Term start dates
Winter 2024
January 8 - April 25, 2024
(online application closes Friday, January 26, 2024)
Spring 2024
May 6 - August 15, 2024
(online application closes Friday, May 24, 2024)
Fall 2024
September 3 - December 12, 2023
(online application closes Friday, September 20, 2024)
Do you need help?
To get help with your registration, Foundational Learning Assistance Program (funding) application and other inquiries, you can contact us in-person at the The Welcome Centre in building L, room (L-159) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed Mondays and Fridays).
Or you can phone or email us from Monday - Thursday, from 8am-4pm, and Fridays from 9am-4pm.
Courses
Level 1 - 6
- Listening & Speaking
- Reading & Vocabulary
- Grammar & Writing
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 $300 (full-time)
Funding Options
Foundational Learning Assistance 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 below.
Quick Facts
Credential:
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.
Campus:
Main
Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map
Delivery Modes:
- Varies by Class - Delivery mode varies by class. See Courses and Advanced Credit to view course scheduling details.
Delivery Times:
- Varies by Class - Delivery times varies by class. See Courses and Advanced Credit to view course scheduling details.
Apply and Enrol
There are different steps to apply based on whether you are an international student, domestic student or a protected person.
|
International Students
(I am a visitor or a student or a worker, or I do not have a permit/status in Canada)
|
Domestic Students
(I am a Citizen of Canada, or Refugee, or Permanent Resident)
|
Protected Persons
(I am a protected person or am applying for refugee protection status while in Canada)
|
|
What you need to complete the application:
-
A valid Credit Card ($1000cad refundable deposit required)
-
A NAIT ID Number (if you don’t have an ID number yet, you can make one in the application)
-
Passport or Government Identification
-
English proficiency test (if you don’t have one, you can take our placement test in the application). See this page for the tests we accept.
|
What you need to complete the application:
-
A valid Credit Card ($60 refundable deposit required)
-
A NAIT ID Number (if you don’t have an ID number yet, you can make one in the application)
|
What you need to complete the application:
-
This form
-
Proof of Citizenship such as citizenship certificate, citizenship card, notice of decision, permanent residency card
|
|
Step 1: check study permit processing times (ensure you have enough time receive your permit before classes start)
|
Step 1: If you are applying for funding, check Alberta Works Funding application deadlines before selecting a start term.
If you are self-paying, go to step 2.
|
Step 1: Email continuingeducation@nait.ca to submit your immigration documentation and completed protected information change form.
This is required so our team can correctly register you in the application system, so you will not be charged international fees.
|
|
Step 2: Email your test results to continuingeducation@nait.ca. Also include your full name and NAIT student ID number in the email.
|
Step 2: Complete the application
|
Step 2: Complete the application
|
|
Step 3: Complete the application
|
|
|
Do you need help?
To get help with your registration, Foundational Learning Assistance Program (funding) application and other inquiries, you can contact us in-person at the The Welcome Centre in building L, room (L-159) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed Mondays and Fridays).
Or you can phone or email us from Monday - Thursday, from 8am-4pm, and Fridays from 9am-4pm.
Program Details
All ESL levels 1- 6 may be offered both online and face-to-face. Availability of each delivery method is subject to enrolment numbers.
What To Expect
ESL learning at NAIT is student-centered. It offers an authentic and hands-on learning experience that can help you acquire interpersonal skills, career competencies, and language abilities.
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 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.
|
ESL Starting Level
|
Length of term
|
Number of terms to complete Level 6
|
Total number of months
|
|
1
|
4 months
|
6
|
24
|
|
2
|
4 months
|
5
|
20
|
|
3
|
4 months
|
4
|
16
|
|
4
|
4 months
|
3
|
12
|
|
5
|
4 months
|
2
|
8
|
|
6
|
4 months
|
1
|
4
|
Entrance Requirements
-
There are no entrance requirements.
-
Students will be assessed for their English skills in the application. Once the application is complete, students will be informed of their starting level, during the application process.
-
All students must apply online for NAIT's ESL program, pay a deposit and then take the NAIT ESL online Level Placement Test.
Tuition & Fees
Citizens of Canada, or Refugees, or Permanent Residents, or Protected Persons
- $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 $300 (full-time)
Funding Options
Foundational Learning Assistance 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 below.
Admissions
After passing and completing NAIT’s ESL level 6, you will meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement for entrance into NAIT certificate, diploma, or degree programs.
You may also apply to credit programs and receive Conditional or Provisional Admission while completing your ESL level 6 classes:
Conditional Admission
If you are currently enrolled in ESL level 6, you can apply to a credit program and receive a conditional offer of admission if you meet the program's academic requirements.
To receive a full offer of admission, you must complete ESL level 6 before the start of the credit program.
- If you do not complete ESL level 6, you may be eligible for a deferral of your conditional offer for a maximum of one deferral per academic year, and two deferrals in total.
Provisional Admission Programs
If you are currently enrolled in ESL level 6 and meet NAIT’s Business Administration program academic requirements, you can apply for admission to the business program to receive provisional admission.
Provisional admission allows you to study both your business classes and complete your ESL level 6 at the same time.
- ESL level 6 courses must be completed within the first 12 months of starting the program.
Learn more about other ways you can meet NAIT’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement.
Start dates
Fall 2023
September 1 - December 15, 2023
(online application closes Friday, September 22, 2023)
Winter 2024
January 8 - April 25, 2024
(online application closes Friday, January 26, 2024)
Spring 2024
May 6 - August 15, 2024
(online application closes Friday, May 24, 2024)
ESL Short Courses
All ESL levels 1- 6 may be offered both online and face-to-face. Availability of each delivery method is subject to enrolment numbers.
These short courses are designed for professionals and students to:
- Improve professional or technical writing
- Be better understood by coworkers, clients and classmates
- Enhance pronunciation or reduce accent
- Refine listening and speaking skills
- Prepare for English proficiency tests.
These courses are not part of the main NAIT ESL program. Students do not need to apply to enroll in these courses. Register for these short courses by clicking on the course in the list.
ESL short course availability
Delivery Options: Evening, Online
Hours: 20
Fees: $225
Learn skills needed to write with confidence in academic settings. Learn structures and features of writing to communicate with coherence and unity.
View Course
Delivery Options: Evening, Online
Hours: 20
Fees: $225
Improve your overall English fluency by participating in this ESL listening and speaking class. Learn different communication strategies.
View Course
Delivery Options: Evening, Online
Hours: 20
Fees: $225
Prepare for the NAIT English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment exam.
View Course
Delivery Options: Evening, Online
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
Delivery Options: Evening, Online
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
Delivery Options: Online, Day
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
Are You An International Student?
All ESL levels 1- 6 may be offered both online and face-to-face. Availability of each delivery method is subject to enrolment numbers.
International students are students who either:
- Plan to apply for a study permit;
- have a study permit;
- and anyone who plans to study for more than one semester/level of ESL(visitors or workers).
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.
International students should review study permit requirements on the Government of Canada website.
Learn about the International Student Refund / Deferral Information
Do you have questions about study permits?
Please contact nait.ca/help and we will connect you with one of our licensed team members.
ELP tests to waive the ESL placement test
Students with one of the tests listed below can enroll in NAIT ESL without taking the Placement Test.
If you have any of the tests listed below, please follow these steps:
- Complete the ESL application and pay the deposit (click here to go to the application)
- Email continuingeducation@nait.ca and attach your test results document to the email. Also include your full name and NAIT student ID number in the email.
- You will receive an email response with the next steps within 10 business days.
If your test is not on the list or if your score is lower than those shown here, we will contact you to book a NAIT ESL Placement Test.
|
NAIT ESL Levels
|
ELP scores to waive the ESL placement test
|
TEST Result Validity
|
|
NESL
Level 6
|
- IELTS (Academic Format): 5.5 Overall Band Score, with no band less than 5.5
- TOEFL: 65-78
- Duolingo English Test: overall score of minimum 100, with a minimum score of 100 in "Production".
|
- IELTS: 2 years
- TOEFL: 2 years
- Duolingo: 2 years
|
|
NESL
Level 5
|
- IELTS (Academic Format): 5.5 Overall Band Score, with no band less than 5
- TOEFL: 47-64
- Duolingo English Test: overall score of minimum 90-95, with a minimum score of 95 in "Production".
|
- IELTS: 2 years
- TOEFL: 2 years
- Duolingo: 2 years
|
|
NESL
Level 4
|
- IELTS (Academic Format): 5.0 Overall Band Score, with no band less than 4.5
- TOEFL: 41-46
- Duolingo English Test: overall score of minimum 80-85, with a minimum score of 85 in "Production".
|
- IELTS: 2 years
- TOEFL: 2 years
- Duolingo: 2 years
|
|
NESL
Level 3
|
- IELTS (Academic Format): 4.5 Overall Band Score, with no band less than 4
- TOEFL: 34-40
- Duolingo English Test: overall score of minimum 65-75, with a minimum score of 75 in "Production".
|
- IELTS: 2 years
- TOEFL: 2 years
- Duolingo: 2 years
|
|
NESL
Level 2
|
Book a NAIT ESL Placement Test
|
- NAIT ESL Placement Test:
9 months
|
|
NESL
Level 1
|
Book a NAIT ESL Placement Test
|
- NAIT ESL Placement Test:
9 months
|
Note: This equivalency table is an approximate guideline. NAIT ESL department also conducts a battery of diagnostic tests to ensure all students are correctly placed. Therefore, NAIT ESL reserves the right to place a student in a level that best matches their academic skills.
With each application, students are entitled to one equivalency test being assessed. Multiple tests of the same or different types will not be assessed. Students can choose which test to provide for assessment. If a valid, recent NAIT ESL Placement Test is on file or if a NAIT ESL Placement test is taken after an equivalency test is assessed, the NAIT ESL Placement will be used to determine the student's level. Please also note that diagnostic tests carried out in the first weeks of classes will carry the final placement decision.
How to Apply and Enrol to ESL
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
How do I apply/register?
Except for our Academic Upgrading and ESL programs, you do not need to apply to get started. If you would like to join us for courses, you can enrol yourself through our website and complete your fee payment by VISA/MasterCard credit or debit card.
You can proceed to the course page and select “Add to Cart” beside the course dates of your choice. You will complete your payment once you are signed into your account. A video walkthrough of this process is available at www.nait.ca/register
Visit the ESL application page for details on how to register.
Visit the Academic Upgrading program page for details on how to register.
When is the deadline to register?
This can vary depending on the course or program. Some courses may have specific registration deadlines, which will be noted under View Course Information.
Space is limited, and our courses can fill up well before the scheduled start date. For best results, we recommend enrolling as soon as you are able. If the Add to Cart button is available on the website, you are welcome to enrol.
I am trying to sign up, but the shopping cart says “already enrolled in course, add not processed.” What do I do now?
You may have begun and not finished the checkout process in the last 24 hours. The course is on your MyNAIT portal waiting for secure online payment to confirm your seat in the class.
Please log in to your MyNAIT portal complete online payment through Self Service.
I've been added to a waitlist. What does this mean?
If a course you wish to take says Add to Waitlist instead of Add to Cart, that means that there are no open seats for registration for that section.
You can add yourself to the waitlist at no charge for a chance to be enrolled if space becomes available. If you are enrolled from the waitlist, you will receive an email notice advising you to visit your student portal to make a payment.
Where possible, we recommend enrolling yourself in a different section with available space to ensure you can still complete the course even if you are not enrolled from the waitlist into your preferred section.
Do I need a NAIT student account to sign up for Continuing Education classes? How do I make one?
Yes, you do need a NAIT student account to sign up for Continuing Education classes.
If you are new to NAIT, we recommend creating a NAIT account on the MyNAIT portal. When you are asked for a NAIT ID number, leave the space blank if you have not attended or applied to NAIT before, and our system will generate a new Student ID for you.
Once your account has been made, you can search for a course and add it to your cart. You will complete your payment once you are signed into your account with your new username and password. More details including a video walkthrough of this process is available at www.nait.ca/register
Funding Options
How much does it cost?
NAIT has a flexible payment option for continuing education classes. 10% of the cost is due upon enrolment (as well as material fees if applicable). The remainder of tuition is due 30 days prior to class start date.
Please refer to the ESL and Academic Upgrading Funding webpage for the most up to date funding information.
What are my funding and payment options?
NAIT has a flexible payment option for continuing education classes. 10% of the cost is due upon enrolment (as well as material fees if applicable). The remainder of tuition is due 30 days prior to class start date.
Please refer to the ESL and Academic Upgrading Funding webpage for the most up to date funding information.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
To be eligible for a refund, you must drop your course at least 10 calendar days before the class start date.
Please see the refund policy for more information.
Are there other fees for textbooks, memberships, hardware or equipment? If so, is it something I buy from NAIT, and how?
If textbooks, materials or software are required for an individual course, it will be noted in the course details. If software or other costs apply to a whole program, it will be listed in the program overview.
Most textbooks can be purchased directly from Shop at NAIT. The program area will provide further directions if your course requires textbooks, software or other materials that need to be purchased elsewhere.
An organization (employer or community organization) wants to pay for my Continuing Education courses by invoice. How do we set this up?
Please submit a Third Party Sponsorship form for Continuing Education courses.
This document needs to clearly identify the student, the course(s) requested, the start dates for each course requested, and the contact information of the sponsoring organization and invoicing contact. Once complete, submit the forms online.
Courses, certificates and transfer credits
How are Continuing Education certificates issued to students?
Students who successfully complete all required courses in the certificate of their choice will receive a digital credential. NAIT will automatically issue your digital certification through our MyCreds system, and you will receive an email notification once your credential is ready. Credentials typically take up to 10 business days to be processed after all grades are officially posted.
Please note: Students completing the following certificates with electives are asked to self-identify by emailing ContinuingEducation@nait.ca when they have completed the required number of electives:
- Business Analyst
- Business Fundamentals
- Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Enhanced Team Leadership
- Geographic Information Systems Technology
- Human Resources for the Supervisor
- Leadership Development
- Management for ASET Technology Professionals
- Medical Office Administrator
- Power Engineering Fourth Class Theory
- Process Analyst
- Water Wastewater (Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Water Distribution and Collection)
- Workplace Essentials
How do I withdraw from a non-credit course?
I want to apply for transfer credit, what is the process?
If you have previous post-secondary education and want to apply for transfer credit, you must first be accepted into a credit program and have paid your non-refundable tuition deposit.
Transfer credit is granted as per the guidelines and process outlined here. Please note that processing times for transfer credit is 4-6 weeks, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
To apply for transfer credit, please log into your MyNAIT portal account and select Open Self-Service. Once in Self-Service, select Academic Records>Transfer Credits>Apply for Transfer Credits. Please follow the prompts, make the required payment, and click submit. If you do not click on the submit button, your transfer credit application will not be received by NAIT.
To monitor your transfer credit application, under the same section Self-Service, select Monitor Application Status. You can also locate the step-by-step Transfer Credit Application guide under the Self-Service Guide on the portal.
I am looking for a course or program
You can search for a Continuing Education program or course based on your area of interest here.
What are the prior knowledge and skill expectations (prerequisites) for Continuing Education courses?
The expectations before joining any of our programs will vary for each course and certificate. We will list prerequisites or recommended prior knowledge for each certificate on the program landing page, and for individual courses in the course information.
You can view individual course information by either clicking the course title or the View Course Information option under the course title.
Is there a recommended order to take each course in the certificate?
Most program areas list the courses in the recommended order and include any prerequisite information in the course Information description. If a course is listed as a pre-requisite, you would need to have completed the prerequisite to be able to register.
If a course is listed as recommended you can enrol without having the prerequisite on your record, which we only recommend doing if you have mastered the content of the recommended course through other work experience or education.
How long does it take to finish this program? Do I have a time limit?
Many Continuing Education programs are relatively short, and you have the benefit of taking individual courses as fit your schedule and budget.
Use the drop-down menu of dates beside the add to cart button to pick out a schedule that works for you. We recommend completing most programs within 1-2 years wherever possible to help you maintain connections in your learning from course to course.
Can I get credit towards this credential for experience or past coursework?
Technology Requirements
What are the technology requirements for virtual classes?
- Access to a personal computer running Windows 8.1 or 10/11 operating system with minimum 4GB of system memory (8 GB highly recommended) and must have administrator rights to install applications.
- Microsoft Office 365 or Office 2019/2021. Education version of Microsoft Office 365 is available for all current NAIT students.
- Students can contact NAIT Information and Technology Services for help and support
- High speed internet connection
- Microphone, speaker or headset and webcam
- Dual monitor display is highly recommended
The course description says “Mac, Chromebook or tablets are not supported." What are my options to attend virtual courses?
The statement about Windows vs. Mac is for classes that are taught on computers running Windows.
The instructor will be using a Windows operating system for these courses and will not be able to allocate instructional time navigating or troubleshooting differences between Mac/Windows OS.
Some students are comfortable doing that type of troubleshooting themselves, but there may also be software compatibility concerns for your individual course and the instructor will not able to provide direct technical support should you choose to proceed against the program’s recommendation.
What is Moodle, and how do I use it?
Moodle is the learning platform we use for many of our online courses.
If your course will be delivered through Moodle, you can access it by clicking the Moodle button right in your MyNAIT portal account. You will find your course linked in Moodle on the scheduled start date.