This course will introduce you to Canadian history, geography, economy, and society. You will learn how to interpret and respond to what Canadians are saying and to feel at home in Canadian culture.

Learning to understand and use a language requires an understanding of the social and cultural context in which that language is used. Canadian Studies provides an opportunity to analyze Canadian institutions and topical issues in order to develop a background for understanding topics studied in other courses.

In the composition course you will improve your ability to express yourself in writing in English. You will improve your grammar skills and your writing style.

Composition will provide you an opportunity to improve your written English in a variety of forms and writing styles. You will become aware of different North American writing styles and of the ways written English changes according to the writer's audience and purpose. This understanding will increase your ability to express your own ideas and opinions effectively when writing to a North American audience. You will also practise editing and correcting your own work in order to increase your ability to recognize problems in grammar and written structure.

For more advanced students, this course will increase your ability to express ideas and opinions in ways that are understood by Canadians. You will learn how writers shape their arguments in an organized and structured way.

Through this course, you will become aware of different North American writing styles and of the ways written English changes according to the writer's audience and intent. You will also explore how North American attitudes and expectations shape arguments through the analysis of the structure, organization and persuasive strategies of different texts. You will practice different strategies in order to increase your ability to express your own ideas and opinions effectively when writing to a North American audience.

This course will help you to improve your ability to understand spoken English. You will build your vocabulary, learn idioms and slang, and increase your understanding of informal spoken English.

Because Listening Practice makes use of material from popular culture, you will increase your understanding of the contextual clues and assumptions underlying spoken English and everyday behaviour. In addition, you will develop strategies that will help you to continue learning outside the classroom.

In the Literature course, you will improve your ability to understand written English by reading contemporary writing such as Canadian poetry, short stories or articles.

You will analyze ways in which writers use language and form to stress and change meanings. Particular attention will be given to questions of voice, image, tone and diction, and how these are used to convey attitudes, beliefs and feelings. You will also explore how literature and language express and contribute to debates on Canadian social values and issues.

This course combines listening practice, reading, and vocabulary building with studying current events and Canadian social issues.

By questioning the language, images, and attitudes presented in newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and advertising, students develop an understanding of Canadian culture and Canadian context.

This is an exciting, interactive course, with many opportunities to talk through role-play and drama. While learning about mouth posture, stress, rhythm and body language, you will improve your English speaking skills in a variety of formal and informal situations.

Emphasis is placed on those aspects of spoken English that are particularly important for a speaker to be understood in a North American context. You will explore how changes in voice and tone can change the meaning of what is said. You will also become familiar with how North American English speakers use body language and gestures as part of their spoken communication, as well as how North American attitudes and expectations shape oral communication patterns -- what is said when and to whom, and how it is said.

For advanced students, this course provides you with the opportunity to explore North American attitudes and culture through media such as video and film, art, print, and music.

By questioning the language, images, and attitudes presented in the environment around them, you will develop an understanding of Canadian culture and Canadian context. As well, Popular Culture will help you to improve your listening comprehension in everyday, informal contexts; build your vocabulary of idiomatic and slang expressions; and develop your ability to decipher the visual signs, symbols and contextual clues that are a part of your everyday environment.

The Reading Skills course will teach you how writers use language to stress and change meanings, while developing an awareness of current events, Canadian social issues, and popular culture. You will learn strategies such as skimming, scanning, and identifying the main idea.

The class combines reading comprehension and vocabulary building in a variety of formats. By questioning the language, images, and attitudes presented in literature, newspapers, magazines, cartoons, and advertising, you will develop an understanding of Canadian culture and Canadian context.

This course is for those students interested in developing the social and communication skills used in a Canadian business environment. Specific activities will vary, depending on students' backgrounds and interests, but will be designed to improve spoken and written communication skills in conjunction with social interaction skills specific to business.

This is a foundation course designed primarily for students in the Introductory curriculum who wish to improve their business communication skills.

For more advanced students, in this course you will observe and discuss film in a critical, self-reflective, and interactive manner in small and large group scenarios. You can expect to develop the appropriate language skills and vocabulary to talk about film and express your opinions and personal experiences in written and oral form.

For students in the introductory curriculum, this course is designed to help you improve your conversational skills by focusing on listening, writing, reading, and especially speaking. You will take part in a variety of interactive exercises, both inside and outside the classroom.

In this course you will watch and talk about English language films, with many opportunities to practice English speaking and listening skills. You will watch a variety of genres of film, including drama, comedy, adventure and suspense.

This course will help you to build a foundation in grammar and sentence-writing skills, expand your vocabulary and acquire the confidence necessary for success. It is designed for students who need or want to pass a standardized language proficiency test (such as IELTS) but whose English is not yet proficient enough to write the actual test. Although some class time will be spent on IETLS tasks, the primary focus will be on written and spoken grammar as well as vocabulary.

In this course you will develop test-taking strategies for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. This course focuses on specific modules of the test (speaking, reading, listening, and writing), but also improves skills being developed in other courses.

This course is for those students who would like to pursue undergraduate or graduate work in a Canadian university. Here you will explore North American attitudes and expectations regarding successful application for admission to undergraduate or graduate degree programs, classroom participation, and research.