ESL Pathways - Advanced

CREDENTIAL: Certificate

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Improve your English for real-world scenarios such as job interviews, informal conversations, and public speaking while attaining Canadian Language Benchmarks Levels 8-9.

For Canadian Language Benchmarks Levels 5-7, see ESL Pathways.

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.

Tuition: 0*

Credential: Certificate

Length: 0 0 Varies

Hours: Part- or Full-time

Delivery: Class-based and Online

Campus: Broadway Broadway

Start Dates: Jan, May, Sep

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ESL Pathways - Advanced

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Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.

What you will learn

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

Meet the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing outcomes at CLB 9 in the "Profiles of Ability" columns of the competency outcomes and standards listed in the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2012.
Communicate effectively in multiple contexts including personal, academic and workplace contexts of high complexity.
Successfully engage in basic interactions, intercultural communication, and soft skills to function effectively in community, study, and work contexts of high complexity.
Utilize the following Essential Skills (thinking skills, working with others, computer use and document use) for tasks at moderate to high complexity of high complexity.
Differentiate and produce a variety of genre types used in personal, academic, and workplace contexts.

What to expect

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

Total number of contact hours for each language skill course (i.e. Listening & Speaking 8, Reading & Writing 8, Listening & Speaking 9, and Reading & Writing 9) is 120 hours.

The ESL Experiential Learning 2 course is to be completed at the end of the program as a requirement for Certification is 48 hours.

The maximum number of hours required to receive the ESL Pathways Advanced Certificate is 528 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.

Specific learner strategies for speaking are: conversation management skills, pronunciation, error correction, and feedback.
Specific learner strategies for reading are: reading for gist, skimming, scanning, speed reading, vocabulary acquisition, etc.
Specific learner strategies for writing are: brainstorming, outlining, genre analysis, tone, register, etc. ESL Pathways is a rigorous and demanding program. Students should expect to do significant self-study and experiential learning in addition to classroom based learning. There will be approximately 1 hour of homework per two 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

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.

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

Students should be well-educated in their country/language of origin. Most students in the ESL Pathways program have completed high school and at least 2 years of post-secondary study. The expectation is that students seek to become autonomous learners. In addition, student should be open and interested in learning about Canadian cultural norms and to developing citizenship values of tolerance and multiculturalism.

Courses *

See the full schedule.

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ELSK 0815	ESL Listening &Speaking 8	4
ELSK 0820	ESL Reading & Writing 8	4
ELSK 0915	ESL Listening & Speaking 9	4
ELSK 0920	ESL Reading & Writing 9	4
ELSK 0905	ESL Experiential Learning 2	1.5
Total Credits		17.5

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.

Fees 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.)

Tuition Deposit	0 (0 non-refundable) Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee description	Fee Amount	Notes
Application fee	36
Tuition Tuition	0	Breakdown Tuition Breakdown 0 - 1 0 - 2 0 - 3 0 - 4 0 - 5
Student union	128
College initiative	50
Materials	0	not including textbooks
Campus resource	83
Laundry	0
Tools (deposit)	0
Coverall (deposit)	0
Uniform (deposit)	0
Medical and Dental	0
Temporary Medical Insurance	0
U-PASS	310
Graduation	45
Program-specific extra fees	0
Total

* 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.

ONLINE

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC
Get started

MAIL

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

Attend an Information Session

Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.

ESL Pathways - Advanced

ESL Pathways - Advanced

Attend an Information Session

What you will learn

What to expect

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

Admission requirements

Program-specific

Program-specific

General

Recommended Characteristics

Courses *

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Fees and other costs *

Apply now

Attend an Information Session

Ask a question