1.) Classic Structure

Students complete all their English study hours before starting their work practicum.  Study can be completed in Vancouver or Whistler or a combination of both.  Students who want to study in Whistler will do their first month of classes in Vancouver so that they can attend the Job Skills Seminar and Program Orientation before moving to Whistler.  Work placements are available in Vancouver and in numerous Canadian resort communities.  Students can choose to have Basic Service or Full Service for their placement.

2.) Sandwich Structure

This is a variation of the Classic Structure.  Since many work practicum placements are seasonal positions, they have fixed start and end dates. Depending on when the student can arrive and start the program, to ensure that the student completes their full required work practicum, their English studies may have to be split and completed in two study terms, one before the work practicum period and the other after the work practicum period. Study can be completed in Vancouver or Whistler or a combination of both. A student’s program will be set up as a Sandwich program only if required based on the student’s arrival date and the confirmed start date of job.  This is usually not known until after the student starts, their work placement has been made and their work start date confirmed.

3.) Integrated Structure

IN VANCOUVER: Students study for a minimum of 4 weeks before starting their work practicum and they complete the remainder of their study hours during the work practicum period by taking morning classes and working in the afternoons/evenings. Students must register for Basic Service Placement for this program option. Vancouver Integrated program entry dates any Monday from January to November. Minimum duration: 5 months.

IN WHISTLER: This option is called the “Whistler Fun Program”.  Students complete a minimum of 50% of their study requirement before starting their work practicum and complete their required study hours during the work practicum period by attending evening English classes at Tamwood in Whistler. Students must register for Full Service Placement for this program option as placements must be made before they arrive.

English Classes

You will be taking English classes at one of Tamwood's English schools in either Vancouver or Whistler. Your classes will cover all the skills you need to speak, write and function effectively in English. If your take the General English course you will take an integrated language class followed by elective classes allowing you to specialize in skill areas in which you need extra work. Depending on which school you choose to study at and when you want to start the program you may have the option to take a Business English course or one of the Cambridge Exam Preparation courses as your English class component of the program.

Job Skills Seminar
While you are taking your English classes you will also take part in the Job Skills Seminar. This seminar covers topics like resume writing, interview practice, work place culture and office skills. All of these topics are relevant for a student about to enter the Canadian work place.

Work Practicum
Employers include ski resorts, major hotels, restaurants, shops, cafes, bars, tour operators, sports providers, summer camps and much more. Jobs are assigned on a first-come, first serve basis so apply soon! The jobs for students in this program include: food servers, cleaners, ticket sellers, front desk, drivers, concierge, retail… These jobs offer students an excellent opportunity to use and improve their English skills. You will be assigned to a position and location by the program coordinator. When making your work assignment, we will consider your stated preferences but ultimately your placement will be made based on available jobs for your program dates, your skills, your attitude and our assessment of your suitability to a position.

Locations, Program Options and Program Dates:

Vancouver

• The ECP is offered year round and students can start any Monday but since most of the jobs available to students in this program are seasonal positions that happen in the summer or winter seasons, we recommend that students start with English classes in the spring (start classes between February to May) and do their job in the summer or they can start with English classes in the summer/fall (start classes in July to September) and work in the winter.
• Students must study as many weeks as they work
• Students can get jobs in Vancouver or in other locations in Canada.
• Minimum stay depends on when students want to come: usually minimum stay is 8 months (4 months English + 4 months work) but a few employers will hire students for just 3 months and sometimes just 2 months in the summer (July and August). Also, we have some camp counsellor positions that are only 8-10 weeks, so minimum program duration is 4 months (2 months English + 2 months work) if they take a summer job. Otherwise minimum stay is 8 months: 4 months English classes and 4 months paid work practicum.

Whistler

• Students can study and work in Whistler or study in Whistler and take a work assignment some where else in Canada (Tamwood has host employers in a number of locations in Canada including Jasper, Banff, Vancouver, Ontario and Quebec).
• If students choose to study in Whistler and work somewhere else, they must complete their entire study requirement before leaving Whistler to start their job.
• Students who choose to do the work practicum in Whistler will complete 50% or more of their study requirement before the job starts and they will complete the balance of their study requirement while they are working by taking our evening English classes.
• Minimum stay is 12 weeks for summer jobs (4 weeks of study + 8 weeks of work and study) and 6 months for winter jobs (8 weeks of Study + 20 weeks of work and study).
• For students who want to study and work in Whistler, there are fixed start dates – in May or June for a summer job practicum and in September or October for a winter job practicum. Students who cannot start on one of these fixed start dates can start any Monday and complete all their study requirement and they will then be placed in a job outside Whistler.

Requirements

• Intermediate to Advanced English (Tamwood levels 4-7)
• Minimum age: 19
• You do NOT have to be a student in your home country to do this program.

Application Procedure
Contact Tamwood for the program application package. After we receive your completed application package our program manager will speak to you on the phone to check your English level and discuss your program goals and expectations. A decision on your application will be made after the telephone interview.

Course Fees

Vancouver

Whistler

Additional Information

• All prices are listed in Canadian Dollars.