Optimum Client Area
English as a second language classes | French as second language classes
See also: Canadian International English Learning Zone, Centre de traduction Caron et La zone d'apprentissage du français.
DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD
This method consists of six levels which are divided into 10 hour modules. Each level is 200 hours (20 modules) except for Level 6 which is the most advanced. It doesn’t have a set number of hours because there is no upper limit to language learning. After all, even native speakers can spend a lifetime honing their language skills.
Each level consists of a series of modules, each of which contains three parts:
1- A review of the vocabulary, language structures and functions from previous modules and levels;
2- La ligne du temps (The Time Line), used to conjugate verbs and practice tenses;
3- A learning project
Within each model, you can complete a specific project, while touching on several important language points.
ORAL INTERACTION AND WRITING
This method can be used three different ways:
— Oral Interaction and Writing (50/50)
— Oral Interaction
— Writing
Although it is possible to focus on oral interaction or on writing, this should not mean neglecting the other skills. Our method incorporates the four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. These skills are interdependent and should not be considered separately. For example, reading and writing exercises can help reinforce vocabulary needed for speaking. Conversely, knowledge of phonetics (listening and pronunciation) is indispensible for good spelling. It is a question of emphasis. Depending on the learning objectives, it is possible to choose more oral or writing activities.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
New participants will be reached by e-mail to schedule a telephone appointment in order to complete a placement test. To begin, you will be asked to complete an online writing test. Following that, we will contact you over the phone to verify your level. This portion of the placement test takes between 10 and 15 minutes. It is used to check your oral abilities in the following categories :
- Ease of communication and fluency
- Pronunciation
- Listening comprehension
- General vocabulary and idioms
- Professional vocabulary
- Grammar
- Verb Tenses
The objective is to identify each candidate’s level by determining the average proficiency level in each of the categories listed above.
| PHASE | MODULE | |
|---|---|---|
|
BEGINNER |
1 TO 20 | |
|
PREINTERMEDIATE |
1 TO 20 | |
|
INTERMEDIATE |
1 TO 20 | |
|
HIGH INTERMEDIATE |
1 TO 20 | |
|
|
1 TO 20 | |
ENRICHMENT |
1 TO 20 | |
TYPICAL CLASS STRUCTURE
|
1-FREESTYLE CONVERSATION |
OBJECTIVE: Warm up; develop spontaneity, fluency and easy. Question period for learners. |
|
Relaxed and informal period. Minimal corrections. Discuss current events (who, what, where, why?). Questions and answers on given themes. |
|
|
2-TODAY’S OBJECTIVES |
OBJECTIVE: Discuss the lesson plan |
| Discuss activities planned for the day as well as the main objective and the estimated duration of each activity. | |
| 3-THE TIME LINE (approx. 10 % of class time) |
Objective: Develop spontaneous reflexes for conjugation |
|
Understand basic use of verb tenses. Do conjugation drills. |
|
| 4-WORK ON THE LEARNING PROJECT (approx. 50 % of class time) |
OBJECTIVE: Become more precise when using the second language; study and practice specific structures, sounds and words in realistic situations (giving directions, describing one’s job, defending an opinion, etc). |
|
Activities include: Grammar exercises; Newspaper or magazine articles; Audio and/or video tapes; Vocabulary lists and exercises; Pronunciation and syllable stress exercises; Roleplays; Interviews and dialogues; Oral presentations; Debates; Recorded conversations on specific themes; Learning games, etc. |
|
| 5-REVIEW AND DRILLING (approx. 10 % of class time) |
OBJECTIVE: Review language points and previous modules (thematic vocabulary, grammar, structures, language functions, etc.). |
|
Activities include : Drilling; Flash cards; Grammar and vocabulary exercises, etc. |
|
| 6-FEEDBACK AND ASSESSMENT (approx. 5 % of class time) |
OBJECTIVE: Discuss progress |
|
Feedback on day’s class and the course itself: Are objectives being met? Are the activities fun and useful? Any specific difficulties and preferences? |
HOMEWORK
We assign homework to learners to help them maintain and develop their language skills. We try it as dynamic and interactive as possible.
For example, participants can complete specific online activities in the self-study area of our website www.lazaf.ca. For the oral conversation courses, homework can take the form of listening activities aimed at improving comprehension. They can also be used to develop vocabulary such as idiomatic expressions and professional vocabulary. We also ask participants to find and summarize newspaper articles.
This type of activity allows the student to practice a wide range of skills (vocabulary, summarizing using appropriate connectors and verb tenses, as well as pronunciation). The teacher may ask participants to listen to news programs or popular TV shows and describe characters while the others guess who the character is. We also assign oral presentations and grammar activities from the workbook to reinforce certain grammar points or verb tenses.
In the writing courses, the activities are similar, but participants are asked to produce written summaries or written administrative documents such as e-mails or letters, depending on their level.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Session cancellation – No-fee policy:
Once the training has begun, a two-week grace period is given to cancel the language training session free of charge. After this period, all parties involved must pay the training fees up until the end of the session. This policy does not apply to individual classes.
Class cancellation – No-fee policy:
Any class cancelled either by every member of a group in the case of group classes or by an individual in the case of private lessons and when the Client has given notice to our Centre before 4:30 pm on the previous working day, by e-mail at reception@centrecaron.ca , the Centre will not charge the Client for the hours not taught.
DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD
This method consists of six levels which are divided into 10 hour modules. Each level is 200 hours (20 modules) except for Level 6 which is the most advanced. It doesn’t have a set number of hours because there is no upper limit to language learning. After all, even native speakers can spend a lifetime honing their language skills.
Each level consists of a series of modules, each of which contains three parts:
1- A review of the vocabulary, language structures and functions from previous modules and levels;
2- La ligne du temps (The Time Line), used to conjugate verbs and practice tenses;
3- A learning project
Within each model, you can complete a specific project, while touching on several important language points.