012
  • Developing Reading and Writing Skills: First Century Christianity Vol. III, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2012
  • Developing Grammar Skills: First Century Christianity Vol. IV, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2012
  • Developing Academic Reading Strategies: First Century Christianity Vol. V, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2012
  • Developing Academic Writing Skills: First Century Christianity Vol. VI, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2011
  • English for Work, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2012
  • Faith Encounters I: Academic Writing Supplement, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2011
  • Faith Foundation: The Lamb of God, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2011
  • Faith Metaphors: The Gospel of John, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2011
  • Faith Ancestors, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2011
  • Faith Portraits II: Witnesses to All Nations (Acts), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2011
  • EAL for Manufacturing, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2009.
  • Faith Portraits I: The Family of God (Gospel of Luke), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2010
  • Faith Encounters II: Believing in Jesus (Gospel of John), Revised Edition, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2010.
  • Faith Encounters I: Living by Faith (Hebrew 11), Revised Edition, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2010
  • Faith Journey II: Following God’s Plans (The Life of Peter), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2009
  • The Life of Joseph, Faith Journey I: Following God’s Dreams, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2009
  • EAL for Loewen Windows, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2008. Canadian Holidays & Special Days, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2008.
  • The Elma Street Treasure (coordinator, co-author), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2004
  • The Peace Seekers: The Story of the Canadian Mennonites from the Reformation to the Present (co-author), Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 1995

TESOL Courses

  • Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2020
  • Developing English Teaching Skills, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2018
  • How to Develop Reading and Writing Skills, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2017
  • How to Develop Listening and Speaking Skills, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • How to Develop Pronunciation Skills, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2016
  • How to Develop Grammar Skills, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2015

Additional Publications

  • Guide to Assessing English Skills, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2019
  • Towards a Happy Home (co-author), Quezon City, RP, Conservative Baptist Publications, 1986
  • ESL Handbook for ESL Teachers, Ontario, Peel County Board of Education, 1989
  • Canadian Language Benchmarks: A Guide to Implementation (consultant), Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks, 2005
  • Manitoba Core Language Learning Objectives for Canadian Language Benchmarks (editor, contributor), 2005
  • Methods and Materials in TESOL: Class Notes, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • Second Language Acquisition: Class Notes, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • Applied Linguistics II: Class Notes, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014
  • Applied Linguistics I: Class Notes, Steinbach, MB, Joy Two Publications, 2014

Presentations

  • “Teaching ‘The Good Samaritan for Children'”, Professional Development – one-day Workshop for Ethiopian Missionaries, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 18, 2020
  • “Teaching EFL as Christian Mission”, Five-day Course, Evangelical Theological College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 13-17, 2020
  • “How to Teach EFL to Children”, Professional Development – half-day Workshop, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 11, 2020
  • “Teaching Children EFL”, Professional Development – half-day Workshop, Arba Minch, Ethiopia, January 8, 2020
  • “Teaching Pronunciation”, Professional Development – half-day Workshop, London, ON, November 14, 2019
  • “Teaching ESL Effectively”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, London, ON, October 24, 2019
  • “Tips for Teaching ESL”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, London, ON, September 7, 2019
  • “Developing Effective Teaching Skills”, Twelve-day TEFL Conferences, Arba Minch, Wolaita, Durame, Woliso, Ethiopia, July 5-20, 2019
  • “Working Together in the ESL Classroom”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, London, ON, April 7, 2019
  • “How to Teach English Pronunciation”, Five-day Professional Workshops, Wolaita, Ethiopia, January 19-23, 2019
  • “How to do Language Assessment”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 17, 2018
  • “Ethiopia in July”, One-hour presentation, London, ON, September 25, 2018
  • “Developing ESL Teaching Skills”, Professional Development – two half-day workshops, London, ON, August 25 & 28, 2018
  • “Developing English Bible Teaching Skills”, Twelve-day TEFL Conference, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, July 9-21, 2018
  • “How to Teach ESL Using the English Bible Text”, Two-hour workshop, SOCEM (Southern Ontario Cooperative of ESL Ministries), Toronto, ON, October 28, 2017
  • “How and Why Use English Bible Texts in ESL Classes”, half-day workshop, London, ON, September 16, 2017
  • “Seasons of Life”, one-hour session, London, ON, November 4, 2017
  • “How TESL Programs and Other Organizations are Responding to the PBLA Demand”, TESL Canada Conference Presentation, Niagara Falls, ON, June 10, 2017
  • “Ethiopian English Teacher Training”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, London, ON, June 9, 2017
  • “Teaching English as Christian Service”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, London, ON, May 14, 2017
  • “Revisiting the Rhythm of English”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, London, ON, April 7, 2017
  • “A Woven Carpet”, London, ON, October 25, 2016
  • “How to Create ESL Curricula Using English Bible Texts”, Toronto, ON, SOCEM (Southern Ontario Cooperative of ESL Ministries), October 22, 2016
  • “Introducing CCLB PBLA Implementation Package”, TESOL Professional Development – one-day workshop, Hamilton, ON, September 15, 2016
  • “Introducing CCLB PBLA Implementation Package”, TESOL Professional Development – one-day workshop, Toronto, ON, September 9, 2016
  • “If There’s no Learning, There’s No Teaching”, Professional Development-Half-day workshop, London, Ontario, August 27, 2016.”
  • “Developing English Bible Teaching Skills”, SIM –Five-day workshop, Babogaya, Ethiopia, July 11-15, 2016
  • “Teaching English as Christian Mission”, SIM- One- day workshop, Toronto, Ontario, June 4, 2016
  • “Principles of Teaching English”, Professional Development – half-day workshop, London, ON, March 29, 2016
  • “Key to English Pronunciation”, Professional Development –Half-day workshop, London, Ontario, January 16, 2016
  • “PBLA Foundations”, One- day workshop, Toronto, Ontario, February 19, 2016
  • “How is Language Learned”, Professional Development, Half- day workshop, London, Ontario, January 16, 2016
  • “Principles of Teaching English”, Professional Development, Half- day Workshop, London, Ontario, September 10, 2015
  • “Cycle of Learning Tasks”, London, Ontario, Professional Development- Half -day workshop, August 29, 2015
  • “Developing Effective Teaching Skills”, Two- day workshop for China Partners, Xian, China, March 2015
  • “Being an Effective English Teacher,” London, Ontario, November 22, 2014
  • “Teaching Grammar in Context,” Two Workshops at the Manitoba Adult EAL Curriculum Launch, Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 20, 2009
  • “Developing Workplace Specific Curriculum, Materials and Tasks,” TESL Canada Conference, Moncton, N.B. May 29, 2008
  • “Developing Workplace Specific Curriculum, Materials and Tasks,” Workshop at the TEAL Manitoba Conference, February 22, 2008
  • “The Role of Teaching EAL & TESOL in Higher Education,” Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Student Centre, Providence College & Seminary, March 2008
  • “Language is the Home of Human Life,” Acceptance Speech for Lieutenant –Governor Medal for Literacy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 16, 2006
  • “Welcoming All ESL Learners,” Plenary Speech for the TESL Manitoba Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 14, 2005
  • “Developing Speaking Tasks,” Two Hour Workshop at the TESL Manitoba Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 14, 2005
  • “Designing Content Based Curriculum,” Long Beach, California, International TESOL Conference, March 29, 2004
  • “Functional Grammar in the Classroom,” Regional Conference of TESL Manitoba, February 9, 2004
  • “Preparing Tasks for Learning in the ESL Classroom,” Regional Conference of TESL Manitoba, February 10, 2003
  • “A Bicycle Built for Two: Learning and Teaching.” Regional Conference of TEAM (Teachers of English to Adults in Manitoba), October 25, 2002
  • “Core Phonological Features of English: Effective for Learners to Learn” TESL Manitoba Conference, February 11, 2002
  • “Readers’ Digest Version of the Guide to Implementation of the CLB,” SALLSA Professional Development Session, Steinbach, Manitoba, December 13, 2001
  • “Learning Styles & Teaching ESL,” TEAM Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 19, 2000
  • “Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Spring Training & the TEAM Spirit.” Plenary Speaker for TEAM Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 6, 2000
  • “Russian Cultural Patterns in the English Classroom,” Steinbach, Manitoba, April 6, 2000
  • “The Culturally Unique Student,” Workshop, Otterburne, Manitoba, October 19, 1999
  • “Are the Meanings Right There in the Words?” TESL Manitoba, February 14, 1999
  • “Time, Tense & Aspect,” TEAM Conference, October 19, 1998
  • “Tense is not Time.” TESL (Manitoba) Conference, February 13, 1997
  • “The Melody of English: Stress, Rhythm and Pitch as Keys to Communication,” TESL Manitoba Conference, February 21, 1997
  • “Integrating Content, Language Skills and Learning Strategies,” TESL Manitoba Conference, February 21, 1997
  • “Not Just What You Say, But How You Say It!” TESL (Manitoba) Conference, February 17, 1995
  • “Grammar in the Learner-Centered Classroom,” TESL (Manitoba) Conference, February 15, 1994
  • “Accent on Pronunciation,” TESL (Manitoba) Conference, February 14, 1994
  • “Teacher Training Seminar for Russian English Teachers,” Almaty, Kazakhstan, October 15-24, 1993