English proficiency is required for jobs in Canada. If you want to improve your English speaking and writing skills, taking an English as a second language (ESL) course can help. Learning more about these courses and the best ones to take can help you choose one that suits your needs and learning style.
Online ESL classes are courses you can complete on your computer to improve your English. These classes teach you English vocabulary, help you improve your writing skills, and often focus on conversation practice to improve your everyday speech. Since the classes are online, you typically join a video conferencing program where you can see and interact with your teacher and other students live. In other cases, teachers may pre-record their lessons so you can watch them when you have time.
When searching for ESL classes, you may notice the acronym IELTS. It stands for the International English Language Testing System. It’s a test that assesses people’s written and spoken English abilities and gives them a score that’s easily recognizable worldwide. If you’re not a native English speaker, colleges, universities, or employers may require you to have a specific IELTS score. These scores range from zero to nine, with zero representing someone who didn’t complete the test and nine representing an expert English speaker. Many ESL classes focus on preparing you to take this test.
Another acronym you may notice is CLB. This stands for the Canadian Language Benchmark, similar to IELTS, but it’s only recognized in Canada. The CLB uses a scale of 1 to 12 points to reflect your English language level. Colleges, universities, or employers may require either an IELTS score or a CLB score, so assessing these requirements is important before taking either test.
These are some of the benefits of learning ESL.
- Develop new language skills. The main benefit of ESL classes is that you can improve or develop your language skills. This can help make interacting with people in your community and work more accessible.
- Get better jobs. English, as one of the official languages in Canada, has made it mandatory for all jobs in Canada to require candidates to be proficient in English. If you take an ESL class to develop your language skills, you can have access to more jobs that often offer a higher salary.
- Meet new people. If you’re new to the country or community, taking an online ESL course can help you meet new people. You can connect with people who may be in a similar situation and develop lifelong friendships.
The main difference between online and in-person ESL classes is that, for one, you’re face-to-face with your teacher in a classroom versus through a computer screen. In-person classes can help you meet and interact with other students face-to-face, but technology allows this through smaller virtual classrooms. Online classes may fit into your schedule better, and you can take them from anywhere in the world.
Contact our admissions advisor today to learn more about our ESL program. Please email us at [email protected].