Core Courses include six levels of English Essentials, Reading and Writing.
Optional Courses are Pronunciation, Grammar and Speaking.
Co-enrolment in ESL and degree/diploma programs.
Access to Computer Assisted Language Learning and Learning Support - Tutoring Centres.
Level
Required Courses
ESL Option
Academic Options
1
English Essentials, Reading, Writing
Speaking
None
2
English Essentials, Reading, Writing
Speaking, Pronunciation
None
3
English Essentials, Reading, Writing
Speaking, Pronunciation, Grammar
None
4
English Essentials, Reading, Writing
Speaking, Pronunciation, Grammar
1 of: Adult Academic and Career Preparation (AACP), Diploma or University course in Math, Computer Science or another language (eg. french, spanish)
5
English Essentials, Reading, Writing
Speaking, Pronunciation, Grammar
1 or 2 of: Adult Academic and Career Preparation (AACP), Diploma or University courses
6
English Essentials, Reading, Writing
Speaking, Pronunciation, Grammar
1,2 or 3 of: Adult Academic and Career Preparation (AACP), Diploma or University courses
At Level 4, 5 & 6 Students may enrol in Degree and Diploma courses
Notes:
A very basic understanding of English is required to begin level one of this program. (Try our sample quiz).
Summer Sessions: University courses are not available in the summer for new students (see below for details).
New students take the Okanagan College English Language Assessment (OCELA) test at the beginning of their first semester to determine their language skill level in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The three-hour placement test ensures students are placed appropriately in the different levels of courses offered in the ESL program.
All students take three core courses which are the foundation of Okanagan College's ESL programs. These include Reading, Writing and English Essentials, a course designed to practice language skills while learning about Canadian culture. Students select their other ESL and academic courses based upon their academic and personal goals and can enrol in different courses at various levels, depending on their language skill level in each area. For example, a student may enrol in a maximum of five courses provided the total course hours do not exceed 25 hours. Students must be registered in English Essentials, Reading and Writing at Level 4 or above if they wish to take academic classes.
Foundation course of the ESL program. The course material consists of four components: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. There are six levels of English Essentials. There is more than just classwork in EE: field trips, recreational activities, language lab practice, and videos add to the students' learning.
Reading
Students will begin by developing basic vocabulary and comprehension skills. Advanced levels will prepare students for college-level studies. The textbooks used range from picture dictionaries for the basic reading course to a complete English novel at the advanced level.
Speaking
This course develops the student's conversational and listening abilities. Classwork includes small group work, presentations, drama, and other interactive activities.
Pronunciation
The students will spend part of their class time in the language lab improving their understanding and pronunciation of spoken English. Pronunciation covers the basic sounds of English which the student may have difficulty with, as well as intonational patterns of the language.
Grammar
This course is designed to help students improve their grammar by analyzing the structure of the language. This will enable students to improve in both formal written and informal spoken English.
Writing
The emphasis in this course is to develop writing ability for academic purposes. Students in the beginning level will concentrate on basic sentence structure. As students move up through the levels they will begin to develop paragraphs and research essays.
