Printable version:

Apply NOW Program FAQ

ESL at VCC - Literacy, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced - APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 31ST

Learn English when and where it's convenient for you. VCC offers ESL courses from the beginner to advanced level, with a focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Class times are flexible and offered at the Downtown and Broadway campuses.

If you know the admission requirements,

Find out more about this program:

Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

Apply to this Program Fees and Other Costs Additional Information Courses and Timetables

Program Description

Students may choose to study full-time or part-time. Classes are scheduled in the morning, afternoon and evening, either 2 or 4 days per week, as well as Fridays and Saturdays.

General courses:
Instruction in these courses combines four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing with appropriate grammar and language functions.

Literacy level:
Literacy classes (levels 1,2,3 literacy lower beginner and bridge literacy) are for students who have some listening and speaking skills in English but cannot read or write English. Students learn basic English. Bridge literacy classes are for students whose listening and speaking skills in English are at an intermediate level, but whose reading and writing skills are at a beginner level.

Beginner level (upper beginner):
These classes teach English for everyday situations such as work, shopping, Canadian life or other situations of interest to students in the class. Students practice listening, speaking and some reading and writing.

Intermediate level (pre-intermediate, lower intermediate, upper intermediate):
Intermediate level classes help students improve listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. Completion of intermediate levels can allow students to enroll in some of the full-time programs at VCC.

Advanced level (lower advanced, upper advanced):
These classes provide students with a high level of English and can allow students to progress to academic English and career preparation courses and programs.

Intensive skills courses:
These classes are for students who want to improve specific skills, which are studied in depth (reading, writing, listening, speaking, oral communication).

At the end of each term, students are assessed to determine an appropriate placement for the following term.

Topic

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time January, April, July, September 3 months VCC Transcript Broadway, Downtown Full-time

Career Prospects

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

International students

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

Students must complete an English language assessment through VCC's Assessment Centre.

How the process works:

1. Fill out an application for the ESL program at the admissions office and pay $30 application fee at the cashier's office.
2. Schedule an assessment at the Assessment Centre (Broadway campus only).
3. Write your assessment and wait to receive your assessment score.
4. After you receive your score, go to the Admissions office and hand in your results. Once that is done, your name will be placed on a list for the upcoming semester. All those on the applicant list will be given a registration time based on their test date. The sooner you apply and finish your assessment, the earlier your registration time.

The application deadline for the July and September 2013 intakes is May 31st.

Note: Students cannot register without a Registration Letter from the Registrar's Office.

Recommended characteristics

Program Status

Accepting applications Application Deadline for Summer and Fall terms 2013 is May 31, 2013

VCC is accepting applications from international students.

Apply to this Program

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.871.7458. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 tuition free for eligible students

International Tuition Fees

Application Fee Tuition Fee Ancillary Fee $125.00 $4615.80 3 month fulltime $45.00 3 month full time - All international students pay international tuition fees. For more information, please contact VCC's international education office at study@vcc.ca or 604.443.8600.

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $27.36 Student union fee $24.81 per term Other costs English Assessment fee: $60 Instructors may require students to purchase a course book. U-PAS subject to eligibility $90.00.

Additional Information

For more information call 604.871.7241 (Broadway campus) or 604.871.7145 (Downtown campus) or visit ESL programs at VCC.

Health Requirements:

Courses and Timetables

Registration Timetable