15 best summer courses in Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver, renowned for its scenic beauty and educational excellence, offers a wide range of summer camps catering to international students. Typically, these camps provide 24-hour programs, including language study and accommodation on the college or university campus.

Prestigious for its language education, Vancouver's language schools boast international accreditations and awards. For instance, ILAC is recognized by Languages Canada, ALTO, British Columbia EQA, and has received accolades like the Excellence Award 2016 and Top Language School 2016.

The curriculum at Vancouver's top summer schools usually involves 20 or 25 English lessons per week, complemented by a vibrant cultural and entertainment program. Activities range from visits to Playland amusement park, kayaking, cable car rides, beach competitions, city bus tours, aquarium trips, discos, karaoke, movie nights, and more, ensuring an enriching and memorable experience.

Anna Parkhomenko

Ridley College Admission Manager

What advice can you give to potential applicants to schools in Canada and why?

Explore the country and make sure it suits you. Explore selected schools and narrow down your favorites: contact them, for sure they will offer you a tour (virtual or real), brochures, newsletters. Pay close attention to the language requirements, if you can meet them at the time of application. If you can't visit a school with, say, a trial semester, see if they organize a children's camp - it will help you know what to expect from the school.

• Language courses for both children and adults.

• General secondary school programs for grades 8 to 12.

• Specialized high school courses.

• Test preparation for TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, FCE, CPE.

• Pre-university preparation.

• Individualized classes.

• English courses focused on business.

Summer Camps in Vancouver. Cost and Fees for Foreign Students

The "full package" cost for Vancouver's summer courses typically includes accommodation, meals, medical insurance, educational materials, transfers, excursions, and leisure activities. Prices start at around C$ 2,700 for a two-week program, with options for extended stays.

Based on personal needs, interests, and budgets, several accommodation options are available:

• Partner program apartments.

• Host family stays.

• Rented apartments.

• Student residences on educational campuses.

Meal plans are tailored to the program and housing type, with options for half board or full board.

• St. Giles International Vancouver: Offers specialized programs for professionals in various fields, starting from age 21, with small group sizes for personalized learning.

• LSI Vancouver: Conducts summer and winter English courses with 16-20 hours of academic classes weekly, targeting students aged 13 to 17. The curriculum is balanced with a rich cultural program, including outdoor adventures.

• Bodwell High School: Utilizes a trimester system for accelerated learning, enabling students to complete a three-year program in two years, culminating in the Dogwood Diploma.

• EC Vancouver European Centre: Available year-round for students over 16, this school offers semi-intensive and intensive English courses, alongside other specialized programs, in a location central to the city.

• ILAC Vancouver School: Highly ranked internationally, this school provides English and French courses, with options ranging from communicative and academic to humanitarian and business-focused studies, including one-on-one teacher sessions.

Wide Selection of Available Programs
Among the dozens of accredited language schools, there are participants in large international alliances. In addition to English, programs are available for studying French, German, and Korean languages.

Policy of Intercultural Dialogue
Due to the large number of international schools and universities, international corporate offices, startups, and research institutions, the city is a prime example of a melting pot. From 2010 to 2020, over 220,000 international students and schoolchildren passed through Vancouver, making it one of the most important student cities in this part of the world. Of these, at least 15,000 chose to stay in Canada and obtained permanent residency.

Modern Equipment  
The city's schools and universities are equipped with the latest technology, and the same applies to language schools and camps, allowing advanced teaching methods and standards to be used in education.

Mild Climate
While the climate on the east coast and in central Canada can be harsh, it's quite the opposite here: the mountains protect the city from piercing northern winds, and the sea moderates the summer heat.

Strict Pricing Policy
Due to the recognized quality of language education in British Columbia, the prices for summer programs and language schools in Vancouver are among the highest in the country, only 10-15% lower than those in the U.S.

Official Bilingualism  
While official bilingualism offers the opportunity to study both English and French, it also means that choosing the right location for your studies requires careful consideration. Languages in Canada are not evenly distributed across regions.

Visa Challenges  
Until recently, Canada was one of the easiest countries for obtaining a visa, with everything available online. While this option remains, some international students are currently facing certain difficulties in obtaining a visa.

The wide and diverse range of options presents a challenge for students and their parents when it comes to selecting the right program. This is an important decision that can impact the success of the studies and the student's satisfaction with their summer experience.

When choosing a camp, school, or course, consider the following factors:

- Geographic location (and related aspects: distance from the city, proximity to sports and cultural facilities, presence of a private or nearby public body of water),  
- Transportation and logistics (travel time and access to public transport for getting to the city),  
- Number of students,  
- Intensity of lessons and the possibility of course adjustments,  
- Accessibility for students with disabilities,  
- Focus of the camp,  
- Price and available discounts.

The majority of schools, camps, and courses in British Columbia rely on a communicative approach to teaching, focusing on real-life situations. The lexical and grammatical content is tailored to the overall level of the group or the program’s content.

Lessons are conducted in English, even at the beginner level, allowing students to quickly and effectively learn new words and overcome language barriers.

Typically, when enrolling in courses or signing up for a camp, students are required to take a placement test to determine a comfortable level and group students with similar abilities. In some cases, an interview or interview session is required, along with recommendation letters.

To enter Canada for a summer vacation, a student needs a visa. There are two types of visas for students, the main difference being the length of study:

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
Designed for short visits of up to six months. It is analogous to tourist visas. The application is processed from 2 to 4 weeks and a fee of $72 is required to register.

Study Permit + Visitor Visa
Suitable for long-term courses over six months. If approved, the student will receive a study permit along with a visitor visa. The decision will be made within 4-6 weeks, and the cost of registration will be $117.

In any case, the applicant must first enroll in a school or course, pay for it and receive an invitation letter. You can go to the visa center with it or send the document to the migration service by e-mail (in any case, you will need to provide biometrics, and after working with the application - a number of medical certificates).

The visa application package includes:

• Original and copy of passport;
• Two color photos 3,5*4,5;
• Receipts for payment of consular fee and full tuition fee;
• Invitation letter from the school/camp/course operator;
• Documents proving financial sufficiency;
• Documents confirming that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies (usually a certificate of employment, proof of ownership of real estate or proof of family ties, although a simple verbal assurance of no intention to immigrate to Canada may be sufficient).