ELC (English Language Centre)

1.ELC Mission

The mission of the ELC is to create opportunities for students and professionals who are seeking higher education or career advancement and recognize English as a major asset in a technologically-advanced world of intercontinental communication and leadership.  We believe this can be accomplished by teaching English in a supportive environment where teachers and students interact in the pursuit of professional and personal development.

2.Purpose of the ELC
To provide a mutually supportive and stimulating English language learning environment for students who want to prepare for higher education and for professionals who are interested in personal and career development;

to help students build a solid English-language foundation by using quality, government-approved courses that will prepare them for higher education; and to help all students acquire English proficiency and polish their English skills for career advancement and personal development;

to provide highly-skilled, dedicated and experienced teachers to facilitate students’ English language learning and personal growth; and

to deliver a comprehensive educational package that is flexible and adaptable to both the individual learning styles of students and instructional styles of teachers.

3.ELC History
The English Language Centre (ELC) was started in 1998 as an international exchange school for international students who want to either polish their English or develop proficiency in English for the purpose of career/personal development or university/college preparation. English was recognized as a major language of business in our rapidly changing and technologically advanced world of intercontinental communication.

In the beginning, 5 levels of Basic English courses were offered to provide a strong foundation for listening, speaking, reading and writing skills required for success at school or work.  The focus has always been on the development of students’ independent reading and writing skills as well as on the clear and coherent use of spoken English. 

In addition to the Basic credit courses, the ELC has also offered other credit and non-credit courses at Intermediate and Advanced levels of English language training; such as Daily Conversational English, Business Conversational English, Practical English Writing and Writer’s Craft.

In preparation for entry to university or college, ELC also offered English proficiency training programs for TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT to ensure that students meet the requirements for bachelor, masters or PhD programs.

As an alternative to TOEFL, ELC offered an EAP (English for Academic Purposes) program in collaboration with the University of Alberta, designed for students who plan to go to university but do not have the time to prepare for the TOEFL test.      

Finally, in an effort to develop the whole person, ELC collaborated with Toastmasters International to set up a public speaking club at the school.  Students have enhanced their communication and leadership skills while developing their English proficiency in the Toastmaster Club’s mutually-supportive environment.

4.ELC Strengths
Faculty and Staff:

Our high-quality teaching, and academic management is focused on improving student achievement, and creating a safe, clean and comfortable environment.  All our teachers possess a Bachelor, a Master, or a Doctor degree and have valuable prior teaching experience. All administrators possess a PhD or Master degree with teaching or management experience in Canada, the United States, or abroad.

ELC takes care of students from the date of their registration to their graduation day. Guidance includes course selection and adjustment, university major selection, university application, visa extension, etc

• Accommodation and Facilities:

ELC has the most competitive tuition and accommodation fees in the Metro Toronto area. Students can enjoy the best dormitories, in terms of attractiveness and facilities, including central air-conditioning, furniture, appliances, fully equipped kitchen and washroom.  A meal plan provides breakfast, lunch and dinner, 365 days per year.   

• Preparation for Work and Career Advancement

To provide for professional and personal development needs of both young and mature students or professionals who want to enhance their career potential, TAIE has created the English Language Centre where business people of any age and academic background can come and develop or simply polish their English language skills before returning to work.

TOEFL classes are jointly run by Beijing New Oriental and TAIE.  In-class lessons are supplemented with computer and multimedia software.

To ensure that students can enter a top Canadian university directly, and without TOEFL, TAIE has also an exclusive EAP (English for Academic Purposes) program.   

• Student Services

ELC provides students with a Placement Test free of charge.  Students have access to more than 20 kinds of free services that include: cable internet (in school and dormitories), free email, visa extension advice, local telephone, computer rooms, cable TV, hot coffee, tea, ice water, etc.  There is also a wonderful library and reference material room. 

• Graduate Success Record:

ELC prepares students well for taking credit courses to get good scores for entering universities.  Most graduates have gone to top Canadian universities such as: University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Queen's University, University of Western Ontario, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, York University, University of Ottawa, McMaster University, etc. Some students have received CN$2,000-6,000 entrance scholarships, as well as teaching assistant jobs.

• Academic Speaker Series of Talks and Lectures:

After-class academic activities include talks and lectures by famous scholars and celebrities, education consuls from local embassies and consulates, and speeches by U.N. officials etc.

• Student Life Activities:

Students’ activities are organized on a monthly and weekly basis, with the larger activities happening monthly.  These include the English Speech Contest, English Singing Contest, English Writing Contest, Typewriting Contest, English Debate Contest, Middle Autumn Festival Poem Conference, Halloween Masque, Thanksgiving Day Dinner, Christmas Day Party, New Years Party, Chinese New Year Party and Dinner, Orientation Conference, Graduation Ceremony, New Student Welcome Conference, Table Tennis Contest, Basketball Contest, Football Contest, Volleyball Contest, Barbecue, Farm Visit, Museum Visit, University Campus Visit, Canada National Convention Centre Visit, Art Gallery Visit, Dragon Boat Contest on Lake Ontario, Canoeing on Lake Ontario, Sand Beach Volleyball, Fruit Picking, Niagara Falls and Thousand Island Tour, Visits to the United States, participation in Canada's National Day Festival, City Hall Visit, Ice Wine Factory Visit, Centre Island Visit, Casa Loma (castle) Visit, etc.

• Convenient Location:

The school is within walking distance of downtown Toronto. By foot, bus, streetcar and/or subway you can reach the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, George Brown College, the Ontario Art Gallery, the Royal Ontario Museum, the CN Tower, the Skydome, Lake Ontario, City Hall, the Eaton Centre, Toronto Public Library, St. Michael's Hospital, the Toronto Stock Exchange, CBC Headquarters, No-Frills Supermarket (walking distance), banks, theaters, Moss Park, the Convention Centre, Central China Town, China Town East, etc

5.Course Descriptions
Beginning Communication in English, (ESLAOUB, 1-credit; ESLAOPB, non-credit)

This course builds on students’ previous education and language knowledge to introduce them to the English language and help them adjust to the diversity in their new environment. Students will use beginning English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday and essential academic purposes. They will engage in short conversations using basic English language structures and simple sentence patterns; read short adapted texts; and write phrases and short sentences. The course also provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to begin to adapt to their new lives in Canada.

English in Daily Life, (ESLBOUB, 1-credit; ESLBOPB, non-credit)
Prerequisite: Beginning Communication in English, ESLAO or ESLAOPB

This course extends students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English for everyday and academic purposes. Students will participate in conversations in structured situations on a variety of familiar and new topics; read a variety of texts designed or adapted for English language learners; expand their knowledge of English grammatical structures and sentence patterns; and link English sentences to compose paragraphs. The course also supports students’ continuing adaptation to the Ontario school system by expanding their knowledge of diversity in their new province and country.

English for School and Work (ESLCOUB, 1-credit; ESLCOPB, non-credit)
Prerequisite: English in Daily Life, ESLBO or ESLBOPB

This course further extends students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English for a variety of everyday and academic purposes. Students will make short classroom oral presentations; read a variety of adapted and original texts in English; and write using a variety of text forms. As well, students will expand their academic vocabulary and their study skills to facilitate their transition to the mainstream school program. This course also introduces students to the rights and responsibilities inherent in Canadian citizenship, and to a variety of current Canadian issues.

Study Skills in English (ESLDOUB, 1-credit; ESLDOPB, non-credit)
Prerequisite: English for School and Work, ESLCO or ESLCOPB

This course prepares students to use English with increasing fluency and accuracy in classroom and social situations and to participate in Canadian society as informed citizens. Students will develop the oral-presentation, reading, and writing skills required for success in all school subjects. They will extend listening and speaking skills through participation in discussions and seminars; study and interpret a variety of grade-level texts; write narratives, articles, and summaries in English; and respond critically to a variety of print and media texts.

Bridge to English (ESLEOUB, 1-credit; ESLEOPB, non-credit)
Prerequisite: Study Skills in English, ESLDO or ESLDOPB

This course provides students with the skills and strategies they need to make the transition to college and university preparation courses in English and other secondary school disciplines. Students will be encouraged to develop independence in a range of academic tasks. They will participate in debates and lead classroom workshops; read and interpret literary works and academic texts; write essays, narratives, and reports; and apply a range of learning strategies and research skills effectively. Students will further develop their ability to respond critically to print and media texts.

TOEFL/GMAT/GRE —— TAIE offers English proficiency training programs for TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT to ensure that students meet the English proficiency admission requirements for bachelor, masters or PhD programs. The course is taught by native English speakers. This course utilizes the most advanced technology enabling students to significantly improve their scores. This 110 hour course is offered in the evening during the week. Students may retake the course if their score is not satisfactory.

Academic English (English Grade 10, 11 and 12) —— Reviews a variety of literary forms: novels, poetry, essays, short stories and plays. The language component improves students' language skills by examining good usage, structure, and style.  In addition, there is an emphasis on the consolidation of literacy, critical thinking, and communication skills.

English, Grade 11, University Preparation (ENG3UI, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: English, grade 10, Academic

This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures, as well as a range of informational and graphic texts, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and incorporating stylistic devices appropriately and effectively. The course is intended to prepare students for the compulsory Grade 12 university or college preparation course.

English, Grade 12, University Preparation (ENG4UI, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: English, grade 11, university preparation ENG3UI

This course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a range of challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures; interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading strategies best suited to particular texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended
to prepare students for university, college, or the workplace.

The Writer’s Craft (EWC4UI, 1 credit; EWCPA, non-credit)
Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, University Preparation ENG3UI

This course emphasizes knowledge and skills related to the craft of writing. Students will analyse models of effective writing; use a workshop approach to produce a range of works; identify and use techniques required for specialized forms of writing; and identify effective ways to improve the quality of their writing. They will also complete a major paper as part of a creative or analytical independent study project and investigate opportunities for publication and for writing careers.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP140UA/EAP145UA, non-credit)
Prerequisite: English 4UI, EAP admission test (registration fee refundable)

The EAP program consists of two courses (ESL140, 145) offered jointly by University of Alberta and TAIE International Institute, which are designed to meet the needs of students who plan to go to university but have no time to prepare for writing the TOEFL. These two courses will take four months to complete and will enable students, who have passed the two EAP courses, to enter the University of Alberta with the TOEFL score requirement exempted. Admission into the EAP program is contingent upon having met all other admission requirements for the University of Alberta.

 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (EOSSLCUI, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: An unsuccessful attempt to pass the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test)

To participate fully in the society and workplace of the twenty-first century, today’s students will need to be able to use language skillfully and confidently. The Ontario curriculum prepares students for the literacy demands they will face in their postsecondary endeavours. To ensure that they have the essential competencies in reading and writing that they will need to succeed at school, at work, and in daily life, students in Ontario must demonstrate those skills as a requirement for graduation. 

The standard method for assessing the literacy skills of students in Ontario for purposes of meeting the literacy requirement for graduation is the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), implemented in the 2001–2002 school year. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course has been developed to provide students who have been unsuccessful on the test with intensive support in achieving the required reading and writing competencies, and with an alternative means of demonstrating their literacy skills.