Canadian Language & Cultural Studies
Spend August in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Simon Fraser University's Canadian Language & Cultural Studies program offers students a unique opportunity to experience life on Canada's west coast, improve English language skills, learn about Canadian culture and make new friends.
Application deadline: May 25, 2012
Apply here
Eligibility | Program Info | The Course | Academic Field Trips | Co-Curricular Activities
Group Project | Evaluation | Cultural Exchange | Accommodation | Dates | Rates/Fees
Instruction Levels | Contact Info
- Students enrolled in the CLCS program must be at least 19 years of age.
- CLCS is open only to students from SFU partner institutions. For a complete list of SFU partners, please visit the Partner Institution Information page of our website.
- If you are not a student at an SFU partner institution, please consider one of the other English Language and Culture programs offered at Simon Fraser University.
- Applicants must have a minimum IELTS of 4.5.
A Classroom with a Canadian Edge
Language is created and shaped by the culture in which it develops. To be an effective English communicator, one must engage as fully as possible with the culture in which the language is used. Participants will watch, interpret, discuss, and respond to what Canadians are saying. By taking a deeper look at current events and historical issues of great relevance to Canadians, participants will strengthen their English speaking, listening, reading, and writing in authentic contexts.
Themes include selected topics in:
- Canadian Studies: Land and Peoples
- Canadian Biculturalism/Multiculturalism
- Asia/Pacific History and Current Affairs
Students attend classes every weekday morning and will engage with a variety of authentic texts from Canadian culture. For example, they may read articles, study maps and charts, view audio-visual presentations, and watch TV news and documentary clips. Students will work individually and in small groups.
Course objectives:
- Increase knowledge of some of the social, political, historical, and economic forces that have helped to shape Canadian culture and society;
- Strengthen English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills;
- Develop strategies for greater understanding;
- Develop confidence to engage in English discussions about a variety of topics and themes relevant to Canadian culture and society;
- Develop deeper understanding of the historical and contemporary relationship between Canada and Asia Pacific nations;
- Develop effective intercultural and interpersonal communication skills;
- Engage with weekly themes outside of the classroom through co-curricular field trips;
- Provide tools to analyze the cultural background of any country.
Academic field trips provide participants the opportunity to interact directly with aspects of Canadian culture and practice their English communication skills outside the classroom. After preparing the class ahead of time, an instructor accompanies the students on the field trip, following up with an in-class reflection and analysis of the group's experience. All field trips are directly related to CLCS course content.
Students will engage in a variety of activities that will introduce unique locations and cultural experiences. The activities provide an interesting context in which students can practice their communication skills and learn more about Canadian culture.
The group project involves undertaking research and giving a class presentation on a topic related to the course curriculum. Students select a topic from a prepared list and are guided in web and on-site research to collect information. Toward the end of the program they will make a short presentation.
The group project involves undertaking research and giving a class presentation on a topic related to the course curriculum. Students select a topic from a prepared list and are guided in web and on-site research to collect information. Toward the end of the program they will make a short presentation.
SFU students join as volunteers for co-curricular activities and these informal interactions provide valuable opportunities for cultural introduction and exchange.
Homestay: Students can apply directly for homestay through a private provider, such as First Choice International Placement (http://www.fciplacement.com/). Homestay families will normally provide three meals a day with packed lunches for school days. Students will have daily opportunities to practice their English and learn about their host families.
Residence: Students who will be at SFU on an exchange or study abroad program in September and who wish to live in residence at SFU Burnaby may arrange to do so (contact CLCS@sfu.ca).
Private accommodation: This is arranged by students on their own (http://sfu.myidealhome.com/).
NOTE: Simon Fraser University does not endorse private companies or pre-screen advertisements for off campus housing or accommodation/homestay services. SFU assumes no liability for any disputes arising from tenancies or other services noted below. This information is posted as a courtesy to assist prospective students, but it is the user's responsibility to be cautious when using private company services.
Participants must arrive in Vancouver by the evening of August 6, 2012. The program commences on August 7, 2012 with testing, classes and a welcome lunch. A farewell lunch and graduation presentation will be held on August 28, and the final departure date is Wednesday August 29.
- Application deadline is May 25, 2012
- Payment deadline is June 30, 2012 for individual students (full payment required)
The fees* for the program will be:
- $2,250.00 per student without homestay/meals
*Fees are subject to change without notice
Fees include short term health insurance, transit pass, entrance fees for all planned activities, welcome dinner and farewell lunch, course materials, SFU computing account and a small gift. Fees do not include accommodation, meals, or personal expenses. Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to Vancouver and their accommodation in Vancouver.
If you represent a partner institution and wish to send a group, please contact clcs@sfu.ca for the rate.
The fees* for the program will be:
- $2,250.00 per student without homestay/meals
*Fees are subject to change without notice
Fees include short term health insurance, transit pass, entrance fees for all planned activities, welcome dinner and farewell lunch, course materials, SFU computing account and a small gift. Fees do not include accommodation, meals, or personal expenses. Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to Vancouver and their accommodation in Vancouver.
If you represent a partner institution and wish to send a group, please contact clcs@sfu.ca for the rate.
International Services for Students
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC
V5A 1S6 Canada
Telephone: +1.778.782.4232
Fax: +1.778.782.5880
Email: clcs@sfu.ca