Easy Languages

Program

How does it work?

This program is available to motivated students aged 10 to 19 who wish to spend one semester or one year in a Canadian high school (secondary education) and share in the daily life of an Canadian host family. Our partner operates with a network of schools in the district of Windsor, which offer a diverse curriculum of courses adapted to the levels of participants. Our students enjoy full access to all of the school's sports, clubs, and associations.

This program is probably one of the best educational investments that a student can make. As an exchange student, participants live as an adoptive member of their host family. Fed and housed, they'll take part in family activities and will have the chance to join local sports teams, or try entirely new pastimes.

It's a unique experience you can't find in a textbook. The experience is, as a whole, a powerful linguistic, cultural, and personal enrichment that participants never forget.

Destination

Canada, the second largest country in the world by surface area, is one of the world's geographical marvels. It stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean and shares its borders with Alaska in the north-east and the US to the south. This country is home to almost every climate on earth, from the wind-swept tundra of the North Territories to the temperate rain forests and mountains of British Columbia. Canada is home to the world’s largest freshwater lakes and vast expanses of pine forests. Canada is a bilingual nation and English French are equally official languages.

Our partner schools are situated in the region of Windsor , in the south of the province of Ontario. This town has the advantage of being the southernmost town in all of Canada, and therefore has a much more bearable climate than other areas of the country. Its numerous parks, beaches, and wide open spaces make it an ideal destination for nature lovers.

Something to not be overlooked is Windsor's proximity to the American border, making it only a few hours' drive from Chicago, Washington, New York, and Boston, as well as Toronto and Montreal. A visit to this town means the chance to discover USA, too.

Lastly, the town is very close to Detroit, and offers a large range of activities and commercial centres which allow a wide choice of sports and other hobbies. Its relative small size makes Windsor attractively safe and pleasant.

Schools

The Canadian education system

Canadian children study for a minimum of 12 years (Primary school + Secondary school). This program offers international students the chance to study at a local high school. Junior high school covers the first 3 years of secondary school (7 to 9th grade), while these high schools cover the last four years of secondary studies - grades 9 - 12.

In many Canadian schools, the choice of subjects is vast: psychology, sociology, literature, drama, pottery, journalism, architecture, speech, media, informatics... it's a unique chance to discover new subjects, or to progress in an area you already know. Some classes last just one semester, so students will have the chance to change subjects part way through the year.

Choice is also important for cultural, sportive, and social activities: football, baseball, tennis, swimming, athletics, basketball, volleyball, charity club, student council, band, cheer-leading, debating club, speech club, year book committee... This school will be a unique chance to explore unknown subjects and activities. But it will also be that dream opportunity to dive into Canadian life and get to know local people your age.

The Canadian academic year is divided into two semesters. As an international student, you can enrol in a class for three months, one semester (in September or February) or a full academic year .

School

The district of Windsor-Essex is composed of mainly Catholic schools, but which are open to all students, regardless of where they come from. The partner secondary schools to this program indeed have a strong non-Catholic student body. Primary schools, however, require a baptism certificate.

We have established a partnership with 2 primary schools and 2 secondary schools. The primary schools are Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School and St. Pius X Catholic Elementary School ; the secondary schools are Assumption College Catholic High School and St. Anne Catholic High School .

You can choose the school in which you would like to study when you enrol. Your choice will be taken into account, but it is up to our partner to make the final decision regarding your placement, in relation to the number of students already enrolled, their nationality, and your preferences in terms of courses.

Courses

Students can choose around 4 to 5 subjects, out of the those offered by a particular school (each school has its own list). They can also follow a course of English as a Second Language, to target any weaknesses they may have. Assistants are on hand to help with organising their work and planning their academic year.

Here is a preview of the different subjects offered by our schools: Business, Science, Tourism, Technology, Fine Arts, Humanities, AP Psychology & Honours, Mathematics, AP English, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, Softball Academy/Chef Training Program, etc.

It's a unique opportunity to discover new subjects, or to perfect your skills in your preferred area. Students are free to choose whichever courses interest them.

Classes generally take place between 8/8:30am and 2/3pm, from Monday to Friday. Timetables can vary between schools.

English Courses

If your level of English is not quite high enough to be able to follow academic classes as soon as you arrive, you will be invited to participate in English language classes in addition to, or in place of, your academic classes. The number of class hours and their content will be established according to the needs of the student.

Host families

Canadian Host Families

Accommodation in an Canadian host family allows students to discover the Canadian way of life and to practice the language with native speakers. These families choose to host overseas students because they want to share in their way of life and culture, and they want to learn more about the students they host and where they come from. After being selected after an interview and sufficient references, they themselves play an active role in the selection of students they host.

The accommodation offered is in a single room and includes full board. If necessary, the fees of transport to school are also included. The families collect the students from, and drop them off at, the airport.

This is an ideal way for students to have regular communication with native English speakers, accelerating the learning process.

The local correspondent

The local correspondent is an experienced member of staff who knows the host families and stays in regular contact with the students and their Canadian host parents throughout their stay: They regularly organise meetings and ensure that the student's visit is running smoothly as much at home as at the school. As they are there to react immediately to any problems, they keep in prioritised contact with the students.

The local correspondents have been working with our partner organisation for years; they know exactly how to respond rapidly and effectively in times of need.

Medical insurance and assistance

Throughout their stay, students enjoy complete cover, as included in their enrolment package.

Pre-orientation meetings

In order that your exchange runs as smoothly as possible and that you stay informed about the different elements of the program, you have the option of attending two information and orientation meetings.

The first is organised by Easy Languages in Brussels , during the month of June. It allows students using Easy Languages to meet each other and share questions and experiences between them and the office team. Past participants are equally invited to take part and share their experiences. It's also at this meeting that final administrative formalities are tackled.

In case you do not live in Brussels, it is possible to meet our team in Paris or Canada . Otherwise, we schedule a telephone interview so we can explain you all the procedures and tell you about the program.

The second meeting takes place in Windsor , within the first 15 days following your arrival. You will be contacted by your local correspondent who will be able to answer all of your questions.

Practical Info

Conditions of participation

• Must be aged between 10 and 19 at time of departure
• Must have attained good school results the last 2 years
• Must have the will to make new friends and to share in the daily life of a host family
• Must be able to justify motivation, maturity, and adaptability

Terms of enrolment

If you fulfil the participation conditions, then you should enrol as soon as possible .

You will then receive a preliminary confirmation and we will contact you for a telephone interview, during which we will evaluate your level of English. If your level seems adequate, we will invite you to pay an advance of 1000 € in order to confirm your enrolment and initiate the process.

Then we will ask you to take part in a second, more thorough interview in our offices in Paris or Brussels.

A fee of 70 € is payable on the day of this interview at the latest if an advance has not yet been paid. This fee is non-refundable and is deductible from the final balance in case of a definitive enrolment.

If the interview is favourable, we will then send you by post a folder to complete. This will require: letters of recommendation from your teachers, vaccination certificates, a letter addressed to your host family, and other documents necessary for the consideration of your application to Canada.

Enrolment deadlines

The deadline for submitting the abovementioned folder is:

• 15th of April if you are leaving in September
• 15th of September if you are leaving in January

Contact us for more information on the terms of enrolment.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012:

• Academic year: From September to June
• Semester: from September to January or from February to June

It is recommended that students arrive about 2 weeks before the start of term, to have enough time to acclimatise to their new environment.

Canadian students have 2 weeks holiday during Christmas, from mid-December to the start of January, and one week in mid-March, and 2 months of holiday in July and August.

The prices of the program include:

• Enrolment and placement in our partner school
• Selection of and placement in a host family
• Travel to/from Windsor
• Detailed and personalised information on all of the aspects of your trip
• Advance interview
• Accommodation, meals, and laundry, as if a member of the host family
• Personal assistance, constant support, and tutor's advice during your stay
• Regular contact and evaluation reports
• Class materials
• Medical insurance
• All enrolment, administrative, and candidature exam fees.

They do not include:

• Transfers and public transport
• Possible excursions
• Possible visa fees (for stays of more than 6 months)
• Accommodation deposit: about 500 CA$
• Pocket money