Enhance your English communication skills while studying in the heart of Ottawa — Canada’s capital! This February, elevate your English for academic purposes and everyday conversation at the University of Ottawa.

Cultural and Academic Language Immersion

The CALI winter program provides a well-rounded education in English that equips you with the skills, knowledge and cultural exposure to thrive in academic and real-world settings.

CALI focuses on practising English through participation. During this four-week program, you’ll be immersed in an English-speaking environment in Canada’s capital city. Through language training by our highly-qualified instructors, you’ll boost your confidence, allowing you to articulate your thoughts, engage in debates and express yourself fluently in English. You’ll be able to interact inside and outside the classroom with other students from all over the world. By the end of the program, you’ll be a confident English communicator, ready to succeed in the globalized world. We’ll give you the tools to leap into any conversation in English!

Learn English for School and Life

Our goal is to help you develop strategies for effective reading, writing, listening and speaking in English in various situations:

· Explore different cultures: Learn about different cultures and traditions, to help you understand people from around the world and communicate better with them.

· Practice real-life tasks: Use real-life tasks to learn English. You’ll work on projects and activities you might do in your daily life.

· Get ready for higher education: Learn English skills for university or college. Practice reading, writing, speaking, and thinking in ways that will help you in your studies.

· Make conversation: Exchange thoughts, ideas and cultural experiences with your peers and uOttawa undergraduate students during the weekly conversation club.

· Have fun while learning: The course is designed to be enjoyable and not too stressful. You’ll learn quickly and remember this experience forever. Try new things and learn at your own pace.

Students at the cabane à sucre

Course content

You’ll experience English in the real world and use it to:

· Learn about Canadians, people of other nationalities and their cultures.

· Expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar and enhance your understanding of English expressions used in academic and real-world settings.

· Communicate outside the classroom with both native and non-native English speakers, using the right vocabulary and grammar.

· Participate in class discussions and presentations, and engage in critical thinking and analysis.

· Complete our everyday communication challenge tasks with members of the community.

Parliament

Living in Ottawa, Canada's Capital

Ottawa is one of the safest and most beautiful capital cities in the world. A major centre for the visual and performing arts, it offers a wide variety of urban attractions, while maintaining the atmosphere and charm of a smaller centre, with easy access to spectacular parks and wilderness. Visitors can enjoy many of Canada’s best museums, theatres and music festivals, or bike along the city’s many trails and pathways.

Canada Homestay Network logo of loon

Accommodations

The University of Ottawa has a partnership with the Canada Homestay Network. For a more immersive experience, the Canada Homestay Network offers the opportunity to stay with a Canadian host family while in the program. This will allow you to practise your English skills in a real-life setting and experience Canadian culture first hand. The Canada Homestay Network is a comfortable, affordable way to gain a deeper understanding of the community.

Contact the Canada Homestay Network today to get a quote and be matched with a host family in Ottawa.

Two students holding their certificates

Certificate of Completion

All students who successfully complete the Cultural and Academic Language Immersion program will receive a University of Ottawa Certificate of Completion.

Three students sitting on a snow tube with arms extended posing smiling at the camera.

Day trips

We offer weekly activities that go beyond regular classes. The University of Ottawa campus location is perfect for a fun-filled winter. You’ll find a variety of exciting cultural experiences, outdoor adventures and social gatherings right at your fingertips. Join us this February and enhance your English language skills while Ottawa becomes a beautiful Canadian winter wonderland.

Schedule

Dates: February 20 to March 15, 2024

Length: Four weeks (approximately 21 hours per week) 

The CALI program schedule offers the perfect balance of class work to improve language skills, day trips to discover Canadian culture and free time to enjoy the campus and the city with your classmates and conversation partners.

Date/Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:30-11:30 Integrated Language and Task-based Skills

Integrated Language and Task-based Skills

Integrated Language and Task-based Skills Integrated Language and Task-based Skills Integrated Language and Task-based Skills
11:30-13:00 Lunch Break  Lunch Break  Lunch Break  Lunch Break  Lunch Break 
13:00-14:30 English Enrichment Conversation Club City Outing & Cultural Exploration  English Enrichment

Independent Study 

Handwriting

Register now for the Cultural and Academic Immersion program!

Get started with our registration form

Tuition

The total cost of this program is CA$2,999. It must be paid in full by February 20, 2024, and covers course tuition, weekly socio-cultural outings and health insurance.

Fees are subject to change without notice. A non-refundable deposit of $350 is required for you to receive a letter of admission and to take the program placement test. Once you’ve completed the test, we’ll determine the right level to place you in the program.

How to enrol

Planning to join us? Super! Here’s what you need to do: 

Step 1:  Complete the online application form. We’ll then contact you with more information. 

Step 2: Pay your full tuition or a $350 non-refundable deposit and reserve your accommodations. 

Step 3: Once we receive your payment, we will send you a letter of acceptance. 

Step 4: Book your trip to Ottawa!  

Step 5: Pay your full tuition fees by February 20, 2024.  

We’ll follow up with you throughout this process to help when necessary!

Contact us

Centre for Language Learning

70 Laurier Avenue East, Room 101
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada

Tel. : +1-877-868-8292
        +1-613-562-5980

[email protected]

Office Hours

Monday to Friday

September to May
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

June to August
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.