Program Highlights
Beginners Program - English Language Services for Adults (ELSA)
The ELSA program offers beginner-level English instruction for landed immigrants and refugees or those applying to become landed immigrants. This program is designed to give students the English language and life skills necessary for them to function in Canadian society. The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, Immigration and Welcome BC Branch sponsors this program. Availability is subject to funding.
Course Levels
Depending on a student's proficiency in English, NIC offers intermediate, advanced, and university/college preparatory level courses to prepare students for their educational and employment goals.
Intermediate - Courses at the Intermediate level are designed primarily to assist students with the English they need in everyday situations. These courses develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while exploring themes and issues related to Canadian living.
Advanced - Courses at the Advanced level are designed to give students the English skills they need to integrate more fully into Canadian society and to prepare them to enter other college programs. Advanced level writing and reading courses emphasize writing and academic English skills. Students will develop effective strategies for composing in English, including pre-writing, revising, and editing. These courses will also assist students in reading comprehension and vocabulary building, and give further opportunities to improve spoken English. At the same time Advanced Grammar classes permit students to communicate more fluently and clearly in both languages. Advanced speaking and listening classes focus on developing higher-level communication skills. By focusing on listening and communication strategies as well as idiomatic use of language, these classes increase students' fluency and comfort in using English.
University and College Preparatory - Courses at the College Prep level are designed to prepare students for university/college level reading, writing and communication. As ESL 090 is the equivalent of ENG 098, successful completion of this course will allow students to enter many university and career programs.