Practical English Language Skills
Practical English Language Skills (PELS) is a twelve-week English course series designed to support adult English language learners as they build connections in their new community while continuing to celebrate and share their cultural identities.
Through this course, learners will develop the language skills, confidence and knowledge needed to communicate effectively, build relationships and participate more fully in their local communities. Collaborative activities and discussions will invite learners to explore aspects of Canadian culture and civic life while gaining a deeper understanding of the society around them. Learners will also have opportunities to share perspectives and reflect on how their experiences can contribute to their ongoing growth, sense of belonging and participation in life in the Okanagan.
Practical English Language Skills 1: Meaningful Participation in Canadian Life
September (36 hours)
Build stronger English language skills through shared learning experiences, meaningful conversations and connections with others. Explore aspects of local culture and everyday life while developing the confidence to participate, contribute and feel at home in a new community.
Please note: Practical English Language Skills 2 and 3 are in the process of being developed. Check back soon for details.
course Highlights
- Learners will strengthen English language skills to express their ideas, share their experiences and communicate with confidence in everyday situations.
- Learners will gain knowledge of key aspects of Canadian society, including culture, values, communities, history and civic life.
- Learners will develop strategies for community participation, including practical tools for building connections, accessing resources, and discovering opportunities for personal, social and professional growth.
Admission requirements
To succeed in these courses, participants should be comfortable using English to share information, express opinions, and participate in everyday conversations. Participants should also be able to write short (one to two paragraph) texts to express ideas, create simple personal narratives, and reflect on a variety of topics explored throughout the course. Participants should be open to learning from different perspectives, contributing to group discussions, and engaging respectfully with others.
The content is designed for adult learners: participants must be 18 years or older. This non-credit learning opportunity has no prerequisites.
There is no conditional language assessment required for admission, but learners should be able to communicate at approximately a CLB level 6 or higher. If you are unsure of your language skill level, you can view examples of CLB level 6 language skills at language.ca. There is also a free online language skills test available at clb-osa.ca.
Upcoming course & Registration
Dates & Time
Saturday, Sept. 12 to Saturday, Nov 28., 2026 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration is accepted on an ongoing basis until capacity has been reached.
Location
Classes are held in the EAL Learning Lab, room number EME 3124, located on the third floor of the Engineering, Management and Education (EME) Building, 1137 Alumni Ave. on UBC’s Okanagan campus.
Program Cost
The cost for each 36 hour course is $650.00.
Bursaries for the full $650.00 tuition may be offered to students based on their citizenship status.
UBC’s Okanagan School of Education determines the bursary based on the student’s citizenship status. Students are responsible for accurately declaring their citizenship status upon application to the university, which includes ensuring that their status in Canada is accurate until the course is completed.
Students who fall within one of the following categories are considered domestic students and will be offered a bursary for tuition:
- Canadian citizens
- Permanent residents of Canada
- Any person with refugee or protected persons status in Canada
- Diplomat assigned to Canada
- A visitor with an employer-specific full-time long-term work permit (employer-specific work permits must be at least one year or longer and exclude work authorization obtained on foreign student status.)
Contact Us
For more information, please contact us at viktoria.drigo@ubc.ca