English Foundations

This program is for you if…
you are a new Albertan looking to improve your English skills
or
you are looking to enrol in our Academic English (undergraduate/graduate preparation) programs.


This ESL program is designed for new Albertans looking to improve their English skills, as well as international learners who are looking to enter the Academic English for Undergraduate Admission Program but have not yet reached the required level of proficiency.

We welcome learners from all English skill levels who wish to improve their English for work, school, community activities, or family interactions.

Learn from highly qualified and experienced instructors at a Top 5 Canadian University who use a learner-centred communicative approach to help learners improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

Meet new friends from around the globe and take part in fun activities with access to our unique Student Engagement Centre.

After completing English Foundations III, learners can enter directly into EAP 135.

Class activities may include:
Create a survey and survey people
Write a personal reflection in a language learning blog and share your reflections with others
Learn about presentations and deliver a presentation to your classmates
Create a “how to” tutorial and teach a new skill to your classmates
Learn new pronunciation strategies to build confidence
Listen to a discussion on a global issue and lead a discussion on a familiar current topic

Complete 1-3 courses

Apply Now
English Foundations I

start here if you have one of:

  • IELTS Academic score of 3.5+ with band score of 3.0+
  • OR
    TOEFL® iBT score of 22+
English Foundations II

start here if you have one of:

  • English Foundations I
  • OR
    IELTS Academic score of 4.0+ with band score of 3.5+
  • OR
    TOEFL® iBT score of 28+
English Foundations III

start here if you have one of:

  • English Foundations II
  • OR
    IELTS Academic score of 4.5+ with band score of 4.0+
  • OR
    TOEFL® iBT score of 33+

Total cost per course: C$3,315 – includes tuition, health insurance & services, student services, access to our Student Engagement Centre.


Courses offered
September 3 - October 23, 2024
January 6 - February 24, 2025
May 5 - June 23, 2025
 

Course Overviews

English Foundations I elementary proficiency in general speaking, vocabulary and writing

This course will help beginner-level students to develop a strong foundation of basic oral and written fluency in English. By the end of the course, you should be able to make contributions in small group discussions and engage in simple conversations. You will also demonstrate a growing understanding of written and spoken texts about general interest topics, as well as express ideas in writing at the sentence level with some clarity.

English Foundations II growing understanding of written and spoken texts and intermediate writing

This course will help intermediate-level students to develop language skills in English. You will participate in interactive classes that provide many opportunities for meaningful language learning. Classes will include interactive tasks such as participating in group discussions, giving class presentations, and engaging with authentic video, audio, and digital material. The focus will be on developing fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary as you develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills with an emphasis on practical use.

English Foundations III build fluency, clarity of oral expression and accuracy in written texts

This course will help high-intermediate-level students to develop their language skills in English. You will participate in interactive classes that provide many opportunities for meaningful language learning. Classes will include giving presentations, leading and participating in group discussions, and engaging with authentic video, audio, and digital material. By the end of the course, you should be able to deliver short presentations, demonstrate an understanding of intermediate-level written and spoken texts, and write about familiar topics with increased fluency.

Program Policies

Transfers, withdrawals, authorized leave

Student Expectations

Please familiarize yourself with expectation around technology, classroom environment, academic honesty, and more: Student expectations info sheet.

Arrival and Registration

Students who arrive a week after the first day of class may not be permitted to join class.

Change of Registration

The English Language School will only transfer registration to the next term if there is a legitimate reason (medical, personal emergency, study permit problems and so on).

If you request your registration be transferred to a different term before courses begin, there is a $75 transfer fee. You must bring your receipt of payment to the ELS (ED 4-107) during normal office hours and provide a valid reason for transferring to the next term. Transfers will not be allowed after classes have started.

Grade

If you withdraw from a course up to 70% into the course schedule, a grade of ‘W’ will appear on your transcript. Withdrawing from a course after the published withdrawal deadline will result in the assignment of a grade based on work completed.

Withdrawals

In order to withdraw from class, you need to complete a withdrawal form at the English Language School. If you withdraw before the first day of class, you will receive a refund minus $500 (withdrawal fee). If you withdraw on or after the first day of class, you will not receive a refund.

Withdrawal Deadlines

Bridging Program (BP) and International Visiting Student Program (IVSP) Students:
Refer to the Registration Dates and Deadlines as indicated by the Office of the Registrar.

Continuing Education Students: 

Program term
Withdrawal deadline
September - October October 4, 2024
January - February February 7, 2025
May - June June 4, 2025

Authorized Leave

International Students attending the University of Alberta English Language School and holding full-time student visas are permitted to request a short “leave” from their program of study. Students may request medical leave, maternity leave, or personal leave to return temporarily to their home country.

Authorized leave from ELS should normally be scheduled after completing a regular term of study. In order to properly notified Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and to ensure continuity of student visas, it is important to note the following:

  • For a planned authorized leave (returning home for vacation), students must submit an "Authorized Leave Form" to ELS administration at least 2 weeks before their planned departure date.
  • Unplanned emergency leave requests (returning home for urgent medical procedure) should be accompanied by supporting documentation and will be expedited.