ELC News

On a sunny day, Yanqing sitting with his dog outside on a fountain near UVic

Bridging degrees and dreams through UVic’s Pathway program

Read about Yanqing Li's experience, a UVic English Language Centre Pathway graduate who specialized in data analytics and cybersecurity.

Studying English for Less than Six Months: ELC Program Combinations

The ELC offers short-term programs and program combinations with start dates throughout the year. Our intensive approach to language instruction means that students can make a lot of progress with their English skills in under six months.

Photo of graduate student waving at laptop.

Coming soon: Global Communication Skills for Academia

This micro-certificate program will develop and improve your overall language proficiency—with a focus on effective oral and written communication skills—and presentation skills for academic purposes.

Photo of a group of women accepting an award.

The English Language Centre honoured at 14th annual BCCIE International Education Awards

The English Language Centre (ELC) is proud to receive the 2023 award for Outstanding Program in International Education.

The English Language Centre among finalists for "Language Training Provider of the Year" award

We are thrilled to announce that the English Language Centre (ELC) has been named a finalist for the 2023 "Language Training Provider of the Year" award by Professionals in International Education (PIE).

Welcome Dr. Seppy Masoodi – ELC Director

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Seppy Masoodi has joined the UVic English Language Centre as its new Director, as of August 22, 2022.

Update for students and partners

After many years at the helm, Dr. Jackie Prowse has stepped down from her position as director of the English Language Centre (ELC). While Jackie's departure from the ELC represents a significant staffing shift, we are committed to making a smooth transition for our partners and agents.

What to know about January ELPI 2022

With the return of discretionary travel to Canada for fully vaccinated travelers and other easing of travel restrictions, we look forward to welcoming back more students in 2022.

Introducing: Cultural Discovery

Beginning this July, students in our 4-week English for Global Communication program will be able to enjoy an additional two weeks of online learning (10 hours / week) through a specialized series of "Cultural Discovery" classes.

Student feedback on Social Connect

"Café Social" has proven to be a valuable complement to students' online English studies. It allows them to form deeper friendships during their program… and much more! See what students attending a recent English for Global Communication program said about their Café Social experience.

Program plans for 2021

A new year always means a fresh start, and after the challenges we all faced in 2020, we are ready more than ever to set our sights on new plans and opportunities in 2021. Our Continuing Studies program directors highlight some of the plans/projects that are coming up in their areas, so that you can join in our excitement about the year ahead.

Your study and work permit FAQs

The Division of Continuing Studies is very fortunate to have a Regulated International Students Immigration Advisor (RISIA) as part of its Registration and Student Services Team. Find out answers to common immigration questions.

2020 Pathway scholarship winners

Congratulations to Ms. Hanyang Ye and Ms. Juhye Kim, the 2020 winners of the Pathway Scholarship!

Online English program webinars

Thanks to everyone who attended our recent ELC Connect webinars! Over the past week we were thrilled to host 2 partner sessions and 2 student sessions, to showcase the experience of studying English with us online.

Learn English Online with ELC Connect

ELC Connect is a new suite of online English language programs. It will be the same quality experience in a new delivery format.

50 years of ELC excellence

Visit our ELC 50th anniversary website to see photos of ELC over the years, hear stories about teachers and CAs, find out details about our ELC & Me Video Contest, and much more!

"English Through Themes” is here!

Monthly English and Summer Language and Culture Programs now feature "English through Themes," an innovative curriculum in which students will improve their English skills while exploring issues related to three unique themes.

Thank You, Viviana!

The ELC recruitment team is preparing for an important transition in January, as our South American Liaison Officer, Viviana Figueredo, completes her contract with us.

Celebrating Proyecta 2019

This year, as a host institution for the Programa Proyecta del Estado de México the ELC welcomed 110 students from Mexico State to our July Summer Language & Culture and Monthly English programs in October and November.

Sharing expertise in Colombia

Kyla Jardin and Misty Cozac are attending the CAIE conference in Bogota, Colombia to co-present on "Successful Partnerships Bridging Canada and Latin America." They will be part of an expert panel from Canada and Colombia, sharing practices in language policy, programming and university engagement.

Congratulations 2019 scholarship winners

Each year the ELC awards the Pathways program student with the highest GPAs in his/her "stream" with a $1000 scholarship award each toward their 2nd year of studies at UVic.

ELC director reflects on 2019-20 iStudy award

The English Language Centre at thee University of Victoria is delighted to be named Language School of the Year for the second year in a row by iStudy.

Welcoming international students

The Dean of Continuing Studies Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, recently published an article which demonstrates the ELC’s deep understanding of the unique needs of our students:

Project-based Presentations (PbP)

This program follows September ELPI, for an intensive 14-week combination. “PbP” will be offered at three levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced, with participants studying from 9am-12pm each day. In each level, students will prepare a level-specific project and then present on it in small groups.

Mexican partnership makes UVic headlines

The ELC has been very proud to partner with a Mexican scholarship program called "COVEICyDET" since 2016. We shared this story with the UVic community recently by publishing a feature online article on the group of Mexican women.

ELC teachers presenting at IATEFL

We are proud to announce that 2 long-time ELC instructors, Susan Abril and Gerry Luton, will be travelling to Liverpool in April to present at IATEFL, a world-renowned conference for English language teachers.

2019 summer programs

With the addition of ELPI – Summer, summer program options at the ELC are more exciting than ever!

Fall photo album

Between September and November, ELC staff traveled to 10 countries, attending over 30 events and meeting with over 100 partners!

Introducing ELPI - Summer

Our most intensive and popular English program is now available all year!

Class charity project raises $1,400

In November, students from 2 ELPI classes organized a fundraiser bake sale for a not-for-profit organization that provides start-up funding for educational, agricultural and community projects in Africa (mainly Uganda) so that they can become sustain

New student services in 2019

Since our main priority is to ensure that each ELC student is safe and makes the most of their UVic experience, we have created a new mandatory student services’ package which includes:

2018 Pathway scholarship winners

Each year the ELC awards each Pathways program student with the highest GPA in his/her “stream” with a $1000 scholarship award toward their 2nd year of studies at UVic. This year’s winners were Ms.

Introducing our 14–24 Week “Study Sets”

New in 2019! These convenient combinations allow students to extend their Intensive English ELPI program to study from 14–24 weeks.

We are iStudy’s Language School of the Year!

We are so pleased to announce that the UVic English Language Centre has once again been selected as an iStudy Guide award winner, this time in the exciting category of “Language School of the Year”!

Welcome to our newest ELC Experts

Our ELC Expert community is growing, with three new student ambassadors added to the team this week. These students are just completing our ELPI program and have volunteered to share their experiences with you.

Have you visited the ELC Learning Centre?

Have you visited the ELC Learning Centre? Our friendly teachers, volunteers and cultural assistants are waiting to meet you! At the Learning Centre you can improve your English skills in a relaxed and fun environment.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

As an international community, we are by nature diverse and inclusive, but there is always more to learn and do!

ELC students put theory into practice

Our amazing students from Yasuda Women's University in Hiroshima, Japan, were recently profiled by UVic News as an example of UVic's variety of international partnerships and programming.

ELC wins global award

We are proud to announce that we were recently awarded with the 2017-18 Cultural Excellence Award by iStudy, an international travel publication that selects winners each year “based on their achievements and strengths in the education industry

Gerry Luton celebrates 30 years of ELC teaching

We all know that the ELC is more than a language school — it is a community of students, staff and instructors who make it a special place to learn and grow.

Welcome to Brazilian Liaison Officer Roberto!

This month we have a very exciting announcement for our Brazilian friends! On March 1, Roberto Coelho Atihé officially joined the ELC marketing team as our Liaison Officer in Brazil.

When teachers become students

Contributed by Cathy Aquart, ELC Curriculum Coordinator Every December as our students head off for vacation, our UVic ELC teachers head back to the classroom to spend 5 days as students attending professional development workshops.

The ELC: committed to diversity and inclusivity

At the English Language Centre, we teach students from all over the world who represent a vast array of cultures, languages, and religions.

Top 5 reasons to choose the UVic Pathway program

You’ll be studying at one of Canada’s BEST universities! The University of Victoria is an innovative academic leader among Canadian universities – see complete ranking information! You’ll graduate faster!

Hospitality option: new to Monthly English!

Students in our February and March 2017 sessions of Monthly English have an exciting new option!

How much can you do in 3 weeks? This ELC student will tell you!

It was by far the best summer ever! It was such a wonderful opportunity to get to study in a top university in Canada.

My Canadian experience at the ELC

Hi, my name is Rilana, I am 23 years old and I am from Germany. I was an intern at the ELC for the Marketing, Socio Cultural and Homestay departments at the ELC.

5 things to know about Canada

Hi everyone, my name is Rilana and I am currently an intern at the English Language Centre! I've been in Victoria for about 6 weeks and am really enjoying it. Here are some of the biggest differences I noticed so far about living in Canada.

From ELC student to homestay host!

Mari Pruden is one of our newest Homestay moms, with a special ELC story!

ELC summer memories

ELC Summer Memories How to describe properly those perfect five weeks? I have no words to describe how I feel right now! My heart is warm and heavy, but full of happiness at the same time!

ELC charity project raises $1,100 for Uganda!

ELC Charity Project Raises $1100 for Uganda!

Grand Opening – What a Party!

Grand Opening – What a Party! It was the event we’d all been waiting for: the official “Grand Opening” of our expanded, modernized Continuing Studies Building!

UVic Homestay in the news

Paula Ceroni, our amazing Homestay Coordinator, was recently profiled in UVic’s feature publication The Ring.

ELC voted #1 language school

Last month our long-time friends and partners at Ryugaku Journal in Japan announced that we have been selected as their #1 English school - in the world!