Canadian people

12 Best Programs to Study English in Canada in 2024

Canada might be the perfect choice for learning English.

There is so much to love about this beautiful and welcoming country, and there are tons of English education programs available.

Once you are there, you might never want to leave!

Here is how and why you should learn English in Canada and a list of the best programs. 

Contents

International English Schools

international english programs canada

1. Global Village

Global Village logo Cost: $345-390/week (depending on the number of lessons per week)

 

Canadian locations: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria

Global Village is a trusted name with campuses across Canada. Each of its Canadian locations has class schedules packed with lessons for all levels.

Global Village offers general English, IELTS preparation and English for academic purposes, among other courses.

There are also fun activities for students after class. Imagine staying on a ranch while studying English in Victoria, taking yoga lessons after your morning class in Calgary or playing hockey in Toronto!

2. ILAC

ilac logo Cost: $400-450/week (depending on the number of lessons per week)

 

Canadian locations: Toronto and Vancouver

ILAC is proudly Canadian! It is a reputable English language school with locations in Toronto and Vancouver. It offers General English, TOEFL and IELTS preparation, as well as unique Power English and University Pathway programs.

Power English adds a cultural component to English language learning with courses on communication, Canadian culture and everyday English usage. The University Pathway courses support students who want to pursue undergraduate studies at a Canadian school.

ILAC has partnerships with 70 Canadian colleges and universities and will help Pathway students apply (without needing the IELTS and TOEFL exams!).

You can choose to live at a homestay through ILAC to boost your English immersion, and you can also participate in social events organized by the school to meet new people and further practice the language.

3. SSLC

SSLC logo Cost: $90-390/week (depending on the number of lessons per week)

 

Canadian locations: Toronto, Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria

SSLC is an educational organization that provides targeted English as a second language (ESL) programs, from Medical English to communication for job-seeking flight attendants, alongside their general ESL for Adults course.

There are two teaching structures for the general course. You can either take one “combined” course that focuses on all the primary language skills together (grammar, reading, writing, listening and speaking) or you can take the “focused” course where there is a specific class for each of those skills.

SSLC also offers a number of programs for young kids, teens and families.

4. BLI

logo bli Cost: Request a quote for pricing

 

Canadian locations: Montreal and Quebec

BLI, also known as Bouchereau Lingua International, is an esteemed language school with a strong presence in Canada.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your general English skills, preparing for language proficiency exams like IELTS, or seeking specialized courses for academic purposes, BLI has tailored options for everyone. Their team of highly qualified instructors is dedicated to providing top-notch language education in a supportive and engaging environment.

At BLI, learning English goes beyond the classroom, as they offer exciting extracurricular activities to complement the learning process. By choosing BLI, students not only improve their language proficiency but also immerse themselves in the vibrant Canadian culture.

5. Language Studies International

lsi logo Cost: $205-475/week (depending on the number of lessons per week)

 

Canadian locations: Toronto and Vancouver

LSI offers English studies all over the world, and Canada is no exception! This school particularly prides itself on its small classes and interactive teaching environment.

You can choose courses in general English, English for work and business and more. LSI also offers unique English “experiences,” including everything from a club for adult students to English with tennis or hiking.

6. GEOS Languages Plus

geos languages plus logo Cost: 2 weeks from $840

 

Canadian locations: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Victoria and Vancouver

GEOS offers full- and part-time English programs and classes in six Canadian cities. If you are looking to study somewhere outside of Toronto or Vancouver, GEOS is a great choice!

Standard, intensive and super-intensive English courses are offered through GEOS. There is also private tutoring and TOEFL and IELTS preparation. GEOS organizes after-class activities for their students daily, which means that you can practice your new language skills right away!

7. ILSC Language Schools

ilsc logo Cost: Request a quote for pricing

 

Canadian locations: Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal

ILSC has 26 years of experience in English education, with more than a hundred programs to choose from.

They offer three school locations in Canada, including a campus in beautiful Montreal. If you fall in love with Canada during your stay, ILSC will help you enter one of the Canadian colleges it has partnered with—no TOEFL or IELTS score needed!

8. Languages Across Borders

language across borders logo Cost: $255-420/week (depending on the number of lessons per week)

 

Canadian locations: Toronto and Vancouver

Whether you’re looking to improve your general English proficiency or preparing for language exams like IELTS and TOEFL, LAB has a program tailored to meet your goals. From intensive courses to part-time options, students can choose the program that best suits their schedule and learning preferences. 

Additional English Language Schools in Canada (by City)

step by step proficiency school

9. Step by Step Proficiency, Ottawa

This school is located in gorgeous downtown Ottawa. It offers general and specialized English courses. One of its most unique options is the dedicated pronunciation program, which will provide an in-depth exploration of English accents and intonation. This will help you understand native speakers better and perfect your own speech.

10. Access English, Toronto

This is a private language school that would be a great choice for anyone looking to study at an English-speaking university in the future, especially in business and medicine programs.

For example, while business English is a common course that can be found in many language centers, Access English combines it with case studies, role-playing and even internships. English for Medicine is another unique course designed for those already working in or studying the field of healthcare.

11. ALI, Montreal

This is a language school focusing exclusively on teaching English and French (no surprise considering its location!).

In particular, its English immersion programs include regular, intensive and super-intensive options. ALI is also a great choice for test preparation, no matter what your individual goals are. TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS and more are covered.

12. Equilibrium, Calgary

This is a private language school offering both daytime and evening classes, which is great for any students who will be working or volunteering during their stay in Canada.

Equilibrium can teach you specific language competencies, from conversational skills to reading and writing. You will also find exam preparation programs and a unique accent reduction course at this school.

ESL Programs in Canadian Universities

the university of calgary

The University of British Columbia

UBC has an English Experience Program in Vancouver, available for foreign students from the beginner to advanced levels. The program is offered in eight-week sessions and focuses on real-world English skills.

The University of Calgary

UCalgary has a wealth of options for foreign students! Whether you want to study for a semester, take an intensive summer/winter course or participate in a language and culture course, UCalgary has something for everyone.

FAQ About Studying English in Canada

Why Should You Learn English in Canada?

English and French are the two official languages in Canada with English being an official language in 12 out of 13 of Canada’s provinces.

So, whether you decide to go to British Columbia on the west coast, visit Canada’s economic center of Ontario or settle near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, you will get loads of English practice.

All across Canada, you will find that significant efforts are made to help children, adults, newcomers and foreign students alike master English. Most cities, big and small, will have English courses for beginner students to advanced speakers of all ages!

Canada is an amazing country with lots to explore. Traveling around Canada is like exploring a whole different world. 

It offers some of the most diverse landscapes in the world. Between the crystal-clear lakes, snow-covered mountains, the Northern Lights, whale sightings, urban landscapes, wonderful museums, amazing restaurants with cuisines from around the world… 

What Are the Requirements to Study ESL in Canada?

If you plan on coming to Canada to learn English for six months or less, you do not need a study permit.

Also, Canada offers Working Holiday options for eligible foreign visitors.

If you are an advanced speaker of English, you may be eligible to participate in International Experience Canada. It would allow you to come to Canada for a “Working Holiday” to further your English learning while working.

What Is It Like to Live in Canada?

Canadians pride themselves on being friendly, polite and ready to help others. This is a very important thing to consider if you are looking for a place to learn English.

Friendly Canadian locals will be happy to help you practice your English. It will make a positive difference in your experience!

Further, Canada prides itself on multiculturalism. The Canadian population is quite diverse, which is especially apparent (noticeable) in big cities. No matter where you come from to learn English in Canada, no matter what your religion, gender, the style of clothes you wear or the accent you speak with, Canada’s aim is to make you feel welcomed, accepted and respected. 

How Can You Get Started?

Planning your trip to Canada to study English is simple and can be done in three easy steps:

1. Choose where you want to study in Canada. It’s the second biggest country in the world so different regions offer different vibes and types of people. 

2. Choose what type of study program you would like to complete. Think if you want to take a weekly class, attend English classes at a university or get an immersion experience and find what programs are offered in your Canadian location of choice.

3. Get together all your documentation to study in Canada legally. You may need a study visa if you want to study for longer than six months or a visitor visa even if your program is six months or less. 

How Much Does It Cost to Study English in Canada?

With Canada being an economically advanced country, it can be a little pricey (expensive) to study English there.

For example, staying in a hotel in a major Canadian city can cost around $100 Canadian dollars per night, and some estimates say that food can cost around $38 Canadian dollars per day if you eat only at restaurants.

Obviously, staying in a major city like those mentioned above will also cost more when it comes to finding a place to stay and food to eat.

You might find cheaper options in smaller cities or in rural locations and a good option might be a homestay where you stay with a real Canadian family. Some homestays can be found for as little as $280 Canadian dollars per week, but make sure to research these options thoroughly to see if they are reputable.

 

Once you have decided that you want to learn English abroad, be it for a few days or a few months, it is time to research your options. There are many wonderful places to learn English abroad and you can find examples of the English spoken around the world on a video-based learning program like FluentU.

Now you know that Canada is one of the best countries in which to learn English!

It offers the highest-quality instruction in its language schools as well as fantastic travel and sightseeing opportunities.

You might want to pack your bags and come learn English in Canada right away!

And One More Thing...

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials, as you can see here:

learn-english-with-videos

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

learn-english-with-subtitled-television-show-clips

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

learn-conversational-english-with-interactive-captioned-dialogue

FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

practice-english-with-adaptive-quizzes

FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.

The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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