Student reviews: studying in Canada (A-Work students)

• Kaplan-Vancouver

• “It may depend on the person, but Kaplan has many great things for students to enjoy. However, if a student does not participate in these many programs, it could be boring. Therefore, I recommend actively taking part in the many programs that Kaplan provides.”

• “All the teachers have great teaching skills and are very kind, which is really great. Even when I didn't know how to study English, they gave me helpful advice directly. … I liked that the teachers had a deep understanding of my strengths and weaknesses in English.”

• “I heard that many schools do not have a diverse mix of nationalities, but when I came here, I was able to see many students from different countries. … Vancouver is a calm, quiet, and relaxed city with many great places to visit, such as parks and beaches.”

• VGC International College (PAL not available in 2026)

• “The school's system was that you take classes for 8 weeks at each level and move up if you get a test score of 70% or higher, or even faster before the 8 weeks if you score 90% or higher. … The school has great activities lined up, so you can enjoy them for free or at very reasonable prices.”

• “It's been two months since I started attending the school, and because classes are taught using textbooks, I can see what I am currently studying and what I will be learning next, which is great for previewing and reviewing! … Also, having a test every two weeks keeps me studying steadily.”

• “The school's system allowed you to advance to the next level by taking classes for 8 weeks per level and scoring 70% or higher on tests, or move up even faster if you scored 90% or higher before the 8 weeks were up. … VGC isn't a huge school, but it has two campuses. While it isn't very large, there are plenty of managers who provide great support and manage the students in small groups.”

• OIEG (Oxford International)-Vancouver

• “Compared to other language schools, it is not large, so you can build closer relationships with teachers and students, and the proportion of Korean students is relatively low. In a class of 15, there were about 1 to at most 3 Koreans. The most attractive part is that you can meet friends from truly diverse countries.”

• “My homeroom teacher's classes were very engaging, offered plenty of time to speak in English, and gave everyone an equal opportunity to participate, so we all lost track of time while focusing on class. If you don't like your teacher or class, you can change it by filling out a class change request form at the reception.”

• “I was especially weak with tenses, which all seemed the same when translated into Korean, but having the teacher explain them in English with charts made it so much easier to understand, and the teachers' skills are great! While it depends on the teacher, my homeroom teacher's class was very engaging, with lots of speaking time in English and equal chances to speak, so everyone was absorbed in the class without noticing the time pass.”

• ILSC-Vancouver (26 PAL: available when enrolling for 26 weeks or more - inquiry required before enrollment)

• “Large schools offer opportunities to meet many international students, and there are plenty of options and elective courses. Students at big schools tend to be active, which influenced me to become more outgoing... I made so many friends at ILSC. With electives like drama, yoga, and business, it was never boring.”

• “I am currently taking Communication Intermediate 2 and Listening Intermediate 1 & 2. Even grammar classes are primarily participation-based, involving discussions, and are structured so that you have no choice but to talk with classmates. As a result, the school atmosphere is vibrant and energetic.”

• “I attended ILSC for 6 months, GEOS for 2 months, and PPC for 2 months. I liked all three schools, but I think it's good to start with a major, large school. Large schools allow you to meet many international students, offer plenty of opportunities, and have a wide variety of electives.”

• Gastown Business College

• “You can improve your English skills through weekly presentations, and since teachers and other students offer feedback on your weak points, you can also refine how you present. Moreover, many teachers provide a lot of support to students during class and in daily life, offering plenty of advice when looking for a job.”

• “Most of the instructors had not specialized in teaching ESL, so they used expressions different from typical ESL teachers. Because the top priority was teaching the knowledge needed to successfully complete the internship, the classes felt much more like university lectures than standard language school lessons while I was attending.”

• “This school is located in Gastown and specializes in internships. Here, you can learn everything from basic Canadian culture to corporate workplace culture and professional life in Canada, as well as practical skills such as resume writing, mock interviews, and calling companies directly to secure an internship.”

• CCEL (Canadian College of English Language) ('26 PAL, 26+ weeks - please inquire about availability before proceeding)

• “During pronunciation correction, the teacher always explained tongue positions and mouth shapes, pointing out my specific issues when speaking. By understanding the correct tongue position and mouth shape, I moved beyond mere imitation to grasp the mechanics of pronunciation and speak accurately.”

• “Teacher Neil, whom I met at the ENG 130 level, taught us a lot about 'Beautiful British Columbia.' He always humorously explained economic and historical phenomena that we tend to overlook, such as why there are so many Chinese people in Vancouver, what brought Korean immigrants to Canada, and which industries are important in BC.”

• “I began correcting my pronunciation issues one by one with my private tutor. During the pronunciation correction, the teacher always explained tongue placement and mouth shape, specifically pointing out where I had trouble. By understanding the correct tongue position and mouth shape, I moved beyond mere mimicry to mastering the principles of pronunciation and speaking accurately.”

• LSI-Vancouver (2026 PAL: available when registering for 26 weeks or more)

• “However, it is definitely true that the teachers at the school treat you like family. Looking at the students in the general course, probably because the numbers are small, everyone gets to know each other. I think they even get together once a week to share a meal or have a beer.”

• “The teaching style was also very active. For example, there were various formats such as English project presentations, discussion-based classes, and outdoor lessons. Although our school is small, its curriculum is just as good as other academies, and I think its biggest advantage is the teachers.”

• “It's definitely true that the teachers treat you like family. Also, looking at the general course students, probably because the classes are small, everyone gets to know each other. It seems like they also gather once a week to share a meal or have a beer together.”

• Vanwest College-Vancouver (All 2026 PALs used up)

• “Every Friday, there is a test on what we learned during the week. What I liked in particular was that while other schools conduct level tests once every two weeks or once a month for level-up, VanWest holds tests every week, allowing for thorough review and preparation as well as regular checks on my English progress.”

• “In the morning, we take a total of 3 hours of Speaking & Listening and Reading & Writing classes. Specifically, there are presentation assignments in S&L and essay assignments in R&W. Every Friday, there is a test on the material covered during the week. What I liked most about this is that while other schools conduct level tests every 2 weeks or once a month for leveling up, VanWest tests weekly, allowing for thorough review and preview as well as regular checks on my English progress.”

• Sprachcaffe (SC GEOS)-Vancouver

• “GEOS was known as a school for a dedicated niche. At first, moving from a large school to such a small one made it hard to adjust, but later I discovered its family-like charm. Luckily, there were many international students in my class, so we became really close and cared for one another like family. I was truly happy during those two months.”

• “At first, I had trouble adjusting because I moved from a big school to such a small one, but later on I felt its family-like charm. Luckily, there were many international students in my class at the time, so we became very close, took care of each other, and felt just like family. I was truly happy for those two months.”

• Sprott Shaw Language College (SSLC)-Vancouver

• “The biggest advantage of our school is that earning credits is easier compared to public institutions, so many international students are enrolled here. Many students choose to take a short-term course of around six months here instead of going to an ESL academy. This is because they can experience college life alongside local students, receive a certificate upon completion, and the cost is not much different from a regular language school.”

• “Our school's major programs include marketing, business, trade, hospitality management, and early childhood education. I am currently taking classes for the two-year Diploma in Marketing. The school schedule is divided into morning and afternoon classes, so taking courses is not burdensome.”

Study Abroad in Vancouver

• SGIC-Toronto (All 2026 PALs used up)

• “In the TESOL program, we learned about students and teaching methods for the classroom, and personally prepared a lot of practical training and presentations. There were four major presentations that we had to prepare and deliver properly, and we also did quite a few mini-presentations in between.”

• “The language school I am currently attending is SGIC. … The biggest advantage is that with small class sizes, you can take classes in a private, tutoring-like atmosphere, while the only minor drawback is that the facilities are a bit dated.”

• “I attended GV for 3 months, ELS for 4 months, and took the TESOL and TYC programs at SGIC. At GV, I completed levels 1 to 3, and the teachers back then were truly great. From September to November when I first arrived, there were hardly any Koreans, so my English improved a lot initially. The facilities and location were both very convenient and great.”

• George Brown College

• “The subject I found interesting was the Wine and Beverage Theory class; it was fascinating to taste various wines and beverages while learning about their types and origins. However, things like reading wine labels were unfamiliar and quite challenging.”

• “To graduate from the Community Worker program, students must complete a total of 200 hours of field placement over three semesters, starting from the second semester of the first year. Before heading out to the placement, you receive training on basic social etiquette, how to write emails, and communication skills.”

• “During the fourth and final semester, we had to do a Capstone project alongside an internship, which was really challenging but taught me so much. The Capstone project involved forming a group of 4 to 5 people to develop a full restaurant business plan and see it through to an actual trade show.”

• Centennial College

• “What I learned and practiced at Centennial College for two years gives me great strength in my current job and made me even more interested in this field. All the faculty members had ample experience and knowledge, and through their real-world experience, I learned about situations that could actually happen on site beyond textbooks, which was a huge help in my work.”

• “Because I started directly as a second-year student, I initially faced challenges adapting to the department, the school system, and the language barrier, but with the professors' detailed instruction and help from my peers, I studied hard and overcame them.”

• “Because my major from a Korean university was recognized, I was able to transfer into the second year to begin my studies. Since I started directly in the second year, I initially faced challenges such as adapting to the department and school system, as well as language difficulties, but with the detailed guidance of professors and the help of my classmates, I studied hard and overcame them well.”

• Kaplan-Toronto (30+ operated separately) (2026 PAL: available when enrolling for 27 weeks or more - subject to change)

• “The advantage of Kaplan is that it is located at Union Station, making it easy to relax at Harborfront on nice days, and there are more European students compared to other schools. The downside is that classes are divided into morning and afternoon sessions, so if you are placed in the afternoon session, it takes a lot of time to switch to the morning.”

• “The Semi-Intensive program consists of K+ sessions and General English classes. In General English, you take academic classes based on grammar and reading, while in K+, you talk a lot and make new friends, so I have been very satisfied with this course.”

• Quest Language Studies

• “At Quest, you study under teacher Rob's guidance, and the individualized instruction is very well done. You can learn a lot in a short period. However, class runs from 9:00 to 3:45, making the daily lecture time longer than at other schools. What I liked about that was that there was little homework and the classes were very substantial. The best part is trying to get everything resolved within class time.”

• “At Quest, you study under teacher Rob's guidance, and the individual tutoring is very well organized. You can learn a lot in a short period. However, classes run from 9:00 to 3:45, making the daily lecture hours longer than at other schools. So what I liked was that there is little homework and the lessons are very substantial.”

• Connect International School (CIS) (2026 PAL: available with 1-year enrollment)

• “If I had to pick Connect's greatest strength compared to other schools, it would be its size and the teachers. Because it is smaller with fewer students, you have the advantage of being able to interact naturally and closely with the teachers.”

• “If I had to pick the biggest advantages of Connect, I would choose the school's size and the teachers. Because it is smaller than other schools and has fewer students, you can interact with the teachers very comfortably without hesitation. You can even hang out with the teachers outside of class for activities and enjoy life in Canada. Connect is great!”

• EF-Toronto (2026 PAL: available when enrolling for 26 weeks or more)

• “On the 1st floor, there's a cafe and lots of spaces to relax with sofas, a piano, and games, as well as the front desk making it easy to ask questions, so during breaks we often go down to the first floor to hang out together.”

• “We went to Toronto Island. This place is quite famous too. You have to take a ferry to get there, and the ride itself is pretty; once you arrive, you can see the CN Tower all at once, and the night view is so beautiful. However, the weather wasn't that warm yet back then... Canada is still so cold even in June...”

• Royal Canadian Institute of International Studies (RCIIS)

• “Since it was a Power Speaking course, I thought there would be a lot of chances to talk, but there weren't as many speaking opportunities as I expected... Class was conducted using handouts provided by the teacher; students took turns reading the meanings of phrasal verbs and examples from the handout, followed by the teacher's supplementary explanations.”

• “Because it was a Power Speaking course, I expected to have a lot of opportunities to speak, but there weren't as many as I thought. On the day I took the class, we learned phrasal verbs; the lesson proceeded with handouts distributed by the teacher, and students took turns reading the definitions and examples while the teacher provided additional explanations.”

Study Abroad in Toronto

• Okanagan College-Kelowna

• “The English classes at this school were quite beneficial to me. I am confident that the level of each stage is higher than that of other schools or academies. … One of the new experiences is that I can meet many foreigners here—not only Canadians, but also people from Japan, China, Taiwan, Iran, Switzerland, and so on.”

• “Although it is the third-largest city in British Columbia, you do not feel the inconveniences of a big city, such as overcrowding or fatigue from pollution, and it is just as good as Vancouver for studying and living. The Canadians here have a very good impression of Asians, and they are extremely friendly and show a lot of interest.”

• “For studying and living, it is just as good as Vancouver. The Canadians here have a very positive impression of Asians, and they are extremely kind and caring. Unlike other universities, at OUC, once you complete the ESL program, you can enter the regular semester to study regardless of your TOEFL score.”

Study Abroad in Kelowna

• University of Victoria (UVic)

• “Currently, I am taking the CBA (Certificate in Business Administration) program. … Lectures are conducted targeting native speakers, and you have to debate with native speakers and give presentations right away. While challenging, taking actual university-level lectures in English is very engaging compared to just studying language.”

• “Victoria has a beautiful natural environment, so I think taking classes during the summer semester is especially great. Also, at UVic, you can use the dormitory during the local students' summer break, which is a big plus. I am very satisfied with life at UVic because you enjoy all the facilities just like local students.”

Study Abroad in Vancouver Island

• Fanshawe College

• “While private academies tend to run classes with a game-like, playful atmosphere, university-affiliated programs like Fanshawe are conducted more in a university lecture style. Another advantage of university affiliation is… you get to live and study in the same space as actual college students.”

• “While private academies tend to lead classes with a playful, game-like atmosphere, university-affiliated programs like Fanshawe are conducted more in a university lecture style. Another advantage of a university-affiliated center is that Fanshawe is like a community college in Korea, so you have the benefit of sharing the same space with actual college students.”

Study Abroad in London

• Niagara College

• “The college's placement test was computer-based and included all parts: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Reading, Listening, and Speaking were easier than expected, but the Writing essay section had 3 questions, so time was quite tight.”

• Tuition estimate for 1 week in Canada
• Tuition estimate for 2 weeks in Canada
• Tuition estimate for 1 month (4 weeks) in Canada
• Tuition estimate for 2 months (8 weeks) in Canada
• Tuition estimate for 3 months (12 weeks) in Canada
• Tuition estimate for 6 months (24 weeks) in Canada

• Junior programs & youth camps in Canada (8 schools)
• Business English for working professionals in Canada (43 schools)
• IELTS, TOEFL & TOEIC exam preparation in Canada (27 schools)
• University pathway & academic English in Canada (87 schools)
• Vocational courses & internships in Canada (45 schools)