ESL Pathways - Advanced

CREDENTIAL: Certificate

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? Apply online at EducationPlanner BC until December 12, 2022 and start taking classes on January 4, 2023.

If you want help with your application or if you miss the December 12 deadline, you can apply and register in person at the Registrar's Office until January 12 (if seats are available). We are here to help!

Do you have questions? Join an information session or speak with an Academic Advisor.

Tuition: 00*

Credential: Certificate

Length: 0 0 Varies

Hours: Part- or Full-time

Delivery: Class-based and Online

Campus: Broadway

Start Dates: Jan, Apr, Sep

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

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 8 requires completion of CLB 7 Listening and Speaking
  or
- An equivalent assessment or course approved by VCC indicating competency at a CLB 7 Listening and Speaking level
  or
- Department approval

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 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.

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

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

Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

* 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.

Fees and other costs

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	11	per course
Materials	0	not including textbooks
Campus resource	19	per course
Laundry	0
Tools (deposit)	0
Coverall (deposit)	0
Uniform (deposit)	0
Medical & Dental	0
U-PASS	64	per month subject to eligibility
Graduation	40
Program-specific extra fees	0
Total

Apply now

Are you interested in EAL classes?

Apply online at EducationPlanner BC until December 12, 2022 and start taking classes on January 4, 2023. If you want help with your application or if you miss the December 12 deadline, you can apply and register in person at the Registrar's Office until January 12 (if seats are available).

STEP 1: Find your level

You need to have one of the following language assessments:

Duolingo (taken within the last 2 years) Find out how to take this test here
IELTS (taken within the last 2 years)
CLBPT (taken within the last 1 year)
LINC Progress Report or Certificate
VCC Pathways results

STEP 2: Find your classes

Find classes at your level. Find days and times that work for you.

Check the page for courses at CLB 5-7. Click "See the full schedule."
Check the page for courses at CLB 8-9. Click "See the full schedule."
Check the 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: