Explore English for Canadian Bursary Students
Program
The Explore English program is an integrated skills program offered to Canadian students who have received a bursary from Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).
Explore English at a glance:
- Offered May 23-Jun 22, 2017
- Full-time, 4.5 week program
- Approximately 25 hours of instruction per week
- Morning classes are dedicated to reading, writing, speaking, and listening
- Afternoon workshops provide practice in speaking fluency and language production
- Theme-based classes focus on topics such as global citizenship, civil society, and sustainability
You must be a full-time student for at least one semester in the academic year prior to the start of the program and at least 18 years old.
For students who want to join this program without the bursary, please read the information on how to enrol as a non-bursary student.
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Through the Explore English program, you can:
- improve speaking and listening skills
- enhance fluency, accuracy, and pronunciation
- increase vocabulary
- develop academic writing skills and grammar
- build critical reading skills
- gain confidence in communicating in English.
Who It's For
Explore English is open to Canadian students who have received a CMEC bursary and to both Canadian and International non-bursary participants. To participate in Explore English, Canadian bursary students must be at least 18 years old prior to the start of the program.
In order to study as a bursary student, you must apply to the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) for a bursary. Only Canadian students are eligible to apply for an Explore bursary. Find out more information about how to apply for a bursary.
Keep in mind that the CMEC awards bursaries by lottery and that you may not get your first choice of institution. Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received an official confirmation from the institution for which you have been selected.
The program is also open to international students as well as non-bursary Canadian students.
Explore English is a full-time, 4.5-week integrated skills program (reading, writing, speaking and listening), with morning classes running from Monday to Friday and afternoon classes Monday to Thursday. Classes provide language instruction and practice along with opportunities to explore global topics through group projects, student presentations, debates, guest speakers, and educational field trips. Classroom activities are learner centered and guided by experienced language instructors.
Program Levels and Assessment
The program can accommodate students with elementary level English to Advanced level. Assessment for class placement is on the first day of the program apart from the level assessment for listening classes which will take place prior to arrival at ELI.
Final assessment is based on attendance, participation and achievement.
Student Life
What takes place in the classroom is just the beginning of the learning experience at the UBC's English Language Institute (ELI). Our sociocultural activities program is just one of the special features that make the UBC ELI an exceptional place to learn English. You will meet UBC students, also known as cultural assistants (CAs), who will help you adjust to campus life and to Vancouver through fun and interesting activities and events. To find out what's going on or to read up on your CAs visit our Student Life site.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-12:15 | Class | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 12:15-13:15 | Lunch break | Lunch break | Lunch break | Lunch break | |
| 13:15-15:30 | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Our instructors are highly skilled professionals who have extensive experience in English language teaching, curriculum design, and assessment. They are specialists in second language instruction and have expertise in a wide range of subject areas. Meet your instructors.
| 2017 Dates | Duration | Tuition Fee (CAD$) |
|---|---|---|
| May 23-Jun 22 | 4.5 weeks | $2,764 |
| 2018 Dates | Duration | Tuition Fee (CAD$) |
|---|---|---|
| May 22-Jun 21 (starts Tue) | 4.5 weeks | $2,764 |
Cancellation and Refunds
| Withdrawal Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| Before the program start date due to medical reasons with documentation from a medical professional | $525.00 (deposit and registration fee) |
| More than two weeks before the program start date for non-medical reasons | $250 (deposit only) |
| Within two weeks before the program start date for non-medical reasons | No refund |
To be eligible for a bursary, participants must be full-time students for at least one semester in the academic year prior to the start of the program, and at least 18 years old.
How to Apply
- You must first apply for a bursary with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).
- Once approved for a bursary, and you will receive an email from the UBC Explore English program to offer you a space. You must confirm that you meet the program requirements.
- Information on how to register and pay the deposit will be sent to you in an email from the UBC's English Language Institute.
The ELI will arrange your accommodation for the duration of the program. Students are not able to move from residence to homestay or from homestay to residence once they have been placed.
- The majority of students in Explore English will stay in campus residence.
- There are a limited number of spaces in homestay. The placement of students in homestay will depend on the availability of families. If homestay is not available, students will be placed in residence.
- Students are required to stay in accommodation arranged by UBC for the duration of the program.
Students who wish to arrive a few days before the program and/or stay a few days after the program ends, can make arrangements to stay in campus residence. More information about this option will be available in your pre-departure handbook. Homestay is available for the program dates only.
Homestay gives you the opportunity to live with a local family, improve your English, and learn more about West Coast life and culture. You participate in an orientation on the first day of the program, and meet your family after the orientation.
What's Included in Homestay?
You have a furnished room (including a bed, bed linen, and towels) and three (3) meals a day. This includes a packed lunch on school days. You have your own bedroom with a place for studying. In special circumstances, for short programs, you may end up sharing a room with another new ELI student. You are able to ride the public bus to the UBC campus within 60 minutes.
Transportation to and from UBC is NOT included.
Host Families
Host families are interested in Canadian and international students and are happy to include them in their daily family life. ELI Homestay placement staff visit each host family and take special care to match students with families who have similar interests. Host families are selected carefully with your safety and comfort in mind.
Our host families come from many different cultures. They may be from Canada, Europe, the Philippines, China, India, South America, or any other part of the world. A host family may be a family with or without children, an older couple, a single parent, or even a single person. Host families may live in apartments, small houses, or large houses. Bedrooms may be on the first floor, second floor, or in the basement. Families may or may not have a car. Many families keep dogs or cats as pets in their homes.
Homestay Placement Day
Homestay placement day is on the first day of your program. On Homestay placement day, host families come to UBC to meet their students and take them to their new homes.
For campus stay, all students live in the campus residence chosen by the Explore English program.
Style of Accommodation
UBC residences offer single-size beds in single or twin bedrooms. Linens are provided but you need to bring your own towels. There is a shared TV lounge, bathrooms, and a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, and sink. Please note that eating and cooking utensils are not provided.
The residences are on the UBC campus, a few blocks from the buildings where classes are held. The residences are a 10-minute hike from the beach and a 20-minute walk from the nearest grocery store. The Student Union Building, which has a number of food outlets, is about 10 minutes from the residences by foot.
Cooking Facilities
There are no cooking facilities in residence and the residence cafeteria is closed during the Explore English program. There is one small kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, and sink on each floor of the residence. It is possible to heat leftovers or keep food in the fridge, but the fridge gets very full quickly. There is no hotplate, stove, or oven and you are not allowed to bring your own for safety reasons, but you may wish to bring your own kettle to keep in your room. Students may wish to bring one set of silverware and a couple of microwave-safe dishes.
There are grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes on and near the UBC campus.
Visitors
Overnight visitors are not permitted, and having a guest stay overnight may be cause for dismissal from the program. Visitors are not allowed to stay in the program's residences on their own (i.e., when students are in class or participating in activities) and they must leave the residence by 1am. However, visitors are welcome to rent their own rooms in the hostel section of the residence. Check the Pacific Spirit Hostel web page for details on visitor accommodation.
Phone and Internet Connection
There is a free public phone in the Commons Block that you can use to make local calls but it does not receive incoming calls. If you bring your cell phone, consider making arrangements with your service provider before coming to BC to avoid long-distance charges.
Internet access is available for a $10 (plus tax) activation fee in all guest rooms at the residence, provided you supply your own laptop, networking card, and Ethernet patch cable. The front desk will activate the port in your bedroom upon your arrival. You may also use desktop computers that are freely available at several locations on campus. Wireless service is available in most UBC buildings and in the Commons Block at the residence but not in your room.
Early Arrival
If you wish to arrive before the program starts, you can book directly with the Pacific Spirit Hostel. More information about this option will be available in your pre-departure handbook.
Extended Stay After Completion of UBC Explore English
You have the opportunity to make arrangements for an extended stay while attending the program. You may have to move to another residence if you decide to stay more than a couple of days. You can book directly with the Pacific Spirit Hostel.
There is a special rate per night offered to UBC Explore English students a few days before their program and a few days immediately following it.
1. What does the CMEC Bursary Cover?
- Accommodation from the first night of the program, May 23 to the last night of the program, June 22, inclusive
- Meal allocation of $13 per day*
- Class materials and activities
- Some sociocultural activities
*Please note that the meal allocation does not cover the full cost of daily meals. The average cost of meals in Vancouver is approximately $28.00 per day.
The bursary does not cover:
- transportation to Vancouver
- transportation within Vancouver (including to and from homestay)
- some sociocultural activities.
2. I am a bursary student and I just received your email. Can I buy my airline ticket now?
No. First you have to register and pay the registration fee and the refundable deposit. You should only buy your ticket after receiving a confirmation of your registration from UBC.
3. Can I leave the program early?
If you leave before the end of classes at 15:30 on Thursday June 22, you will not receive a certificate or a refund of your deposit.
4. Can I arrive late?
No. You must be present on the first day of the program (Tuesday).
5. Is there any reason UBC would not accept a student in the program?
You may be denied participation if UBC has reached its quota or if you are not 18 years old on the date the program starts. You may also be denied participation if you cannot arrive at UBC for the program start date or if you cannot stay to the program's end date. If you have already participated in the Explore program at UBC, you are not allowed to repeat it.
6. How many students will be in the program? In my class?
There are approximately 200 bursary students in the program plus some international and non-bursary students. Each class has approximately 18 students.
7. Can I attend other classes while I am attending the Explore program?
No. Explore English is a full-time immersion program and students are not allowed to attend other courses while they are enrolled in the program. Online or distant education courses can be an option, but you should be aware that there is little time between classes and activities to do anything else.
8. How do I get credit for the course?
UBC does not give credit for the course but students may be able to get credit from their institution. At the end of the program students receive a certificate that includes the dates of the program and the hours attended. Transcripts are mailed a few weeks after the program end date. Please contact the ELI directly if you require any additional documentation.
9. Can I work in the evening or on weekends during the program?
No, salaried work during the program is not allowed. You will be in a full-time immersion program and there are scheduled activities in the evenings and on the weekends. Volunteer work in English that does not conflict with classes is acceptable and can be a great addition to classroom work.
10. Will someone help me find a job after the program?
Please note Explore English will not find work for you; however, you may be able to find work through the Languages at Work Program.
Languages at Work is designed for Explore bursary recipients, and it offers unique opportunities to continue learning English in a workplace context. Following the completion of the UBC Explore English program, you could have the opportunity to stay in BC for job placements ranging from 3 to 8 weeks.