English in the Community

BEST WISHES FOR 2012!

2012-01-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Polar bears

On January 1, 2,000 people went for a Polar Bear Swim at English Bay Beach. More people went for a dip in other locations around Metro Vancouver. In some places the swimmers paid a small registration fee for charity. (To see pictures click here.)

Why do people swim in the cold? Some people want one more exciting party to end the holidays. Some people want to really wake up for the new year.

A lot of people make New Year's resolutions. These are plans to change something in your life. You might make a resolution to get more exercise or to call your mother more often. You can make a resolution to study English harder! It's always helpful to have a learning goal. If you want some ideas for learning English, look around this web page.

Have a Wonderful Festive Season

2011-12-16T10:52:00.000-08:00

On December 21, there will be Winter Solstice celebrations in five different areas of Vancouver. The winter solstice is the shortest, darkest day of the year. It’s a time to look for a warm fire, warm food and warm company to cheer everyone up. The solstice events will include music and beautiful lanterns. For more information, check out the Secret Lantern Society.

Many people in Vancouver will celebrate Christmas on December 25. Jewish people celebrate Chanukah from December 20-28. During this dark season, it’s wonderful to have many special days.

For more information about cheap and free events around Metro Vancouver, click here.

Enjoy yourself!

Don't Get Stuck - Learn English at Home

2011-11-22T17:45:00.000-08:00

Some people can’t go to school to learn English because they have small children or their work hours change a lot. These people might be able to have a trained volunteer tutor come to their home.

Homefront Learning is a VCC program that matches volunteer tutors with ESL students. Professional VCC teachers train the tutors and help them after they start tutoring. The tutors visit students’ homes for two hours each week.

To qualify for the program, students must be unable to go to school. Students have to live in Vancouver or Burnaby. They can be Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced levels. If you want more information about Homefront Learning, call 604-871-7277.

TIPS FOR LEARNING NEW VOCABULARY

2011-10-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of ideas for learning new words in English. It's from the website of VCC's on-campus learning centre.

Highlight or underline words you don’t know.
Choose words you want or need to learn.
Look those words up in an English-only dictionary. At the same time, look up related words that may help you remember or learn these words. For example, when looking up the word “wish”, you may also see the word “wishbone” or “wishful thinking”. Write down the definition and any useful phrases and sentences.
A good dictionary will help you with pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, grammar use, frequency, usage, collocation. Make friends with your dictionary.
Try to make a WORD FAMILY TABLE. One word can help you learn many words. For example, “employ,” “employer,” “employee,” “employment,” “unemployed,” “employable,” “self-employed”.
It is important to know the basic parts of speech in English to understand how to use the new vocabulary. Review the functions of nouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives.
Focus on the pronunciation to help you say the word and sometimes to help you spell the word.
Learn words together in a cluster or tree. Associate them with an idea, topic, or picture. For example, words for “government” “environment” “health”. Make your own dictionary of useful words at the back of your binder or make your own vocabulary notebook.
You can organize both alphabetically and by topics to help you review your new words.
TEST YOURSELF. REVIEW. REVIEW.
Activate your new vocabulary. Write it. Say it. See it. Hear it. Make pocket-size flash cards. Cover the meaning or cover the word or part of the word and test yourself. How much can you remember?

Any student registered in a VCC class is welcome to use the Learning Centres at Broadway or Downtown Campus. If you are not registered in a class, you can visit one of our Learning Centres off-campus. Click here for more information.

SPECIAL ESL INFORMATION SESSION SEPTEMBER 22

2011-09-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

You can come to our office to register for current Outreach classes until September 28. We're at 1155 East Broadway, Room 3711, from 9:00 to 4:30 (or until 7:00 September 21).

VCC class at Dunbar Community Centre

Or join us for a special information session on September 22. You will be able to:

Learn about ESL community classes
Take a short language assessment test
Register for a community class at one of six locations in Vancouver and Burnaby.

All are welcome to attend this information session at VCC's Broadway campus, 1155 East Broadway at Glen Drive, one block west of Clark Drive and across from VCC/Clark SkyTrain station.

Outreach Students Can Become Peer Helpers

2011-07-07T11:14:00.001-07:00

A ‘peer’ is a person your age or in your situation. ‘Peer helpers’ are VCC students who help other students. They must have Lower Advanced level English or higher and speak at least one other language. They are trained by VCC’s counseling department and get paid for the hours they work. Sometimes they interpret for students who don’t understand VCC procedures or who have a school problem they can’t explain well in English.

If this sounds like a job for you, you can apply at VCC’s counseling department in September for the next peer helper training. Go to the 4th floor of the Broadway Campus, Building A (the old building).

If you are a VCC ESL student and need a peer helper at school, call 604-871-7209 or e-mail phelper@vcc.ca.

Help Yourself to a Learning Centre This Summer

2011-07-07T10:55:00.000-07:00

ESL Outreach doesn’t have classes during July or August. If you are waiting for a class in September or want some extra help learning English, you can visit one of our ESL Learning Centres.

Renfrew Learning Centre

A learning centre is a place to study English by yourself with help from a tutor. It’s not a class. You can listen to conversations on a CD, practice writing or work on grammar. You can learn about Canada or ask the tutor questions about English. Sometimes students practice speaking together or share their work. And it’s all free!

We have nine Learning Centres in public library branches in Vancouver and Burnaby. One (South Hill on Fraser Street) is closed for the summer. Any time a learning centre is open, you can drop in. You don’t have to come at the same time each week. Usually, students stay for two or three hours to work.

For more information and the summer schedule, go to eslprograms.vcc.ca and click on Learning Centres.

BC Day

2011-07-06T16:00:00.001-07:00

The first Monday of August is a holiday in BC. It’s called BC Day. There are no special ceremonies or traditions. It’s a good day to spend with friends and family. People like to have an extra day in summer to spend outside, having a barbeque or picnic, going to the beach or hiking in the mountains.

Pacific Dogwood

The BC flower is the Pacific dogwood.

Stellar's Jay

The BC bird is the Stellar’s jay.

For more information about the symbols of BC, click here. Have a great holiday.

New English Courses for Engineers and Accountants!

2011-06-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

If you were trained as an engineer or an accountant in another country, VCC’s Professional and Career English Department has a new program for you. The courses focus on communication skills in the workplace, such as speaking with colleagues or presenting new ideas.

The courses run from July 18 to November 3, 2011, two nights a week at VCC’s Downtown Campus. Because this is a new program, the course will be free this time. Outreach students need Upper Advanced level English or higher to get in.

All students who are interested must attend an information session at the Downtown Campus. The next dates for sessions about Communication for Engineering are June 22, 28 and July 4 at 6:30 pm. The next dates for sessions about Communication for Accounting are June 21, 29 and July 5 at 6:30 pm. For more details, e-mail englishforcareers@vcc.ca.

Things to do in summer

2011-06-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

Finally, we are having some warm weather. Summer is coming!

There are many things to do in the Vancouver area during the summer. You can go to the beach or sit on your balcony. You can also visit Burnaby’s Heritage Village Museum or Richmond’s Chinese Night Market. Find a list of many free or cheap activities in Metro Vancouver here.

Summer is a good time to play sports. If you are new in Vancouver, sometimes it’s hard to meet people who enjoy the same sports. Urban Recreation is one group that helps adults find teams for volleyball, basketball, soccer and other sports. They also organize social events for adults and volunteer days. Check them out.

Another popular activity is gardening. If you live in an apartment or don’t have a place to grow plants, you can join a community garden. Community gardens are in parks or in neighbourhoods. Individuals or families can have a space (called a plot) to grow food or flowers. It might be too late to get your own plot for this summer, but you can volunteer to help in a garden and meet new people. Next year you’ll be ready! Find information about community gardens in different areas. (For Vancouver only, click here.)

Whatever you do, enjoy the warm weather. It won’t last long!

Update on the U-Pass

2011-05-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

VCC's ESL Outreach students can get a U-Pass if they study 12 hours or more per week. Most of our students study 5 or 10 hours each week. They can't get a pass. But students who take two courses and more hours can get one.

The U-Pass is a transit pass for students. Any student who studies 12 hours or more per week must pay $30 each month for a pass. They can get a pass for all zones for all buses, Skytrain and Seabus around Vancouver.

Save $30 When You Register April 13 at Information Night!

2011-03-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

On April 13, from 4-6 p.m., you can learn about all of VCC's programs.
If you register on that evening, you won't pay the $30 registration fee for new students.

Look for the Outreach Department at the ESL table. You can take a test with us for one of our community classes. (These classes are not at Broadway or Downtown Campus.) After the test, you can register right away for a class. The classes start the next day!

Want to Study English in the Evening?

2011-03-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Many students work or look after their families during the day. ESL Outreach has evening classes at two locations.

Our Burnaby location is near Kingsway and Patterson. Here, you can take a Vancouver Community College class, with a VCC teacher. It might be convenient for you if you live or work in Burnaby, or if you travel by Skytrain. This centre is a short walk from Patterson Skytrain Station. If you drive, there’s free parking. The address is 4061 Kingsway, in the Activity Centre behind the church.

We have classes there for Intermediate and Advanced students. On Monday and Wednesday, you can study Reading and Writing. On Tuesday and Thursday, you can study Listening and Speaking. Or you can study four evenings each week and take both classes.

To register for a class, you can come on Monday, April 11 at 6:30 pm (or 9:30 am with the morning students). You will do a short test and talk to a teacher to find out which class is best for you. Then you can pay (by cheque or credit card) and you’re ready for your first class on April 14 or 18.

We also have evening classes at VCC’s Downtown Campus. To study there, you need to take a test at VCC’s Assessment Centre at the Broadway Campus. Come in or call to make an appointment (1155 East Broadway, 604-871-7093).

For more information about class times and prices, go to eslprograms.vcc.ca.

Spring is Coming!

2011-02-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of snowdrops. These flowers are usually the first ones we can see at the end of winter. When you see them, you know spring is coming soon.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-31T18:30:00.000-08:00

New Year's greetings to all our friends who celebrate the Lunar New Year this week. People from Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean cultures all start their new year on February 3. New Year's Eve, the night before, will be a big celebration.

Everyone can visit Vancouver's Chinatown parade on Sunday, February 6 from noon to 2:00 p.m. For more information click here. You can see celebrations and decorations in many other areas as well.

This will be the Year of the Rabbit. So you might say, "Hoppy New Year!"

Getting Help with Canadian Laws

2011-01-20T12:23:00.000-08:00

Whether you’ve lived in Canada a short time or long time, you might need to learn more about Canadian laws. There are a few places to get help.

As a VCC student, you can contact your student union and get free legal help from a volunteer lawyer. This service is for people who don’t have money to pay a lawyer. You can call 604-878-7400 to make an appointment, or click here for more information.

If you just need some general information, you can read the booklet Learning About the Law, published by The People’s Law School. You can see this book online at publiclegaled.bc.ca. It includes topics like working law and family law.
Dial-a-Law is a telephone service and website with short lectures about many types of law. You can phone 604-687-4780 to listen, or go to dialalaw.org. Some of the information is available in different languages.

What's Your Plan for the New Year? More English?

2011-01-07T17:35:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011!

At the beginning of each new year, many people make a resolution - a promise to themselves - to change something in their lives. You can decide to do more exercise this year or spend more time with your family. Or you might decide to study English.

In VCC's ESL Outreach Department, you can be a VCC student AND study near your home or workplace. We have classes at five off-campus locations in Vancouver and one in Burnaby. Most have classes two mornings or four mornings a week. We have evening classes at our Burnaby centre and at VCC’s Downtown Campus. You can study on Saturday at the Downtown Campus, too. Classes start at Literacy level for people with no English and go up to Upper Advanced.

As VCC students, Outreach students have experienced, professional VCC teachers. They can use any VCC services like the library or career advising. They can change to classes on campus or move between centres each term.

If you want to take a course starting in January, look at the dates on the right side of this page. For more information, click here or phone 604-871-7145.

It's Holiday Time!

2010-12-17T17:22:00.000-08:00

VCC Baking Department's Gingerbread House

There are a lot of things to do around Vancouver this month. If you go downtown, you can visit the Gingerbread Lane display at the Hyatt Hotel on Burrard Street. It's free.

Gingerbread is a kind of cookie from Europe. A tradition started of building houses from gingerbread at Christmas time. Many Canadians make or buy a small one to keep at home. But the houses on Gingerbread Lane are huge! And fancy!
If you want to know about some other events around the city, click here.

On the other hand, if you miss your English class and want to study, you can go to one of the Outreach ESL Learning Centres in the public libraries. All of them close on Tuesday, December 21 and open again on January 4, 2011. The learning centres are free and you can drop in any time they are open. For addresses and schedules, click here.

Merry Christmas - and have a wonderful holiday.

Some VCC students will soon have U-Passes

2010-12-08T19:01:00.000-08:00

Last week, many students voted 'Yes' or 'No' - to have a U-Pass at VCC or not. A U-Pass is a student bus pass that is only $30 per month for all zones.

This pass will only be available for students who study 12 hours each week or more. Most Outreach students don't study 12 hours. But if a student takes two classes, they might get a U-Pass.

We will have more information in January about the new program.

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

2010-12-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

This weekend many families will begin decorating for Christmas. If the weather is good, they might put lights outside their homes. Even a few lights look bright and cheerful. (For information about how to put up lights, safety and energy-saving lights, click here.)

Some families have an Advent Calendar. Each day of December, one person (usually a child) opens the door on the calendar for that day. Sometimes there is a chocolate inside! Everyone is counting the days until Christmas.

THE U-PASS STUDENT TRANSIT PASS

2010-11-23T12:08:00.000-08:00

What is a U-Pass?
It’s a bus pass for all zones. Students at some colleges and universities have one now. They pay $30 for each month they study, and get a special bus pass. ALL students must pay for a bus pass. The pass is good for all bus, Skytrain or Seabus routes, for three zones, every day. The passenger must show student picture ID with the U-Pass.

Do you want a U-Pass for VCC?

On November 29 and 30, and December 1, all VCC students can vote on a U-Pass program for VCC. All Outreach students can vote. You can vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. You can vote at Broadway Campus in the new building (Monday and Wednesday, 10:00-4:00; Tuesday, 10:00-8:00). Or you can vote at the Downtown Campus (Monday, 10:00-4:00; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:00-8:00). To vote, you must bring a VCC student ID card with a sticker for this term.

Can Outreach students get a U-Pass?
Mostly, no. If VCC starts a U-Pass program, students must study 12 hours per week or more to get the pass. Most Outreach students study 5 or 10 hours in class. If you take two classes you might have more than 12 hours (for example, Monday-Thursday mornings plus pronunciation on Friday). Then you can get a pass. (In the future, the VCC Student Union wants 10 hours or less to be enough.)

Where can you get more information?
Look at these websites: Translink or the Students’ Union of VCC. (On the student site, you can watch a Youtube video or look down the page for information. The voting times are now longer.)

The Festival of Lights

2010-11-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

This week is the Hindu Festival of Lights, called Diwali. You will see many homes decorated with lights. You can also go to some special Diwali events to see dancing and eat Indian food.

The Vancouver Asian Film Festival is also coming up from November 4-7. This is a week to celebrate your Asian heritage or learn more about Asian culture.

BOO!

2010-10-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming up and there are a lot of fun activities around Vancouver. You can go to a fireworks festival in Richmond or take a spooky walk at the Parade of Lost Souls in East Vancouver. These are free events. To see a whole list of free October events on the VCC ESL website, click here. (This list is updated every month.)

Here's an unusual free event: You can go to a costume party on the Seabus at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29. Don't forget your bus ticket!

In Stanley Park, you can ride a ghost train. It costs about $6 for children and $10 for adults. This is a popular event for all ages, but especially children. Teens and young people who like getting scared can go to Fright Nights at the PNE. It costs about $25 for the haunted house and Playland rides..

You can also just walk around your neighbourhood. In many areas, neighbours decorate their homes with special pictures and pumpkins. On Halloween night, if you leave your front light on, children might come to your door to ask for candy. Get ready for some cute little people!

Don't Miss VCC's Information Night

2010-10-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

VCC’s Information Night is coming up on October 20 at our Broadway Campus (1155 East Broadway) from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. ESL Outreach will be there, along with 140 other programs at VCC. You can find out about different courses and programs. You can meet teachers, ask questions and take information home.

Here's another good thing for new students: If you want to study at our Downtown Campus, you have to take a test. If you sign up for the test on Information Night, you won't pay the $30 application fee for new students.

For more information about Information Night click here. See you there!

Let's Go to the Movies!!

2010-09-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

The Vancouver International Film Festival starts on September 30 and lasts two weeks. It’s a chance to see many films that don’t come to regular theatres. You can see films in many languages, and see Canadian films, too.

Some film buffs take a vacation during the festival and see a lot of movies every day! Most people just see a few. If you want to see the program or buy tickets, go to the VIFF website. On the schedule, you can search for films by country or by topic.

Another, smaller film festival is the Asian Film Festival coming up in November. At this festival, you can see films made by Canadian film makers from Asian backgrounds.

Sometimes when people are learning English, they say they don’t have time to watch TV or films, even in English. Think of this as enjoyable homework, and have fun!

Computer times for Outreach students

2010-09-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can use our computer labs on campus?

The Downtown Campus lab in Room 519 is open for Outreach students from 6:00 to 6:40 on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

The Broadway Campus lab in Room 3665 is open for any VCC students on Friday from 9:00 to 1:00.

VCC can help students to learn

2010-09-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Community College has many services for students.

If you take a class at a community location, you can take books out of the VCC library or make an appointment at one of our counselling and advising centres. If you can’t visit our big campuses on Broadway and Downtown, you can learn English outside school in other ways. For example, you can visit one of our learning centres in a public library near your home. When each centre is open, an experienced tutor is there to help students study by themselves. You can see a map and schedule of learning centre locations and hours here.

You might want to study English using the internet. VCC keeps a list of useful learning websites. Click here to find links to many useful websites.

A class is a good way to meet people, practice speaking English and learn new things from a teacher. Outside class, you can learn more and practice more in many ways.

Welcome!

2010-07-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to ESL Outreach’s new blog!

In Outreach, you can be a VCC student AND study near your home or workplace. We have classes at five off-campus locations in Vancouver and one in Burnaby. Most have classes two mornings or four mornings a week. We have evening classes at our Burnaby centre and at VCC’s Downtown Campus. You can study on Saturday at the Downtown Campus, too. Classes start at Literacy level for people with no English and go up to Upper Advanced.

As VCC students, Outreach students have experienced, professional VCC teachers. They can use any VCC services like the library or career advising. They can change to classes on campus or move between centres each term.

If you want to take a class at a community location, you can come to that centre on registration day. A teacher will give you a short test. Then we will find the right class for you. For evening and Saturday classes at the Downtown Campus, you need to visit our Assessment Centre at the Broadway Campus.

In each Outreach class, the teacher designs the lessons to meet the needs of that class. Our students have fun and learn a lot of English, too. We hope you can join us!