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VIA has more staff per student than other schools. This means every student can get help from teachers and office staff easily. We know our students name and so when you register at VIA, you aren't just entering another ESL school. You are joining hundreds of students whose lives have changed from their experiences at VIA. This "family" of graduates live all over the world and continue to write and email us with their stories. We welcome you into this wonderful famliy!
Here are some of the main reasons our students love our school:
The Teachers and Staff » Every teacher has a university education. » Every teacher is TESL Canada certified. » The staff are friendly and helpful. »Together, the VIA Team takes care of every student!
Small classes and great teachers means that students a unique opportunity to learn quickly. They can talk to their teachers in and outside class, a real advantage over larger schools. Another advantage is our staff - we have a very friendly, multinational staff that are able to help students with anything, including visas, apartments, or life in Canada.
Gateway School VIA graduates can apply to many other schools, colleges and universities, such as the University of Victoria and University Canada West. Please visit our Affiliated Institutes page for more information.
Homestay VIA has wonderful homestays; great families with clean, comfortable homes in nice areas. Our homestays are part of the VIA family, so we believe our students will always enjoy living with their homestay. We know how important homestays are to the students, so we are very careful to match students with families that are Suitable for each other. Our homestays provide three meals a day, and provide a private bedroom, desk, and usually a computer with Internet access. Our families range from young couples with children to retirees who live alone. All families host students because they enjoy living with international students and sharing cultures.
Visas VIA staff is happy to help with any visa issue, including extensions and changing visa status.
Medical Insurance Please talk to the staff if you need medical insurance. It is usually about $1.50 / day for stays shorter than 3 months. BC Medical insurance is recommended for longer stays.
Student Card Get a free student card and get discounts on:
Materials and Textbooks: ⇒The ESL Store is Victoria's only dedicated ESL bookstore. VIA students get 10% discount off all materials. Featured Publishers: Longman, Pearson, and ABAX. 654 Yates St. 414-0111
Clothing: ⇒Outlooks for Men (10%) 554 Yates St 384-2848 ⇒Esprit Clothing (women) 10% The Bay Centre (lower level)
Nightclubs: ⇒Plan B (free entrance with student card or guest pass) 1318 Broad St. tel: 384-3557 ⇒Lucky Bar (free entrance with student card) 517 Yates St. tel: 382- 5825
Pubs / Restaurants: ⇒Azuma Sushi (10%) 615 Yates St tel: 382-8768 ⇒Bagels on Broad (10%) 1294 Broad St. tel: 381-4141 ⇒Eugene's Greek Restaurant 1280 Broad St. tel: 381-5456 ⇒Honey Bun (10%) 605 Yates St. tel: 383-3231 ⇒The Reef (10% discount) 533 Yates St. tel:388-5375 ⇒Sauce (10% discount) 1245 Wharf St. tel:382-8662
Stereos, TV's, etc. ⇒A&B Sound (C.K Tang, sales manager) 641 Yates St. tel: 385-1461
Travel Agents: ⇒Travel Masters (ask for details) 201-45 Bastion Square tel: 953-5730
Whale Watching and Kayaking: ⇒Great Pacific Adventures (10%, ask for details) ⇒The Whale Centre , Tofino (ask Hiroko for a reservation form) ⇒Orca Spirit Adventures tel: 383- 8411(10% discount)
Eye Care (Glasses and Contacts): ⇒The Eyecare Centre (10% discount on frames and eye exams) 749 Yates St. tel: 383-2411
Aromatherapy: ⇒Fruits and Passion (10% discount) The Bay Centre, 2nd Floor 381-9889 DVD and Video Rental: ⇒Hollywood Tonight (10% discount on Punch Card) 851 Yates St. tel:383-0114 Bus Pass VIA students can buy discount monthly bus passes from reception.
Kitchen VIA has a full kitchen with free coffee and teas. There is a fridge to keep your lunch cool, and microwave ovens to heat it up. There is also a drink machine.
Convo Club Every Wednesday there is Convo (short for "conversation") Club. There are different activities every week, so please check for the upcoming schedule. Activities include kayaking, karaoke, ping pong tournaments, etc.
Changing Class VIA students can change classes easily. If you want to study Business instead of ESL, or ESL instead of TOEFL, please talk to VIA staff.
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VIA facilities include:
• 7 classrooms • multi-lingual high speed computer lab • Kitchen with a fridge, microwaves ovens, toaster oven, etc. • Water cooler, drink machine • Free coffee and tea • TV's, videos, DVDs • Student Lounge • Ping-pong table and table soccor (foosball) • Free Convernsation Club • Free tutoring after class
Victoria International Academy
654 Yates Street Victoria, British Columbia Canada V8W 1L3 info@eslschoolcanada.com Tel: 250-414-0111 Fax: 250-414-0103
And more!
Yes, we know that's a lot. But there's more! We have: » BBQ parties in the summer (April - Oct.) » ski trips in the winter » We can make arrangements for trips to Tofino to see whales and swim in the hot springs. » We can help you find a job » There is an internship / coop program » We can arrange volunteer jobs.
If there's anything you need and it's not here, please let us know so we can keep working to be the best ESL school we can!
Sometime students feel like a change, or want to take a new course. Don't worry! We can help. VIA is partners with most other schools in Victoria, including the University of Victoria. Talk to VIA staff for more info.
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