UBC English Language Institute (ELI)
Study at the heart of the UBC campus and get the English language skills and the confidence you need to achieve your goals. Understand the North American university classroom culture and make friends with students from all over the world.
15 Students
Class sizes average 15 students
45 Countries
ELI students have come from more than 45 countries
Since 1969
UBC ELI been teaching English for more than 50 years
Programs
Business English
Build your confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing English in a business context.
English for Academic Purposes
The EAP program advances your academic reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Explore English
The Explore English program provides language instruction along with opportunities to explore global topics through group work, discussions, and interaction with guest speakers.
Global Citizenship Through English
Learn English in the context of global themes like the environment, cross-cultural communication, media and technology.
Vancouver English Experience
Designed for globally-minded and adventurous students, the program helps you to gain real-world English language skills.
Excel
UBC ELI’s Excel program is an international professional development program for secondary school English language teachers.
“The ELI opened my eyes to totally new experiences and cultures and completely changed the perspective on life and the world of my 19-year-old self. I now work as a professional English-Japanese subtitle translator for movies and shows for Netflix, Discovery Channel and National Geographic. I owe the success in my career to all the wonderful teachers and the great study programs of ELI.”
Miyako Kamate (Japan)
Vancouver, Canada
Mountains, forests, ocean and orcas
Safety and a high standard of living
University of British Columbia
Top 5% of universities in the world
Diverse international student community
UBC Faculty of Education
Ranked number 10 in the world
The leader in English language teaching and research
“Being in a class with people from around the world was helpful for looking at things from different angles – it’s widened my mind and taught me a lot about accepting other peoples’ opinions and cultures.”
Rayan Falata (Saudi Arabia)
Be Here. Be You.
Cultural Assistants
Get to know our team of UBC students known as Cultural Assistants or CAs. These friendly, energetic students organize daily socio-cultural activities to help you to connect with UBC, Vancouver and Canadian lifestyle.
Student Life
Spend time on and off campus with your classmates and our Cultural Assistants. Visit museums, enjoy famous Vancouver attractions and get active in British Columbia’s great outdoors. You can join one of many ELI clubs, and even do language exchanges with UBC students.
Homestay
Live with a family in Vancouver, improve your English and learn about Canadian culture and life. Our very own homestay program lets you truly live like a local.