July 5-11, 2025
Toronto Metropolitan University
After more than a decade in North Carolina, NASK will travel to Toronto this year! Come improve your Esperanto with us in the heart of Canada’s largest city. Right after NASK, stay to participate in the Binational Convention of Esperanto-USA and the Kanada Esperanto-Asocio.
Program
NASK is an opportunity to live in a fully Esperanto atmosphere. We learn together, live together, eat together, and play together—everything in Esperanto! However, don’t worry if you’re a new Esperantist. The team is patient and knows how to help new learners make progress. Message us if you have any doubts about which course will suit your language level. We generally recommend that learners have already completed a basic course, such as the one on Duolingo or the book Complete Esperanto.
In addition to the courses, we will enjoy various excursions, and it will also be possible to take the KER exam.
Learners will arrive on the afternoon of Saturday, July 5th, and the courses will begin on the morning of Sunday, July 6th.
We welcome contributions to the program from our learners. If you’d like to present something, message us at: NASK@esperantic.org.
Schedule for a typical day:
| Horoj | Eventoj |
|---|---|
| 7:00 to 9:00 | Breakfast |
| 9:00 to 12:30 | Classes (Read about the courses and instructors below) |
| 12:30 to 13:30 | Lunch |
| 14:30 to 17:30 | Excursions to museums, beaches (see excursions below) Preparation course for KER exams Daily music practice/jamming Daily reading groups, origami groups, etc. |
| 17:30 to 19:00 | Dinner |
| 19:30 to 21:00 | Lectures (Please email NASK@esperantic.org if you’d like to give a lecture or present something!) Films with Esperanto subtitles Variety Show |
| Night | Gufujo (Chill room) Nights on the town Gay Village Toronto Fringe Festival |
Teachers and Courses
Rafa Nogueras
Rafa loves to read and write in Esperanto. His writings have received several awards in the “Belartaj Konkursoj” of UEA, in the International Short Story Contest (INK) of the Literary Academy of Esperanto, and in the literary contest of the Esperanto Society of Byalistok.
Rafa was a team member of the Esperanto course in Duolingo (where he mostly read the sentences out loud) and has been teaching Esperanto for several years (for instance as part of the London Esperanto Club and NASK). He is an active member of a community of Esperanto writers called Bobelarto and is looking forward to holding reading and writing workshops at NASK.
About Rafa’s course
“Let’s read, write, and have fun in Esperanto”
This course will be based on reading and writing. As a group, we will read and write short stories and micro fiction. We will also participate in different activities to write in Esperanto ourselves. Does that mean that only avid readers and aspiring writers should join? Not at all! The writing activities will be fun: they are a good pretext to use the language creatively and enrich our vocabulary. Come and find out by yourself how everyone can write micro fiction!
Katalin Kováts
Katalin Kováts is a Hungarian living in the Netherlands with her French husband and polyglot son. Esperanto is their family language. Katalin is the creator and editor of Edukado.net, a former member of the Academy of Esperanto, and an experienced instructor, including at NASK. She is a philologist, a certified language teacher in Esperanto (ELTE-Budapest), Italian, and Russian, as well as a trainer of language educators. She earned a doctorate on the propaedeutic value of Esperanto and has led more than a hundred Esperanto courses and training seminars in various parts of the world.
She created the successful program Ekparolu!, through which experienced Esperanto speakers (aunts and uncles) help beginners (nieces and nephews) practice the language. Katalin is the main person responsible for the Common European Framework (KER) exams of UEA. She is the author of several learning materials (e.g., Poŝamiko, Ĉu vi aŭdis, ke…?) and edited the Manlibro pri instruado de Esperanto.
About Katalin’s course
The course is designed for intermediate learners (B2 level) who wish to perfect their use of the language. Through various activities, you will be able to practice listening and reading comprehension, enrich your vocabulary, and by the end of the week, (hopefully) speak Esperanto more confidently and fluently. Naturally, we will also address tricky grammatical issues, and if you suffer from accusative syndrome, you can undergo special therapy to recover from it.
The course will also help participants discover and experience different learning techniques and find those that best suit their personality and learning goals.
Karina Oliveira
Karina is an introverted Brazilian who has found her place in the world in Finland, where she lives. She holds a doctorate in Linguistics and worked for a long time as a teacher of Portuguese and a researcher in Linguistics, but nowadays, her main occupation is learning Finnish. She started learning Esperanto as a teenager and has been active in the movement for a long time. Currently, she is the editor of the magazine Kontakto.
About Karina’s course
This course is for those who have already learned the basics of the language (through resources like Duolingo or Lernu, for example). During the lessons, you will have the opportunity to use the language in real conversational situations, gaining more confidence to speak more fluently and becoming accustomed to using it. In addition, we will also discuss grammatical topics to ensure that everyone gains a better understanding of the overall structure of the language, so that the course includes both theory and practice.
Housing
Meals
The price of NASK includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. (Toronto locals who do not wish to stay at the ILC may choose to have lunch only.)
The ILC dining hall is in the same building as the classrooms and dormitory. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options are available.
Typical menu:
Breakfast
- Scrambled Eggs
- Sausages (chicken)
- Potatoes of the Day
- Pancakes with Syrup
- Toast
- Yogurt Buffet
- Cereal Buffet
- Coffee/Tea or Juice (orange/apple)
Lunch
- Salad of the Day
- Meat or Vegetarian Main Dish
- Two Side Dishes (starch or vegetables)
- Pasta
- Choice of Cookies or Fresh Fruits
- Various Juices and Sodas
Dinner
- Salad of the Day
- Meat or Vegetarian Main Dish
- Two Side Dishes (grains or vegetables)
- Pasta
- Dessert or Fresh Fruits
- Various Juices and Sodas
Excursions
Every afternoon, we plan at least one excursion, mostly to free locations. You can pay for the two paid excursions through the registration form.
Students who do not wish to go on excursions are welcome to stay at TMU for music practice, conversations, etc.
Sunday
St. Lawrence Market and Gallery:
St. Lawrence Market and Market Gallery
Explore the historical exhibits in the Gallery and enjoy the vibrant market, which offers local foods and cultural experiences. Free of charge.
Toronto’s First Post Office:
First Post Office of Toronto
This museum and national historic site is the oldest functioning post office in Canada. It features exhibits on Toronto’s early history and offers educational programs. Free of charge.
Monday
Toronto Islands Beaches:
Beaches
Accessible by ferry, these picturesque beaches offer relaxation with clean sands, swimming areas, and panoramic views of the city skyline. ~$6.50 USD for a ferry ticket.
Casa Loma Castle:
Casa Loma
An impressive neo-Gothic castle with 98 rooms, gardens, a secret tunnel, and a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the early 20th century. ~$28 USD.
Tuesday
Royal Ontario Museum:
Royal Ontario Museum
One of the largest museums in North America, featuring collections of art, natural history, and world cultures. ~$20 USD
Wednesday
Riverdale Farm:
Riverdale Farm
A working farm in the city, showcasing traditional farming practices with various animals, historic buildings, and educational programs. Free of charge.
Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery:
Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Canada’s leading public gallery for contemporary art, featuring exhibitions by national and international artists. Located at the waterfront in downtown Toronto. Free of charge.
Thursday
Toronto Islands Beaches:
Beaches
Accessible by ferry, these picturesque beaches offer relaxation with clean sands, swimming areas, and panoramic views of the city skyline. ~$6.50 USD for a ferry ticket.
Spadina Museum:
Spadina Museum
A historic mansion with gardens, showcasing the lifestyle of a wealthy family in Toronto during the 1900s, complete with furniture and artifacts. Free of charge.
Friday
Fort York National Historic Site:
Fort York
A historic late 18th-century fort that played a significant role in the War of 1812. Features exhibits on military history. Free of charge.
Exams
Sessions for the KER exams will take place on Friday, July 11th.
It will be possible to take exams at three language levels:
- B1
- B2
- C1
Katalin Kováts will lead a preparation course during NASK.
Read more about the exams.
Send questions about the exams to Katalin Kováts.
Register for an exam.
Costs
Scholarships and financial support are available. We especially welcome students and young adults (18+). To request information about scholarships, send a message to: NASK@esperantic.org.
Through the registration form, you can register for NASK only, NASK and the Binational Convention, or just the Binational Convention.
If you participate in both events, you can stay in the same room during NASK and the convention.
Find the most up-to-date information about the convention on the convention website: toronto2025.net.
| Event | Price (USD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NASK | $900 | Includes: – Courses – Accommodation – Meals |
| NASK (without housing) | $375 | For Toronto locals who don’t need housing. Includes: – Courses – Lunch Does not include: – Breakfast and Dinner |
| NASK (shared room) | $625 (por unu persono) | Includes: – Courses – Meals – Accommodation in a shared room (1 bed) |
| NASK and Binational Convention | $1,250 | Includes: – Courses – Meals during NASK – Accommodation for both events – Convention registration Does not include: – Meals during the convention (see meal plan below) |
| NASK and Binational Convention (without housing) | $450 | For Toronto locals who don’t need housing. Includes: – Courses – Lunch during NASK – Convention registration Does not include: – Breakfast and dinner during NASK Meals during the convention (see meal plan below) |
| NASK and Binational Convention (shared room) | $850 (por unu persono) | Includes: – Courses – Meals during NASK Accommodation in a shared room (1 bed) for both events – Convention registration Does not include: – Meals during the convention (see meal plan below) |
| Binational Convention | $175 | Includes: – Convention registration Does not include: – Meals – Accommodation Those who participate only in the convention must arrange their own housing in Toronto. Some rooms may be available in the ILC. We will keep a waitlist and communicate as soon as possible if a room becomes available. Ask for a place in the waitlist in the registration form. |
| Meals during the Binational Convention | $90 | There are several restaurants in the area around the university, but if you prefer to eat in the cafeteria, this plan is available. (Meals cannot be purchased individually at the cafeteria.) Includes: – Breakfast on Saturday, Sunday, Monday Lunch on Saturday, Sunday Dinner on Saturday |