Learn the English skills you need to work, study, and participate in everyday life while attaining Canadian Language Benchmarks Levels 5-8.
For Canadian Language Benchmarks Levels 8-9, see ESL Pathways Advanced.
Ready to learn English? See when to apply online at EducationPlanner BC.
If you miss the deadline, late applications may still be accepted in person at the EAL department on the Broadway campus (for courses that have not started and have seats available).
Do you have questions? Join an information session or speak with an Academic Advisor.
ESL Pathways
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Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Meet the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing outcomes at CLB 8 in the "Profiles of Ability" columns of the competency outcomes and standards listed in the most recent Canadian Language Benchmarks.
- Meet the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing outcomes at the EAP IV level in the BC Transfer Guide.
- Communicate effectively in multiple contexts including personal, academic and workplace contexts of moderate complexity.
- Successfully engage in communicative interactions, using intercultural communication and soft skills to function effectively in community, study and work contexts of moderate complexity.
- Utilize the following Skills for Success (thinking skills, working with others, computer use, and document use) for tasks of moderate complexity.
- Differentiate and produce a variety of genre types used in personal, academic and workplace contexts.
- Apply the Experiential Learning cycle to real world language tasks.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
Total number of contact hours for each ESL Pathways course is 120 hours.
The ESL Experiential Learning 1 course, to be completed near or at the end of the program as a requirement for Certification, is 48 hours.
Instructors use multiple strategies to achieve the learning outcomes that include the following: ongoing needs analysis, group work, coaching, one-on-one consultations, using audio/computer labs, case studies, lectures, demonstrations, providing exemplars and texts, modeling, error analysis, peer review, role rehearsals, videos, and audio recordings.
Students should expect to do significant self-study and experiential learning tasks in addition to regular class hours. There will be approximately 1 hour of homework per 2.5 in-class hours.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- English Language Proficiency at the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level required for the two language skill areas for each course
- For example, entry into ESL Listening and Speaking 6 requires completion of CLB 5 Listening and Speaking
or - An equivalent assessment or course approved by VCC indicating competency at a CLB 5 Listening and Speaking level
or - Department approval
- For example, entry into ESL Listening and Speaking 6 requires completion of CLB 5 Listening and Speaking
Note:
- Students can be enrolled in ESL Reading and Writing at a different level than ESL Speaking and Listening depending on their assessment. The gap between the two courses can not be more than one Benchmark level.
Program-specific
Knowledge of English demonstrated by one of the following:
- English language proficiency as demonstrated by the CLB level or equivalent for the language skills of each course
or
- Department approval
Note:
- Students can be enrolled in ESL Reading and Writing at a different level than ESL Speaking and Listening, depending on their assessment. The gap between the two courses may not exceed more than one Benchmark level.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
EAL Pathways is a rigorous program designed to help students develop their language skills as well as a range of embedded skills, such as intercultural communication, that can contribute to their overall success in communication. Students need to be able to:
- commit time to the courses to successfully participate in classes and complete assignments;
- respectfully engage with fellow students and members of the college, in teams and independently, in an environment that embraces justice, equity, diversity and inclusion;
- engage with and respect Indigenous ways of knowing and learning;
- seek to become autonomous learners, set learning goals and plan ways to achieve them;
- conduct self-reflection on their progress and goals with support from the instructor; and
- use and learn basic computer skills to participate in online learning activities.
Courses *
See the full schedule [pdf].
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELSK 0515 | ESL Listening and Speaking 5 | 4 |
| ELSK 0520 | ESL Reading and Writing 5 | 4 |
| ELSK 0615 | ESL Listening and Speaking 6 | 4 |
| ELSK 0620 | ESL Reading and Writing 6 | 4 |
| ELSK 0715 | ESL Listening and Speaking 7 | 4 |
| ELSK 0720 | ESL Reading and Writing 7 | 4 |
| ELSK 0815 | ESL Listening and Speaking 8 | 4 |
| ELSK 0820 | ESL Reading and Writing 8 | 4 |
| ELSK 0705 | ESL Experiential Learning 1 | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 33.5 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
NOTE: The fees below show the total cost if you study full-time and you take all of the courses in 10 months. Click on a course to find out how much it costs. (Note: These courses are tuition-free. The amount shown is fees.)
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 0 | |
| Student union | 192 | |
| College initiative | 96 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 120 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 0 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 442 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you interested in EAL classes?
STEP 1: Find your level
You need to have one of the following language assessments:
- Duolingo (taken within the last 2 years) - how to take this test
- IELTS General or Academic (taken within the last 2 years)
- CLBPT (taken within the last 1 year)
- LINC Progress Report or Certificate
- VCC Pathways results
- VCC EAL Accuplacer + Speaking Assessment
STEP 2: Find your classes
Find classes at your level. Find days and times that work for you.
- Check the ESL Pathways Certificate page for courses at CLB 5-7. Click "See the full schedule."
- Check the ESL Pathways Advanced Certificate page for courses at CLB 8-9. Click "See the full schedule."
- Check the ESL page for individual courses (grammar, pronunciation, and more)
STEP 3: Apply
- Apply online at EducationPlanner BC
- Choose ESL Pathways Certificate as your program
- You must also:
- Provide the results from your language assessment
- Submit a copy of your Permanent Resident card
STEP 4: Register
- You will receive an email with instructions on how to register online. If you have any questions, you can go to the Registrar's Office to register in person.
STEP 5: Pay fees
- The classes are tuition free but you must pay college fees and UPass fees (if eligible). You will get an email with your fees and instructions on how to pay.
- The StudentAid BC Adult Upgrading Grant may cover the cost of the fees. See Financial Aid for Adult Upgrading Grant application information.
You can contact the EAL department by email, phone, or in person:
- Email: eal@vcc.ca
- Phone: 604.871.7301 (leave a message)
- In Person: VCC Broadway campus, Building A, Room 3625
- Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
- Friday by appointment only
Need help? Please read the Questions and Answers for Pathways Students.
Get started
Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.