Department of English Resources

Q: What is an override?
A:  An override is a special circumstance exemption given to some students. An override does not register you in a course; it gives you permission, through the computer system, to select a particular course if you have not met the prerequisite in the normal way.  Once you have received the override, you will need to log in to the computer system and register yourself in a section of a course or add yourself to a waitinglist.  An override does not give you priority to move ahead of those already on the waitinglist.

Q: Who is eligible to get a prerequisite override for an English course? 
A:  Prerequisite overrides can be given if a student has completed a previous English course at another post-secondary institution (in an English speaking country). Please email english [at] langara.ca (english[at]langara[dot]ca) with a copy of your transcript showing completion of the previous English course.  This transcript can be emailed or brought to us in person.

Q: I am currently taking an English course at another post-secondary institution (not Langara) but do not yet have my final grade.  Can I get an override while I am waiting for my final grade?
A: No, to receive an override the course must be complete and the student must have a final grade.

Q: I’m currently taking an English course that is the prerequisite course for my next English course.  Can I get an override so that I can register now?
A:  If you are currently registered in a prerequisite course, you do not need an override to register in the next level.  You will be able to register now, and the prerequisite will be checked once the course in complete to see that you successfully completed the prerequisite course.

Q: Previously, I’ve taken an English course twice and have been unsuccessful.  Can I get an override to attempt the course for a third time?
A:  The kind of override you would need is a “repeat limit override.”  Please email english [at] langara.ca (english[at]langara[dot]ca) to request the override. 

Q: I was told that I had been given an override, but I wasn't notified. Why not?
A:  Automated notifications are immediately sent after an override has been put through. Check your Langara email account regularly, especially if you are corresponding with the English department during registration.

Q:  I have not yet written the LET.  Can I be given a temporary exemption so that I can register now, and then sign up to write the exam at a later date?
A: No, prerequisites must be achieved prior to a student’s registration in an English course.  Prerequisite overrides are permanent and are not issued on a temporary basis.

Q: A course (other than English) I’m trying to register for has an English prerequisite.  Can you grant me an override to get into that course?
A: No, the English Department only has the ability to issue overrides for English courses.  Please contact each department directly.

Q: When can I write the LET?
A: There are multiple sittings of the LET throughout the semester and between semesters. For more information about the LET and how to register for a sitting, click here. 
 
Q: I received a score of 1 on the LET exam.  What English course should I register for?  Why did I receive a level 1?
A: A score of 1 on the LET exam means that a student needs to do some remedial upgrading work before being ready to take a university transfer English course. Please email let [at] langara.ca (let[at]langara[dot]ca) for more information.

A level 1 on the LET means that the writing on the exam had frequent and serious grammatical errors as well as vocabulary and organizational weakness.  The writer will need to do some significant work on improving writing skills before being ready for English Department courses.
 
Q: I received a score of 3 on the LET.  Do I need to take English 1121 before I can take English 1123 or 1100?
A:  Students who receive a 3 on the LET are advised to consider taking English 1121, but it is not a requirement.  A student with an LET 3 can register directly in English 1123, 1129, 1130 or 1100, but they may find the course work challenging. 

Q: I just tried to register for a section of English and found that the waiting list for my chosen section is full.  What should I do?
A: The English Department tries to keep our waiting lists relatively short as our class sizes are smaller than some other departments. Our best advice is that you should try to register for a section with open seats before adding yourself to a waiting list. Then, if you must waitlist yourself, try to find the section with the shortest waiting list. If you cannot get on any waiting list, continue to check the registration system, as students will continue to add and drop courses right up to the start of the term.

Q: I would like to enroll in Langara’s Creative Writing Program.  How do I do this?  What is the time commitment?  What are the costs?
A:  Langara has a creative writing concentration option as part of the Associate of Arts Degree.  The English Department offers a number of creative writing courses, one at the first year level (ENGL 1136) and others at the second year level. The Associate Degree can be pursued part-time or full-time, so the length of study will vary (two years is average).  The cost of a creative writing course is the same as for any other 3 credit regular studies course at Langara.  For most information on the Associate Degree and its requirements, click here.