The Best Way to Learn English is Practice a Lot
Studying English is like learning to play a musical instrument. Whether you want to learn how to speak English or how to improve reading English, the more you practice - especially spoken English, the better you get at all the other skills. It's a simple principle. It's still a lot of work, but if you follow that, you will be successful.
Most ESL classes spend too much time learning English grammar. It's true that grammar is important, but learning language is like learning to swim. You can't do it by reading a book -- you have to practice!
- GEOS' ESL courses are designed to give students more practice.
- GEOS students have English classes every day for just Speaking and Listening.
- Because GEOS has more English speaking classes, our students learn English faster.
Our Standard English Program provides students with insight into the language and how to apply effective methods of communication at an accelerated pace.
Classes generally finish in the early afternoon (usually before 1 pm), giving students the opportunity to enjoy the majority of their afternoon sightseeing and discovering the city and local culture.
Standard English includes 20 lessons per week (15 hours).
- Integrated Skills - Mixed Skill Development to build general language ability.
- Active Listening - This extra Listening and Speaking class is the GEOS Advantage!
Note: Students must register for a minimum of 2 weeks.
Our Intensive General English Program is well-suited for students looking to develop their English skills in a shorter time frame and at an accelerated pace. The goal for students in Intensive English is to gain greater fluency and accuracy in a more concentrated period of time.
Intensive English includes 30 lessons per week (22.5 hours) with 3 daily classes.
- Integrated Skills - Mixed Skill Development to build general language ability.
- Active Listening - This extra Listening and Speaking class is the GEOS Advantage!
- Elective Class - Practice your choice of language skill - writing, reading and more!
Our Super-Intensive General English Program is well-suited for students looking to develop their English skills in a shorter time frame and at an accelerated pace. Students develop their English up to 30% faster with this course.
Super-Intensive English includes 40 lessons per week (28 hours) with 4 daily classes.
- Integrated Skills - Mixed Skill Development to build general language ability
- Active Listening - This extra Listening and Speaking class is the GEOS Advantage
- 2 Sessions: Elective Class - Practice your choice of language skill: writing, reading and more!
Our part-time program is perfect for students in our local area interested in taking one English course throughout the week. It is ideal for those looking to continue their English learning at a relaxed pace or to brush up on previous acquired skills.
Part-Time English includes 10 lessons per week (7.5 hours) and students select one of the following courses as part of this program:
(IELTS can be taken as a single course here, or alternatively, students can register for our full-time IELTS Preparation Programs). This course will not satisfy the requirements for a study permit application.
Courses available in the Part-time Englisch Program:
- IELTS Preparation for Intermediate
- Active Listening for Beginner
- Integrated Skills for Beginner
- Electives for Beginner
Private or semi-private tutorials are an option for students who want to study English with a teacher by themselves and/or want to study a very specific topic or language. This program is extremely specialized, as students can choose their own course content. It is perfect for students who believe they can excel in a one-on-one environment.
As one of the first ESL (English as a second language) programs to teach test preparation, English study at GEOS Languages Plus has helped hundreds of students enter university. The high standards of our academic English and test preparation class instructors makes GEOS Languages Plus test preparation ESL programs different. If you want to improve your IELTS score or are looking for an IELTS class for beginners, GEOS Languages Plus can help you.
More Info about the different Preparation Course and our current promotion
This Business English course is designed to prepare advanced students in IEP Levels 5 and 6 to use English in their present or future work situation. Special focus is given to the development of key vocabulary, social language and practical functions within a business context. Students will be given plenty of opportunities to practice realistic tasks in class, and will be given the tools and skills they will need in common professional situations.
By the end of Business English, students will be able to:
- Give a well organized, formal presentation
- Understand and respond appropriately to professional telephone calls, emails and letters
- Use appropriate language in social situations
- Create a cover letter and resume suitable for local job/volunteer placement
- Interview for local job/volunteer placement
Get a running start when regular high school classes begin with this special Intensive English GEOS program. Our program will work on the fundamentals of Language, Reading and Writing with highly experienced GEOS instructors. We practice presentation skills and group work in our project-based curriculum. High energy classes with years of experience and hundreds of successful outcomes already. Students are specially grouped together by age in this course to study with their peers getting ready for high school!
This elective is designed to help intermediate students in IEP Level 3 who are interested in preparing for academic study and/or test preparation. Special focus is on the development of skills needed to be successful in an academic setting. The class touches on all four language skills, creating an integrated approach to academic study.
This elective is designed to help intermediate students in IEP Level 4 who are interested in preparing for academic study and/or test preparation. Special focus is on the development of skills needed to be successful in an academic setting. The class touches on all four language skills, creating an integrated approach to academic study.
This elective is designed to help intermediate students in IEP Level 5 who are interested in preparing for academic study and/or test preparation. Special focus is on the development of skills needed to be successful in an academic setting. The class touches on all four language skills, creating an integrated approach to academic study.
This elective is designed to help intermediate students in IEP Level 6 who are interested in preparing for academic study and/or test preparation. Special focus is on the development of skills needed to be successful in an academic setting. The class touches on all four language skills, creating an integrated approach to academic study.
Choose the intensity of your course. Check out the differnet language levels based on the European Framework of Reference for Languages.
GEOS focuses on developing the following competencies:
To get a good foundation in basic language, students need a complete English course. This means students will get time to study spoken English, listening English, reading English, written English and English grammar. Every day, as part of their GEOS ESL Program, students will have the opportunity to develop the spectrum of skill areas.
GEOS approach to learning English grammar is to include it as part of our complete Integrated Studies program. Our students not only learn the grammar but learn it in context by reading or listening and practice it right away by writing or speaking.
In that way, our students learn English grammar by learning English conversation.
We all know that in order to get good at something you have to get good at the basics. The mistake many people make is that the basics of English is only grammar. That's like learning to get better at soccer by reading the rule book.
If you want to know how to improve English, what you are really asking is how to improve spoken English. Speaking practice helps all the other skills more than any other type of practice. Most of the time we communicate by speaking - even when we are learning to think in another language - so when you are choosing the right place for your English lesson, you should choose the place that give you the most time in spoken English classes.
GEOS has designed their ESL course to have the most speaking time. In the Active listening class, students spend the entire 90 minute block speaking or listening. This is because while speaking is the most fundamental skill to language, listening is the most difficult and requires the most practice.
Elective courses are an opportunity for students to study and develop a specific skill or prepare for a specific English exam. Elective course offerings vary in each location and are subject to change each semester, but examples of possible offerings include Communicative Grammar, Listening and Pronunciation, Academic Writing, TOEFL Preparation, IELTS Preparation, etc…
Because our elective schedule changes every semester, we ask you to contact us directly at (604) 684-6407. Alternatively, you can send us a message here!
IELTS Preparation Program is well-suited for students looking to prepare for the IELTS test. Most students take the IELTS elective in the afternoon or an academic writing course.
More Information about the different IELTS Courses.