Jamie RamsayMy neighbour, who has a teenager, wanted to enrol her kids in a language school. Not just for learning grammar or vocabulary, but also for preparing them academically and personally.
When she started looking for schools, she was bombarded with results. All schools seem promising, and it was tough to tell which ones truly deliver.
Knowing that I’m part of the Best Vancouver team, she asked if we’d already researched the city’s top language schools. We hadn’t yet, but it struck us as the perfect opportunity to dive in.
So, we researched, asked around, and compared the options. Here are the language schools in Vancouver that stood out during our search.
How much is the tuition at a language school in Vancouver?
A language school tuition typically costs from $300 to $450 per week. General language courses are cheaper compared to specialised programmes. Other fees to consider include registration fees and living expenses.
1. LSI Vancouver
Address: 806 Homer St 2nd Floor
Contact Details: +16046837654
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
LSI Vancouver is a reputable language school located in the metro, making it accessible to students.
What we really love about them is that they offer a great variety of language programs under one roof. For instance, they have general, junior, and premium courses.
They also offer university preparation and business English. For us, they have a well-rounded selection that fits different stages of learning.
Another thing we like about this school is that they have weekly social programmes where students learn about the city and make new friends. During the programme, students use their English skills, which we think is a practical way to sharpen them.
Many of the students we talked to also shared that the school has a welcoming and “feel right at home” atmosphere. A student said that their staff is always ready to serve you and that their instructors are committed, ethical, and experienced.
Another student also said that among the countries she studied, LSI Vancouver is by far the best experience she has had. The whole team is friendly and the facilities are great.
However, some students did mention that a few teachers could improve by providing more examples when explaining the lessons.
Kind and welcoming teachers
“I came back today to say goodbye to my teachers whom I met a year ago when I spent two months at the school. It was the perfect start to my exchange year – a great way to refresh my English and meet new friends! All the teachers and people I met were incredibly kind and welcoming, and I felt happy at the school from the very first day. :)”
-Mr. Korbi X, Google Review
Great experience
“The truth is that this experience was the best thing that could have happened to me, not only because I was able to open up, but also because I was able to trust people again. In addition, it made me a person. I was happier. So my personal promise is to return.”
-Mr. Alexis Gamboa, Google Review
2. ILAC – International Language Academy of Canada
Address: IDI, 1168 W Cordova St
Contact Details: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Operating Hours: +16044846660
ILAC is an award-winning language school with different campuses in Vancouver and Toronto.
We especially like that this school offers courses for every level of English. From teen winter programs to young adult and adult Cambridge English, they have it. Their range of programs makes it easier for parents to choose the right path for their child.
Another thing that caught our attention was the free online English test. You can let your kids take their online test and see their level instantly. That way, you’ll have an idea about which course might suit them.
It’s also a plus that they have a digital class known as the ILAC KISS online. Your kids can either learn English or French online through their curriculum. They offer free demo classes, which your kids can try.
Students are also satisfied with their teachers. One Belgian student said that his instructor, Hossein, is incredible and listens to him without judging. For us, this non-intimidating atmosphere makes a difference when learning a language.
Pricing? We think they have reasonable pricing at $415 per week for intensive English. However, a student said that the school took a while to disclose its actual program fees.
Motivating teachers
“My teacher was very motivated, so I always enjoyed the classes. You will be in a class with students at the same level as you. There is an exam every two weeks to move up to a higher level, and students who move up may be transferred to another campus. There are many ILACs in the vicinity, so the distance from my home to an ILAC was never far. I felt like the WHB campus had a lot of students who could speak English fluently.”
-Ms. Kurea Tokunaga, Google Review
Wonderful teachers and students
“I spent two great months in Ilac. My English has increased considerably. I have had wonderful encounters with teachers or students. All the peoples are very nice and is there to help you and make you evolve. I recommend 200%. I spend a wonderful adventure in Vancouver and in Ilac. Thank you so much”
-Ms. Tea Arb, Google Review
3. VanWest College
Address: 1016 Nelson St. #200
Contact Details: +16047315256
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
VanWest College is a Canadian-owned college with two campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna. While it’s primarily a college, we’re glad that it also offers language courses and programmes.
What we personally like about this school is that its Vancouver campus is conveniently located downtown. It’s near the stations, making it accessible to students.
For their English as a Second Language (ESL) program, they offer it to those whose native language is not English. Their courses span from general English to English for Academic Purposes (EAP).
We’re also satisfied that they have IELTS preparation and English for Business programmes. This is perfect for adults looking to improve their career side and pursue higher education in a city like Vancouver.
Students also praise the smoothness of the admission process. From assessing your language level to assigning you to the right class, they said it’s a hassle-free process.
However, we found their building a bit small and cramped, especially for group classes. We’re just concerned that the small size may affect the students’ comfort level while learning.
Great experience
“During my 6 months at VanWest College, I have gained so much! 👏
The immersive English learning environment truly helps improve language skills quickly. 😎
At the language school stage, all four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—improve significantly. 😻”
-Ms. Sharon, Google Review
After-school activities available
“The teachers are always there to help students with any questions they have.
Besides improving my English, I also made a lot of friends!
The school also offers many after-school activities for everyone to participate in.”
-Ms. 涂瀞云, Google Review
4. EC Vancouver English Language School
Address: 570 Dunsmuir St #300
Contact Details: +16046831199
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
EC Vancouver English Language School is an institution designed for adult students. They only accept students aged 30 and up, but we still included it on this list for those wanting a school focused on mature students.
We think that EC Vancouver is applicable to those who want to improve their language skills for career purposes. They have the English for Work programme, ideal for those who want to build confidence in professional communication.
Their English for Work, though, is priced at $495 per week (30 lessons), which is a bit expensive. Their General English is more reasonable at $410 per week.
Pricing aside, we really like their convenient location. They’re located downtown, close to stations and some cool spots. This is also a big plus for students who want to explore the city.
Students shared that the school’s facilities are modern and clean. They noted that the rooms are conducive enough for learning, with great ventilation and nice lighting.
On top of that, they also have great teachers. Students said that they have kind teachers, like Setti and Mark, who made learning easy and enjoyable. Some students also praised how patient their instructors were.
Great school
“EC is a great school! The materials are excellent, facilities are modern and clean, and the staff are super friendly and welcoming. I’ve made some great connections here and feel right at home. Highly recommend!””
-Ms. Karla Capitan, Google Review
Nice teachers and classmates
“I really enjoyed my time at EC !
The teachers are excellent, and the school has a great structure. I also loved the location, it’s perfect for exploring Vancouver and the staff provided amazing support.”
-Mr. Emanoel Gomes, Google Review
5. Avatar Languages
Address: Haro St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +16048286821
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Avatar Languages is a small language school in Vancouver that’s ideal if you want a more personalised experience.
One thing we like about this school is that it offers both face-to-face and online language classes. This makes their classes a lot more accessible to students.
Plus, both one-on-one and group classes are available. This flexibility allows students to find a class suitable for their learning style and budget.
We’re also happy that they teach Spanish, Portuguese, and English. There aren’t many schools offering Spanish and Portuguese, so this is a great find for people interested in these languages.
However, since it’s a small school, it also has a small team. In fact, it only has one language teacher (the owner). This could potentially affect their acceptance rate. So, if you want to make it to the cut, make sure to inquire immediately.
Despite this, students are happy with the teacher’s teaching style. A couple who had their Spanish weekly lessons with Avatar Languages noted that the teacher puts you at ease.
Students also shared that the teacher uses real-life examples, which makes the learning fun and enjoyable. This is also another plus for us because we believe there’s no better way of learning a language than using real-world scenarios.
Patient teacher
“My son has been studying Spanish language with Roberto for four years and has passed several levels of the DELE test. As a parent, I have truly appreciated Roberto’s willingness and patience to find the best teaching approach to fully engage my son in the learning process. Moreover, Roberto’s ongoing cooperation in adjusting the schedule, when necessary, has made the learning process very efficient. My son wishes to continue studying Spanish language with Roberto and I am grateful for that. Highly recommend Roberto’s classes!”
-Ms. M P., Google Review
Excellent Spanish teacher
“My partner and I started taking weekly lessons together with Roberto toward the end of 2021. He is an excellent Spanish teacher, puts you at ease and keeps it challenging but fun! Each lesson is so varied in the way he teaches from speaking, typing and visualizing, watching videos and listening to music. It makes it so much easier to break down the trickier parts of learning the language and we already feel like we have learnt so much and become more confident! I genuinely look forward to the lessons and we laugh so much the time flies by! Highly recommend!”
-Mr. Ali Adams, Google Review
