Pre-Academic (Levels 1 to 4)

Overview

Pre-Academic courses are designed for students who want to improve their general English competency and have a better opportunity to become familiar with academic English components. Students must have sufficient English ability in order to be accepted into the various levels of this program. These courses not only aim to provide a foundation into the IELTS and EAP programs, but also to help students reach a higher level of ESL proficiency.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Group discussions
• Essay assignments
• Homework assignments
• Group assignments / projects
• Individual presentations

Evaluation

• Speaking and listening: 20%
• Reading and writing: 20%
• Quizzes: 25%
• Presentations: 15%
• Homework & Written Assignments: 15%
• Participation: 5%

Class outcomes

• Be familiar with the fundamentals of academic programs
• Have an increased vocabulary
• Have developed academic writing and reading skills, with a focus on paragraph and essay writing
• Be more confident and accurate in their use of the language
• Have developed more independent learning strategies
• Be ready to prepare complex and detailed oral presentations in an academic context

Power Speaking (Levels 1 to 4)

Overview

Speaking is the key to communication. This innovative program builds strong communication skills and confidence with a strong focus on speaking skills. Power Speaking helps students with daily conversational skills, and covers a wide range of topics. It allows them to use learned expressions and vocabulary to create sentences that are used on a regular basis in real life situations.

In this program, students learn to express themselves more naturally and with greater fluency. They receive direct one on one feedback from their teacher to enhance their progress each week. Students are placed in Power Speaking 1, 2, 3 or 4 according to their English proficiency and will be evaluated on a bi-weekly basis.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Group discussions
• Group assignments
• In class presentations
• Homework assignments
• Role plays and acting
• Individual Presentations

Evaluation

• Speaking and listening: 50%
• Homework: 10%
• Presentations: 15%
• Participation: 25%

Class outcomes

• Answer questions in 1 minute, with details
• Be understood well enough in simple conversations to communicate and keep the conversation going
• Structure their sentences with a subject and verb that fit the intended idea
• Organize and prepare a 10 minute presentation in front of the class while paying attention to the audience
• Create dialogues and sentences using course vocabulary
• Give basic directions to someone
• Understand basic terms related to making plans and going shopping
• Work cooperatively with classmates to complete speaking tasks

IELTS

Overview

This course has one main focus: preparing students to take the IELTS exam. Whether for academic or immigration purposes, this course will help you achieve your IELTS goal. Our instructors will push you to improve in all four components of the IELTS exam: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Our teachers help students understand IELTS reading articles while teaching them strategies such as skimming, scanning and guessing. In-class writing and speaking activities allow students to get quick feedback on their work, while mock tests and corrections will help them get a sense of their specific weaknesses.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Classroom (Instructor led)
• Print / Online based
• Individual / Group work
• IELTS mock-exams

Evaluation

Students complete practice tests in class and are assessed informally, and are given constructive feedback on their performance.

Class outcomes

• Become familiar with the exam format for IELTS
• Have learnt specific exam taking strategies
• Have practiced the skills necessary to succeed on the IELTS test
• Have practiced taking all parts of the IELTS exam: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Have acquired the language proficiency needed to enroll in a university at the undergraduate or graduate level (Academic Module)
• Have acquired the language proficiency needed to migrate to an English-speaking country (General Module).

English for Academic Purposes

Overview

The best way to transition from the life of an ESL student into a Canadian post-secondary institution, is through our EAP program. In this class, students will gain the academic skills necessary to succeed in college or university. Conventional ESL programs do not educate students with the skills necessary to prosper at the advanced academic level required in Canadian colleges and universities. RCIIS is uniquely positioned to offer a three-month program which fills that gap.

The English for Academic Purposes program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in the Canadian post-secondary environment. This program will educate international students with not only the language skills, but also academic and life skills necessary to succeed in a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Timetable

Academic policy

To successfully complete EAP, an overall score of 70% is required. Additionally, students must achieve an overall IELTS equivalency of 6.5 on their exams with no individual category lower than 6.0.

Evaluation

• Attendance / Participation: 10%
• Writing Assignments (in class: 20%
• Writing Assignments (outside of class: 20%
• Presentations (in class: 20%.
• Presentations (outside of class: 20%
• Final Exam: 10%

Class outcomes

• Understand unfamiliar words based on context
• Use linking words and structures effectively
• Recognize typical sentence patterns for definition
• Use stress and intonation to enhance meaning
• Understand how authors introduce examples and support in academic texts
• Present opinions by conceding and refuting
• Listen to identify biased strategies (speaker's purpose)
• Recognize the difference between formal and informal language
• Produce a compare and contrast essay of 2-3 pages
• Adopt an objective perspective in writing
• Identify word patterns and phrases which show cause and effect
• Write cause and effect essays that includes paraphrases
• Research, prepare, and participate in informal and formal debates
• Integrate summaries into persuasive essays
• Use pros and cons to build sound arguments
• Paraphrase effectively in academic writing
• Cite and reference effectively in order to avoid plagiarism

Advanced Discussion

Overview

In Advanced Discussion: Contemporary Issues, discussions are based on complex issues and progressive topics. This course is designed to challenge students to speak about complex issues which are deeper and more abstract. One of the primary goals of this class is to expose students to real world English through articles, blogs and journals, allowing them to experience the language in the same way native speakers do. The program includes lively and interesting discussions and debates about how globalization, culture, technology, and world events increasingly influence our world.

Students are encouraged to think critically and analyze articles so they can examine issues at a deeper level. Students can ask questions if they are not familiar with the topic and at the same time learn more about what is going on in the society. It's a great program for students who would like to learn about recent events while being able express their opinion freely without hesitating.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Group discussions
• Class discussions
• Personal Research of Articles
• In Class Article Presentation
• Vocabulary Study in Articles
• Debate / Discussion Question Creation
• Informal debates

Evaluation

• Speaking and listening: 40%
• Participation: 40%
• Assignments: 20%

Class outcomes

• Participate in fast paced, fluency focused conversation
• Understand complex / academic topics and contemporary issues
• Organize and participate in informal and conversational debates
• Comprehend international, global, and cultural issues in context
• Prepare and organize articles for discussion and related debate questions
• Present researched materials and articles to groups (topics include: science, politics, sociology, international relations and economics)
• Research new topics and vocabulary for personal study and use

Business English

Overview

The key to any business relationship is clear and precise communication. This course is designed as a general introduction to concepts and vocabulary associated with the modern business world. It is mainly a discussion course with a strong emphasis on oral communication.

The course features articles which will generally be given as homework and discussed the following day in class. The topics will vary widely, but with modern business issues of the day. Examples include customer service, business ethics, free and fair trade, technology and its implications for modern business and a large portion of the session will deal with marketing, both traditional and new approaches.

Timetable

Class outcomes

• Use analytical skills to better understand business articles
• Prepare and deliver group presentations in a more formal setting
• Improve research and organizational skills
• Intelligently discuss business issues with other students
• Write a professional resume and understand how to succeed in a professional interview
• Gain confidence in using language skills outside of their comfort zone

Customer Service & Job Preparation English

Overview

The main goal of this class is to increase the English level of students who are planning to work in the customer service industry in Canada. This course will help prepare them for the challenges they may face while working and help them create a strong English resume. In order to be successful in the class, students will be required to apply their English skills when building their resume, preparing for job interviews, and engaging with their classmates. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a letter of recommendation from their teacher as well as a program certificate which will prove a satisfactory level of English.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Pair work, group work and role-plays
• Handouts with common vocabulary and useful workplace expressions
• Homework assignments
• Group / Individual presentations
• Field Trips

Speaking

Overview

The goal of this class is to increase students' speaking fluency, pronunciation, and presentation skills, while also providing them an opportunity to work in small groups. This class has a strong presentation component which will force students a bit more out of their comfort zones. Students must practice speaking and conversational skills on a daily basis in order to succeed. Once they can master these skills, they will be ready for the next level.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Pair work, group work and role-play
• Controlled, semi controlled and free practices
• Constant review of covered topics from teacher
• Homework assignments
• Listening tests or quizzes
• Group / Individual presentations

Grammar

Overview

With the main focus being on communication skills, the course is intended mainly for intermediate students (students who have already basic grammar). It concentrates on structures which intermediate students want to use, but which often cause difficulty. Some advanced students who have problems with grammar will also find the course useful.

Timetable

Evaluation

Written and oral assignments will both serve to build and reinforce the student’s ability to use English grammar correctly and effectively.

Class outcomes

On completion, the successful student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the form and function of English grammatical structures:

• By applying self-monitoring techniques to identify and correct errors
• By demonstrating an accurate application of grammatical rules with minimal assistance from texts or teachers

STAR (Stage Technique Accent Reduction)

Overview

In this class students will learn how to create sounds of consonants and vowels which will enable them to use the proper sounds of each letter and words. Along with that, they will do pronunciation and intonation exercises to form life-long habits that will allow them to speak much more naturally and clearly.

This course allows students to learn more in a relatively short amount of time. This is primarily a speaking class and does not involve excessive amounts of reading or writing, outside of general note taking. Students will be expected to practice muscle movement and pronunciation.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Pair work
• Group work
• Intonation Squats
• Recorded Day 1 / 20 Recordings
• Fully Recorded Acting Presentation
• Combining all correct English consonant and vowel sounds
• Understanding and using rhythm
• Demonstrating confidence through acting
• Pronunciation, intonation, and effective pausing

Evaluation

Individual pronunciation / intonation feedback

Advanced Speaking & Writing

Overview

The main goal of this class is to get students to speak and write fluently, clearly, accurately, and more importantly, spontaneously. The variety of themes covered during the course will serve to stimulate thinking and the use of language skills in diverse areas and provide students with ample opportunity for improvisation. Additionally, students will be able to practice for task 2 of the IELTS academic writing module which helps them increase their writing ability.

Timetable

Delivery methods

• Group work
• Presentation
• Brainstorm ideas in groups

Evaluation

Individual feedback and remedial work if necessary.

Class outcomes

• By the end of the course students will be able to speak fluently with only occasional repetition or self-correction.
• Students will be able speak on different topics coherently and appropriately using a wide vocabulary resource readily and flexibly to convey precise meaning.
• They will be able to address all parts of the given task to write a minimum of 250 words in approximately 40 minutes.
• They will be able to use a range of cohesive devices, and use a variety of complex structures, and sufficient range of vocabulary.