Please mark your calendar for SOCEM’s 2026 fall training conference, Gathering XXI.It will be a great opportunity to learn, be inspired and to network with others working in ESL ministry. Date: October 24, 2026 (Saturday) Time: 8:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Location: Martin Grove Baptist Church, 35 Hedges Blvd, Etobicoke,ON Cost: $25 for registration; $15 extra for optional lunch Plenary Session: A Guided Conversation on “The Lost Art of Hospitality” – Jeff McCarrell, David and Kathy Cook Workshop Options: Getting Started inTeaching ESL Module (all day) Choose 3 from the following if not registering for “Getting Started”: Welcoming Isn’t Belonging: Rethinking Student Motivation in the Adult ESL Classroom The Care and Feeding of Volunteers: Strategies for Recruiting, Keeping and Training Volunteers Tips for Learning and Teaching Pronunciation AI for Learners:Smart Assistant or Skill Killer The Lost Art of Sentence Diagramming “I Can’t Find a Job”: Bridging ESL and the Canadian Workplace ESL and Neighbouring Communities: Equipping Teachers with Settlement Resources for Newcomers Chewing the Phat (Part 2): Helping Students with Small Talk Beyond Skills The Importance of Body Language and Intercultural Etiquette Most workshops eligible for TESL Ontario PD hours Registration is now open! Go to https://eslministries.org/events-page/gathering-xxi/ for all the details, to choose your workshops and register using the link at the bottom of the page.