General English Program

General English offers an integrated curriculum where students learn essential grammar, vocabulary and language skills in structured and contextualized lessons. Cantered around a theme, each unit includes at least two grammar focuses and multiple listening, reading, and speaking exercises while targeting a specific real world speaking and writing function. Lessons are taught with the communicative approach, encouraging students to develop their fluency and confidence in English.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must provide a valid photo ID or birth certificate.
• Applicants must hold a high school diploma or be at least 19 years of age.
• Students under the age of 19 require their parent or guardian’s signature.
• Student must complete an intake with Admissions team member.
• The prerequisite for this course is basic English knowledge.
• Students will be given a placement test on the first day of class and will be placed in the appropriate level based on the test results. 
• Students with IELTS or TOEFL scores that match the scores in the chart below will be placed according to their IELTS or TOEFL levels.  In the event the student is struggling with the level, they may be required to take the English Placement test. 
• Grade 12 or equivalent

Students will be placed in the appropriate level as follows.

IELTS 3.0 or less and TOEFL 20 or less – will be placed at Level 1 Beginner CEFR: A1

IELTS 4.0 to as low as 3.0 and TOEFL 31 to as low as 20 – will be placed at Level 2

Elementary CEFR: A2

IELTS 4.5 to as low as 4.0 and TOEFL 34 to as low as 32 – will be placed at Level 3 Pre-

Intermediate CEFR: B1

IELTS 5.0 to as low as 4.5 and TOEFL 45 to as low as 35 – will be placed at Level 4

Intermediate CEFR: B1+

IELTS 6.0 to as low as 5.5 and TOEFL 78 to as low as 46 – will be placed at Level 5

Upper-Intermediate CEFR: B2

IELTS 7.0 to as low as 6.5 and TOEFL 101 to as low as 79 – will be placed at Level 6

Advanced CEFR: C1

IELTS 6.5+ and TOEFL 101 to as low as 79 – can qualify for Level CUPC –

College/University Preparation CEFR: C1-C2

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
• Introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has.
• Interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
• Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). 
• Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
• Describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
• Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. 
• Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. 
• Produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
• Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
• Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. 
• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. 
• Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and independent disadvantages of various options.
• Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options and plans.
• Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
• Express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
• Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

METHODS OF EVALUATION

For specific methods of evaluation, refer to individual course outlines.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

To successfully complete the program, a student must:

• Pass all courses with a minimum passing grade of 70% (C).

PROGRAM DURATION

960 instructional hours

Total: 960 hours

DELIVERY METHODS

In-class 

Distance Education (Both Synchronous and ASynchronous) 

Combined

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

All students must have a laptop or tablet that has a suite of applications for accessing e-books, word processing, creating spreadsheets, charts, graphs and presentations.

PROGRAM ORGANIZATION