Program Overview

English as an Additional Language for Work-Life Success

English as an Additional Language (EAL) for Work-Life Success is a series of three twelve-week English courses (36 hours total per course) designed to build language skills and confidence communicating in the workplace and other areas of life. Learners will gain new English skills, learning strategies, and a greater understanding of how communication works in Canadian workplaces. In addition, learners will practice new language while working in pairs and teams to explore work-related topics and problems.

Course Structure

• The program consists of three courses:
  • English for Work-Life Success 1: New Job
  • English for Work-Life Success 2: Full Participation
  • English for Work-Life Success 3: New Roles
• Each course is 36 hours long, spread over 12 weeks.

Course Details

English for Work-Life Success 1: New Job

Enhance your workplace English in this practical course. Develop language skills for job search and interviews. Navigate your first six months in a new job with confidence using language for meeting co-workers, requesting assistance or advice, and building positive work relationships.

English for Work-Life Success 2: Full Participation

Develop intercultural communication and new language skills to confidently join in workplace conversations, presentations, and teamwork. Learn and practice English while studying language learning in the workplace and topics related to Canadian industries.

English for Work-Life Success 3: New Roles

Elevate your English with language skills needed to mentor, supervise, and lead others. Explore new trends in work-related communication, feedback, and positive support of coworkers. Gain language and workplace culture skills to help yourself and others thrive in any work environment.

Course Highlights

• Learners will develop new English language skills for use in the workplace and other areas of life.
• Learners will gain an understanding of how communication works in Canadian workplaces.
• Learners will acquire new strategies for self-directed English learning in the workplace.

Admission Requirements

To succeed in these courses, participants should be able to take part in everyday conversations through starting a conversation, taking turns speaking, making short phone calls, discussing plans, and expressing opinions with a little help from a stronger speaker. Participants should also be able to write short (one to two paragraph) informal and formal messages like invitations, congratulations, thanks, and offers to help.

• The content is designed for adult learners: participants must be 18 years or older.
• This non-credit learning opportunity has no prerequisites.
• There is no conditional language assessment required for admission, but learners should be able to communicate at approximately a CLB level 6 or higher.

Program Cost

• The cost for each 36-hour course is $650.00.
• Bursaries for the full $650.00 tuition may be offered to students based on their citizenship status.
• UBC’s Okanagan School of Education determines the bursary for English for Work-Life Success based on the student’s citizenship status.
• Students who fall within one of the following categories are considered domestic students and will be offered a bursary for tuition:
  • Canadian citizens
  • Permanent residents of Canada
  • Any person with refugee or protected persons status in Canada
  • Diplomat assigned to Canada
  • A visitor with an employer-specific full-time long-term work permit (employer-specific work permits must be at least one year or longer and exclude work authorization obtained on foreign student status.)