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.
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
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
-
Successful completion of previous Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for the two language skill areas
-
For example, entry into ESL Listening and Speaking 8 requires completion of CLB 7 Listening and Speaking
or -
Assessment on a VCC approved CLB placement test indicating competency in CLB 7 Listening and Speaking
-
Notes
- 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
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.
| 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
*These courses are tuition free! The following non-tuition fees apply. The StudentAid BC Adult Upgrading Grant may cover the cost of these fees. See Financial Aid for Adult Upgrading Grant application information.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 35 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 0 |
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
|
| Student union | 55 | per term |
| College initiative | 8 | per course |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 8 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical & Dental | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 44 |
per month subject to eligibility |
| Graduation | 0 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
Need help with tuition?
Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.
* 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
If you are interested in applying to this program apply online via Education Planner and choose ESL Pathways as your course of study. You will be required to take an English Assessment to determine you English level. You will also be required to submit your Permanent Resident card.
Get started
Contact us
- Call 604.871.7000, option 2
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