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The following sections cover details such as school facilities, academic questions, what is included in prices, general advice for students, visa information etc. The information can also be found in the agents manuals which are available for download in the agents area. If you have any additional questions or queries please contact us at the schools or on info@lalgroup.com.

School Facts
Class Information
City Information
Flights and Airports
Student Visa Information


SCHOOL FACTS

Name:
SEC Vancouver
Address: 549 Howe St. 5F • Vancouver • BC V6C 2C2
Tel: +1 604 678 8148
Fax: : +1 604 678 8149
Email: admin@sec-vancouver.com

In the downtown core of Vancouver students have the perfect setting for improving their English. The Vancouver campus offers a variety of Pathways for learners. It focuses on the Bridge Program, ESL, University and test preparation, and the Language Production Program. Students will find that all of their learning needs are satisfied in this fully equipped, state-of-the-art facility.

School Size:

4th and 5th Floors

Number of Classrooms:

19

Facilities:

Computer labs, student lounge, cafeteria, media room

School Capacity:

350

Major Student Nationalities:

Mexican, Brazilian, Japanese, Korean, European

Number of Staff:

10

Number of Teachers:

19


Public holidays in 2008:
Jan 01, Mar 21, Mar 24, May 19, Jul 01, Aug 04, Sep 01, Oct 13, Nov 11, Dec 25

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CLASS INFORMATION

Teaching Methodology
SEC integrates General English and Intensive Speaking classes through the SEC Syncro-System (SSS). By synchronisation students are able to understand the function and application of each grammar point and are thereby able to engage in a real-world approach to teaching. Whether your aim is to attend a Canadian college or university, enjoy an internship position at a Canadian company, or improve your everyday English – SEC has a pathway just for you.


Our Classes


Our Teachers
All SEC teachers have university Degrees in English related disciplines. Our core teachers are all certified by TESOL Canada with certificates such as the Cambridge CELTA or Trinity TESOL. Many of our teachers have both TESOL Canada and Bachelor of Education degrees.

First Monday
On the first Monday morning students are expected to come to SEC Vancouver reception at 8:45. All new students will be welcomed by our SEC staff. The students will have an assessment placement test to determine their level. After testing, they will be provided with a full orientation session describing the school, the courses, surrounding areas, student counsellors, activities, and basic knowledge for life in another country. Students are introduced to their counsellors, activity coordinator and homestay coordinator.

Course Books
We provide students with one of the following textbooks, appropriate for their level and age as part of their course:
• Interchange 1
• Interchange 2
• Interchange 3
• Passages 1
• Passages 2

Students are required to bring writing materials, as well as emergency contact information, medical information as well as Toronto address and telephone numbers.  Students will be required to fill out a contact sheet during the orientation procedure. Upon successful completion of the course, students are given a certificate at the end of the course.

Class Size
The maximum size for all adult courses at SEC Vancouver is 14 students.
In the case of an insufficient number of students at a particular level we reserve the right to provide students with another course.

Pricelists
Our Prices show the cost of tuition and accommodation separately.

• Tuition
• Tuition Materials
• Registration fee
• Certificate(s)
• Orientation and assessment test(s)

NOT included in the fees
• Accommodation
• Transfers
• Personal Pocket Money
• Travel & Medical Insurance
• Local Transport
• All excursions/ activities

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CITY INFORMATION

Location

Vancouver, British Columbia is located on the west coast of Canada along the Pacific Ocean. Nestled in the valley of the coastal mountains, Vancouver is one of the few cities in the world that boasts the ability to ski and sail in the same day. With a temperate climate year-round, Vancouver scenery and natural beauty is enjoyable in every season. Vancouver truly combines urban sophistication with nature, culture and history. As the busiest port in the nation, and Canada’s third largest city, Vancouver is also one of Canada’s economic strongholds.

Transportation
Vancouver Transit System (Translink) has a reputation as one of North America’s cleanest, most efficient, and safest transit systems.  Translink uses transit buses, sea buses and the skytrain to transport thousands of people every day.

TransLink provides up to 90 minutes of travel for each cash fare or FareSaver ticket. Tickets and passes can be purchased for one, two or three zone travel by bus, SeaBus and SkyTrain.

Zone

Adult

Concession

Regular Fares
Weekdays from start of service to 6:30pm

1 Zone
2 Zone
3 Zone

$2.25
$3.25
$4.50

$1.50
$2.00
$3.00

Discount Fares
Weekdays after 6:30pm and all day Sat/Sun/Hol

All Zones

$2.25

$1.50

FareSaver Tickets (Book of 10 tickets)

Zone

Adult

Concession

Regular Fares
Weekdays from start of service to 6:30pm

2 Zone
3 Zone
$18.00
$27.00
$36.00
$15.00
N/A
N/A

DayPasses

Zone

Adult

Concession

All day
7 days a week
All Zones
$8.00
$6.00

More Value in Monthly FareCards
Monthly FareCards provide unlimited travel within the selected zone(s) on weekdays and across all zones on weekends, statutory holidays, and after 6:30pm on weekday evenings.

FareCards

Adult

Concession

Commute Savings

1 Zone
$69
$40
$21
2 Zone
$95
$35
3 Zone
$130
$50


Taxicabs
A number of Taxicab companies service the Vancouver area. The price of a taxi is determined by a meter and not by the driver so you can not negotiate the price. You can arrange to be picked up by a taxicab driver by calling one of the below listed companies. You can ask for an estimated price for the trip before you get in. It is also customary to give an additional tip to the driver of 15% of the fare cost.

Local Time
GMT -8

Climate

Temperature in Celcius

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Average max.
Air Temperature

6

8

10

13

16

19

21

21

18

13

9

6

Average min.
Air Temperature

0.5

1

3

5

8

11

13

13

10

6

3.

1

Precipitation mm

15

123

114

84

67

55

39

39

53

112

181

176

Sunshine hours

60

85

134

182

231

229

294

268

199

125

64

56

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FLIGHTS AND AIRPORTS

Vancouver International Airport is the main airport that is conveniently located 30 min. form SEC and downtown Vancouver. 

SEC
provides a transfer service from Vancouver’s International Airport for students regardless of the time and day of arrival.  After collecting their luggage, students should pass through the Customs area. Our airport representatives will be waiting for the students, holding a sign with "SEC” prominently displayed.

Students should show the host family/hotel/apartment address so that our airport representatives can identify them easily.

Please note: It is absolutely essential to send us the exact flight details (date, time, flight number) at least 7 days prior to arrival, to ensure that transfers can be arranged and host families know when to expect the students.SEC offers a 24-HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER.

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Student Visa Information

Visitor Visa
Students from most foreign countries may enter Canada for a period of up to six months without a visa, and may study for a period of up to six months. For some foreign countries a Visitor Visa is required for entry. Please check with the closest Canadian Embassy or Consulate.

Documents required at airport customs:
• Valid Passport
• Visitor Visa (if required for your country)
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Return airline ticket
• Letter of Acceptance from school

Student Authorization (Visa)
If a student wishes to study for more than six months in Canada they must obtain a Student Authorization from the Immigration section of the Embassy or Consulate in their country.

Documents required at airport customs:
• Valid Passport
• Medical exam documents (if required)
• Proof of financial support
• Letter of Acceptance from school
• Letter of authorization from Canadian embassy

Note: A Student Authorization (Visa) may be extended within Canada.

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