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 ESL Courses
Douglas College's academic ESL courses are designed to help language learners at the intermediate and advanced levels meet their educational 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
Academic ESL 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. Students are expected to attend all class meetings and to use only English in class.
Instructors use a variety of research-based teaching methods. All teaching faculty members are experienced professionals.
Course schedule
Academic ESL 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 take ESL courses should contact the Developmental Education office at 604 527 5463 to register for a placement test and information sessions. Students are advised to make arrangements for an ESL assessment as soon as possible as spaces are limited.
Citation of Proficiency in College Preparatory English
Students who receive mastery in EASL 0450 (Listening, Note-Taking and Discussion) and a minimum grade of “C-” in EASL 0460 (Reading and Composition) are eligible to apply for the Citation of Proficiency in College Preparatory 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 at the Developmental Education Office, Room 4200, New Westminster Campus, 604 527 5463.