Programs of Study

The ESL department offers a variety of courses at five levels (04-08) from intermediate to academic English preparatory levels. The courses focus on all skills — speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, and grammar and writing.

View English as a Second Language in the online calendar.

Part-time Program

The part-time program consists of individual courses (each course is four hours per week), which concentrate on specific skill areas, including speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, and writing and grammar. These courses are offered at the lower advanced through academic English preparatory levels. In addition, two TOEFL preparation courses are sometimes offered.

It is possible to take different levels of courses at the same time. For example, your ESL Placement Test results may show that you are at the upper intermediate level in listening and speaking, while being at the lower advanced level in writing and grammar.

Capilano Academic English Preparation

At Capilano University, students can begin their academic studies while completing their ESL studies. Students who complete the full-time intensive program at the ESLF080 level with a B+ will satisfy the Capilano University English Language requirement for academic studies (University Transfer/School of Business) with no TOEFL score required. For more information please see Capilano Academic English Preparation in the online calendar.

ESL Placement Test

New students take the ESL Placement Test to determine in which courses they may register. The ESL department will send you a letter asking you to come for the test. The test usually takes about four and a half to five hours, including breaks. For more information, please see the English Placement Test for ESL Students in the online calendar.