Testimonials
Negin
Iran
“I was searching for a solution to improve my English, so I came to the ELC in 2018 and studied there for five levels. I became fluent in listening, writing, speaking, and reading after only 10 months of attending ELC classes. Then, in 2019 I studied at Durham College in the Addictions and Mental Health Program. I successfully graduated as a high-ranking student in 2020. Currently, I am studying at Ontario Tech in a master's degree program in Community, Public, and Population Health. ELC Instructors were supportive, empathetic, and welcoming. I made many friends from different countries and it was a wonderful experience to learn about their culture and practice English. Additionally, the assignments were designed to prepare students to become successful in college or university programs. The ELC is the reason I am walking with my dream.”
Demir
Turkey
“I finished my ELC program and now I'm studying Engineering at Ontario Tech. I remember on the first day the ELC mentioned, "Please don't get shy to make mistakes when you are speaking," and they talked about the importance of fluency for English second language students. ELC is a very fun program for everyone because they have a lot of workshops such as ice skating, floor hockey and pumpkin carving. We also get a chance to talk with native language speakers such as professors from the Ontario Tech. Now I'm so glad to graduate from the ELC because I can easily understand my Engineering courses and I can also communicate with my friends.”
Tracy
Democratic Republic of Congo
“I graduated the ELC in April, and now I’m in the Health Sciences program at Ontario Tech. Actually, since I have been in Canada, this was the greatest experience I had so far. The instructors were really kind and understanding, we learned so many things about Canada, also we did so many fun activities through the workshops. I really improved my fluency because I had to talk with people that don’t speak my native language, and my accuracy also because we learned a lot about academic writing. Thanks to ELC, now I can say that I can speak English without being afraid of making a mistake; but it takes time and practice. To reach our goals, we need to practise a lot. Presently, I know many people and I made two wonderful friends that I see almost every day. The ELC is a really good program.”
Lily
China
“The ELC was amazing and not only helped me learn English but helped me in various aspects. Through ELC, we got to communicate with others more effectively and get to share our thoughts without being shy. We got to learn different ideas. It helped us speak better English. The best thing I liked about ELC is that we got to meet people from various cultures and backgrounds and got to learn a lot from them.”
Jorge
Panama
“I studied for six levels of English and I am currently a Software Engineering student at Ontario Tech. The ELC was a great opportunity for me. They gave me the tools to learn English. I met incredible people from many parts of the world, made many friends and learned about other cultures. I also learned many things about Canadian culture as we did very fun and interactive activities. Not only did I improve my confidence to speak English but I also learned to create good bonds with other people. I was also able to make connections with other students to start the university. Before the ELC, I had never left my country, and here they helped me to adapt to the change of culture. This centre helped me a lot.”
Luis
Mexico
“For me, ELC was a great boost in feeling more confident and supporting me to start a new career in college. People like me with 52 years, it is much more difficult to interact with young people of 20 years, even so it was very fun and easy to make good friends. In addition, the teachers and all the staff are incredible people with a high degree of culture and knowledge. It is highly recommended to take the different levels that ELC offers. They also teach you to ice skating, that, for me, was a very good adventure. Give yourselves the opportunity to learn with the best equipment and have a life experience that you will surely never forget.”
Evany
Panama
“ELC is a place where you can perfectly fit in. When I arrived in Canada, I was scared about learning English. I was afraid of making mistakes and be judged for my pronunciation or lack of vocabulary. However, teachers in ELC taught me not only the language but also confidence, organization and perseverance. I met people from many cultures, and I learnt about the Canadian education system. They helped me to be prepared for my university courses in terms of writing, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Currently, I am studying Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Ontario Tech and my understanding and ability to communicate are enough to study and be confident in my courses. ELC was the place where I achieved my goal of learning a second language. With all the instructor’s dedication and kindness, it was not just an academic experience, but a lifelong learning experience.”
Lisandra
Cuba
“Being an ELC student was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. I successfully completed the level required to start my Early Childhood Education program at Durham College. The ELC taught me not just English, but it introduced me to Canadian culture and gave me the opportunity to meet new friends from different nationalities, and learn from the best teachers. The most important thing that I learned in the ELC was not to be afraid of making mistakes. This helped me with my confidence and improve my language. If I had the chance to do it again I would do it with my eyes closed. The only thing I have to say is thank you to all of you.”
Tolo
Mali
“I spent eight months at the ELC. During this time, I learned a lot of things and met people from different countries with whom I forged very strong and solid bonds. The ELC allowed me to become a more open, and confident person. Thanks to the classes, and workshops where we all do fun activities together, my English improved so much that I can have a conversation with the cashiers at the grocery store (which I could not when I was just starting out). Today, I am studying Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Ontario Tech, and not a day goes by without thinking about the amazing and informative adventure I had at the ELC. For me, the ELC is more than a centre where people come to learn English; it's a family.”
Helen
China
“ELC built up an excellent English learning environment for us. Instructors were encouraging, kind and willing to talk with us anytime, which helped us a lot. The classes were also attractive. Instructors taught us in various ways every day. We were given different topics to discuss in class. Teachers also gave us useful suggestions after discussion. These all enabled us to melt into Canadian life much easier.”
Jose
Panama
“I had taken different English courses before the ELC, and I can assure that none of those courses were even close to how good and well structured ELC is. The ELC not only helps you to develop your English, it also helps you to develop other important aspects that you are going to need at the university and in your personal life. Furthermore, all professors and staff are amazing and I will always remember them as an important part of this marvelous journey here in Canada.”
Laetitia
Cameroon
“ELC has been great for me. At the beginning, I was shy and scared, but the warm welcome from the teachers, the meeting of different cultures and several friends made me more confident in my learning of English. I have acquired a lot of skills, especially my speaking skill through their well structured programs. I could never forget the workshops which were very instructive and fun at the same time. My experience at ELC has been the most beautiful thing that has happened to me since arriving in Canada.”
Enrique
Panama
“I came to Canada in September of 2018 and started my journey through the ELC. In the beginning, it was not easy because my English knowledge was almost nothing. However, with the time, this changed thanks to the help of everyone at the ELC. They not only helped me to improve my English skills but also to overcome my shyness as I made a lot of friends and had fun learning in the class and outside of it. When the time to say goodbye to the ELC came, I was confident enough to enter my study program (Mechatronics Engineering) at Ontario Tech. I am currently a second-year student and I can say that my first year was successful. I loved my experience at the ELC.”
Luz
Panama
“I started my English course at the ELC last year in 2019 and it was awesome! I still remember my first day of class and how everything looked like, the people, my professors and classmates... It's a really good environment for learning purposes and Ontario Tech gives us supplemented resources (e.g. ice centre, gym, library) to make our experience even more enjoyable. I met many people that I am still in touch with, even after finished my course.”
Monica
Ecuador
“Learning English at ELC has been one of the best experiences in my academic development. The ELC creates a nice and cozy environment for students to learn a new language. I loved the program because teachers gave me the confidence to feel like a part of a new family from the first day. It’s important to mention that during the classes I had the opportunity to meet new people from different countries, and also I could get new knowledge of other cultures. I improved a lot of my English skills thanks to the good methodology that ELC offers its students and I feel very proud because now I can communicate with others, feeling more confident about myself. I am very grateful to the ELC family.”
Joselin
Panama
“The first time in the ELC was memorable because I didn’t understand English. It was very difficult for me, but now I understand that everything. Now, I’m in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry program at Ontario Tech. Being in ELC helped me to increase more confidence in my life. For me was fun to be there and I have a lot of memories with my teachers, even with the students. So, ELC for me was a good program to develop your skills, be just you, and share your talents with other people."
Fred
Brazil
“Learning English at the ELC was a very unique experience. The environment is casual and classes feel like a laid back meeting with friends from all over the globe. I ended up not only improving my English language skills but also got the opportunity of learning more about other cultures as well. Definitely a memory that I will cherish for life.”
