English Bridge Program for EAL Students

Become a Successful University Student in Canada

Corpus Christi College's English Bridge Program is designed to help English as an Additional Language (EAL) students become successful university students.

Our Bridge Program helps you improve your English proficiency so you’re ready for the next step in your post-secondary studies.

What is Involved?

The Bridge Program is an intensive 12-week program (144 hours) that equips students with the necessary language and academic skills they need for university level courses.

How the Program Works

The Program integrates four academic language skills:
1.    Listening
2.    Reading
3.    Speaking
4.    Writing

These skills are integrated by helping students develop their Receptive Skills (such as Listening and Reading) in one course while practicing their Productive Skills (such as Speaking and Writing) in another.

Students will also apply their skills to engage in critical thinking, academic research, presentations, and discussions.

Is the Program Right for You?

Do you have a good academic record and an intermediate-level skill in English from your high school years?

Are you pursuing a post-secondary degree (Associate, Bachelor’s) but struggling to enter into first-year university programs or English courses because of a lower-than-expected IELTs score?

Do you meet Corpus Christi College’s academic admissions requirements, but not the English Language Admissions Standard?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then this program is right for you.

BENEFITS OF THE ENGLISH BRIDGE PROGRAM

•    improve your English and academic language skills
•    receive dedicated teaching in a supportive environment
•    learn successful study habits and test strategies
•    prepare yourself for the rigors and discipline of university level courses that require academic research, critical thinking, and essay writing
•    access academic help through your instructor, the Peer Mentoring Program and the Student Resource Centre

Enjoy a unique experience

•    make friends, experience Canadian culture, and practice English with native speakers
•    fully integrate into College life as you study and socialize with your peers and instructors
•    engage socially through extracurricular activities at Corpus Christi College and UBC

Course Details

Program instructors use a communicative approach with their students to help them build the Academic Language Skills necessary for successful post-secondary academic research, critical thinking, essay writing, and presentations.

Students will progress through a combined series of Listening-Reading and Speaking-Writing Courses:

Bridge Program: Listening and Reading
Students study and practice academic listening and reading skills, including noting and comparing key ideas, discerning and critiquing thesis statements, making outlines, paraphrasing sentences, summarizing paragraphs, and analyzing essays.

Bridge Program: Speaking and Writing
Students study and practice academic speaking and writing skills, including brainstorming key ideas, formulating and writing thesis statements, outlining and structuring paragraphs, drafting essays, producing and revising drafts, and presenting content.

Students will also apply their skills to engage in critical thinking, academic research, presentations, and discussions.

ELIGIBILITY AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Bridge Program is designed for high-intermediate (e.g., IELTs 5.0) English as an Additional Language (EAL) students.
Applicants must:
•    have completed a high school diploma (in their home country, Canada or abroad)
•    meet the non-English admission requirements to Corpus Christi College
•    achieve a score of at least “Level 1” on the Corpus Christi College Bridge Program Placement Test
•    complete a telephone or in-person interview.
No other English proficiency tests such as TOEFL or TOEIC are required to enter this program. 

COURSE COSTS

Course tuition is the same for international and domestic students.
Bridge Program: $3000.00

WHEN DO COURSES START?

Courses start at the beginning and the second half of each semester.
The Bridge Program runs year round, with new intakes at the beginning of each semester, including Fall (September), Winter (January), and Summer I (May).
Upcoming Start Dates:
•    September 14, 2020
•    January 11, 2021
•    May 10, 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

How much time is spent in class?
Students will be in class two times per week with additional time allocated for online learning.

Are these non-credit courses?
Yes, students do not receive post-secondary credits for these preparatory courses.

Can I take undergraduate courses at Corpus while I am enrolled the Bridge Program?
No, students cannot take any credited course while taking the Bridge course.

Is admission to the English Bridge Program the same as admission to Corpus Christi College?
Students who are admitted to the English Bridge Program receive conditional acceptance to Corpus Christi College. If students do not complete the Bridge Program and English requirements, they will not be fully admitted to the College.

How big are the classes?
IES classes are small, so students receive personalized instruction. The average class size is between 15 to 30.

Questions?

Contact our English Bridge Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604.314.9653