PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
General Advanced Level (GAP)
Description
APPLY NOW - DOWNLOAD APPLICATION (PDF) FOR 2013
The General Advanced Level of the 12-week intensive program, or "GAP", is for advanced students who want to strengthen their proficiency in English for international communication, as an alternative or complement to advanced academic English preparation for future university studies. The course focuses on career, cultural and global issues. Students are encouraged to broaden their English proficiency in the context of individual interests and apply their advanced English skills through weekly volunteer work in the community and symposium presentations based on community activities
Program Features
- 2 hours weekly community volunteer work, based on individual interest
- Listening: Current events news, panel discussions and documentaries; weekly classes in the Language Lab
- Bi-weekly off-campus visits to local businesses, government and cultural sites
- Novel, movie and song studies
- Writing skills: Letter and email writing, basic essay structures, grammatical accuracy and vocabulary development
- Oral skills: Pronunciation, expanding structural complexity, expressing opinions on complex topics, idiomatic vocabulary development and oral presentation skills
- Critical reading of opinion articles from newspapers, texts and magazines
- Weekly conversation club with native speakers
- Final oral symposium presentation based on a personally chosen topic and the community contact activities
Entrance Requirements
GAP is for students:
- whose first language is not English
- who successfully complete the ELPI entrance exam and personal interview at the advanced level OR who successfully complete Level 570G or 570A of ELPI
- who have good self-direction and motivation to broaden their English skills in the “real world” of Victoria
All English Language Centre students must:
- Be 18 years old by the program start date
- Meet Canadian Visa requirements
- Buy medical insurance for the duration of the program
- Read, understand and abide by all program guidelines
Evaluation
Formal examinations are held each session and a report card is issued at the end of the session. The final mark is the total of all assignments and tests. After completing each level, students receive a Certificate of Participation. The Certificate of Participation will be awarded to students who attend at least 80% of the scheduled classes. Students who miss 20% or more classes (including late arrival and/or early departure) will not receive the Certificate of Participation. All students will receive a Record of Grade (report card) at the end of the program.
This is not a credit course and does not guarantee admission to the University of Victoria.
Format
GAP is the highest general English level of the 12-wek program, offered 3 times a year in January, April and September.
Program Schedule
- 18 class hours per week (morning or afternoon)
- 2 hours weekly community volunteer work, based on individual interest
- Study Centre and Pronunciation Clinic (8 hours per week)
- Weekly Conversation club with native speakers
- Free weekly activities and a variety of optional activities for a minimal cost
- Homestay accommodation (National Award Winner, 2007)
Completion Requirements
- 2 hours weekly community volunteer work, based on individual interest
- Listening: Current events news, panel discussions and documentaries; weekly classes in the Language Lab
- Bi-weekly off-campus visits to local businesses, government and cultural sites
- Novel, movie and song studies
- Writing skills: Letter and email writing, basic essay structures, grammatical accuracy and vocabulary development
- Oral skills: Pronunciation, expanding structural complexity, expressing opinions on complex topics, idiomatic vocabulary development and oral presentation skills
- Critical reading of opinion articles from newspapers, texts and magazines
- Weekly conversation club with native speakers
- Final oral symposium presentation based on a personally chosen topic and the community contact activities
