PORTFOLIO PREVIEW · Final project titles and team credits to be confirmed before launch.
Sara MachanTeaching & learning design

EDUCATOR · DESIGNER · ARTIST

Serious about learning.
Creative about how.

I’m Sara, an ESL educator who brings language learning to life through interactive materials, thoughtful technology, and practical teacher training.

Explore my work Start a conversation →

Based in Oakville, Ontario · Teaching, learning design & collaboration

01 / THE FOUNDATIONLanguage.

Build confidence.
Make meaning.

02 / THE POSSIBILITYCreativity.

Try. Discover.
Try again.

03 / THE PURPOSEConnection.

Learn together.
Take it beyond class.

Adult language education ✳ Interactive learning ✳ Teacher development ✳ Thoughtful uses of AI

SELECTED WORK

Ideas that become
learning experiences.

Explore live teaching websites, PowerPoint game previews, and collaborative research.

MA DISSERTATION · 2021Learner language.
Patterns in spoken errors.

CORPUS LINGUISTICS · INDEPENDENT RESEARCH

A Corpus Linguistic Investigation of Errors in ESL Learners’ Spoken Speech and Their Role in Language Acquisition

My MA dissertation explored adult ESL learners’ spoken errors, possible fossilisation, and the role of errors in language development.

Explore the research

Methods: learner interviews, transcription, error coding, and analysis of error frequency and distribution using AntConc.

Teaching connection: considered how understanding learner errors can inform corrective feedback and support language development.

Scope: a small-scale exploratory study, with limitations on generalising its findings.

Institution: Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. Submitted January 2021 under the name Sara Cordeiro Alexandre.

FEATURED PROJECT · ART & COMMUNITYStories of Home

SHERIDAN COLLEGE · ARTIST & RESEARCHER

Stories of Home

I created the website banners and artwork for promotional materials for this collaborative Sheridan project, which shares the stories and creative work of the ESL and TESOL Plus community.

Explore Stories of Home ↗Read my team credit ↗

A collaborative project. My contribution: visual art and research.

FEATURED WEBSITE · ESLESL Mock Interview Simulator

FEATURED WEBSITE · ESL

ESL Mock Interview Simulator

A browser-based mock interview resource for English language learners. Explore the live project to see the experience.

Try the simulator ↗

Opens in a new tab.

Cold Case Files title slideExplore the game ↓

FEATURED GAME · INVESTIGATION

Cold Case Files

A cold-case investigation built around suspect profiles, interview material, and a collection of clues. Learners explore the evidence to develop and discuss a theory.

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Learning focus: Reading for detail and making inferences from evidence, with opportunities to explain and justify a conclusion.

Design choices: A case-file structure lets learners connect information across suspects and evidence. Phonemic transcriptions accompany evidence vocabulary.

Format: PowerPoint game with click-through navigation and embedded audio.

Cold Case Files: Opening the case
Opening the case
Cold Case Files: The cast of suspects
The cast of suspects

Selected slide or background-artwork previews. Open any image for a larger view. Audio, animations, and game navigation run in the original PowerPoint, not in these previews.

Source deck credited to Sara Alexandre. Portfolio: Sara Machan.

Haunted room scene from Phonemic Escape RoomExplore the game ↓

FEATURED GAME · PRONUNCIATION

Phonemic Escape Room

A haunted-castle escape game in which learners find objects whose names contain a target sound. Each room gives pronunciation practice a concrete goal.

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Learning focus: Recognising target vowel sounds in words and connecting phonemic notation to object vocabulary.

Design choices: Room scenes make vocabulary part of the puzzle. Clickable objects, sound prompts, and slide navigation support the route through the castle.

Format: PowerPoint game with click-through navigation and embedded audio.

Phonemic Escape Room: First room scene (background artwork excerpt)
First room scene (background artwork excerpt)
Phonemic Escape Room: Staircase scene (background artwork excerpt)
Staircase scene (background artwork excerpt)

Selected slide or background-artwork previews. Open any image for a larger view. Audio, animations, and game navigation run in the original PowerPoint, not in these previews.

Source deck credited to Sara Alexandre. Portfolio: Sara Machan.

COLLABORATIVE INQUIRYAsk better questions.
Build better practice.

GROUP RESEARCH

GenAI & language learning

Explore the team toolkit ↗

Collaborative research and toolkit work exploring generative AI in language learning, including critical awareness and learner autonomy.

Inside the project

Context: group research being shared at WATESOL in Washington, D.C.

Attribution: this is a team project. The final case study will identify the co-authors and distinguish my individual contribution.

Full co-author credits and my individual contribution will be added to this case study.

WEB GAME · QUIZ REVIEWSuper Mario Quiz Review

WEB GAME · QUIZ REVIEW

Super Mario Quiz Review

A Super Mario-themed quiz review activity.

Open the quiz ↗

Opens in a new tab.

WEB GAME · CLASSROOM REVIEWSuccess Jeopardy

WEB GAME · CLASSROOM REVIEW

Success Jeopardy

A Jeopardy-style classroom activity built around the theme of success.

Open the game ↗

Opens in a new tab.

WEB GAME · UNIT REVIEWUnit 5 Family Feud: Twins

WEB GAME · UNIT REVIEW

Unit 5 Family Feud: Twins

A Family Feud-style activity for Unit 5, with a twins theme.

Open the game ↗

Opens in a new tab.

WEBSITE · THEMED LESSONHalloween History Lesson

WEBSITE · THEMED LESSON

Halloween History Lesson

A web-based lesson on the history of Halloween.

Explore the lesson ↗

Opens in a new tab.

GENIALLY · INTERACTIVE CONTENTGenially Showcase 01

GENIALLY · INTERACTIVE CONTENT

Genially Showcase 01

An interactive Genially project from my selected teaching work.

Explore on Genially ↗

Opens in a new tab.

GENIALLY · INTERACTIVE CONTENTGenially Showcase 02

GENIALLY · INTERACTIVE CONTENT

Genially Showcase 02

A second example from my collection of interactive Genially work.

Explore on Genially ↗

Opens in a new tab.

FACILITATION · PROFESSIONAL LEARNINGWebinars & Teacher Development

FACILITATION · PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Webinars & Teacher Development

Explore past webinar listings through the Tutela search for Sara Machan.

Find my webinars ↗

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A LITTLE LEARNING, RIGHT HERE

Try. Notice.
Try again.

Small interactions can invite learners to make a choice and consider why it works.

Illustrative portfolio demo · A short language practice activity

ONE-MINUTE LANGUAGE CHALLENGE

Connect the ideas.

“_____ the activity was challenging, the learners kept trying.”

Choose the word that shows contrast.
Choose an answer to see the feedback.

BOOKS & CREATIVE PRACTICE

Stories for
younger readers.

My children’s books are published under the name Sara Alexandre.

MY TEACHING APPROACH

Purpose behind
the playful parts.

01

Start with the learner.

Connect language to adult learners’ goals and experiences. Make the purpose of each task clear.

02

Design for participation.

Use clear instructions, scaffolded practice, and multiple opportunities to contribute and build confidence.

03

Make technology useful.

Choose tools that support practice, feedback, and reflection. Keep learning goals at the centre.

HELLO, I’M SARA

Educator at heart.
Creator by instinct.

I teach adult English learners at Sheridan College and develop learning materials that bring together language, creativity, and educational technology.

My work spans classroom teaching, interactive activity design, visual art, and professional learning for educators. I also write children’s books under the name Sara Alexandre. I’m interested in what happens when practical teaching experience meets the freedom to experiment.

I have volunteered with TESL Toronto since 2024, serving as Communications Officer and supporting professional learning and community connections.

I’m looking to connect with teams working in ESL/EAP education, learning design, materials development, and teacher training.

MA Applied Linguistics · 2021TESOLCELTAOCELT

LET’S CONNECT

Have something
in mind?

I’d love to talk about teaching opportunities, learning design projects, workshops, or a collaboration.

Contact details will be added before this portfolio launches.