How important is it for students to stay with a Canadian homestay?
Homestay is a very important part of Pacific Academy's ESL program. Students who stay in a Canadian homestay usually learn more English and understand North American culture better than those who don’t.

Pacific Academy has a large group of homestay parents who enjoy having International students in their homes. Every home is visited by the Pacific Academy homestay coordinator prior to student placement. We try to place students in families with children close to the same gender and age. Homestay families will have from one to three international students staying with them.

Students are encouraged to eat Canadian food but homestay parents are flexible and try to please. Students are encouraged to bring along snack food from their home country.

Students are encouraged to speak English in the homestay.

Older students are encouraged to do their own wash using the machines in the home. Younger students will receive help from the homestay parents.

Students will be driven to school each day unless the home is very close to the school and the student can walk. Homestay parents will pick the students up when school is finished.

Most students are very happy with their homestay placements. Strong friendships are formed and many keep contact with the family through e-mail.  If a student is very unhappy in the homestay, he or she may be moved, but only once.  Our decisions about homestay placement are final.

Will students stay with Caucasian (white) families?
In most cases, yes. However, we do have some homestay families who are English speaking Asians. Some of our students will be placed with them. If you do not wish your child to be placed with an Asian family please indicate on the registration form.

Are students allowed to go out in the evenings with friends or do they have to stay at the homestay?
This will depend on the age of the student , how far they wish to go, and the family rules. Some families will arrange for the students to get together in the evenings. However, home stay students are treated like members of the family and will keep the same family routines and rules. It is important that the home stay families know at all times where the students are in the evenings. Permission must be granted before students leave the home for an evening out.

What ESL program does Pacific Academy follow?
We have developed our own program, which focusses on English improvement and North American culture. The program's aim is to not only teach the English language but give the students experiences in another culture. The lessons are based on various aspects of North American life. The homestay immerses the students in Canadian family life, and the tours (when offered) enlarge the students' concepts of Western history, geography, plants and animals, culture and leisure.

How quickly the student moves through the program depends on the student's level of English. Those who already have a grasp of English will do more in-depth studies. Supplemental textbooks are used by the teacher to help strengthen the students' weak areas.

Will the international students be integrated into any Canadian classrooms?
In the ESL Plus Program, students will interact with Canadian students at least twice a week.  Depending on the visiting student's age and ability, these times may include regular classes such as Math, Social Studies and English, or art, drama, Exploratories or off-campus field trips. During the summer, classroom integration does not happen, as Canadian students are on holiday. However, on request and at additional cost, we can hire Canadian students to be teaching assistants or “buddies.”

How many hours of English instruction are provided each week?
Twenty to thirty, depending on the program.

Are students placed in levels according to their English ability?
In deciding how to group the students we take into consideration the following things:

• English ability
• Age
• Gender
• Country of origin
• The number of students in the program

As much as possible, we place students in a class with students of similar age and ability, but this depends on the number of students in their program. For instance, if a group of students arrive and want to stay a shorter or longer period than the normal Study Tour, they will be placed in their own group. In this case there could be 3 levels of ability in one classroom. When this occurs, the teacher will teach (with the help of a teaching assistant) all three levels in one classroom.

What are the ages of the students in your program?
Programs are usually open to students 8 to 16.  Younger students may be admitted if they are coming with an older brother or sister, or if they stay with friends or relatives.

How large are the classes?
Classes are no larger than 20 students.

How will students be evaluated?
Students will be tested on the first day of class, and evaluated throughout the program. Upon completion of the program, they will be given a completion certificate in a ceremony on the last day of class.

How much money should students bring with them to Canada?
Students should bring money for snacks, gifts, etc.  Students should not carry more than $40 at any time and should not bring valuable items to school.  We have had students forget their back-pack somewhere, losing all their money. Home stay families or the Program Director can provide a safe place for students' money or valuables.

Three meals a day are provided. If at any time, students wish to eat away from the school or homestay, they will pay for their own meals.

What is the best way of calling home?
Students should purchase calling-cards for making long distance phone calls. These can be purchased after arrival in Canada.

Does Pacific Academy provide medical insurance for students?
Yes. Our overseas students are insured from the time they arrive in Canada until the day they leave their homestay. Please note that neither 1) medicine or 2) pre-existing conditions or illnesses are covered by our insurance.  If a student arrives in Canada already sick, health insurance will not pay for treatment. If medicine is required to treat a student while in Canada, health insurance does not pay for it.

Are students picked up at the airport when they arrive and then taken back to the airport for departure?
We offer free airport transfers for groups of 4 or more students travelling together.  We can also arrange transfers for smaller numbers of students on request.  The Program Director will be pleased to discuss this with you.

Do students need visas to study in Canada?
It depends on the country of origin.  Please check with your nearest Canadian embassy or consulate, or at the Canadian Immigration Web site.  Upon your request, we will send a letter to you which explains the purpose of the trip. This can be used to support a visa application or to assist with visa-free entry to Canada.  You DO NOT need a study permit if you are planning to study in a short-term program in Canada for six months or less.

May students bring food with them to Canada?
We suggest that students bring some snacks with them from home. The homestay parents will provide snacks but sometimes familiar snacks from home help students who are adjusting to Canadian food.

Is e-mail available for students to communicate with home?
Many homestay families allow visiting students to use the home computer for e-mail. This is not guaranteeed, however.  Any such home computer use is subject to the homestay family rules.  The school computer system does not permit student e-mail.

What happens on weekends?  Is there Saturday school?
We do not normally have Saturday school. On Saturdays, students join their homestay families for activities, shopping, etc.  Depending on the program, Pacific Academy may also offer optional Saturday activities such as sightseeing or skiing.  On Sundays, many of our homestay families attend church.  We encourage students to go to church with their families.  It is an interesting cultural experience, an opportunity to improve English skills, and can be quite uplifting and encouraging.

What is your refund policy?
Deposits are non-refundable.  Upon cancellation of a registration, Pacific Academy will refund the fees paid, minus the deposit, according to this scale:

• > 45 days before start date:         (fees -$300) x 100%
• 20 to 44 days before start date:       (fees - $300) x 75%
• 5 to 19 days before start date:         (fees - $300) x 50%
• < 5 days ahead of start date:            no refund

Pacific Academy is not responsible for airfare or other expenses beyond our tuition and homestay fees.

When does the full tuition have to be paid?
Please refer to the information page for the program you are interested in, or contact the ESL Program Director.

What happens to students who behave badly?
We rarely have this problem, but students who do not wish to participate in class and are unruly will be placed where they will not disturb the rest of the class.  If the behaviour continues, they will be sent home early, at the parents' expense. The school will communicate with the home if students misbehave.  Please read our Code of Conduct, linked at the main Short-term ESL page. 

What nationalities will be represented at the school?
Depending on the program and the time of year, our students come from Taiwan, Korea, Japan and China.  Our Winter ESL Program attracts primarily Korean students, who get longer winter breaks than other students.

What do the ESL Program tuition fees include?
The fees include instruction by experienced and certified teachers, all school supplies, homestay accommodation with three meals per day, and medical insurance.

What should I bring with me to Canada?

• summer: light jacket, hat, sunscreen
• winter: warm jacket, gloves, hat
• umbrella, bathing suit
• spending money for souvenirs
• casual clothes
• one pair of dressier pants or a skirt for special occasions
• back-pack
• comfortable walking shoes
• snacks

Should I bring school supplies with me? No, Pacific Academy will provide these.

What is the cost of the program?
For price information, please contact:

John Ryan
ESL Director
Pacific Academy
10238 - 168th Street, Surrey
BC V4N 1Z4
email: jryan@papcs.com
phone: 604-581-5353 (ext.317)
fax: 604-581-0087