English As A Second Language (ESL) Program (R901)

Program Description

Program Overview

George Brown College’s English as a Second Language (ESL) (Part-Time) Certificate is an accelerated hybrid program to help you develop your English language skills for personal, professional and academic purposes. We offer eight levels of instruction that range from low beginner to advanced and a variety of elective courses to meet your individual learning needs. Each level runs for six weeks and combines a variety of activities designed to strengthen reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

Full Description

IMPORTANT NOTE: This program is currently being delivered in a hybrid format that includes both in-person and online instruction. 

George Brown College’s English as a Second Language (ESL) (Part-Time) certificate is a non-credit program that will help you develop the English language skills you need to succeed in a fast-paced transformational global environment.

With eight levels of instruction that range from low beginner to advanced, and a variety of elective courses to suit your personal, professional, and academic learning needs, you will build confidence in your skills as you progress through the program.

Courses you complete in this ESL program are recognized by our full-time English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. The more ESL courses you complete, the fewer EAP courses you will be required to take to complete that certificate. Click on the ‘Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities’ tab located on the left side of this page for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: These ESL courses do not count as credit toward other George Brown programs.

ESL (Part-Time) Certificate Program Details:

  • accelerated hybrid program delivered both online and in-person
  • delivery mode alternates with one week delivered in-person followed by one week of combined in-person and online instruction
  • independent weekly studies allow students to engage in tasks to reinforce collaboration, time management, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
  • each level is six weeks long and includes 50 hours of teaching/learning
  • highly engaging and interactive format delivered in person with peers and our expert instructors plus lessons online with discussion groups, forums, and polls
  • in-depth training includes developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
  • independent studies include viewing video lessons and narrated PowerPoint presentations, taking notes, and completing various language activities
  • choose elective courses that meet your needs, including IELTS/CELPIP test preparation, effective communication, and conversation skills (additional fees apply)
  • in-class assessments include quizzes, tests, oral presentations, and written assignments
  • need access to a computer with an Internet connection, a working camera, and a microphone

 ESL (Part-Time) Certificate Program Delivery:

  • in-person classes are held at our School of English as a Second Language located at 341 King Street East (Building H, St. James Campus)
  • online classes are delivered live through Zoom – a free and easy-to-use online tool
  • independent weekly studies are guided by an instructor and are completed asynchronously 

ESL (Part-Time) Certificate Program Student Supports:

  • regular feedback and support from your instructor
  • access to your instructor through email, chat, and private messaging
  • access to customized online learning resources
  • access to academic resources offered by George Brown’s Tutoring and Learning Centre
  • free tutoring and peer-led workshops facilitated by our Student Success Team
  • peer support and feedback through online discussion boards

PLEASE NOTE: Information related to courses, including length, dates, times, location, and delivery mode are subject to change without notice.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Educational Pathways

George Brown College ESL students who successfully complete the required two Continuing Education ESL levels will meet the English language requirements for admission into our full-time English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Level program. The table below outlines which EAP level you will qualify for. 

CONCORDANCE TABLE – CON ED ESL - EAP

Complete Con Ed ESL Levels

Register in EAP level

IA Low Beginner + IB Beginner

2

IC High Beginner + IIA Low Intermediate

3

IIA Low Intermediate + IIB Intermediate

4

IIB Intermediate + IIC High Intermediate

5

IIC High Intermediate + IIIA Low Advanced

6

IIIA Low Advanced + IIIB Advanced

7

  • program alignment with other language proficiency tests (see below):

CONCORDANCE TABLE – GBC EAP – TOEFL – CLB – IELTS – CEFR

GBC CON ED ESL LEVELS

IA + IB

IC + IIA

IIA + IIB

IIB + IIC

IIC + IIIA

IIIA + IIIB

GBC EAP LEVELS

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

TOEFL (TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

0-9

10-18

19-25

26-30

31-39

40-49

CLBS (CANADIAN LANGUAGE BENCHMARKS)

1-2

2-3

3-4

4-5

5-6

7-8

IELTS (INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH TESTING SYSTEM)

2.5

W/S 2.5

2.5

W/S 3

3

W/S 3.5

3.5

W/S 4

4 - 4.5

W/S 4.5

5.5

W/S 5.5

CEFR (COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE)

pre A1-A1

A1

A2

A2

B1

B1/B2

  • specifically chosen educational and online resources included in the course fees 

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