LANGUAGE COURSES
SPEAKING EFFECTIVELY
ACCENT REDUCTION & PRONUNCIATION
Learn to pronounce words correctly so you can be better understood. Hear your accent disappear by the end of the course. Feel more confident about speaking English. Your words will be clear and have intonation. The class is fun and will help you in your social and professional interactions with others.
SPEAKING EFFECTIVELY – PUBLIC SPEAKING
If you want to learn how to give a report or presentation where you will feel excited and confident, then this is the class for you! Just think how good it will feel if you can speak comfortably and with confidence. You will enjoy speaking like you never thought possible. Fun and easy, and you will not be nervous standing in front of a group after you take this class. Learn what to say when meeting new people, feel comfortable when speaking in front of small and large crowds. Learn how to prepare for successful presentations at work or other organizations you are involved in.
FRENCH COURSES
Our conversationally oriented French courses will cover the basics of speaking and reading. The first level is designed for students who have had little or no instruction in or exposure to the language. Once students improve, they can progress through all the courses. The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
FRENCH – LEVEL 1
This is an introductory course designed for learners who have little or no knowledge of the French language. The course is conversationally oriented and will cover the basics of speaking and reading French. Topics covered include: greetings, numbers, days, nouns (feminine & masculine; singular & plural), verbs (present tense; introduction to past tense; être & avoir & -er verbs). The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
FRENCH – LEVEL 2
This course is for students who have previously taken a French language course but who are still operating at a basic level. Your vocabulary should already include greetings, numbers and days. You must also have familiarity with using verbs in the present tense and have had some exposure to using verbs in the past tense. Topics covered include: future tense, conditional tenses, negative sentences and important verbs such as faire, aller, vouloir, pouvoir. The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
FRENCH – LEVEL 3
This course is designed to expand vocabulary and increase general fluency through communication situations. At this level, all instruction is in French. Conversational grammar points include: more verb conjugations (imperfect, passé composé, future); descriptive & possessive adjectives; conjunctions & the subjunctive; possessive & interrogative pronouns. Writing exercises will be assigned as homework. The textbook (Bescherelle – English edition) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $25.00.
MANDARIN COURSES
If you have little or no knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese language these courses are for you.
MANDARIN – LEVEL 1
If you have little or no knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese, Level 1 is right for you. Students will be exposed to the language using common topics such as daily activities, greetings, etc. The course is primarily conversation with a focus on speaking and listening. There will be a brief introduction to reading some basic characters.
MANDARIN – LEVEL 2
As a continuation of Level 1, this fun entry-level course will further strengthen the foundation of your Mandarin learning. It can help you expand your basic oral communication skill. Engaged in role plays and group activities, you will also quickly become more productive in terms of Mandarin speaking. As the lessons are centered on daily life activities, you will be guided to integrate many one liners for meaningful oral communications.
MANDARIN – LEVEL 3
This course continues to develop your language skills after Mandarin 2.
RUSSIAN COURSES
Russian is widely used across much of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and is appearing increasingly in major cities in Western Europe and North America. Russian is the language of some of the world’s greatest writers, composer, artists, performers and scientists.
RUSSIAN – LEVEL 1
Learn to speak Russian with an easy-to-learn phonetic system. Read and write the Cyrillic alphabet, learn vocabulary and immerse yourself in authentic conversation. You will learn four language skills; reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This basic communication course offers simple real world dialogues and role-plays supplemented by phonetic practice and some writing. This course is for beginners. The book is not required until the second class (‘Yes, I Speak Russian’ by Karentnikova). The instructor will give more detail re book at first class.
SPANISH COURSES
Our Spanish language courses are taught by native Spanish speaking instructors. Courses are offered at 2 locations: Burnaby Central Secondary School and Burnaby South Secondary School. The textbook is extra ($35) and can be purchased on the first day of class.
SPANISH – LEVEL 1A
This is an absolute beginner Spanish course. Step by step, you will be gently guided through expressions, grammar and pronunciation. Students will practice greetings, introductions, spelling of names, saying where you are from, exchanging phone numbers and personal information, talking about the calendar, making requests, discussing the price of things, telling time, etc. Students will be encouraged to constantly interact with one another in practical and simple conversation, giving them the opportunity to communicate in Spanish immediately and effectively. Prerequisties: none
The textbook (Soleado 1) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 1B
Spanish Level 1 B builds on the Level 1 A course. Students will learn how to describe people and places, talk about family, order food in the restaurant, express likes and dislikes, make general purchase, ask for directions and discuss future plans. Students are encouraged to constantly interact with one another in practical and simple conversations, giving them the opportunity to communicate in Spanish immediately and effectively. Prerequisite: Spanish 1A or similar. The textbook (Soleado 1) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 2
This Spanish course is designed for upper beginner students who already know the basics of the language, understand the present tense, and can respond confidently in simple everyday situations. Topics covered include: reflexive constructions, past tense of the basic regular and irregular verbs and main uses of the prepositions por/para. The topics learned will be put into practice with interactive and communicative activities. The textbook (Soleado 2) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 3
This course teaches advanced grammatical features of the Spanish language. Topics covered include: past tense of the basic regular and irregular verbs, imperfect tense, formal and informal imperative forms and subjunctive mode. The topics learned will be put into practice with interactive and communicative activities. The textbook (Soleado 3) is available for purchase at the school on the first day of class for $35.
SPANISH – LEVEL 4 (CONVERSATION)
This is an advanced level Spanish language conversation course. Students must have completed Spanish – Level 3 or have equivalent skills.
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