International Language Schools of Canada, Vancouver

Our schools are situated in magical Vancouver, energetic Toronto, and passionate Montreal. ILSC-Vancouver is equipped with over 70 spacious classrooms, spread out over 5 campuses. Our 6 multimedia computer labs are each equipped with computer terminals with high-speed internet access and Windows XP or Macintosh Operating Systems, as well as peripherals including colour printers and scanners. All ILSC campuses, classrooms and facilities are wheelchair accessible. Our First Principle is that learning works best when it is student-centered. We assume that you will be motivated to learn about things that personally interest you. Your dreams, interests and goals are as important as anyone else’s, and that includes the teacher. The combination of a set curriculum structure and the flexibility to accommodate each student’s special interests gives learning the freedom to flourish. The Second Principle is that learning works better when it is made a part of the experiences of daily life. Language courses at ILSC immerse you in these real world experiences with role playing, field trips, computer use and group learning activities. You learn to speak and write English or French in real world situations with teachers who are responsive to your personal needs and interests. The Third Principle is that people learn best when they are confident, at ease and happy. There is a great learning atmosphere at ILSC. We are a very friendly school and we encourage a positive sense of community where you are at ease to converse with others in English or French and develop friendships. In such a setting, you will find that language learning happens in a very natural and effective way. To ensure that the above three principles will best assist your learning process, your ILSC teacher functions as a: Modeller of language: Your teacher is always assisting you to improve your English language skills in a positive, supportive manner. Resource person: You can count on ILSC teachers and counsellors to give of their time and energy to help you with all aspects of living and learning. Facilitator: ILSC staff are enthusiastic and always coming up with innovative ways to improve group and individual learning processes. Co-designer, with students, of learning activities. Coach, mentor and friend.

Come and discover Vancouver, a modern, magical city set among lush green mountain forests and beaches lapped by the blue Pacific Ocean. Vancouver is a vibrant, multicultural city. English is the official language, but if you listen carefully you might also hear a bit of French, Italian, Korean, Greek or Chinese. The people are warm and friendly and conversations start easily - at community centres, on the Skytrain, ferries, in parks or on the beaches or in any of the many exciting restaurants offering a wide choice of cuisine from around the world. Mountain bike along the wooded trails of Pacific Spirit Park, roller blade around the Seawall, hike up to the magnificent coastal views atop Grouse and Seymour mountains, or sit and enjoy Stanley Park, a natural oasis that is only a stroll from the city centre. Museums, art galleries, theatres, fashionable boutiques, libraries and an overwhelming array of things to see and do are all within a short walk from ILSC's downtown campuses. Vancouver... a modern cosmopolitan city in a nature lover's dream! Sometimes called the Hawaii of Canada, Vancouver averages temperatures of 23°C in the summer and about 10°C in the winter. During the winter, snow falls on the nearby mountains, but seldom in the city. The world renowned Whistler Mountain Ski Resort, home of many World Cup ski races, is only an hour and a half drive from the city. The City of Vancouver enjoys an average of about 2,000 hours of sunshine a year and has the most temperate climate in Canada. However, it does tend to rain here, especially in the fall and winter months. It is advisable to bring good rain gear and to prepare for winter temperatures that may dip to around 0° C once in a while. Spring and summer months see many sunny days and the beaches of Vancouver are often crowded with sun bathers during the height of the summer season in July and August. Close to two million people live here. The population is a rich, diverse mixture of ethnic cultures, all happy to call this beautiful, peaceful part of the world home. First run movies, symphonies, world class boutiques, pro league sports, affordable public transportation - Vancouver has all the usual big city amenities, but there is nothing usual about the city and its natural setting - they are spectacular!

Please don't hesitate to contact us for further information.

Homestay: Staying in a Homestay will give you an excellent opportunity to practice your English conversation skills and experience Canadian culture and family life. Our Homestay families are located in the finest areas of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal; these homes are safe, secure, inspected and approved by our Homestay Program Coordinators. Your Homestay family will be different from your own, so we ask that you be prepared to adjust to a new household routine, different foods and new rules. You will become one of the family! Our Homestay Department, Cultural Coordinators and staff will always be available to assist you whenever you have questions or want to talk. At ILSC-Montreal, you stay with an English or French-Canadian family depending on your program. You will be provided with a clean, comfortable, private room. The room will be equipped with a desk, bed, dresser, closet and good lighting. You are expected to keep your own room neat and tidy. You will have your own house key. Please respect the security of the household. Make sure you return the key when you leave. You will receive three healthy, adequate meals a day. You will try many different types of food. Please tell your family what you like and dislike. Alternative Accomodations: ILSC is proud to present the Alternative Accommodations Placement Program. With this program, students studying at ILSC can now be placed with various types of alternative accommodations to Homestay. You can download a list of different types of accommodation (Acrobat Reader required) that have been visited and rated by our Homestay department. Students attending ILSC can now be booked in any one of the accommodations with a one time placement fee of CAD $215.00. Bookings are made on first come, first serve basis and are subject to limited availability. Interested parties simply fill in the application form (Acrobat Reader required), indicating their specific needs and the appropriate ILSC marketer will contact them.

Our activities make the most of the four distinct Canadian seasons. Attend the school in the summer and take up bicycling, rollerblading, golfing, kayaking or learn how to salsa in the summer heat. Enjoy winter sports like tobogganing, skiing and skating or come in from the cold for indoor rock-climbing, movie nights, live basketball games and much more. Fresh air nature hikes are easily accessible all year round. You pay only for your transportation and entrance fees. An ILSC teacher or Activities Coordinator is your guide. Weekend adventures: Get out of town with ILSC! Explore Canada's vast urban and rural landscapes. The country offers camping, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and sky diving. Vancouver students can take the highway south to Seattle for sightseeing and shopping, or ferry to Victoria for British gardens and high tea at the world famous Empress Hotel. Toronto students can take a day trip to Niagara Falls or join ILSC-Montreal students in Ottawa to experience the National Gallery and great walking tours. Not far from Montreal, Quebec City awaits with its French-Canadian culture, festivals and Old World charm. Ongoing School Events: We are busy all year round bringing the ILSC community together with Christmas and Halloween parties, summer boat cruises and barbecues. Come share in the good times with new friends from the four corners of the globe.