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Learn English in Halifax in Canada  

Courses of 15 or 24 lessons per week, IELTS exam preparation.

The school, in the town centre close the port, is a quiet and restful place with the most modern facilities.

Tuition programs

  • 1 lesson: 60 minutes
     
  • Minimum age: 19 (compulsory)
     
  • Schedule: 8:30 AM to 3:15 PM (24L/W).
    Schedule: 8:30 AM to 11:50 AM (15L/W).
     
  • Maximum of 15 students per class,
    minimum 8
     
  • 24 L/W: 10 additional supervised lessons complete the program.
     
  • Language laboratory.
     
  • IELTS: In order to pass the exam, a 12 weeks duration is highly recommended, 24 lessons per week. IELTS: Exam fee to be paid on the spot. The exam takes place at school once a month. Please contact us to know the appropriate date according to the month you want. Visit www.ielts.ca
     
  • All levels available.
     
  • School material included up to 12 weeks. Those taking more than 12 weeks will, after the first 12 weeks pay 180$CAD for another set of books.
     
  • Guided city tour
  • Organized activities every Friday PM or Saturday, to be paid on the spot (low prices)
     
  • Transfer at arrival from airport or train station if family accommodation.
     
  • Evaluation and attestation of linguistic training

SEE A TEACHER INTERVIEW BELOW ON THIS PAGE

Starting dates

Every Monday.

School closing dates

Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
17 - 18,20 19 - 1 4 1 13 11 -

 The school will also be closed between December 20 and January 3, 2015.

 Available options

  • All our rates are valid from January 1st till December 31st, and never include the plane ticket.
     
  • Additional day in the family: 35$CAD

Halifax Halifax

What is IELTS ?
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP:IELTS Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. It covers the four language skills - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.  All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. If you are planning to undertake academic study, it is recommended that you sit for the Academic Reading and Writing Modules. If you are planning to undertake non-academic training or apply for immigration into Canada or some other countries, it is recommended that you sit for the General Training Reading and Writing Modules. It is the responsibility of the candidate to determine which version, Academic or General Training, must be taken.


 

RATES

 Prices are in Canadian dollars

Currency Converter

Program / week

each add. month
15 lessons 1230$CAD 1080$CAD
24 lessons 1350$CAD 1200$CAD

 

Family accommodation.

                                         SEE A FAMILY INTERVIEW BELOW ON THIS PAGE

  • Sunday arrival.
  • Saturday departure.
  • 3 meals per day included, single occupancy bedroom.

    Prices in Canadian dollars

    Placement fee (once): 285$CAD

    Programme/week 1
    Family 205$CAD

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!
 

City information

Halifax 

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.

The city knows a strong traffic of cargo boats and container ship. Based in 1749, Halifax is called " the city of trees. It's a pleasant city with magnificent green spaces . The modern towers of glass and steel get married to the historic buildings. The city center of Halifax is very full of life. Halifax is also an important centre of study.

Halifax        Halifax

Pictures of Halifax

Click on Pictures to see in large size

Host Family Interview ! 

 

Heather Haskins (50)
Dental Assistant Supervisor 

Doug Haskins (51)
Machinist



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?
  1. Learn how to set the house alarm system!
  2. Students make their own breakfasts and lunches.  They are welcome to take as much or as little as they wish.
  3. We ask them to call us if they are not coming home for supper or if they are going to be late because, like with our own children, we worry.
  4. If they smoke, we ask them to do so outside or in their rooms.
5. What type of meals do you provide 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? 
  1. Speak as much English as possible while you are here.
  2. Although Halifax is a relatively safe city, you still should not carry a lot of money on you.
  3. Experience as much of Canada as you can while you are here.  You never know when you will see it again.
  4. Take as many pictures as possible.
  5. Understand that Canada has many open areas, unlike many of your home countries.  It is therefore possible to drive much more quickly than to which you may be accustomed.  Drive cautiously.  Take public transportation.
9.  Describe your best and worst experiences as a host-parent.
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


NAME: Madonna Lee Sampson

CREDENTIALS: BA, CELTA

  1. How long have you been an English language teacher?

    "I've been teaching for about eight years now — one and a half years at ILI and 6 years in Japan."

  2. Why did you decide to become an English language teacher?

    "At first, it was strictly for employment purposes. Following the experience, I found that I loved meeting people from different cultures. I always want to have that connection and teaching allows me to do that."

How many different nationalities have you instructed throughout your entire career?

"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

Halifax

 Tel: +1 (514) 844-2831 Fax: +1 (450) 589-0136 Email: