Learn the English skills you need to work, study, and participate in everyday life while attaining Canadian Language Benchmarks Levels 5-7.
For Canadian Language Benchmarks Levels 8-9, see ESL Pathways Advanced.
Ready to learn English? Apply online at EducationPlanner BC until August 19 and start taking classes on September 6, 2022.
If you want help with your application or if you miss the August 19 deadline, you can apply and register in person at the Registrar's Office until September 14. We are here to help!
Do you have questions? Join an information session or speak with an Academic Advisor.
What you will learn
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Meet the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing outcomes at CLB 7 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 moderate complexity.
- Successfully engage in basic interactions, intercultural communication, and soft skills to function effectively in community, study and work contexts of moderate complexity.
- Utilize the following Essential Skills (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.
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
- Completion of previous CLB level for the two language skill areas. (e.g. entry into ESL Listening & Speaking 7 requires completion of CLB 6 Listening and Speaking or assessment on a VCC approved CLB placement test indicating competency in CLB 6 Listening and Speaking.) - While CLPBT are not being offered due to social distancing, you may take an online Duolingo assessment.
- Students can be enrolled in ESL Reading & Writing at a different level than ESL Speaking & Listening depending on their assessment. The gap between the two courses may not exceed more than one Benchmark level.
Program-specific
- Completion of previous CLB level for the two language skill areas. (e.g. entry into ESL Listening & Speaking 7 requires completion of CLB 6 Listening and Speaking or assessment on a VCC approved CLB placement test indicating competency in CLB 6 Listening and Speaking.)
- Students can be enrolled in ESL Reading & Writing at a different level than ESL Speaking & 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 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 0515 | ESL Listening & Speaking 5 | 4 |
| ELSK 0520 | ESL Reading & Writing 5 | 4 |
| ELSK 0615 | ESL Listening & Speaking 6 | 4 |
| ELSK 0620 | ESL Reading & Writing 6 | 4 |
| ELSK 0715 | ESL Listening & Speaking 7 | 4 |
| ELSK 0720 | ESL Reading & Writing 7 | 4 |
| ELSK 0705 | ESL Experiential Learning 1 | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 25.5 | |
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.
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 | 64 | per terms |
| 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 | 44 |
per month subject to eligibility |
| Graduation | 40 | |
| 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
Are you interested in EAL classes?
Apply online at EducationPlanner BC until August 19 and start taking classes on September 6, 2022. If you want help with your application or if you miss the August 19 deadline, you can apply and register in person at the Registrar's Office until September 14.
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 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
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Phone: 604.871.7031 (leave a message)
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- In Person: VCC Broadway campus, Building A, Room 3625
- July to August: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Need help? Please read the Questions and Answers for Pathways Students.
Get started