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McGill SCS Certificate of Proficiency in English Language and Culture

Discover the program that has helped thousands of students from over 60 countries work, study, and live in English!

The ELC program is designed to enable you to achieve an advanced level of English and a deep understanding of culture in the English-speaking world.

It is a full-time, 6-week course offered 6 times a year over 8 levels leading to the McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English, recognized by the University as meeting the English requirements for entry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

You will also meet international standards such as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

Note that all students must take a Placement Test in order to participate in the program.

Type:   Certificate
Credits:   Non-credit
Schedule:   Full-time
Time:   Daytime, Monday-Friday
Delivery:  In-person
Cost:  $2833.80 CAD (per six-week session and before registration deadline)
Domain:   Global and Strategic Communication
Questions?   language.scs [at] mcgill.ca

 

 

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Are you interested?
Download the brochure
(available in multiple languages)

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Program Courses and Levels


The intensive Certificate in of Proficiency in English Language and Culture is made up of three main levels (Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced) and comprises eight courses.

Once you complete successfully the Advanced courses with a grade of 65% (B-) or higher, the passing grade for this program, you will qualify for the Certificate of Proficiency in English – Language and Culture. While you must pass both courses to attain the Certificate, you can take them in any order.

Depending on the results of your placement test and which course/level you are placed in, use the graph below to determine which courses you will need to complete to earn your certificate.

Level Course CEFR CLB IELTS TOEFL
1 CEGL 213 - Elementary 1 A1-A2 2 < 4 < 30
2 CEGL 223 - Elementary 2 A2 3 < 4 30-34
3 CEGL 313 - Intermediate 1 A2-B1 4 4.5-5 35-44
4 CEGL 323 - Intermediate 2 B1 5 5-5.5 45-55
5 CEGL 333 - Intermediate 3 B1-B2 6-7 5.5-6 56-65
6 CEGL 355 - Bridge to Proficiency B2 7-8 6 66-75
7 CEGL 413 - Advanced 1* B2-C1 8-9 6-6.5 76-85
8 CEGL 423 - Advanced 2* C1 9+ 6.5 86-90+

*Both levels are need for the Certificate of Proficiency
CEFR: Common European Frame of Reference
CLB: Canadian Language Benchmarks


Learning Outcomes


The program is designed to enable you to achieve an advanced level of English and a deep understanding of culture in the English-speaking world. Upon completion, you will be able to:

  • Follow university-level academic courses in English successfully
  • Function comfortably in an English-speaking work environment
  • Write clear and coherent academic and professional texts in English
  • Express yourself confidently and appropriately in any situation

You will also achieve the following objectives :

  • Receive the McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English – Language and Culture
  • Be recognized at McGill as meeting the English language requirements for entry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
  • Meet international standards such as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)

Our approach to Teaching and Learning


In this unique intensive program, you will gain the skills to work, study and live in English or French thanks to our active, practical and individualized approach to teaching and learning. Our unique research-based approach is driven by the 5 following pillars:

1. Authentic

When learning a new language, you need practical knowledge and skills that enable you to communicate in real situations. That’s why our classes focus on using real material on actual topics. Whether you want to work, study or just socialize in English, our classes will provide you with the practical knowledge and skills you need.

2. Individualized

When learning a new language, you need practical knowledge and skills that enable you to communicate in real situations. That’s why our classes focus on using real material on actual topics. Whether you want to work, study or just socialize in English, our classes will provide you with the practical knowledge and skills you need.

3. Active

Since learning happens by doing, our classes use a task-based approach. Your class time will be spent speaking and understanding, allowing you to strengthen your language skills with every session.

4. Professional

Our lecturers know a thing or two about teaching English—with an average of 10 years of experience, your instructors are well equipped to provide you with the necessary tools to develop your language skills.

5. Tech-savvy

As language learning becomes increasingly digital, McGill uses the latest technology to help students develop their language skills. To access our online resources, students need to bring a laptop or tablet to class every day.


Cultural Discovery Project

Dive into a topic related to Canadian or Montreal life and culture that interests you through a Cultural Discovery Project. Done once per course as part of a group, you will have the chance to explore an aspect of the culture of Montreal or Canada as well as interview an expert. Past topics have included:

  • Montreal Gems – Tourist Attractions
  • Places to Travel in Canada
  • Urban Environmental Sustainability
  • Montreal Food Specialties
  • Religious Diversity in Canada
  • Montreal’s Non-Profit Sector
  • Montreal’s Music Scene
  • Visual Arts in Montreal

Cultural Exchanges

During Cultural Exchanges, you will have the opportunity to connect and exchange with members of the McGill Community for Lifelong Learning, an association at McGill of retired folks who get together to stay active and keep learning. Cultural Exchanges include activities such as:

  1. SPEAK Conversation Partners
    ELC students and MCLL members are paired for weekly meetings over a longer period. The students and seniors meet via Zoom of by phone to chat and exchange. This is a great way to learn about Canadian culture with a Canadian who has a lot of experience and stories to tell!

  2. Brainy Bar 
    You will have the chance to work with MCLL members who would like a little friendly technical help with their phones, tablets, computers, software – anything they want to know about in the world technology.

  3. SHARE Events
    During SHARE Events, MCLL members join classes for a visit and engage in 10-minute conversations with groups of students before moving to the next group. It is like “speed dating” to help you learn English with native speakers, giving you a chance to meet, exchange and make new friends from Canada.


Session Dates, Tuition Fees and Payments
For details on upcoming session dates and tuition fees, visit ELC Session Dates and Tuition Fees

Tuition, application fee and Blue Cross payments can be made online or in-person at the Client Services desk on the 11th floor at 680 Sherbrooke West. 

Payments for the Placement Test must be made by credit card on the Placement Test registration page.

For more information:
Student Accounts
Cancellation policy

Daily Schedule

Every week, you have 24 hours of class with two McGill teachers. At lunch time, conversation partners will visit your classroom to help you practice. And there are fun optional after school activities every week.

Montreal Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:30 AM -
12:00 PM
Morning Class Morning Class Morning Class Morning Class Morning Class
Lunch Break Conversation
Partners
visit classrooms
    Conversation
Partners
visit classrooms
 
1:00 PM -
3:30 PM
Afternoon Class
(finishes at 3:00 PM)
Afternoon Class Afternoon Class Afternoon Class Afternoon Class
(finishes at 3:00 PM)
  After school
activity
3:00 to 5:00 PM
(optional)
      Explore Montreal
Outing 3:00 PM
to 5:00 PM
(optional)

As language learning becomes increasingly digital, McGill uses the latest technology to help students develop their language skills. To access our online resources, students must bring a laptop or tablet to class every day.

Activities Schedule


How to Apply


Application Details

PDF icon ELC Application Process: Canadian/Permanent Resident Status

PDF icon ELC Application Process: International Students

Find more information about how to apply, including fees, deadlines, processing times and deferrals.

 

Placement Test

We strongly suggest that you register for an online placement test as soon as possible in order to register into a course.
If you missed the deadline to register for a placement test, please contact us to make an arrangement at language.scs [at] mcgill.ca.

The placement test is done online. To complete the speaking portion of the test, you will need a USB headset with a microphone installed on your computer.

 

Registration Forms

Registration forms (new students)

Registration forms (returning students)


Why Montreal?

A world-renown city famous for its food, festivals, international events and cultural diversity! 

Montreal ranked as THE safest city to travel in according to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Montréal tops the ICCA's rankings for the sixth year in a row

Montreal has been ranked among the top 50 best cities in the world, according to Resonance Consultancy’s World Best Cities 2021 report.

Why McGill?

McGill University is one of Canada's best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the leading universities in the world. International students from more than 150 countries make up nearly 30% of McGill's student body ‒ the highest proportion of any Canadian research university.

McGill has been named Canada’s best university, according to the 19th edition of the QS World University Rankings, released by global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The University was ranked 31st university in the world.

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