English Language

NorQuest College is a leader in English as a Second Language (ESL) training. We provide language training and intercultural education to hundreds of newcomers each year. Our programs assist recent immigrants in settling, adapting and integrating into our communities successfully.

From foundational English language training, to bridging programs for students with international education and credentials, to workplace-specific language and intercultural training, NorQuest's expertise and training provide students with the roadmap and services to reach their potential in Canada. Many of our students continue on to post-secondary programs once they have achieved the English language competency to meet the entrance requirements.

  • Bridge to Health CareersFull-time (FT)

    In 4 months, improve your English and gain the necessary skills and language prerequisites to apply to NorQuest's Health Care Aide and other health care programs. In addition to reading, writing, and academic skills, you will focusing on medical terminology and therapeutic communication skills.

  • Bridge to Transit OperatorsFull-time (FT)

    NOTE: This program is under review for the 2013/14 Academic Year, and will not be offered.

    In just 4 months, develop your listening, speaking, and customer service skills to prepare you for success as a transit operator in any of Canada's transit systems. Appropriate for ESL students with a high intermediate level of English proficiency.

  • ESL Bridge to Business CareersFull-time (FT)

    NOTE: This program is under review for the 2013/14 Academic Year, and will not be offered.

    Prepare for success in NorQuest College's Administrative Professional Certificate and Hospital Unit Clerk programs by improving your English skills, particularly in the vocabulary used by office professionals.

  • ESL IntensiveFull-time (FT), Part-time (PT)

    Improve your English language speaking, reading and writing skills to prepare for further education or employment. All courses are 4 months long. Free placement testing is available and your program will be tailored to suit your needs.

  • ESL Intensive - Continuing EducationPart-time (PT)

    Take ESL courses to improve your English – from general ESL to specialized ESL courses like TOEFL IBT preparation. Evening classes allow you to fit learning into your work and personal schedule.

  • Introduction to Communication and Culture for NursingFull-time (FT)

    NOTE: This program is under review for the 2013/14 Academic Year, and will not be offered.

    Designed for internationally educated nurses and other internationally educated medical professionals, this 4-month program offers ESL instruction based entirely on language used in health professions. You will focus on fundamentals such as medical terminology, therapeutic communication, and interculturual communication.

  • Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)Full-time (FT), Part-time (PT), Distance, Online

    Are you new to Canada? The LINC program may be for you. You will benefit from instruction in the language skills you need to integrate into community life and work in Canada. You can develop your English language proficiency at the level you need and progress at your own rate.

    Tuition for LINC is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. There are no fees or tuition for elgible students.

  • LINC Rural DeliveryPart-time (PT)

    Designed for recent immigrants who live in small urban centres or rural areas in Northern Alberta and funded by the federal government, LINC programs cover basic English literacy to LINC 5. Progress at your own rate and build the language skills you need to integrate into work and community life, progress to ESL training, English bridging programs or academic upgrading.

  • Youth In TransitionFull-time (FT)

    This full-time program focuses on increasing academic and personal communication skills for ESL (English as a second language) youth, ages 17 to 25, who wish to transition into an adult learning post-secondary environment. The curriculum and projects are high interest and fast-paced.

    Starts every 8 weeks between September and April.

  • English for Nursing, Medical Terminolgy
    This course is a text-based course designed to assist students at a CLB5/6 level to learn the meaning, spelling, and pronunciation of medical vocabulary in English. lay terms, including slang and idioms, and the anatomy, physiology, and pathology associated with each medical term are also explored
  • Integrated ESL CLB 3-4
    Develop basic speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through content relevant to your needs as a learner. Topics vary depending on needs and interests of learners.
  • Integrated ESL CLB 5-6
    Develop intermediate speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through content relevant to your needs and goals as a learner. Topics vary depending on needs and interests of learners.
  • Integrated ESL CLB 7-8
    Develop advanced speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through content relevant to your interests, employment, and study goals. Topics will vary depending on needs and interests of learners.
  • Intercultural Practitioner Certificate - Foundations I

    Participants will build a solid foundation of intercultural knowledge, skills, and awareness by learning a practical approach to effective communication in intercultural spaces. This course is designed to introduce participants to the Reflective Intercultural Learning Cycle - a core framework for understanding and communicating more effectively in intercultural situations. The focus is on gaining familiarity with all the stages of the cycle, as well as acquiring an introductory knowledge of the make sense categories, and a general framework for informed action. In this course, participants will pay particular attention to self-awareness.

  • Intercultural Practitioner Certificate - Perspectives II

    Participants will learn to apply an intercultural perspective to respond to everyday situations in the workplace, classroom, organization, or community through a deeper exploration of key culture general frameworks and the generation of targeted informed actions. This perspective will support participants’ achievement of goals in intercultural spaces. Participants will build their knowledge of culture general frameworks by assessing themselves, and identifying how culture influences various practices in the workplace, classroom, and organization. Participants will examine context-specific examples and apply culture general knowledge to make sense and explore informed actions that can help them reach goals.