English courses in Vancouver
Vancouver, located on the west coast of Canada, is a cosmopolitan and dynamic city, renowned for its quality of life and its economic and cultural importance. With over 150 ethnic communities, it is one of the most multicultural cities in the country. Surrounded by ocean and mountains, it offers magnificent green spaces, including Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. Nearby, the Canadian Rockies and Whistler attract nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Our EC partner school in Vancouver is located in a landmark building in the centre of this incredibly picturesque city, close to Yaletown and Chinatown and close to public transport.
Accreditations: Languages Canada, TESL Canada
The school offers you
- 11 spacious and bright classrooms
- Interactive whiteboards in every classroom
- Free Wi-Fi connection
- Computer room
- A library
- Study room
- Student lounge
- A kitchen area
The school is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
VIP service – The Orange Carpet Experience
EC rolls out the orange carpet to welcome you
- Even before your arrival: a connection to the EC-Online platform to prepare all aspects of your stay
- A warm welcome on arrival at the airport or station
- A welcome activity on Sunday to start getting to know the other students
- VIP reception at the school on the 1st day of your course
- Introduction of all team members and welcome drink
You’re now ready to learn!
English course: general information
- Length of lesson: 45 minutes
- Number of students per class: maximum 15 (average 14)
- Timetable: lessons take place in the morning and/or afternoon.
- Level test: on the first day of the course
- Certificate of attendance at the end of the course
- Free access to the EC-Online platform up to 12 weeks after the end of the course
- Regular progress assessment (oral test every week, written test every 6 weeks)
- Teachers are qualified to teach their mother tongue to foreigners
Standard course
——
20 lessons of general English per week
4 lessons per day during which you will improve the 4 fundamental skills of written and oral expression, listening comprehension and reading.
You will also develop your ability to use practical English in everyday life.
Levels offered: beginner to advanced
Intensive course
——
30 lessons of General English per week, i.e. the standard General English module of 20 lessons per week 10 lessons of a module to be chosen from the following options:
– Speaking with confidence
– Global awareness
– Grammar for real communication
– Real life listening
– Expand your vocabulary
– Writing with confidence
– Basic reading and writing
– English for leadership
– Exam skills
Levels offered: beginner to advanced
Semi-intensive course
——
24 lessons of General English per week, i.e. the standard General English module of 20 lessons 4 additional lessons of General English per week.
You will improve the 4 fundamental skills of written and oral expression, listening comprehension and reading. You will also develop your ability to use practical English in everyday life.
Levels offered: beginner to advanced
Writing with AI
——
30 English lessons per week : 20 lessons of general English 10 lessons related to artificial intelligence
Writing with AI is an innovative course designed for professionals who want to improve their written English using artificial intelligence. More than just an introduction to tools such as ChatGPT, this programme helps students to develop their own style, refine their point of view and create authentic, powerful texts. Essential training for success in a digital and globalised world.
Levels offered: B1 (intermediate)
Duration: 2 to 4 weeks
English FOR work
——
24 lessons of English per week, i.e. 20 lessons of general English 4 lessons of business English per week
You will develop your general English skills, then focus on English adapted to the world of work. You will learn to communicate precisely, clearly and fluently, which will enable you to make a presentation or lead a conference call without difficulty in your professional life.
The areas studied are
– Leading and managing meetings and conference calls
– Presentations
– Project planning
– Small talk
– Goal-setting
– Applying for jobs
– Interviewing
Minimum level of English : B1 (intermediate)
Duration: 2 to 12 weeks
Preparation for the cambridge exam
——
30 lessons of exam preparation per week
Please contact us for more details.
The school has developed teaching methods based on the practice of English used and spoken in everyday life. The four skills of speaking, writing, reading and listening are covered, and particular attention is paid to conversation, grammar, vocabulary, idiomatic forms and pronunciation.
The aim is to teach you the English language of today so that you can communicate and be understood by everyone at the end of your language course. Each lesson is based on a specific theme or subject.
The teaching resources used are specially designed by EC, supplemented by other materials such as press reviews, videos or other audio documents.
The teachers provide advice and encouragement throughout the stay, while ensuring that learning goes hand in hand with good humour. It is important to establish a pleasant atmosphere and mutual trust in the classroom. As practising the language is the best way to make progress, you will be asked to do a lot during the lessons.
Every week, the school organises cultural activities in the afternoons and evenings, in which you are free to participate or not. These activities may be free or offered at a cost, and their frequency varies according to the time of year. The schedule is available on the EC-Online platform.
Example of possible activities:
- Welcome Activity
- Visit to downtown Vancouver
- Outing to a baseball or football stadium
- Karaoke night
- Excursions to Whistler, Victoria…
Single room, shared bathroom and half board
Shared room available for students travelling together
Travel time to school: Vancouver is a large city with a well-developed and fluid public transport network. Families are located between 40 and 60 minutes from the school by public transport. All families are located close to a public transport service (metro and/or bus).
Practical information :
- Bed linen provided (bring your own towels)
- A washing machine is available for students
Located in the dynamic district of Collingwood. The neighbourhood is home to several parks and green spaces, including Aberdeen Park, Collingwood Park and Gaston Park. There are also all amenities nearby (shops, restaurants, cafés, public transport).
Features :
- Single room (Economy)
- Shared bathroom (3:1 ratio)
- No meals
- Travel time to school: 20 minutes by public transport
- Location: Collingwood district, close to Joyce-Collingwood skytrain station
Facilities / Services available :
- Bed linen provided (bring your own towels)
- Main doors and bedroom doors equipped with digital locks
- Free Wi-Fi
- Heating
- Communal lounge
- Balcony
- Garden
- Fully equipped kitchen (fridge, cooker, oven, microwave, toaster, kettle, dishwasher, kitchen utensils)
- 2 washing machines and 2 tumble dryers (free use)
- Weekly cleaning of communal areas only (lounge, bathroom, kitchen, emptying rubbish bins and replacing rubbish bags). Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms.
Optional:
- Standard room (more spacious than the Economy room)
- En-suite bathroom (standard room only)
Richards & Pender places you at the heart of an unrivalled cultural and culinary tapestry. Explore the trendy boutiques, renowned art galleries and eclectic dining options of this vibrant district, all within easy reach and effortless. Excellent public transport connections make the whole of Vancouver easily accessible.
Features :
- 2-3 bedroom flats (up to 4 students)
- Single room (Economy)
- Shared bathroom
- No meals
- Journey time to school: 5 minutes on foot
- Location: downtown Vancouver
Facilities / Services available :
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Free Wi-Fi
- Heating and air conditioning
- Communal lounge and dining room
- Fully equipped kitchen (fridge, cooker, oven, microwave, toaster, kettle, dishwasher, kitchen utensils)
- 1 washing machine and 1 tumble dryer (free use)
- Rooftop patio with barbecue area
- Garden
- Lift
- 24/7 video surveillance
- Weekly cleaning of communal areas only (living room, bathroom, kitchen, emptying rubbish bins and replacing rubbish bags). Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms.
Optional:
- Standard room (more spacious than the Economy room)
- Private bathroom (standard room only)
Travel
Day of arrival: Saturday
Day of departure: Saturday
If staying in a Student House: Check-in: 15:00; Check-out: 11:00
If staying at Richards & Pender: Check-in: 16:00; Check-out: 10:00
Arrival airport:
- Vancouver International, YVR
Transfer available on request (chargeable, see price table)
Note: do not book your ticket until we have confirmed your stay.
Visa information
Do you need a visa to follow this programme? For more information, please consult our Visa Information page.
Please do not hesitate to contact us by email or telephone if you require any further information.
Dates 2025
Start dates : The majority of courses start on Mondays throughout the year, unless otherwise stated below. If Monday is a public holiday, the session starts on Tuesday.
Public holidays (no lessons will be given on these dates, nor made up later; no compensation will be given): 1/01, 17/02, 18/04, 19/05, 1/07, 4/08, 1/09, 30/09, 13/10, 11/11, 25/12, 26/12
Rates for 2025
All taxes and registration fees included
| Course - homestay accommodation, single room, half board | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 20L | 24L & other courses | 30L & other courses |
| 2 weeks | € 1.335 | € 1.395 | € 1.455 |
| 3 weeks | € 1.855 | € 1.950 | € 2.035 |
| 4 weeks | € 2.375 | € 2.505 | € 2.615 |
| 6 weeks | € 3.420 | € 3.610 | € 3.780 |
| 8 weeks | € 4.465 | € 4.720 | € 4.945 |
| 12 weeks | € 6.385 | € 6.765 | € 7.145 |
| 16 weeks | € 8.385 | € 8.895 | € 9.400 |
| 18 weeks | € 9.385 | € 9.960 | € 10.530 |
| 20 weeks | € 10.390 | € 11.025 | € 11.660 |
| 24 weeks | € 12.235 | € 12.745 | € 13.675 |
| 32 weeks | € 16.185 | € 16.865 | € 18.105 |
| 36 weeks | € 18.160 | € 18.925 | € 20.320 |
| Extra week | € 495 | € 520 | € 555 |
| High season supplement course (30/06-29/08) | |||
| Lessons from 1 to 11 week(s) only | € 20 | ||
| Accommodation supplements | Low season | High season (28/06-30/08) | |
| Homestay, half board | - | € 25 | |
| Richards & Pender Shared Apartment, Economy, no meals | € 185 | € 220 | |
| Richards & Pender Shared Apartment, Standard, no meals | € 200 | € 235 | |
| Richards & Pender Shared Apartment, private bathroom, no meals | € 220 | € 255 | |
| Vancouver Student House, Economy, no meals | € 55 | € 90 | |
| Vancouver Student House, Standard, no meals | € 100 | € 140 | |
| Vancouver Student House, private bathroom, no meals | € 125 | € 160 | |
| Other supplements - homestay - per week | |||
| Students under 18 (homestay) | € 20 | ||
| Homestay at Christmas (20/21 and 27/28 December) - per weekend | € 30 | ||
| Special diet | € 30 | ||
| Transfer * - Per trip | |||
| From Vancouver Airport (YVR) | € 95 | ||
| *Return transfers compulsory for under-18s if arriving or departing between 8pm and 8am. | |||
The above prices include:
- The chosen course programme
- Homestay accommodation, single room, half board
- Teaching materials
- Unlimited Internet access
- Access to the school’s e-learning site up to 12 weeks after the end of the course
- Free access to Microsoft Office for the duration of the course, including Word, PowerPoint and much more
- English language activities and workshops
- Social and cultural programme
- Welcome activity
- All school taxes and administrative costs
- All GE30, 24+ weeks courses include the option of joining an exam prep course (subject to availability)
Not included:
- Travel and transfers
- Meals not included in the chosen package
- Local transport
- Optional activities
- Examination fees, if any
- Any visa fees
- Optional insurance
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