English as a Second Language
The ESL Department offers the following options for learning English. They are:
Department Website
For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.
Academic Preparatory ESL Courses
Douglas College's academic ESL courses are designed to help language learners at the intermediate and advanced levels meet their academic goals. For many new Canadians and international students, this means building English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to the level needed to succeed in post-secondary education in Canada.
Your commitment
ESL academic preparation courses call for a high level of commitment from students. In class, students work individually, with the instructor, with partners, in small groups and as a large group. Students are expected to do extensive homework assignments in preparation for each class. Instructors guide students through the learning activities, support and encourage them and evaluate their development.
Instructors use a variety of up-to-date teaching methods. All teaching faculty members are experienced professionals.
Course schedule
Academic preparation courses usually meet either four or eight hours per week. Full-time students attend 16 hours of class each week. Courses are organized by language skills: conversation, listening, reading and writing. Upon completion, students often continue their studies at Douglas College, Simon Fraser University or the University of British Columbia.
Location
Classes are offered morning, afternoon and evening at the New Westminster and David Lam campuses.
Intake Dates/Application Deadlines
**Application deadlines may be extended.
Douglas College offers ESL courses in all three semesters - Fall, Winter and Summer. To find out when to apply, see Application Deadlines.
Admission Requirements
- General Admission Requirements
- All students must immediately arrange for an ESL assessment to determine appropriate course levels before registration in ESL courses.
Assessments can be booked at New Westminster Campus 604-527-5463 or David Lam Campus in Coquitlam 604-777-6196. Help with planning an educational program is available through academic advisors in the Registrar's Office at 604-527-5478. Students who are requesting transfer credit from other institutions, or submitting high school transcripts from outside of BC to satisfy prerequisite compliance, are required to apply and submit those documents no later than three months in advance of intake.
Other Information
All students who speak English as an additional language are eligible for ESL classes. No application procedure is required for students who have already been admitted to other Douglas College programs.
Students who wish to arrange for an assessment should contact the Developmental Education office to register for a test and information sessions. Limited spaces are available to new students and students are advised to make arrangements for an ESL assessment as soon as possible.
Citation of Proficiency in College Preparation English
Students who receive Mastery in EASL 0445 (Listening and Note Taking), EASL 0455 (Discussion and Participation) or EASL 0450 (Listening, Note Taking and Discussion), and 0465 (Reading), or EASL 0475 (Composition) or EASL 0460 (Reading and Composition) are eligible to apply for the Citation of Proficiency in College Preparation English.
Immersion Programs
Immersion programs give students the opportunity to live, study and work in an all-English environment. Closed-enrolment immersion programs offer language development, course materials and field trips focused on the specific needs of institutions or businesses. Inquiries from interested educational institutions and businesses are welcomed.
Spring and Summer Explore program
The Summer Explore Program (formerly the Summer Language Bursary Program [SLBP]) brings international and community students together with Quebec bursary students for a five-week program that runs from May to June of each year. This program is open to everyone and international students in particular are welcomed and encouraged to join the Explore students. Students who are new to Canada are encouraged to participate in a two-week orientation covering topics such as North American academic expectations, orientation to College campus and services, familiarity with local transit options, an introduction to the culture of Quebec, help with settling into the homestay environment and more.
Academic Health Care Foundations
This one-semester, full-time, two-course advanced offering will address the needs of English as a Second Language students who wish to upgrade their skills in order to enter one of the programs offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences. EASL 0810 is Academic Health Care Listening and Speaking Communication Skills for Students of English as a Second Language and EASL 0820 is Academic Health Care Reading and Composition Skills for Students of English as a Second Language. These two courses will be offered concurently twice a year beginning in 2009/2010. Further information on Academic Health Care Foundations can be obtained by contacting the EASL office at 604-527-5463.