Foundation Levels
Foundation Levels (LEAP 1 and LEAP 2)
The upper beginner to lower intermediate levels of LEAP focus on the environment and culture of Vancouver and Canada. Through a variety of topics, materials, and activities, the classroom is transformed into a living language environment. Students develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills while expanding their knowledge of Vancouver, Canada, and the world.
Course Topics
At the Foundation Levels, students develop their language skills by exploring engaging topics that are connected to the local environment and are an important part of Canadian culture. Examples of topics or themes include West Coast fashion trends, popular Canadian musicians, alternative health therapies, Pacific marine mammals, crime in Vancouver, and popular Canadian sports. At the end of each theme, students have an opportunity to apply what they have learned and practice their language skills outside of the classroom with native English speakers. This is achieved through a variety of hands-on workshops and educational outings to special places in Vancouver.
Guest Speakers, Workshops, and Educational Outings
All guest speaker presentations, workshops, and educational outings are closely connected to course topics. Workshops are led by guest speakers and include designing and applying henna tattoos, hand drumming using African percussion instruments, and creating aromatherapy inhalers using healing essential oils. Educational outings include exploring marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium Wet Lab, solving a crime using forensic evidence at the Vancouver Police Museum, and curling at the Vancouver Curling Club.
Presentations and Projects
Projects and presentations are an important part of each level. They encourage students to work creatively and cooperatively, integrate all four language skills, and often require students to explore the local environment. In LEAP 2, students must also do some simple research using texts provided by the instructor. These projects are designed to prepare students for academic projects and presentations in the higher levels of the program.
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In LEAP 1, students build their reading, listening and communication skills by exploring exciting topics related to Vancouver, Canada and the world. Students also explore the local environment through a variety of engaging educational outings and workshops connected to course topics. These activities provide students the opportunity to apply what they have learned and practice their language skills outside of the classroom.
Explore Vancouver! Project - LEAP 1
In this exciting project, students work in small groups to explore different distinctive neighbourhoods in Vancouver. While visiting their assigned neighbourhood, students gather specific information about the services, facilities, and attractions there. They also take pictures of the neighbourhood and have an opportunity to interact with native English speakers. Back in the classroom, students prepare a large poster about their neighbourhood using the pictures and information they have gathered. Students use their posters to give a presentation on their neighbourhood to their classmates and develop basic presentation skills.
In LEAP 2, students expand their reading and listening comprehension skills by working with longer reading and listening passages. Students also develop their presentation skills through a variety of projects and activities where they are required to gather information on a specific topic, prepare a visual and present their information to their classmates. Writing activities focus on building fluency and improving accuracy in using basic grammar and mechanics.
Oh Canada! Project - LEAP 2
In this more formal project, students work in small groups to learn about different Canadian cities, provinces, and territories. First, students gather information about their assigned area from a text provided by the instructor. Students then use this information to prepare a large poster, using key words instead of copying directly from the text. Students must also select appropriate visuals that illustrate or explain important key words on their poster. Students develop presentation skills by presenting their posters to their classmates.
What a Life! Project - LEAP 2
In this final project, students prepare a formal individual presentation about a person who has made a significant contribution to humanity. Students first gather information about their assigned person from a text provided by the instructor. Students then prepare a timeline which contains significant events in the person's life. Students also prepare visuals to illustrate or explain important events and concepts on the timeline. Students then use the timeline and their visuals to present their biography to another classmate.
