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Continuing Education

English as a Second Language

Campus

The location where your NAIT courses will be held.

Credential

The type of certification you will earn after completing your program.

  • Certificate Achievement - An approved non-credit program that has a formal summative assessment component, has mappped program or course outcomes, and is subject to a regular quality curriculum review process.
  • Certificate Completion - A non-credit program that has no formal summative assessment component and is subject to a regular quality curriculum review process.
  • Continuing Education/Non-Credit - NAIT offers a wide range of non-credit programs and courses for personal and professional development in a number of interesting and exciting fields. These options are great for people who may be working but are interested in studying as well.

Delivery Options

The flexible schedule options for this course including time of day and full/part-time.

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • On-Campus Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Day - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • Online Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.
  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Learn to read, write and speak in English

Fall 2021: Online classes for all ESL Levels, and Face-to-Face classes for Levels 1 - 4 only, until seats are filled.

English language learning has never been so flexible or convenient!

The NAIT ESL department prides itself on offering some of the best online and face-to-face learning experiences. Therefore, the September plan will offer ALL ESL levels online, in addition to levels 1, 2, 3, and 4  face-to-face at the same time. Please note that your choice of online or face-to-face classes will not affect your learning experience and your academic progression.  View more information.

Improve your English skills with our NAIT English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Our friendly instructors help to strengthen your reading, writing and grammar, and build confidence in speaking and pronunciation. You will learn these skills in a practical, face-to-face environment to give you the opportunity to practice in a comfortable setting. We also teach Canadian culture, how to study and what to expect in the classroom.

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

ESL Levels

NAIT offers 6 levels of ESL. Levels 1, 2, and 3 are foundation-building courses for foundational to intermediate learners. Levels 4, 5, and 6 build academic English skills of intermediate to advanced learners.

  • The each level semester is 4 months which allows you time to practice  study and collaboration skills for any NAIT credit program.  
  • Taking ESL at NAIT allows you to take all your prerequisite courses in the same institution before entering into other NAIT programs.
ESL journey at NAIT

ESL Level Placement Test

While NAIT ESL courses are online, placement tests will only be done online.

Why do I need a test?

  •  All students who want  to enrol in the  ESL day program must first take the NAIT ESL online placement test. Only our placement test can determine a student's entry level. While NAIT ESL courses are online, placement tests are only done online.

How do I register for the test?

  • All students must apply online for the ESL program. Placement test appointments can be booked online once the tuition deposit has been paid. 

How much does the test cost?

  • The test is included in the tuition deposit.

When do the tests take place?

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • 48 hours prior to the test, students will receive an email from esl@nait.ca with instructions and login information.

What English skills are assessed?

  • Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

How long are my test results valid for?

  • 6 months

When will I know my test results?

  • Results will be available the next business day. To view the results on the MyNAIT portal, follow these steps:
  • my.nait.ca > Academic records > View my grades > My tests results.

How can I tell if I meet the minimum requirements before I take the ESL level placement test?

  • To learn if you meet NAIT’s minimum language skills in Reading and Listening, you can take a free  CLB online self-assessment.

Program Details

Fall 2021: Online classes for all ESL Levels, and Face-to-Face classes for Levels 1 - 4 only, until seats are filled.

What To Expect

ESL learning at NAIT is hands-on, authentic and offer a relevant language learning experience that can help you acquire professional skills, career competencies and language skills.

The program includes courses in Writing & Grammar, Listening & Speaking, and Reading & Vocabulary. Each course is taught by a different instructor. Having multiple instructors lets you to experience different teaching styles and apply this to the post-secondary Canadian classroom or the workplace. 

Program Length

Each term is 15 weeks long. The full-time program includes 4 hours of classroom instruction per day, Monday to Friday. Morning or afternoon schedules are available.  

Program length is individual and will depend on your starting level and learning goals. Please refer to the ESL levels tab for more information.

Entrance Requirements

  • All students must apply online for NAIT's ESL program, pay a deposit and then take the NAIT ESL online Level Placement Test.
  • NAIT’s ESL Level 1 is not for absolute beginners. Students must have some ability in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Students who place below NAIT ESL Level 1 (equivalent to about Canadian Language Benchmarks level 3) will not be eligible to register.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Learn more about NAIT's ESL program and what makes it different from other English skill programs.

Tuition & Fees

Permanent Resident, Canadian Citizen

  • $2,685.00 (full-time for 1 term)
  • $895.00 per course (per course for 1 term)

International Students, Visitors, Temporary Workers

  • $4,631.64 (full-time for 1 term)
  • $1,543.88 (per course for 1 term)

Textbooks

  • Approximately $400 (full-time)

Funding Options

Alberta Works funding is available to ESL students who are Alberta residents who are either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or convention refugee. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply here.

ESL and Academic Upgrading Funding

The Foundational Learning program provides funding for Albertans in designated Full-Time and Part-Time programs.

Intakes

Winter 2022: January 5 to April 21, 2022
(online application closes Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021)

Spring 2022: May 9 to August 18, 2022
(online application closes Monday, April 4, 2022)

Fall 2022: September 1 to December 15, 2022 (online application closes Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022)

Winter 2023: January 4 to April 21, 2023 (online application closes Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023)

Spring 2023: May 8 – August 17, 2023 (online application closes Monday, May 1, 2023)

To register after the online application closes, contact esl@nait.ca.

Schedule:

  • Morning 8 to 11:50 a.m. MST

Where It Can Take You

Students who pass and complete level 6 meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement for entrance into most NAIT certificate, diploma, or degree programs.

In addition to meeting these conditions, some programs also grant specific admissions based on progress after enrolling in level 6  in the ESL program below. 

Admissions

Conditional Admission Programs

NAIT may grant ESL applicants conditional admission into the following programs:

To be eligible for conditional admission to these programs, applicants must:​

  • Meet all the program’s entrance requirements other than English Language Proficiency and pay all fees and deposits by the deadlines.
  • Place at ESL Level 5 or higher and apply for one of the programs listed above for a future intake. Prior to the start of the program, you must have completed ESL Level 6.

For example, a student who is scheduled to complete their ESL program in the Winter term would be eligible for conditional admission in the spring term.

How To Apply

  • Make sure you meet the minimum entrance requirements for Conditional Admission listed above.
  • Apply for either the Bachelor of Technology, Business Administration, or Bachelor of Business Administration program.
  • Submit a separate application to ESL Level 6 for the term before the start date of your chosen program. ESL applications are submitted through NAIT Continuing Education.
  • If you meet the requirements, you will receive a Conditional Admission into your program of choice.
  • Keep up with your deadlines (enrolment, tuition, etc.) listed in your MyNAIT Portal.

Provisional Admission Programs

Provisional Admission

NAIT may grant ESL applicants provisional admission into the following program:

  • Business Administration

To be eligible for the provisional admission to the program, applicants must:​

  • Meet all the program’s entrance requirements other than English Language Proficiency and pay all fees and deposits by the deadlines.
  • Successfully completed ESL Level 5 or meet one of the other accepted English Language Proficiency requirements and apply for the Business Administration program above for a future intake.

How To Apply

  • Make sure you meet the minimum entrance requirements for Provisional Admission listed above.
  • Apply for the Business Administration program.
  • If you meet the requirements, you will receive a Provisional Admission into your program.
  • Keep up with your deadlines (enrolment, tuition etc.) listed in your MyNAIT Portal.
How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

Take a quick lesson in English

Fall 2021: Online classes for all ESL Levels, and Face-to-Face classes for Levels 1 - 4 only, until seats are filled.

These courses are registered individually and are not part of the main NAIT ESL program levels. Students do not need to apply to the ESL program or take a placement test to enrol in these courses. 

NAIT's 20-hour workshop-style courses allow you to focus on specific language needs. Improve your academic writing, or strengthen your pronunciation, listening, and speaking skills. Prepare for English proficiency tests. Class sizes are small to ensure personal feedback from your instructor.

Current short course availability

NESL818 - Workplace Communication and Safety Strategies (ESL) 1

 
Delivery Options: Online, Day, Evening Hours: 40 Fees: $650

Knowing how to communicate effectively in the workplace is essential to becoming an active and contributing member of an organizational team and promoting increased levels of safety in the workplace.

View Course

NESL717 - IELTS Preparation Course - Writing Focus

 
Delivery Options: Online, Evening Hours: 18 Fees: $295

Take the IELTS Academic English Language Test with confidence! Master tips and techniques that can help you improve your score, especially in the writing component, which tends to be the most...

View Course

NESL704 - Academic Grammar and Writing

 
Delivery Options: Evening, Online Hours: 20 Fees: $205

Learn skills needed to write with confidence in academic settings. Learn structures and features of writing to communicate with coherence and unity.

View Course

NESL705 - Pronunciation Listening & Speaking

 
Delivery Options: Online, Evening Hours: 20 Fees: $205

Improve your overall English fluency by participating in this ESL listening and speaking class. Learn different communication strategies.

View Course

NESL716 - ELP Intensive Preparation Course

 
Delivery Options: Online, Evening Hours: 20 Fees: $205

Prepare for the NAIT English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment exam.

View Course

NESL900 - ESL Assessment Tests

 
Delivery Options: Day, Online Hours: 0 Fees: $175

The NAIT English Language Proficiency (ELP) Exam is for students applying to a NAIT credit program and need to submit proof of ELP as part of their application.

View Course
How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

Are You An International Student?

Fall 2021: Online classes for all ESL Levels, and Face-to-Face classes for Levels 1 - 4 only, until seats are filled.

International students are students who either:

  • Plan to study at NAIT for more than one Level of ESL and need a Canadian post-secondary study permit
  • Plan to study at NAIT for only one level of ESL  as a Visitor to Canada. Please meet with an advisor to find out more

International Students must apply online for NAIT's English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. International Students with a valid study permit are required to study full-time in NAIT's ESL Program.

Learn about the International Student Refund / Deferral Information

Minimum Language Requirements

The NAIT ESL program is not for beginners. Students must have some ability in English. To learn if you meet NAIT’s minimum language skills in Reading and Listening, you can take a free  CLB online self-assessment. If you score lower than a CLB 3, you may not be ready to take ESL at NAIT. These results are not official and cannot be used for placement in NAIT’s ESL program. All students must take the NAIT ESL online placement test before they can enrol in classes.

International

Learn about the benefits of studying at NAIT as an international student! We take pride in creating opportunities for students across the world.

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

Intakes

Winter 2022: January 5 to April 21, 2022
(online application closes Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021)

Spring 2022: May 9 to August 18, 2022
(online application closes Monday, April 4, 2022)

Fall 2022: September 1 to December 15, 2022 (online application closes Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022)

Winter 2023: January 4 to April 21, 2023 (online application closes Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023)

Spring 2023: May 8 – August 17, 2023 (online application closes Monday, May 1, 2023)

To register after the online application closes, contact esl@nait.ca.

Courses

Course Outlines (PDF)

Level 1

  • NESL111 - Listening & Speaking
  • NESL121 - Reading & Vocabulary
  • NESL131 - Grammar & Writing

Level 2

  • NESL211 - Listening & Speaking
  • NESL221 - Reading & Vocabulary
  • NESL231 - Grammar & Writing

Level 3

  • NESL311 - Listening & Speaking
  • NESL321 - Reading & Vocabulary
  • NESL331 - Grammar & Writing

Level 4

  • NESL411 - Listening & Speaking
  • NESL421 - Reading & Vocabulary
  • NESL431 - Grammar & Writing

Level 5

  • NESL511 - Listening & Speaking
  • NESL521 - Reading & Vocabulary
  • NESL531 - Grammar & Writing

Level 6

  • NEAP611 - Listening & Speaking
  • NEAP621 - Reading & Vocabulary
  • NEAP631 - Grammar & Writing

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Learn more about NAIT's ESL program and what makes it different from other English skill programs.

Continuing Education FAQ

Get help quickly and easily. Check out our frequently asked questions to learn more about registering for a course, paying your fees and what you'll need to be successful in your program.

Related Programs & Courses

Academic Upgrading
NESL818 - Workplace Communication and Safety Strategies (ESL) 1 NESL818 - Workplace Communication and Safety Strategies (ESL) 1
NESL716 - ELP Intensive Preparation Course NESL716 - ELP Intensive Preparation Course
NESL100 - ESL Placement Test NESL100 - ESL Placement Test