English as a Second Language

Campus:: Main
Credential:: Certificate - Non Credit

Learn to read, write and speak in English!

Note: Only ESL Short Courses are available from May - August.

Take your ESL studies to the next level with the NAIT English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

Enhance your writing and grammar, build confidence in speaking and pronunciation, and develop your academic reading and vocabulary skills. You will learn these skills in a practical, hands-on environment and experience Canadian classroom culture.

About the Program

NAIT offers 6 levels of ESL. Levels 1, 2, and 3 are foundation-building courses for high-beginner to intermediate learners. Levels 4, 5, and 6 build academic English skills of intermediate to advanced learners. The program includes courses in Writing & Grammar, Listening & Speaking, and Reading & Vocabulary. Each course is taught by a different instructor. This allows you to experience different teaching styles, an asset for the post-secondary Canadian classroom or the workplace. Full-time and part-time options are available during the day.

What To Expect

The ESL Placement Test will tell your starting level.

Each term is 15 weeks long. The full-time program includes 4 hours of classroom instruction per day, Monday to Friday. Choose a morning or afternoon schedule.

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

ESL Placement Test

Why do I need a test?

All students who want to enrol in the ESL DAY program must first take the NAIT placement test. Only NAIT's placement test can determine a student's entry level.

How do I register for the test?

All students must apply online for the ESL program. Placement test appointments can be booked once the application fee has been paid. Students are required to come in person to the NAIT Main campus to take the test.

How much does the test cost?

The test fee is covered by the application fee.

When do the tests take place?

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm

What skills are assessed?

Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

How long are my test results valid?

6 months

When will I know my test results?

Results will be available the next business day. To view the results on the student portal follow these steps:
mynait.nait.ca > My Grades > ELP, Placement & Equivalency Results

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

Program Details

Entrance Requirements

All students must apply online for NAIT's ESL program and then take the NAIT ESL 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 CLB3) will not be eligible to register.

Tuition & Fees

Permanent Resident, Canadian Citizen

$2,655.00 (full-time)
$885.00 per course (part-time)

International Students, Visitors, Temporary Workers

$4,579.89 (full-time)
$1,526.63 per course (part-time)

Textbooks

Approximately $400 (full-time)

Program Length

Program length is individual and will depend on your starting level and learning goals.

Intakes:

Spring 2019:
May 6 to August 15, 2019
(Application and Registration Deadline Monday April 8, 2019)

Fall 2019:
September 3 to December 13, 2019
(Application and Registration Deadline Monday August 5, 2019)

Winter 2020:
January 3 to April 24, 2020
(Application and Registration Deadline Monday December 2, 2019)

Spring 2020:
May 11 to August 21, 2020
(Application and Registration Deadline Monday April 6, 2020)

Schedules:

Morning 8:00 AM to 11:50 AM
Afternoon 12:00 PM to 3:50 PM

Where It Can Take You

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

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

Brush up on English one course at a time

20 hour workshop-style courses allow you to focus on specific language needs. Enhance your academic writing, or strengthen your pronunciation, listening, and speaking skills. Class sizes are small to ensure customized feedback from your instructor.

Current short course availability

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL

Are You An International Student?

International students are students who:

Plan to study at NAIT for more than one Level of ESL and need a Canadian post-secondary study permit, OR
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 with a valid study permit are required to study full-time in NAIT's ESL Program.

Minimum Language Requirements

The NAIT ESL Program does not suit absolute 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. All students must take the ESL Placement Test when they arrive at NAIT.

How to Apply and Enrol to ESL