Learn English in Halifax in Canada
The school, in the town centre close the port, is a quiet and restful place with the most modern facilities. Tuition programs
SEE A TEACHER INTERVIEW BELOW ON THIS PAGE |
Starting dates Every Monday. School closing dates
The school will also be closed between December 20 and January 3, 2015. Available options
What is IELTS ?
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RATES Prices are in Canadian dollars Currency Converter
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Family accommodation.SEE A FAMILY INTERVIEW BELOW ON THIS PAGE
Our greeting families are recruited with great care. The criteria of selection are very rigorous and each family must satisfy a precise conditions of contract: : excellent morality, desire to communicate with their host, satisfactory social standing. We should specify that the families will only speak with you the language of the country where you will be. It is the principle of the immersion courses! |
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City information
Capital of Nova Scotia province and first port in the Atlantic Ocean. Its strategic position made an important naval base in war time: James Wolfe, English general, left from there to go to take Quebec in 1759. It was, during both world wars, an assembly point for the convoies of the Atlantic Ocean. The first steam transatlantic service was made between Halifax and Great Britain in 1840.
Pictures of Halifax Click on Pictures to see in large size
I am very pleased to introduce the Haskins to you. So, who are the Haskins? 1. How long have you been host-parents? We started being host parents in January 1997.2. Why did you decide to become host-parents? We've always liked having younger people around us. When our sons were younger, they always had their friends over to our home. Now that they're grown up, we enjoy inviting foreign students to our home. We enjoy talking with our students. It forces us to speak formal English - helping our proficiency as well!3. What type of services do you offer your guests? We help students with their homework and with their conversational English. We treat our guests similar to how we would treat our own children! We even change their bedding and clean their rooms, and do their laundry when they need help.4. What type of 'ground-rules' or regulations do you establish with your guests?
Students make what they want for themselves at both breakfast and lunch. We always have a well-balanced supper for our family and guests. Often we cook ham, roast beef, fish or poultry. We serve rice more frequently as both our Latin American and Asian guests request it on a regular basis. We would like to sample foods from other countries, but so far we haven't hosted many students who like to cook!6. What is it like to have a foreign student live with your Canadian family? Students generally settle in within a week. Hosting a foreign student provides a tremendous opportunity for cultural exchange, and therefore we encourage the student to bring their friends to our home.7. Describe one of your most memorable experiences as a host-parent. Mexican Independence Day parties are certainly memorable! We have hosted two parties at our home (1998 and 1999) - both years attracting about 75 to 100 guests!8. What advice would you give to international students coming to Halifax?
Best : Our best experiences happen when the students really integrate into our family. When they attend family gatherings and experience enjoyment and excitement, it is truly like having more children of our own. Worst : Our worst experiences happen when our students are dishonest with us - it is a great disappointment. Also, it is troubling, when our guests are having family problems at home - we share their pain.10. Do you remain in contact with your guests when they return home? We would like to keep in contact with all of our guests. Some students do keep in contact; others do not. However, e-mail has made regular contact with many students highly accessible. TEACHER INTERVIEW CREDENTIALS: BA, CELTA
"I've taught students from Japan, Korea, Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Spain... I'd say about 15 different nationalities." What do you consider to be the critical learning mix for most English language learners?"Being immersed in the language. Being in an environment where you feel comfortable and where you know it's OK to make mistakes. Mostly, being in a fun learning environment." Which teaching methodology do you find to be most effective for instructing English to foreign learners? Why?"In class, I try to get the language out in a fun way. I try to teach in a lighthearted manner where everyone is at ease and where students don't feel that I'm just lecturing them. I feel students learn more in a conversational environment." What do you do in order to keep current with teaching methodologies?"I speak to other staff members, look at ESL Web sites, and try to attend workshops. Mostly what I find helpful is teacher interaction." Generally, what have you found to be an average TOEFL score increase in your students?"The last student I had started at a 480 and went to a 530. It depends on how much effort the student puts into it." Why do you teach at ILI rather than another language school, either in Canada or abroad?"At first, it was convenient because it was the city that I moved to. Reflecting back on it though, I wouldn't choose another school. ILI is a laid back, "family" school where the rapport is close amongst students and teachers. Everyone is helpful and I feel very welcome here." Describe your best and worst experiences as an English language instructor."The best experience is seeing students succeed in their goals and improve in their language skills. The worst experience is when a student decides to give up too easily when I know s/he can succeed. It's crushing. No matter how much I try, once a student has decided to quit that's it. I feel totally helpless." What advice would you give prospective English language learners?"Do it for you. Study because you want to. Have fun. Be prepared to practice. It's OK to make mistakes. Never be afraid to ask for help. Most of all have fun." Weather forecast |
Tel: +1 (514) 844-2831 Fax: +1 (450) 589-0136 Email: