COURSE INFORMATION

The Vancouver English Centre curriculum is designed to develop English skills that can be applied in a practical way to real situations. Grammar, is taught in a communicative manner, with an emphasis on using the structures orally. Communicative methodology is also used for the development of Vocabulary, Idioms and Pronunciation. Teachers work with weekly themes in afternoon classes. They use various pair and group activities related to the theme, to improve students' listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Everyday English, such as how to ask someone for directions, is also covered in the afternoon classes.

To evaluate our students' abilities, tests are given on the first day of the course and every four weeks thereafter. The VEC Director of Studies then places the students in suitable levels. There are eight levels. All students are placed in separate levels according to their grammar and conversation skills. Students usually progress to higher levels every eight weeks.

The Super-Intensive Program is approximately 29 hours of classroom instruction per week. There are 4 classes per day, from Monday to Friday. The Intensive Program includes appproximately 26 hours per week of classroom instruction. Although classes are not normally scheduled for Friday afternoons, students may join optional school field trips.

The Business Internship Program is for ambitious students and professionals who want to personally experience the Canadian business environment. Interns study Business Communications in the morning and Business Skills in the afternoon. After the courses are completed, interns are placed in local companies to work as trainees. Althouigh students are not normally paid during their internships, some paid internships are available.

TOEIC Preparation, TOEFL Preparation, IELTS Preparation, and Business English are all elective courses. These courses are usually offered only in the afternoon or morning. Our TOEIC and TOEFL Preparation Programs are designed mainly to help students achieve higher test scores. The Business Program helps improve all four communication skills for people who need English in their day-to-day work. These courses are most suitable for students who have attained at least an upper-intermediate level. They are offered to both full-time and part-time students.

Full-time courses include four classes per day, Monday to Thursday, and two classes on Friday mornings. Students may participate in optional school field trips on Friday afternoons. Although all courses are normally planned in four-week sessions, you may register for as many weeks as you wish.