IGK is an English as a Second Language (ESL) school located in Kelowna, Canada. The school welcomes students of all ages and nationalities for full and part time Practical ESL, Cambridge FCE and CAE certificates, TOEIC and IELTS exam preparation, summer and winter camps for ages 8 to adult, High School Pathways, Internships and Farmstays. International Gateway Kelowna is not only a well respected school it is also a vibrant, friendly and exciting place to learn English. Students are encouraged to strive for excellence, immerse themselves in a new culture, enrich their minds, try new challenges and build bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. Kelowna (pop. 120,000) is Canada's #1 summer resort destination. The city is blessed with a very temperate climate and 300+ days of sunshine per year. International Gateway Kelowna (IGK) is Canadian owned and operated and is Kelowna's oldest (est. 2002) and most trusted English as a Second Language (ESL) school. IGK is a member of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association and the Downtown Kelowna Business Association. Accolades-finalist for a Business of the Year Award, winner of Exceptional Service Under the Sun Award, invited by the City of Kelowna and the Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association to attend EXPO 2005 in Aichi, Japan, first Canadian school to visit the Republic of Moldova. International Gateway Kelowna is not only a well respected school it is also a vibrant, friendly and exciting place to learn English. Students are encouraged to strive for excellence, immerse themselves in a new culture, enrich their minds, try new challenges and build bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. Highly qualified teachers and staff are carefully chosen for their professionalism, integrity and exceptional customer service skills. The school's motto is "English for Life." IGK's upscale campus is centrally located in the Towne Centre Fashion Mall within easy walking distance of attractions, entertainment venues, boutiques, restaurants, transportation and beaches. International Gateway Kelowna is a Cambridge testing venue.

 

Focus of Study : 
The main emphases of the Practical ESL program are communication and functional English for daily life. Practical ESL programs begin weekly for ages 12 and up. The minimum class size is 4, the average is 6 and the maximum is 12. IGK guarantees a very personalized, fast paced and dynamic approach to language learning. Students can enroll form 1-50 weeks.

 

Curriculum : 
Five levels of Practical ESL are offered from Beginner to Advanced which focus on the combined skills of reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening and speaking. Headway and Canadian Concepts are the main textbooks. 
 
Each student will be given a placement test on the first day of class to determine their level. Homework requirements vary with the level and with the elective but students can expect 30 minutes–1 hour of homework each day. There are weekly quizzes and tests. Not all electives or levels may be offered at one time. A minimum of 6 students is required to run any given elective. Please ask for a current selection.
 
The course offers year-round Every Monday with 15 lessons per week.
 
Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday
9:00-10:15 Practical English 
(Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar)
10:15-10:30 Break 
10:30-12:00 Practical English
(Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar) 

Focus of Study :
The main emphases of the Practical ESL program are communication and functional English for daily life. Practical ESL programs begin weekly for ages 12 and up. The minimum class size is 4, the average is 6 and the maximum is 12. IGK guarantees a very personalized, fast paced and dynamic approach to language learning. Students can enroll form 1-50 weeks.

 

Curriculum :
Five levels of Practical ESL are offered from Beginner to Advanced which focus on the combined skills of reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening and speaking. Headway and Canadian Concepts are the main textbooks. Students choose from a variety of afternoon electives depending on their level and interest. Conversation, Pronunciation, Canadian Culture, Cambridge, IELTS and TOEIC exam preparation are the most popular electives. Field trips are incorporated into some electives to reinforce 'real life' language practice.
 
Each student will be given a placement test on the first day of class to determine their level. Homework requirements vary with the level and with the elective but students can expect 30 minutes–1 hour of homework each day. There are weekly quizzes and tests. Not all electives or levels may be offered at one time. A minimum of 6 students is required to run any given elective. Please ask for a current selection.
 
The course offers year-round Every Monday with 25 lessons per week.
 
Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday
9:00-10:15 Practical English
(Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar)
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-12:00 Practical English
(Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar)
12:00-12:45 Lunch
12:45-2:00 Elective
2:00-2:10 Break
2:10-2:55 Elective

Single Room, Shared Bath and 3 meals per day-$195 per week ages 19+ / $230 per week ages 12-18

Single or double rooms with fully equipped kitchens, cable TV, laundry facilities, telephone and internet access.

Only available October to April $1000-$1300 per month depending on motel. Ages 21+ Great for couples, mom and tots or families!

IGK's upscale campus is centrally located in the Towne Centre Fashion Mall within easy walking distance of attractions, entertainment venues, boutiques, restaurants, transportation and beaches. IGK is within walking distance to beaches, museums, attractions and transportation. Kelowna's weather is mainly sunny and mild with average temperatures of 31C in August, 17C in October, 2C in January and 20C in April. Canada's only desert is located in the Okanagan Valley.According to Statistics Canada, 93% of Kelowna residents speak English as their first language, compared with less than 50% in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. In this total immersion and ‘real’ Canadian environment students’ English ability improves much faster than it does in larger cities where it is easier to use their own language. Entertainment, transportation and living costs are 10-50% lower in Kelowna than in many other Canadian cities so students will save money while living and studying here. For example, a monthly transit pass is $39-$53 in Kelowna and $81-$151 in Vancouver.

Summer

1. Swim, boat, fish, parasail, suntan or just relax on 120km Okanagan Lake

2. Golf at one of the 20 nearby championship golf courses

3. Hike or bike the 600km Kettle Valley Railway/ Trans Canada Trail

Autumn

1. Experience the world famous International Wine Festival in October

2. Go on agricultural or harvest tours

3. Watch the W.H.L.’s Kelowna Rockets ice hockey team and the Okanagan Sun football team in action

Winter

1. Ski, snowboard, snowshoe or snowmobile at nearby Big White, Apex, Silverstar or Crystal Mountain resorts

2. Surround yourself with the Christmas season. Check out events and festive lights around the city

3. Attend a musical, concert, live theatre production or indulge yourself with a spa treatment

Spring

1. Try Horseback riding at a local ranch and take in a rodeo

2. Enjoy the beautiful spring blossoms and flowers at various parks, gardens and orchards

3. Visit a local museum, art gallery or craft exhibition