Study in Canada

Simon Fraser University English Language and Culture (ELC) Custom Program

The SFU ELC Custom Program Delivers successful custom English training programs to a particular group or cohort.

Some of the many advantages of custom program are:

  • Custom programs that are a minimum of four weeks long
  • Custom program content tailored to the needs of the cohort
  • Start dates are flexible, depending on classroom availability
  • The standard program is 27 class hours per week
  • Classes run between 9 am and 3:30 pm Monday to Friday
  • Classes take place at the SFU Campus in downtown Vancouver
  • For custom groups, ELC requires a minimum of 15 students per class group

Curriculum

Canadian Studies

Canadian Studies will help you focus on the cultural context of English by studying topics such as geography, history, government, and social institutions, as well as engaging in discussions about current Canadian issues.

You will work both individually and in small groups, and you’ll respond to and analyze a variety of authentic texts, including articles, maps, charts, audio-visual presentations, TV, news, and documentary clips. You can expect to learn how to watch, interpret, discuss, and respond to what Canadians are saying, and to receive the tools to analyze the cultural background of any country.

Composition

This course is designed to help you improve your English grammar skills and learn how to write to a Canadian audience. You will learn how to organize your thoughts and express ideas so that Canadian readers will be able to understand what you’ve written. You may also experiment with creative writing genres.

Listening Practice

Many students struggle to understand popular TV, music, daily conversations, and business negotiations. These courses will provide strategies that will help you make sense of slang, idiomatic language, and contextual clues. You can expect to learn how to understand not only what people are saying, but also how and why they choose their words and expressions.

Oral Skills

This class will focus on oral English enhancement. You will practice ways to improve your speech clarity and fluency through informal conversation and formal speaking tasks. You’ll target various aspects of spoken mechanics.

Reading Skills

The Reading Skills class combines reading comprehension and vocabulary building in a variety of formats. You will analyze how writers use language to stress and change meanings and develop an awareness of current events, Canadian social issues, and popular culture.

By questioning the language, images, and attitudes presented in literature, newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and advertising, you will develop an understanding of culture and international context.

News Media

The News Media course will help you learn how to understand what people say and write. You will actively practice your English listening, reading, and speaking skills through electronic and print media and learn strategies for making sense of language, images, and attitudes presented in the news. This course will also introduce you to some topical issues that are currently of concern to Canadians.

Academic Field Work

This course will provide you with an opportunity to go out into the community to interact directly with some aspect of Canadian culture. In the process, you will also practice your English communication skills in a context other than the classroom.

These trips are normally connected to course content and are conducted by instructors during class time. To make the most of these experiences, we encourage you to ask lots of questions before, during, and after the trips. Outings change from one program to another, but common examples include the following:

  • A visit to the British Columbia law courts
  • A tour of the Vancouver Art Gallery
  • A visit to a local television station
  • A nature walk through Stanley Park
  • A scavenger hunt at Granville Island

Please make requests for field trips to specific locations well in advance. We make no guarantees about securing these trips, though we will do our best.

Specializations

For three hours each week, students in the Premium Program study in an elective (specialization) of their choice. You may choose one of the following:

  • IELTS preparation
  • Business communications
  • Grammar intensive
  • Film studies

Please Contact Us for more information on these programs.