ENGLISH IN CANADA Discover the Berlitz difference
TEN EXCELLENT REASONS TO CHOOSE BERLITZ CANADA 1
More than 135 years of experience teaching languages all around the world.
2
Berlitz English Learning Method: created by our founder and perfected throughout more than a century of practice.
3
Exclusive conversational approach with lively lessons focused on students’ participation.
4
Highly personalized attention, with small groups and a variety of customized one-on-one options.
5
Friendly, experienced instructors, specifically trained to teach using the Berlitz Method.
6
The most complete and updated didactic material, designed by our linguistics experts. It includes proprietary e-books, websites and apps.
7
A truly diverse mix of nationalities in each group class.
8
Fun and interesting activities after class to encourage friendships and English speaking practice.
9
Homestay families that meet Berlitz high standards of quality.
10
Vancouver and Toronto: listed in the “Top 20” best cities in the world for quality of life.
01
A HORIZON FOR CHAMPIONS An international learning experience can be life changing and provide a turning point in your education or career. Berlitz Canada offers a fantastic experience based on our proven, successful teaching method. Here students learn English in an effective manner through our uniquely practical and dynamic programs. The goal is to build up the learner’s confidence in speaking English. The other side of this adventure is Canada’s vibrancy: we are a multicultural, prosperous and safe country, with an impressive number of attractions to offer the student, all in a civil and hospitable setting, enriched by friendships with students of diverse nationalities. When students invest in a Berlitz program, they will improve their development and achieve the personal satisfaction of functioning effectively in all English language situations. Students will also improve their résumé and enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to succeed and to climb the ladder of a promising career.
02
ADVENTURE IN PARADISE Canada is an exhilarating country. It is a country that respects differences and draws strength from them. Canada’s myriad of cultural and geographic contrasts have combined to form a nation with a unique and charming identity. It is a country increasingly chosen by young people who wish to experience the study of English in a safe but new and interesting location. For some of these students, this will be the first time they ever leave their homes to set forth on an adventurous quest for new knowledge and — why not? — a good time. Canada welcomes students with pleasure and excitement. Located north of the United States, the country occupies a vast territory with 9,984,670 square kilometers. Canada is second in size only to Russia, but with a small population under 36 million. After the Vikings arrived in the eleventh century, followed by the English and French 500 years later, successive waves of immigrants have increased diversity among the population, creating a multicultural nation also shaped by the aboriginals and Inuits, known as “The First Nations”. A country that continues to encourage immigration, Canada ranks first in the United Nations Human Development Index and third in quality of life.
Nature has provided Canada with a territory abundant with natural resources, including more lakes and interior waters than any other country in the world. There are four well-defined seasons, ranging from -30º C of cold and snow in some parts, great for our many winter sports, to sunny 30º C summers. Organized, safe, young, economically strong, with high social standards and environmental spirit, the country also flaunts its cultural riches with 2,300 museums and an outstanding educational system. These features, in addition to dazzling landscapes, popular tourist and sporting attractions, and a reputation as a hospitalitydriven land, make Canada the preferred destination for students from all over the world. THE BEST PLACE TO STUDY ENGLISH The English spoken in Canada is clear, proper and understood all over the world. The highly developed educational concept of Berlitz, as reflected in the excellence of our language centres, is another factor that attracts foreign students. At Berlitz Canada you learn fluent English and study with trained professionals who are leaders in the field. Come, live the adventure of your life and experience a new culture. Come to Berlitz Canada!
„Choosing Berlitz Canada was the best decision. Great combination of study and fun.“ Tatiana Kovalenko - Ukraine
03
LEADERSHIP AND VERSATILITY
At Berlitz we have the best-trained language instructors. They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
For more than a 135 years, Berlitz has been a leader in the field of language teaching. More than 35 million people have graduated from its more than 550 company-owned and franchised locations in more than 70 countries. It is the largest, oldest and most highly regarded language-learning institution. It has been in Canada for more than 45 years. Berlitz’ roots date back to 1878 in the United States when Maximilian Berlitz, an enterprising language professor from Germany, hired an assistant to teach French classes to a group who did not know a single word of the language. On his arrival at the institute, Nicholas Joly found the professor to be very sick, a situation that worsened when Mr. Berlitz realized that “Monsieur Joly” did not speak any English!
With no time to prepare Joly properly, Berlitz instructed his assistant to teach by simply pointing to objects and by acting out verbs. Weeks later on his return, Berlitz was pleasantly surprised to find the class and the instructor engaged in a lively conversation...entirely in French! An emergency measure had created a new way of teaching. Formality was gone. Progress was quick. The Berlitz Method® was born! Berlitz perfected the idea by replacing the conventionally sized classroom with small groups of learners and, later on, he launched the concept of Total Immersion® whereby the student is completely immersed in the study of the new language full time.
With six interactive activity types, our mobile app provides short, dynamic review and practice of vocabulary and grammar. Android, iPhone and iPad versions are all available. The accompanying Web materials also enable one to exploit all the opportunities the Internet provides: grammar exercises, vocabulary training, learning games, discussion forums, pronunciation training, and much more.
THE STUDENT’S BEST FRIENDS Based on current topics from everyday life, BerlitzEnglish course materials are always lively yet challenging. All are integrated into the curriculum, providing varied and modern activities so that students can practice the subjects studied in the classroom anytime, anywhere. Students may choose from print, audio and video materials and extensive online content. All materials may of course be combined, thus giving full flexibility. The BerlitzEnglish book, also available in an interactive digital format for Levels 1-4, and audio CDs are the primary resources. They can be used to review and reinforce what is covered in class and to practice and consolidate the new language. Whether at home or out and about, pronunciation can be improved and listening comprehension skills can be tested with the audio CD. The interactive PDF file includes embedded audio, text fields for entering your answers, web links, and many more useful features. To take advantage of the features of the interactive PDF file on your iPad, the ‘PDF Expert’ app is recommended. For Android users ‘EZ PDF’ works well. In addition to the digital book, students receive the audio program in MP3 format, so they can listen to it on the same device where they have their digital book. The MP3 files also play on an iPod or MP3 player.
“English Passport”, the authentic English-language magazine, is filled with up-to-date articles by American and British writers. With BerlitzEnglish, one can truly study anytime, anywhere!
HIGH QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION Berlitz instructors are special. We take pride in our dedicated professionals who, above all, enjoy teaching and are at ease dealing with students’ needs. They are all highly qualified, carefully trained in the Berlitz Method®d and work under the close supervision of experts in education and quality control. All BerlitzEnglish instructors are native-fluent so that they will naturally use the correct pronunciation and grammar with their students. Berlitz instructors are in a continual process of bringing themselves up-to-date through refresher courses whereby they are acquainted with the latest ideas on teaching techniques. The outcome is a team of skilled instructors, who are friendly and efficient guides for the students involved in the wonderful adventure of learning English.
04
THE BERLITZ METHOD
The building blocks approach is the evolution of learning: from simple to complex notions and from concrete to abstract thought.
You see, you hear, you speak. Students learn English in the same way they learned their mother tongue. In this simple concept lies the strength of the Berlitz Method®, key to an educational ideology that broke away from traditional norms and harvested impressive results. The Berlitz Method® is an active, practical and fun approach to language teaching. It is based on interaction, working with small groups motivated by interesting conversation and individual follow-up. It brings teaching and learning together through simulations of real-life situations. One of the major premises of the Berlitz Method® is that the process of learning to use a language is best carried out largely within an oral context. The process of learning through speaking and listening is supported by reading and writing. The Berlitz Method® also stands for a direct and natural approach. When students stop the habit of using their native language in class, they can eliminate the step of translation and learn to think — and therefore to speak fluently — in their new language. Another important principle is that of the building block approach. This means that students are guided step-by-step through progressively challenging language tasks so that they acquire their new skills on solid foundations of previously learned material.
LANGUAGE FOR LIFE The BerlitzEnglish concept stems from recent studies that testify to the fact that teaching becomes much more effective when it targets the student’s particular preferences. The brain can more easily pick up information that matches the learning style and interests of the individual. BerlitzEnglish is an exclusive educational system that adds the benefits of this discovery to the Berlitz Method® by transferring the focus to personalized learning. All lesson content, teaching materials and extracurricular activities function in an integrated manner aimed at the student’s interests and needs through the enactment of lifelike situations. BerlitzEnglish programs are custom-designed to meet students’ personal needs by matching them to a unique area of specialization through Business Communication (Business I, Business II, Meetings & Presentations and E-mails & Business Writing) and Social Communication (Arts & Entertainment, Social Situations, Pronunciation and Negotiations). The purpose is to reach the individual’s essence — whatever stirs his or her intelligence and emotions — a ground where learning is naturally most fruitful.
Best of the Best Conversation comes first Intensive training five days a week will develop strong oral skills. Interactive activities Dynamic group activities bring a breath of fresh air into the study of grammar. Living in English The student takes on a new language through acting out real-life situations. Direct approach With no translation, the student promptly starts thinking in English. Each student is unique Personal tutoring results in the quicker achievement of goals.
05
ABSORBED IN ENGLISH At Berlitz Canada, the student is surrounded by the English language. All senses are stimulated to aid in the process of assimilating the content of the lessons, thereby quickly and effectively helping the students to achieve their objectives. The intense and lively classes offer a 5 minute break after each 40 minutes of instruction. Dynamic interaction between student and instructor is carried out, focusing on dialogue. It is the enactment of lifelike situations, moving the student beyond mere memorization. There are ten proficiency levels and the small class size ensures the student will take the most effective and appropriate instruction for all learners. In order to determine their starting proficiency level, students will take a placement test. Berlitz Study Abroad is suited for all ages (sixteen and older) and offers two program options: Groups for students interested in meeting new people while learning English and Private for those who need a fully customized learning experience. Our programs have been designed to meet all sorts of needs: from learning the language for the sake of personal enrichment or preparing for a certified test (TOEFL,TOEIC, IELTS) to developing your English speaking skills in order to meet job specific needs..
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS Groups
Combo
Berlitz Small Group programs feature general English instruction in a small group setting ensuring plenty of speaking time for all participants. Receive the personal attention and motivation you need from your Berlitz Instructor while enjoying this shared learning experience.
Dynamic program involving group lessons in the morning, supplemented by personal tutoring in the afternoon. It is a great way to combine the best of two worlds: a group learning experience and a fully customized daily one-on-one-session.
Two options available: - Group Half Day 23 hours per week
Individual classes are offered in the morning or afternoon. This program is recommended for those who want to learn English, but must work their lessons into a very busy agenda.
- Group Intensive 30.5 hours per week
Private Half-Day
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS (continued)
Private Full-Day
Total Immersion
Ideal for those who want to take the best
Berlitz proprietary premium program;
advantage of their time in Canada and at
ideal for those who need to absorb the
the same time they want to have time on
maximum amount of language in the
their own to explore the city during lunch
minimum amount of time. One-on-one
break time.
interaction with an exclusive team of instructors assigned to your program.
PROGRAM
SCHEDULE (Monday - Friday)
# OF STUDENTS
OBJECTIVE
Group Half-Day
Group classes: 9 am – 1 pm
Average of 6 - 8 learners per group
Small group classes facilitate interaction and participation. Group activities and conversation are directed at real-life situations.
Group Intensive
Group classes: 9 am – 1 pm + 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Average of 6 -8 learners per group
Same objectives as in the Group Half-Day with an additional class in the afternoon, focusing on fluency-building to perfect knowledge and speed up learning.
Combo
Group classes: 9 am – 1 pm + Private classes: 1:45 pm – 4 pm
Average of 6 - 8 learners per group (morning) + one-on-one (afternoon)
Recommended for those who wish to learn English by means of interaction in small groups in the morning and exclusive private lessons in the afternoon.
Private Half-Day
Private classes: 9:15 am – 1 pm or 1 pm – 4:45 pm
One-on-one
Exclusive private lessons for those who need to learn English immediately whether for travel or to pass an exam or for a specific work objective.
Private Full-Day
Private classes: 9:15 am - 1 pm + 1:45 pm - 4:45 pm
One-on-one
Exclusive private lessons for those who need to learn English immediately whether for travel or to pass an exam or for a specific work objective.
Total Immersion
Private classes: 9:15 am - 4:45 pm includes lunch
One-on-one
For executives who require English learning in a short period of time. Absolutely exclusive. Full-time. Private classes.
„I think this school is the best to study English! The teachers and staff are kind and friendly.� Sandro Mendes - Brazil
06
TORONTO
Left: City Hall offers winter skaters a futuristic backdrop.
A dynamic and colourful city — teeming with energy and excitement, proudly one of the most multicultural cities on the planet. Did you think of New York City? You are in Toronto, the largest city in Canada, capital of the prosperous province of Ontario and financial centre of the entire country.
Below: Enjoy the thrills on Paramount Canada’s Wonderland roller coasters!
Toronto is a cosmopolitan city; fully 50 percent of its 5.5 million inhabitants are immigrants. More than 80 cultures mingle on its streets and in its unique neighbourhoods. It is a planned metropolis, lying on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, remarkably clean and beautified by parks and gardens. Toronto boasts the highest standards of safety and an excellent network of integrated public transportation services. The cultural programming is extensive and varied. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra enjoys an international reputation. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) house magnificent exhibitions. It is a city busy with theatrical productions, musicals, concerts, ballets, operas and shows.
Among the great man-made attractions is the CN Tower, one of tallest freestanding towers in the world. Spend the day, take the elevator to the top — gather up the courage to walk on the 1,122-foot-high glass floor! The popular sports of hockey and basketball are played at Air Canada Centre and baseball games take place at the Rogers Centre. This famous stadium has a fully retractable roof that can be rolled back in 18 minutes and bleachers that can change their layout. Toronto also offers a relaxed outdoor lifestyle that includes an extensive network of cycling paths, sport courts, hiking trails, beaches and numerous public swimming pools. “The Beaches” is a fabulous site, attracting huge crowds on weekends. Also impressive is the PATH: the world’s largest underground mall.
07
YOUR BERLITZ IS HERE! Your language centre is in Yorkville: a fashionable downtown neighbourhood characterized by Victorian-style homes transformed into cafĂŠs, restaurants, art galleries and fashion boutiques. Yorkville is an attraction in itself, lively and full of fashionable people, including Hollywood stars that crowd the streets in September during the Toronto Film Festival.
The excitement lasts into the night year-round. Everyone wants to see and be seen at the laid-back pubs and romantic bistros. Take in the breathtaking 360 degree view of the city from the rotating restaurant at the top of the CN Tower!
„I’m happy with Berlitz because I got to know people from other cultures. Besides the classes are interesting and have a small number of students.“ Tetsuo Takeuchi - Japan
„There are excellent teachers at Berlitz and the staff is very friendly and professional.� Olga Kutuzova - Russia
08
VANCOUVER
Left: Science World with plenty of experiments and technology shows.
Nestled between mountains and ocean with stirring sceneries and charming people, Vancouver is the gateway to Canada on the Pacific Coast. Founded in 1792 by the English explorer George Vancouver, the city is safe and extremely beautiful. Many residents believe that Vancouver is the best place to live in the world, a privileged area where you can enjoy skiing in the winter and going to the beach in the summer. Young, modern and multicultural, with a population of 2.3 million and home to a large number of immigrants from all corners of the world, Vancouver was home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. In the summer the sun says goodnight at 10pm. People take advantage of the long days by stretching themselves out on the beaches, pedalling along the cycling tracks and strolling in the market area on Granville Island and Lonsdale Quay, where live crabs and lobsters are on display.
Riding the elevated skytrain or the seabus is good entertainment, as it is fun to marvel at sights such as the eye-catching Canada Place, the signature postcard building of Vancouver that resembles a sailboat. One of the city’s best-loved attractions is Stanley Park, a 400-hectare jewel with groves, paths, cycle tracks, gardens, the Aquarium, ponds and beaches. From Prospect Point you can see the giant cruise ships that leave for Alaska from Georgia Strait. In the winter you can enjoy ice-skating, watching a hockey game and, of course, skiing and sliding in the snow! There are three local ski mountains: Grouse, Cypress and Seymour, while only ninety minutes away is the best renowned Whistler ski resort, one of the best in the world.
09
YOUR BERLITZ IS HERE!
Below: Canada Place is one of the most popular destinations for many international cruse lines.
At Berlitz you will be studying at the core of bustling downtown Vancouver, very close to everything. You will be within walking distance of the Vancouver Art Gallery and Canada Place. Close by is the Aquatic Centre and False Creek (take the boat to go for a walk around the popular Granville Island!).
You can be in Gastown, Robson Street and Stanley Park in minutes. Why not rent a bicycle and peddle along the Seawall with your hair streaming in the wind?
„I really enjoyed my Berlitz experience. I feel I really improved my English skills.“ Hyejin Kim - Korea
„The Berlitz Method really worked for me.� Sergio Giannini - Italy
10
IT’S TIME TO HAVE FUN!
One of the trip’s highlights comes when you make new friends and go out with them to ski or on a beautiful hike.
After school is the time for adventure! Wander around town, take in famous sights or go out in dynamic and fun groups of new friends. There are many options when you study at Berlitz! Moreover, Toronto and Vancouver, the two Berlitz Canada centres for international students, sit at opposite ends of the country, each offering its own unique range of wonderful activities. Join in our weekday afternoon activities that are led by our enthusiastic Berlitz tour guide. On the weekends expand your horizons and explore other sights outside the city limits with one of our local tour companies.
11
VIBRANT, SURPRISING, UNFORGETTABLE
Right: Adventurers will enjoy the heights of Capilano Suspension Bridge near Vancouver.
TORONTO • See Niagara Falls
• Go skiing on the trendy paths of Whistler
• Visit the CN Tower and go to the Rogers Centre where the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team plays
• See the fantastic suspension bridge that spans Capilano River
• Go skiing and snowboarding in the Blue Mountain Snow Valley
• Marvel at the colourful First Nations totems
Below: Casa Loma, in Toronto, will impress those who are fond of medieval castles.
• Watch the outdoor shows at the Harbourfront Centre • Visit Canada’s Wonderland • Stroll through the Toronto Zoo • Take a walk down Queen Street, Toronto’s SoHo
VANCOUVER
• Spend hours wandering on the kilometers of trails in famous Stanley Park • You will be enthralled by the belugas, dolphins and sharks of the Aquarium
• Saunter around Kensington Market, teeming with unique clothing stores and fruit and cheese stands
• Take pleasure in the contemporary paintings, sculptures and photographs of the Vancouver Art Gallery, the largest gallery in western Canada
• Stroll through the underground walkways of the PATH and find bargains in the Eaton Centre
• Let the sky-ride cable car whisk you to and from the top of Grouse Mountain
• Take the ferryboat over to Toronto Island Park, where you can visit the beach, paddle a kayak or a canoe, play volleyball, throw a frisbee or ride a bicycle
• Go canoeing down False Creek
• Promenade along Yonge Street, the longest city street in the world, overflowing with pubs and many types of stores
• Stroll in the market area on Granville Island and enjoy street performers and music shows
• Get acquainted with Algonquin Park, a wildlife preserve where the animals live in their natural habitats. See a moose or even go to a “wolf howl”
• Visit Victoria on Vancouver Island where you can watch wild Orca whales
• Treat yourself to Gastown’s alternative shopping strip in the old part of town • Enjoy the sumptuous boutique showcases on Robson Street
„I’m still in contact with my homestay family. They were the perfect complement for my English program.” Graciela Vela - Peru
12
CANADIAN HOME SWEET HOME
Living with a family means a chance to get to know a new culture up close with the valuable support from friends.
Being lodged in a family home is an affordable accommodation option that offers a golden opportunity for a young person to live like a true Canadian. This close association with Canadians makes it possible for the student to get acquainted with the country’s customs, through the habits of a typical household, and provides numerous fun time to chat, exchange ideas and also talk about your own homeland. Homestays are comfortable, consisting of an individual or double bedroom with shared bathroom and wireless Internet. Three meals a day are included: breakfast, bag lunch and dinner. In order to ensure availability and to guarantee full satisfaction of all our students, Berlitz partners with two highly trusted homestay agencies whose families undergo a strict screening and selection process.
Through our registration process the students are asked about basic information such as food preferences, allergies, hobbies and more. This allows us to handpick and customize the families for them. Homestay Families are a much better suited option for international students interested in improving their English level, since this offers the opportunity to be plunged into a total English-speaking environment. Upon arrival, the student is given valuable information about the language centre’s working procedures, the city, tours and means of transportation. Canadians are hospitable and charming people. Who knows what lasting friendship may spring from this trip and will be renewed with the exchange of letters and e-mails? In English, of course!
* Upon request, if the student prefers other options for accommodation, we can provide some recommendations for hotels or furnished apartments near Berlitz learning Centres.
„The sites of Vancouver and the kindness of the instructors will stay with me forever.“ Masayuki Inoue - Japan
„I am convinced that coming to study at Berlitz Canada was a good idea.“ Alvaro Brena - Mexico
„The classes and the teachers helped me grasp the essence of the English language.“ Frank Huebner - Germany
Berlitz Canada - Toronto 94 Cumberland Street, Suite 201 Toronto, ON M5R 1A3 Phone: 1 416 924 7773 Fax: 1 416 924 4213 toronto.lc@berlitz.ca Berlitz Canada - Vancouver 808 West Hastings Street, 3rd Floor Vancouver, BC V6C 2X4 Phone: 1 604 685 9331 Fax: 1 604 685 6141 vancouver.lc@berlitz.ca
www.berlitz.ca
Š2013 Berlitz Canada Inc. All rights reserved.