General English 25 lessons per week
Levels: Beginner, Elementary - Level A1, Pre-Intermediate - Level A2, Intermediate - Level B1, Upper Intermediate - Level B2, Advanced - Level C1
The main emphases of the Practical ESL program are communication and functional English for daily life. Practical ESL programs begin weekly year round. The minimum class size is 6, the average is 8 and the maximum is 12. IGK guarantees a very personalized, fast paced and dynamic approach to language learning with an innovative digital curriculum (www.off2class.com). Northstar and Headway are used as supplementary texts. The majority of students gain fluency in 24 weeks or less depending on their entry level. Students can study from 1 to 24 weeks.
At IGK students receive full 60 minute lessons! This is an important fact to check when comparing schools as many schools advertise the number of ‘lessons’ offered per week (which could range anywhere from 30-60 minutes) and not the number of actual in class hours. For example, another Kelowna ESL school advertises '25 lessons' per week but the actual contact time is 20.5 hours per week whereas at IGK students actually receive the full 25 contact hours per week. IGK's full time program works out much cheaper than the other school's in comparison.
Full time
Monday-Friday 9:00am – 2:55pm 25 hours per week
AM
Five levels of Practical ESL are offered from Beginner to Advanced which focus on the combined skills of reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening and speaking. Students are placed according to their placement test scores. Students typically move up to the next level in 6 to 8 weeks. The maximum length of each level is 12 weeks. IGK uses an innovative, digitally enhanced curriculum. Students need to provide their own laptop computer, tablet or smart phone to access this curriculum.
PM
Students are placed in afternoon Conversation/Canadian Culture programs according to their placement test scores. Listening, Speaking and Pronunciation are the main focus and field trips, presentations and group projects are incorporated to reinforce ‘real life’ language practice. IELTS exam preparation is offered on select dates in March and September for 4 weeks.
*Notes
*Homework requirements vary with the level but students can expect 30 minutes to 1 hour of homework each day.
*There are weekly quizzes and tests to measure progress.
*A minimum of 6 students are required to run any given elective or level. Contact IGK for a current selection.
*This program is subject to a monthly $40 material fee, this cost will apply for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, a 2 month charge will be applied for 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks, and so on.
*The school charges a bank transfer fee of $25 for payments.
618 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, Canada
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Number of classrooms: 7
Average nº of student per classroom: 8
Minimum student age: 8
Level test on first day:
Distance from the airport: 30 km.
Closest airport: Kelowna (YLW)
Year school opened: 2002
School opening times: 8:00 - 16:00
School close dates: Show
•International Gateway Kelowna is not only a well respected school it is also a vibrant, friendly and exciting place to learn English. Students are encouraged to strive for excellence, immerse themselves in a new culture, enrich their minds, try new challenges and build bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. Highly qualified teachers and staff are carefully chosen for their professionalism, integrity and exceptional customer service skills. IGK hosts students from over 15 countries year round. Kelowna is Canada’s fastest growing city (population 150,000) and is famous for its internationally acclaimed vineyards, championship golf courses, bountiful orchards and azure lake waters. NATURE is KING here with world class hiking, sightseeing and mountain biking on the door step as well as skiing and snowboarding at nearby Big White Resort. There are over 200+ wineries to visit and wine, food and agricultural tourism are booming; The Okanagan Wine Festivals are held every May and October and the appellation is consistently voted one of the world’s top ten ‘must see’ wine routes. Nearby Kelowna Mountain and Bridges has the world’s 2nd longest suspension bridge network and a number of trails and amenities to explore. Finally, a visit to the city would not be complete without trying to sight the legendary lake monster, the Ogopogo.