ELS is an academic support service for non-native speakers of English enrolled in courses at Capilano University. ELS is designed to assist students with their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Student Support
ELS provides 30-minute one-on-one learning support sessions with an instructor who has expertise in language learning. The sessions are by appointment only (see schedules below) and are either online through video conferencing or in person in the Learning Commons in the Library Building, LB 126.
Types of Support Offered
Reading/Vocabulary | Grammar/Writing | Listening/Speaking |
---|---|---|
Clarification of course assignments |
Overview of academic writing styles |
Overcoming pronunciation challenges |
Academic text comprehension |
Academic writing/grammar |
Conversation confidence building |
Guidance with critical thinking |
APA and MLA citation |
Academic listening strategies |
Learning and retaining new vocabulary |
Sentence structure |
Group discussion strategies |
Editing checklist development |
ELS Appointments
- Scroll down to the "Schedules" section of this page and choose the desired ELS service. If you don't see your program listed, choose "General ELS."
- Click on "Make An Appointment."
- Choose an instructor and an appointment date/time.
- Fill in your personal information carefully; be sure to use your Capilano email address and provide a current phone number. Indicate appointment type (online or in-person), your program, course number and instructor’s name. Click "Submit."
- You will receive 2 emails (A & B) when making an in-person appointment and 3 emails (A, B & C) when making an online support appointment.
A) Appointment Confirmation Email: If you need to cancel your session, please use the link provided.
B) ELS Instructor Email: An ELS instructor will contact you before your appointment and request a digital copy of your assignment and the instructions.
C) MS Teams Notification Email: You will receive a notification that your ELS instructor has created a private MS Team for you to use for ELS sessions.
- Click "Open Microsoft Teams" Button
- Click "Accept"
- Open MS Teams in Webapp or download the MS Teams app to your desktop (preferred)
- Use your Capilano email information to login
- Your meeting will take place here at the scheduled time.
Note: It's important for you to fill in your Capilano email addresses and phone numbers accurately in order for ELS to contact you with your appointment information.
Summer 2023 Schedules
Summer I: May 15 — June 23
General ELS support is for Capilano University students who are non-native speakers of English and registered in academic programs at the University.
Day | Time | Instructor |
---|---|---|
Monday |
3–6 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (LB126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Tuesday |
9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (online only) |
Wednesday |
3–6 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (LB126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Thursday |
2–5 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (LB126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Summer II: June 26 — August 11
Day | Time | Instructor |
---|---|---|
Monday |
4–6:30 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (LB126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Tuesday |
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (online only) |
Wednesday |
4–6:30 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (LB126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Thursday |
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
Olga Gonokhova (LB126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Note: Limit your ELS appointments to two 30-minute support sessions a week.If you would like to go over a writing assignment, send the instructor a digital copy of the draft and the assignment instructions before the appointment time.
Summer I: May 15 – June 23
Day | Time | Instructor |
---|---|---|
Tuesday |
4–6 p.m. |
Rachelle Jorgenson (LB 126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Wednesday |
1–3 p.m. |
Rachelle Jorgenson (LB 126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Friday |
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
Rachelle Jorgenson (online only) |
Summer II: June 26 – August 11
Day | Time | Instructor |
---|---|---|
Tuesday |
3–7 p.m. |
Rachelle Jorgenson (LB 126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Wednesday |
11 a.m.–3 p.m. |
Rachelle Jorgenson (LB 126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Thursday |
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 4–6 p.m. |
Rachelle Jorgenson (LB 126 in Learning Commons or online) Rachelle Jorgenson (online only) |
Friday |
10 a.m.–2 p.m. |
Rachelle Jorgenson (LB 126 in Learning Commons or online) |
Note: Limit your ELS appointments to two 30-minute support sessions a week.
If you would like to go over a writing assignment, send the instructor a digital copy of the draft and the assignment instructions before the appointment time.