English Courses in Canada

Westwind English Academy:
Westwind English Academy is a new and exciting ESL school, located in British Columbia, Canada offering a variety of English language courses including preparation for the IELTS & TOEFL exams. Our focus is on giving every student a Truly Canadian Experience while learning and practicing their English skills. At Westwind English Academy we believe that quality education is essential in creating an exceptional school. This means we employ only qualified teachers, those with a University Degree and who hold a TESL recognized certification, and staff to educate and assist our students. Our curriculum is carefully developed and monitored to ensure that all students receive the best possible experience here at Westwind English Academy. We promises to give students a truly Canadian experience through immersion. Immersion into Canadian language, culture, and experience.

GENERAL ENGLISH
You will learn and practice all the skills you need to understand and communicate in English – listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, as well as vocabulary, idioms, and grammar. You will be taught “real” English and how to use common phrases and words in the right situation. You will gain increased confidence in various social settings.
Full-time – 20 hours/week 8:45-2:00
Intense – 25 hours/week 8:45-3:10

WESTWIND WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
Westwind offers an integrated Work Experience: students complete a 4 week study period and switch to a combined program in which they study 20 hours a week and work 20 hours per week unpaid.

PRIVATE LESSONS
Duration: Minimum 5 hours
Features: One-to-one private English lessons with a Westwind instructor designed to meet the specific needs of the student. Accelerate your learning by combining afternoon/weekend private lessons with morning group lessons.

FAMILY SUMMER PROGRAMS
Minimum Age: 12 for children
Duration: Offered in July and August – 2,4, or 6 weeks
Features: Parents attend adult classes while teenagers take part in the Westwind Variety Pack Summer Program. Families live together with a host family or a self-arranged accommodation. Contact us for more details and fees.

FAMILY PROGRAM
Minimum Age: 6 years old for children
Duration: 1, 2, 3 School Terms
Features: Parents attend any of our adult programs while their child receives 10 hours of ESL instruction and 25 hours of school immersion. Children will attend a local K-9 school (see our English + School Experience Program).

ENGLISH + SKIING
Duration: Offered ONLY in January – March
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17+ (minimum 4 students; maximum 10)
Learn to ski or practice your ski skills on Mount Washington in Courtney, British Columbia and study English in the gorgeous Powell River. This unique program takes you on a 5 day ski adventure staying in a chalet on the ski mountain with your ESL teacher and ski Instructor. During your stay on the mountain you will receive 3.5 hours a day of ski instruction by one of the leading ski instructors in British Columbia, Heather Bilodeau and 1.5 hours of formal ESL instruction. You will return to Westwind English Academy on the second week to resume full-time ESL classes. What an opportunity!

ENGLISH + CURLING
Duration: Offered October – March
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17+ (minimum of 8 students; maximum of 32)
20 hours/week of Fundamental English combined with curling.
Be a part of our local athletic culture and learn to Curl. No experience necessary – just a willingness to have fun and experience Canada the way it was meant to be experienced!
• 4 hours each week of curling instruction and playing – 14 hours total
• On the last Friday all students will participate in a Curling Bonspiel (tournament).
• Each student will receive a final medal of completion

ENGLISH + HOCKEY
Duration: Offered September – March
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17+
Option 1 – Beginners: Learn to Play
Designed for individuals who have never been on the ice before and who want to learn about Canada’s National Sport – Hockey. You will receive 6 hours of classroom instruction. You will learn the history of the game and taught the basics of how to play the game. You will also be given 12 hours of ice time and instruction.
Option 2 – Moderate: Improve your Skills
Designed for individuals who have experience ice skating and have a moderate understanding of the game. You will go over the basic rules and strategies of the game. You will receive 6 hours of classroom instruction. As well, you will be given 12 hours of ice time and instruction.

ENGLISH + GOLF
Duration: Offered May – September
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17 +
20 hours/week of Fundamental English combined with Option 1 or Option 2

Option 1 - Learn to play golf, while studying English. Receive 2 lessons a week with a golf professional at Myrtle Point Golf Club and enjoy two 9-hole rounds each week and take part in a final 18-hole tournament as part of your program.

Option 2 – Improve your golf game while studying English. Receive practical strategies while golfing with golf professionals. You will enjoy 2 personalized rounds each week as well as two 9-hole rounds each week. On the final Friday, take part in a final 18-hole tournament.

ENGLISH + KAYAKING (Paddle Canada Flat Water Certification)
Duration: Offered May – Oct
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17+ (minimum 4 students; maximum 12)
20 hours/week of Fundamental English combined with 32 hours of kayaking.
Paddle Canada Flat Water Certification
Come and enjoy the beauty of Desolation Sound and escape in the wonders of the Pacific Ocean. Receive full instruction and experience and gain your Paddle Canada Flat Water Certification.
• 8 hours of classroom and practical instruction
• 2 half day kayaking tours
• 2 full day kayaking tours

ENGLISH + DIVING (Open Water Dive Certification)

Duration: Offered Year-Round (best visibility in winter)
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17+ (minimum 4 students; maximum 12)
20 hours/week of Fundamental English combined with 32 hours of diving.
Come and enjoy the beauty of Desolation Sound and escape in the wonders of the Pacific Ocean. Receive full instruction and experience and gain your Open Water Dive Certification.
• 8 hours of classroom instruction
• Confined water dives (4)
• Open water dives (4)

ENGLISH + FISHING
Duration: Offered May – September
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17+
20 hours/week of Fundamental English combined with activity.
Are you ready to enjoy the outdoors! With this fantastic program you will experience fishing in style. You will take part in two different four hour fishing charters around Desolation Sound. As well, you will enjoy a full day out on the ocean taking in the beauty of the ocean and the surrounding mountains.

ENGLISH + QUAD RIDING
Duration: Offered May – October
4 week program
Minimum Age: 17+ (minimum 2 students; maximum 8 students)
20 hours/week of Fundamental English combined with 32 hours of Quad riding.
Enjoy guided quad riding in the back country of Powell River where you will witness some of the most spectacular views that this country has to offer; Giovanni Lake, Eldred River, Mount Mahone, Theodosia .
• 4 hours of classroom instruction and safety orientation
• 1 – 4 hours tour
• 3 – full day tours

YOUTH SPECIAL PROGRAMS

ENGLISH + HOCKEY IN CANADA
Duration: One school term - 3 months
1. September – November
2. January - March
Ages 12 – 16

Receive exclusive hockey skills training by our local Junior A Hockey Team and Coaches.

Option 1 – Moderate - Improving your Game
Designed for individuals who have experience ice skating and have a moderate understanding of the game. You will go over the basic rules and strategies of the game. Spend a term (3 months) in one of our local Private Schools – ESL instruction – classroom experience – hockey training.
Option 2 – Advanced – Elite Hockey Academy
Designed for individuals who play hockey in their home country. They wish to spend three months improving their hockey skill level and learning English. Spend a term (3 months) in one of our local Private Schools – ESL instruction – classroom experience – hockey training. Individuals in this elite training group must bring their full equipment.

ENGLISH + SCHOOL IMMERSION
Offered September – June
Duration: Minimum of one school term (3 months)
Ages 6 – 15 (Students under 12 must be accompanied by a parent)
Parents Fee (see fee schedule) – will be dependant on the program choice.
Student fees based on 10 hours/week English study and 20 hours/week Canadian Classroom experience.
Students receive 10 hours each week of intensive ESL study; as well they are immersed into the school community for 20 hours each week. Assumption School is a small family-centered school (population 200; grades K-9), that has high academic and athletic standards and is rich in artistic and dramatic expression. Students become an active member in the school community and are welcome to take part in any afterschool program that they desire. This is an excellent opportunity to learn English through a combined ESL study and full English immersion!

IELTS International English Language Testing System – Prep Course
Our IELTS Preparation course has been designed to prepare you to successfully complete the IELTS examination. This course focuses on each of the four modules of the IELTS test and will discuss strategies to better prepare for the final examination.
This test is intended for candidates planning to use English for academic purposes or for immigration purposes.

TOEFL Test Prep
This full-time TOEFL/University Preparation course leads to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Students are prepared for the three main components of the TOEFL exam:
Listening Comprehension
Grammar and Written Expression
Vocabulary Building
The course also covers test-writing strategies with frequent practice examinations. The program includes academic readings, essay-writing and seminar-style discussions.  Thematic units are based on courses that students will encounter at college or university as well as subjects that are of interest to high-level students.

Youth Summer Programs
Westwind camps are designed for kids ages 12 through 17. They provide students with 15 hours of English Classes, a half-day excursions and a full-day excursion each week they are with us.  We offer three fantastic summer programs in July and August. Students can join us for 2 – 6 weeks, depending on their level of adventure.