How does it work? You take one of your program’s courses (given in English) that is paired with an weekly 90-minute English-as-a-second-language course. Each language course uses the specific vocabulary and concepts related to the program course it supports in order to develop your English skills in a way that are directly related to your studies. This authentic and meaningful approach to literacy development improves language skills and academic performance, aiding in your transition to university studies.
The language course gives you credit (3 academic units) and greater confidence in an academic environment.
Description of the model
The course in your program, which we call a “content course”, lasts three hours a week and is worth three units. Some of the students in this course are Anglophones and others, like you, seek to improve their English language skills.
The language course (ESL 2181), which takes one-and-a-half hours a week, is a course that itself involves assignments and tests. It is also worth three units and can count as an elective course for your program. The small class size (enrolment is limited to 28 students) is helpful not only to the transition to courses taught in English, but also to life at university in general.
These language courses do not increase tuition for full-time students.
ESL 2181 – Receptive Skills. As stated in the name, this course helps improve comprehension of the information presented in the content course. The exercises help you acquire specialized vocabulary and strengthen some elements of grammar, recognize the structure of speech and written texts to extract the main ideas and better understand the content course.
Eligibility for immersion courses
Immersion courses are reserved for students whose level of English fluency is considered “high intermediate” or higher, as determined by an exam administered by the University of Ottawa or a similar .
Immersion courses are not suitable for those who are beginners in English or for those who are highly fluent in it.