Training the Next Generation of ESL Facilitators: FESA’s Growing Role in Supporting Calgary’s ESL Community

Facilitators practicing incorporating emotion cards into their skill set

One of the core pillars of the Further Education Society of Alberta (FESA) is offering free, essential skills programs to vulnerable populations in Calgary. These programs support families and adults with low literacy skills and new Canadians facing challenges with all aspects of English as a second language. 

In recent years, ESL learners have become one of the largest groups attending our programs, seeking help with fundamental reading and writing skills and working to improve their ability to communicate in everyday situations—whether shopping, navigating the city, or securing employment. 

This growing demand has highlighted the need for more facilitators to deliver these vital programs. To address this, we incorporated an ESL Facilitator Training session into our annual In-Service Facilitator Training. We are now training the next generation of ESL Facilitators as part of FESA’s growing role in supporting Calgary’s ESL community.

We spoke with two facilitators who recently completed the training to hear their thoughts. One of them, Mercedes, a Social Work student from Mount Royal University currently completing her Fall practicum with FESA, shared her reflections: 

Mercedes: 

Facilitators at the in-service training getting to know each other through group work

My initial thoughts on the facilitator training were filled with appreciation for FESA's efforts in organizing these yearly sessions. There's real value in continuous learning and the opportunity to share ideas. 

The highlight of the training was how welcoming all the facilitators were, and how valuable it was to talk and exchange ideas. We collaborated to discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with facilitation, while also celebrating the growth participants experienced. 

Over the past few months, my confidence has grown. I was able to volunteer with an ESL group, and through that experience, I learned new skills while interacting with many personalities! 

While I still require additional training, it was incredibly helpful to see how others are facilitating their ESL Reading and Writing Circles. I feel more confident in my ability to work alongside a facilitator, and I'm excited to work in a group again in the future." 

Irene: 

We also spoke with Irene, a regular facilitator for our Homework Club, who expressed enthusiasm about learning to facilitate the ESL Reading & Writing Circle program. Mercedes hosted the chat with Irene as part of her practicum: 

As we close out 2024 and look ahead to a new year filled with both challenges and opportunities, we take pride in the incredible work our facilitators do within the wider Calgary community. Often serving as the first point of contact for many individuals, our facilitators play a vital role. With the growing demand for essential literacy programming, we remain committed to meeting these challenges head-on.