International Gateway Kelowna

Practical English as a Second Language (ESL)

Practical English as a Second Language (ESL) programs begin weekly for ages 15 and up.

The main emphases of the Practical ESL program are communication and functional English for daily life. Practical ESL programs begin weekly year round. The minimum class size is 6, the average is 8 and the maximum is 15. IGK guarantees a very personalized, fast paced and dynamic approach to language learning with an innovative digital curriculum. The majority of students achieve fluency in 24 weeks or less depending on their entry level. Students can enroll in executive, full or part time programs. Students receive full 60 minute lessons at IGK. This is an important fact to check when comparing schools as many schools advertise the number of ‘lessons’ offered per week (which could range anywhere from 30-60 minutes) and not the number of actual in class hours.

Full time (the most popular program at IGK)

Monday-Friday 9:00am – 2:55pm – 25 hours per week – Enroll from 1 to 24 weeks

Part time

Monday-Friday 9:00am – 12:00noon – 15 hours per week – Enroll from 1 to 24 weeks

Part time

Monday-Friday 12:45pm – 2:55pm – 10 hours per week – Enroll from 1 to 24 weeks

Executive

Monday-Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm – 30 hours per week – Enroll from 1 to 4 weeks

(includes 1 hour of private tutoring per day from 3:00 – 4:00pm)

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Five levels of Practical ESL are offered from Beginner to Advanced which focus on the combined skills of reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening and speaking. Students are placed according to their placement test scores on the first day of class. Students typically move up to the next level in 6 to 8 weeks. The maximum length of each level is 12 weeks. IGK uses a digitally enhanced curriculum supplemented with Northstar and Headway materials. Students need to provide their own laptop computer, tablet