126 best English schools in Toronto, Ontario

For many who are seriously thinking about studying, starting a career abroad or migrating, the question arises of professional education of written and communication skills. The first stage on the way to Canada may be preparation for the international exam.

List of the main international exams:

• DELF/DALF;
• TEF;
• TCF;
• IELTS;
• CAT, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE.

Linguistic centers, language schools and universities in Toronto will provide effective educational conditions. Professional educational staff are usually native speakers, they will be able to tell the structural features of each exam and successfully prepare you for the time of passing.

There are many linguistic schools and language camps in Toronto that offer a large variety of educational courses to choose from:

• General English course;
• Intensive language programs;
• Preparation for language tests (for example, IELTS or TOEFL); Preparation for admission to school abroad;
• Group study programs.

Many private schools where foreign students can study cooperate with world leading universities, so graduates of Canadian institutions of secondary education have very high chances of successful admission after graduation.

English educational courses differ by length:

• Basic week program;
• Monthly courses;
• 1-year programs.

During the summer and vacation periods, language camps are held on the basis of year-round boarding schools. Foreign students can stay in the residence of the school without any problems. Another accommodation option is a host Canadian family. Each of the options has its advantages, so the second option is more suitable for younger students.

Language educational courses also include extracurricular programs and entertainment block.

List of the main additional activities during educational process:

• Variety of sports (hockey, football, basketball, and others);
• Creative activities;
• Different excursions;
• Visiting museums, parks, shopping centers;
• Organized trips to different parts of the country.

By studying English in Toronto, foreign students can not only improve their level of foreign language proficiency, but also broaden their horizons.

Laura Galindo

Marketing Director

What makes English so special for families from all over the world?

In 2023, statistics show there are about 1.5 billion people around the world who speak English both natively and as a second language. English is the global language for business, tourism, aviation, sciences, and media (to name a few).

It is most essential for families in that this will allow for the younger generations to have innumerable employment opportunities within and outside their birth country.

Regarding financial costs, learning English in Canada also has its own peculiarities. Tuition fee in Canada will be lower than in other English-speaking countries, such as the United States or Great Britain (by about 20%). One week program of language learning in Canada will require costs in the range of 500 to 1000 $CAD.

Tuition fee includes:

• Chosen educational program;
• Accommodation (boarding school or host family);
• Meals;
• Educational materials;
• Extracurricular activities;
• Excursion program.

If the school does not imply boarding for students, an additional item of expenditure will be the search for other accommodation option (selection of a host family, search for apartments and other options).

Some services are paid additionally to tuition fee:

• Round-trip air tickets;
• Visa services;
• Insurance for studying abroad;
• Transfer in both sides;
• Educational deposit;
• Entrance fee.

All necessary information foreign students or their parents could find at the website of the educational institution or at the official group at social media. You can also contact to SMAPSE local manager for all additional information.

- Interaction with native speakers,
- Modern teaching methods,
- Opportunity to continue studying abroad,
- A wide range of programs for all age groups,
- Possibility of admission to a local university (after successfully completing language courses),
- Safety and high standard of living,
- Rich extracurricular life—museums, parks, festivals, sporting events, and more,
- Unique natural environment,
- Numerous historical and cultural landmarks,
- Modern conditions for business and leisure,
- Multicultural and multinational environment.

Language centers are based at Canadian universities, colleges, and private schools. In Toronto, many educational institutions offer a wide range of language courses for everyone:

- The most common courses are General English, Semi-Intensive English, and Intensive English, which can be found in almost all schools. These are standard language learning programs without additional features. The difference between them lies in the number of hours per week and the cost.
- One-to-One — individual courses. These are expensive but effective. The curriculum for such courses is entirely flexible, allowing you to set the workload and discuss the topics with the teacher in advance.
- Exam preparation — this type of program includes preparation for international language exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge. These courses are aimed at students who already have a B1-B2 language level but are not yet fully confident. On average, after 8 weeks, students at a B2 level (55-74) improve their scores by 10 points, while C1 students (75-91) improve by 5 points.
- Academic English — in this course, students learn complex vocabulary and terms from the academic field, and practice constructing sentences in a scientific style. Many schools also run such programs in partnership with universities, allowing students to not only improve their language skills but also attend regular university classes.
- Business courses/English for Work — business English for those who wish to work abroad. You will learn professional vocabulary, how to write resumes, and how to handle job interviews, and you will participate in meetings and conferences as practice. This category also includes English for Specific Purposes — business English for specific professions in fields like medicine, law, programming, etc.
- Pathway — a course very similar to academic English. Students learn scientific vocabulary and grammar, prepare for university studies and exams, and attend university classes related to their future field. The main advantage of this program, which has made it highly popular among students, is the opportunity to enter a university without language certificates. However, this is only available at universities partnered with the language school, so it’s recommended to research them in advance.
- Summer/Winter/Spring — short (3-5 weeks) seasonal programs, popular among teenagers aged 8 to 17. There are joint programs for children and parents, as well as for adults. After classes, students visit attractions, museums, theaters, go shopping, camping, and rafting.

In addition to the academic program, students are also offered a variety of extracurricular activities: visits to theaters, museums, galleries, music parties, skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, canoeing, trips to Lake Ontario, visits to the CN Tower, the Toronto Zoo, the Royal Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, the St. Lawrence Market, trips to Niagara Falls, city tours of attractions, karaoke, sports competitions, hiking, and more. This approach gives students the opportunity to get to know the city better and fully immerse themselves in the language.

Many Canadian universities offer the English for Academic Purposes Program (EAP). It is similar to Pathway but with a more flexible admission process than typical preparatory programs. You can enroll even with basic English skills.

The program is usually divided into 5-9 levels, lasting around 8 weeks each. At more advanced levels, in addition to language classes, you will attend university lectures and seminars in your future field to help you adapt to the university environment. Upon completing the EAP, you can be admitted to the university without international language certificates, but only to the university where you completed the course.

Universities also offer more traditional Foundation programs, designed for applicants who do not meet the language or grade requirements. These are structured year-long programs that prepare students for university admission. In addition to language learning, students study subjects related to their future field of study. Admission usually requires at least a B1 level of English, although this varies by university.

Universities also offer standard language courses, such as General English, Business English, and Summer/Spring programs, but these are less common compared to private schools. Professional English courses for fields like law, medicine, technology, and others are more prevalent, as well as preparatory courses for IELTS and TOEFL exams.

While studying English in Toronto, students can live in:

• School residences (but not all schools offer this option), where all amenities (kitchen, laundry, internet, etc.) are provided, but students are responsible for their own meals.
• Host families, where students are provided with private rooms, meals and all amenities. This type of accommodation will help you get to know the culture and mentality of Canadians, as well as constantly practise your English.
• You can stay in a rented apartment with all amenities and eat on your own.

You will need one of two documents to enter Canada, depending on the length of your course.

• Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for short courses of less than 6 months. It is largely equivalent to a tourist visa. The processing time will take about 14-30 days.
• Study Permit (Study Permit) for long-term courses (longer than 6 months). If the application is approved, a visitor visa will be issued along with this document. The processing time is about 4 weeks.

Regardless of your visa type, you must first enroll in a language school and pay the full course fee. The school will send you an invitation letter, which together with the rest of the documents should be brought to the visa application center or submitted on the website of the immigration office. Once your application has been processed, regardless of the application form, you will need to submit biometric data and undergo a medical examination.

You may be invited to an interview at the consulate, which can be conducted in Russian or English. It will ask questions about the purpose of visiting the country, the presence of property and close relatives in the country. You must prove a firm intention to return to your home country after taking courses in Canada, otherwise you may be denied a visa. A certificate from your place of employment describing your income, property documents may be suitable, but more often a confident verbal assurance that you have no intention of immigrating to Canada will suffice.

• St. Andrew's College,
• Columbia International College,
• Rosseau Lake College,
• ILAC Toronto Summer Junior Camp,
• University of Toronto.