ESL Pathways

Overview

Learn the English skills you need to work, study, and participate in everyday life while attaining Canadian Language Benchmarks Levels 5-8.

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.

Students should expect to do significant self-study and experiential learning tasks in addition to regular class hours. There will be approximately 1 hour of homework per 2.5 in-class hours.

What you will learn

• Meet the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing outcomes at CLB 8 in the "Profiles of Ability" columns of the competency outcomes and standards listed in the most recent Canadian Language Benchmarks.
• Meet the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing outcomes at the EAP IV level in the BC Transfer Guide.
• Communicate effectively in multiple contexts including personal, academic and workplace contexts of moderate complexity.
• Successfully engage in communicative interactions, using intercultural communication and soft skills to function effectively in community, study and work contexts of moderate complexity.
• Utilize the following Skills for Success (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.
• Apply the Experiential Learning cycle to real world language tasks.

Program duration and maximum time for completion

Total number of contact hours for each ESL Pathways course is 120 hours.

The ESL Experiential Learning 1 course, to be completed near or at the end of the program as a requirement for Certification, is 48 hours.

Admission requirements

Program-specific

Knowledge of English demonstrated by one of the following:

• English language proficiency as demonstrated by the CLB level or equivalent for the language skills of each course

or

• Department approval

Note:

• 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 may not exceed more than one Benchmark level.

Recommended considerations

EAL Pathways is a rigorous program designed to help students develop their language skills as well as a range of embedded skills, such as intercultural communication, that can contribute to their overall success in communication.  Students need to be able to:

• commit time to the courses to successfully participate in classes and complete assignments;
• respectfully engage with fellow students and members of the college, in teams and independently, in an environment that embraces justice, equity, diversity and inclusion;
• engage with and respect Indigenous ways of knowing and learning;
• seek to become autonomous learners, set learning goals and plan ways to achieve them;
• conduct self-reflection on their progress and goals with support from the instructor; and
• use and learn basic computer skills to participate in online learning activities.

Program availability

Courses

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 costs

How to apply

STEP 1: Find your level

You need to have one of the following language assessments:

• Duolingo (taken within the last 2 years) – how to take this test
• IELTS General or Academic (taken within the last 2 years)
• CLBPT (taken within the last 1 year)
• LINC Progress Report or Certificate
• VCC Pathways results
• VCC EAL Accuplacer + Speaking Assessment

STEP 2: Find your classes

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

• Check for CLB 5-7 and CLB 8-9 on the full courses schedule (PDF).
• Check 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

If you miss the deadline, late applications may still be accepted in person at the EAL department on the Broadway campus (for courses that have not started and have seats available).

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 U-Pass 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.

Find out more information in the Questions and Answers for Pathways Students.

International students

Program seats are reserved for domestic students. Any remaining seats may be made available to international students after the domestic student registration finishes, typically a couple of weeks before classes begin. Due to the limitation of international seats, only applicants with a valid study permit to study at VCC may apply. Conditional admission is not available. Please email [email protected] with your status in Canada to check your eligibility.

Ready to apply?

Online

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.

Mail

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

International students

Apply to VCC international programs online. Check the availability status for your desired program and intake before applying.

Contact us

Program information

<p>For questions about English as an Additional Language programs contact the EAL department:</p>
<p>Email: [email protected]<br />
Phone: 604.871.7301 (leave a message)<br />
In Person: VCC Broadway campus, Building A, Room 3625<br />
Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.<br />
Friday by appointment only</p>

Advising services

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: [email protected]

Advising services for International students

[email protected]