Okanagan College International


English as a Second Language


Kelowna students at table
Okanagan College offers two distinct ESL programs designed to suit the student’s particular needs. English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is offered in Kelowna and Intensive English Communication is offered in Vernon.  TOEFL or other prerequisites are not required for admission to either program.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be:

  • at least 18 years of age OR
  • turn 18 during their first semester at Okanagan College OR
  • have completed the equivalent of British Columbia grade 12.

Applicants who are 17 years of age may be admitted to the Spring and Summer sessions of the English for Academic Purposes program and to any of the Intensive English Communication program sessions.

Intensive English Communication
(Vernon Campus)

  •  Classes begin monthly
  •  Focuses on developing speaking, listening and pronunciation skills
  •  20 hours/week of classroom instruction
  •  Includes volunteer placements and field trips

English for Academic Purposes
(Kelowna Campus)
  • Beginner to advanced levels (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening,     Pronunciation, Grammar)
  • Average of 20 hours/week of class instruction
  •  Programs begin in January, May, July, and September
  •  Students at advanced ESL levels may combine ESL with diploma/degree  courses
  • Successful program completion meets the English requirement for all academic programs at Okanagan College and the English Language Admission Requirement (ELAS) for UBC Okanagan

English Language Assessment

New ESL students are assessed through the Okanagan College English Language Assessment (OCELA) to determine their placement in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

meet an instructor, check out his website: http://www.paraphrasing.ca/P3/Introduction.html

Further details may be found in the Okanagan College Calendar

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

INTENSIVE ENGLISH COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

CAMPUS LOCATIONS:

KELOWNA

VERNON

PROGRAM GOALS:

Academic Preparation

Improve Oral Communication Skills

TIME FRAME:

Semester Duration:

  • Four months in September and January. 
  • Two month accelerated classes may also be available in some levels
  • 8 week sessions in May and July

Intake: September, January, May and July

 Program Duration:
Four weeks to one year

Intakes: Flexible, continuous monthly intake

POSSIBLE STUDENT GOALS:

Academic English for degree and diploma programs

 Conversational English, Tourism  and Professional Development

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRAMS:
  • Enrol in degree/diploma courses while studying ESL
  • Extra learning support provided, (i.e. Computer Assisted Language Learning; Tutoring Centre)
  • Conversation Partner Program
  • Focus on listening, speaking, fluency, accent reduction and pronunciation 
  • Volunteer Work experience Small class sizes
  • Field trips
  • Interactive opportunities to practice English

LEVELS:

Six levels of ESL;
Beginner to Advanced

Three levels of ESL;
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
 How to Apply for OC
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