Learning English in Vancouver is very popular because the city is beautiful, easy to get around in, and relatively safe.

There are numerous ESL schools in Vancouver, from small conversational schools to large institutions with classes of up to 30 students.

Many people come to the area for extended holidays and take Vancouver English language courses while they’re here. Most ESL schools offer both long-term and short-term English programs, so whether you're here for a year or a month, you can find a schedule that works for you.

Choosing a Vancouver ESL School

Choosing where you will learn English can be hard because there are so many Vancouver ESL schools. By making your goals clear, you can narrow down your choices.

If you want to develop language skills, but also have fun, choose a school with classes that emphasize conversation and culture. Most ESL schools of this type are located in downtown Vancouver, although there are a few smaller schools in outlying areas such as Burnaby and New Westminster. Many of the downtown ESL schools plan a lot of fun activities for students, such as pub nights, movie nights, and ski trips, making it easier to meet new friends.

If your goals are academic because you plan to attend a North American university, then it's best to study English at an institution of higher education, either at a Vancouver community college or one of the two local Vancouver universities (UBC and SFU). All these schools offer excellent ESL programs.

Look for a Vancouver ESL school that will let you take a tour and observe a class before you apply. This is a good way to become familiar with the school, the teaching style and the type of students attending. Talk to some of the students you see at the school – are they happy with their classes? If a school refuses to allow you to observe a class, they might not be confident in their ability to offer satisfactory training.

Affiliations

Although affiliation with professional associations doesn’t guarantee good service, it does indicate that schools are making an effort to become good members of the educational community. Poorly managed ESL schools don’t usually have many professional affiliations.


Here are some associations that Vancouver ESL schools might belong to:

› Canadian Association of Private Language Schools (CAPLS)
› Canadian Education Centre Network (CEC Network)
› BC Teachers of English as an Additional Language
› Canadian Federation of Independent Business
› Teachers of English as an Additional Language (TEAL)