Hear what our students have to say...

Hi! I'm Iran from Mexico. My English has improved a lot since I came to CSLI. The Power Vocabulary Class is amazing. I don't have fear speaking in English anymore. My teacher is so creative and the dynamic atmosphere and system in class made me learn and enjoy so much at the same time. I had no stress, no conflict and no struggling.
I learned faster than before when I was in other schools. I recommend CSLI as a great school to you. For you who want to speak English, you will have a good time here!

Iran Castillo, 24weeks, Mexico

This was my second time here and this time, I brought my brother together!I was here an year ago and I was awarded with Student of the Month Award and given a 4-week scholarship.
I came back again because CSLI makes you part of the big family. They really do a good job on “Uniting the World with English”. Teachers are very friendly and have a wide range of knowledge. Not only can you learn English but also learn Canadian culture. I am sorry that my month has passed by so quickly. I hope that I can come again to Vancouver to attend CSLI's classes and meet new friends.
Thank you CSLI, making the transition to living in a new country and using a new language easy. I will always carry great memories of my time at your school.

Timo(right)and Oliver(left), from Germany

I was a student here 4 years ago and I, obviously, didn't regret that trip…thus I’m here again. Why did I come back to CSLI? I went to university in Chile and they told me that it was necessary to have an internship experience. So I called the school and ended up getting an internship at CSLI. Being part of the staff is such a different experience compared to being a student. It is just amazing and I have learnt a lot.
So now I'm 3 weeks short of leaving again and JUST like the first time I really don't want to go back to Chile. It's such a great experience and such a different way of learning. I also feel that I grow up here. I'm pretty sure I'll be back in Vancouver one day!

Pablo (left), from Chile

Hi, team CSLI!!
I really want to say THANK YOU for everything to all of you, I’m working at a resort on Banff now. I couldn’t have made it here without CSLI’s help, especially in my speaking improvement.
I had a really good time with you and I learned a lot, especially the importance of smiling!! Your welcoming smile everyday just release our tension and we don't feel nervous anymore when we have problems. I know it is really hard to keep smiling all the time, but you always practice, even if you feel bad. I already miss you so much... See you soon. I will come back!!

Azusa Shibata, from Japan

There are many places to go around the school! Just a few meters away is Yaletown, the trendiest part of Vancouver, with many special shops and restaurants. For sweet lovers, I recommend Yaletown Market just one block away, or the French bakery nearby. If you are addicted to coffee shops, like me, check out the different coffee shops that you find in every direction. Also, the Library isn't more than 600m away, and BC Place and GM Place are also very close. So I can say that there is really something for everyone near (and at) CSLI!

Ruth (right), from Switzerland - 10 weeks

Hi everybody.

My name is Hussain and I am from Saudi Arabia. I spent one month at CSLI, and I got more than I expected. I chose the school from the internet by myself. I found their website, which was very attractive and contained information and video clips about CSLI and Vancouver. It also had a section to help students to choose their English school and one piece of their advice was:

If the school does not greet you and treat you well when you come to visit or write to them, they WON'T treat you better when you come to study. First impressions are important.

So, I decided to test them on what they said. I sent them an e-mail to see how they would respond to me. I was surprised that they answered me within 24 hours with three e-mails containing all the information I needed. I also phoned the school, and the staff was so nice and clarified things for me. After all that I had no doubt that CSLI would be the best choice for me. Immediately I started to get my visa and prepare myself to go to Canada.

The tension of the first meeting was all released once I stepped into CSLI. The warm greeting and the smiling faces gave me the impression that I was welcome and I would enjoy my time with them, and I was right. The CSLI staff were always there to help and guide me. They were also flexible and welling to listen to my opinion.

I liked the classes I took. I attended the conversation, pronunciation and TOEFL classes. They developed my English in so many ways. Conversation class gave me the self-confidence to use my English when expressing my ideas and talking to people. In Listening and Pronunciation class, I learned how to say the words in the right way and make my speech clearer. Besides learning new grammar in the TOEFL class, I recalled points which I had forgotten. In each class the teacher had his own style but the nice common thing was that they were able to do their work professionally in a very friendly environment. It was amazing.

CSLI gave me the chance to make friends from all around the world. The friendly environment of CSLI encouraged me to introduce myself to others and make them my friends. I had friends from places that I had never heard about before I went there. Friday activities arranged by the school were a nice way to get students closer to each other and build strong friendships. I had fun with my friends all the time and there were many things to do together, even outside of the school. The good thing to mention here is that English was the only language I could use to communicate with my friends even outside school. That helped me improved my English more and more.

I would like to thank all the CSLI staff, my teachers, and my friends. They made my short trip to Vancouver a very memorable experience that will stay with me always. I am sure it could not have been that nice without being with them.

Hussain, from Saudi Arabia - 4 weeks

Q: Have you had to use English after your studies at CSLI? Do you think you have more skills to do so?

A: Hello friends, I'm Yumiko. After graduating from CSLI and coming back to Japan from Van, I got a job as an assistant in the marketing section. At my work, I don't have to speak English so often, but I have to read and write e-mails in English. In e-mails, I sometimes have to negotiate sales companies about prices, shipping schedules, and the specifications of our products. It is not easy at all since it is difficult even in Japanese. But while I feel I need to brush up on my English, I can be satisfied because I can negotiate in the way I want. I really like that feeling. I think English is a tool to communicate many, many people in the world. If you can speak English, your possibility of knowing the world will expand enormously.

Yumiko, from Japan - 16 weeks

To the CSLI Staff,

It has been a great experience! An amazing group of people, excellent teachers and a fabulous atmosphere (…and more in the beautiful city of Vancouver)
Thanks to each and every one of you!

Lamya, from Omani - 5 weeks - 2004

My name is Nicky and I come from Thailand. Before I came here I had two months to make myself ready to go to Canada. But I didn't do that. In fact I had learned English when I was a child, but I never used it in my daily life before. I just studied and then I forgot it. I know that if I knew nothing about English it could make me have so many problems, and then it came true.

When I arrived at CSLI, I said very little for two months. Every day when I came to school, all I did all the time was smile and say what I could, but everybody understood me. They helped me when I had a problem. They tried to explain everything that I couldn't understand; also they helped me to do my best. I really like this school. All of staff, teachers, and friends have been really kind. I'm glad to be here.

Pacharamon " Nicky" (right), from Thailand - 32 weeks

How important are your teachers in learning English? You can meet lots of enthusiastic, fun, and energetic teachers at CSLI. I know that every student is looking for the perfect teacher and you have found them. They are here at CSLI. They know what you want and what you need from some class. They help you with everything. They can be your friends, your family, sometimes more that other things in your life away from home.

Don't worry too much; come to CSLI to meet your best English teachers.

Kwang Ju, from Korea - 46 weeks -

(Masa won the Student of the Month Award, which gave him a one-month scholarship to CSLI.)

First of all, I didn't expect this award. At the graduation party in September, I saw Lior get Student of the Month. At that time I got best Halloween costume. I know he always studied hard and I also know that everyone who got the award before are hard workers.

When we enter CSLI first, we get a file from the school. The school says that "You are welcome to have lunch here at CSLI in the Student Lounge" and also "Write a journal", so I always tried to do it. However, those things are fun, so I did them. Going to the lounge was my pleasure too. The first week at CSLI I didn't know anyone, so I started to talk to everyone. The lounge is also one of my classrooms!

And I know the feeling of new students, so I tried to talk to them in a fun way because I wanted to study English with fun!

Anyway, I won the award! This was one of the best experiences of my life!

Masa, from Japan - 15 weeks

Have you ever been to CSLI? I came here two months ago. Every day in every way, my English is getting better and better. We have perfect and funny teachers.
Do you want to learn English very well and have an enjoyable time? There is everything you need here.
Before you decide, you should try CSLI!

Burcu, from Turkey - 36 weeks

Hi my name is Marco. I've been here at CSLI after seeing all other ESL schools here downtown. CSLI was my best choice. My business class encouraged me to choose my future degree in Industry / Engineer & Management, which I'm going to study at Still Water, Oklahoma in the States.
Anyway, I loved it. Join CSLI, the greatest school. I'm definitely going back again (only for fun).

Marco (left), from Mexico - 20 weeks

I think that the CSLI's location is perfect!!! The school is downtown, which is the main place in Vancouver. Everybody can easily find happiness because for women who like shopping it's paradise. The most famous place for shopping is Robson Street, and you can go there 10 minutes. For people who love sports it is very good because the school is the neighbor of the big stadium BC Place; they can run by the sea or by bike; and there are a lot of different places very near of the school like swimming pool, playground (tennis, basketball, soccer etc. And for those crazy about cinema, nightclubs, bars…a lot of places are very near the school. And lazy people can take the bus, sky train or aquabus…

I really love all my teachers… I think they love their job and it's very important because they teach with a lot of energy and fun. It's a real pleasure to learn with them. They are your teacher in the classroom and very nice people, fun like very good friends. During the class, the lesson, they have got a nice teaching method. They start with a "Warm up", which consists of doing fun exercises like games, and after it depends on the class you choose. You can choose conversation, listening, TOEFL, etc… but in all classes you've got grammar and pronunciation to help you a lot to improve your English. And in every class there is a very good atmosphere.

I had a very good time in the residence at CSLI with all the people there. I think it's a very good experience and a chance to know different people, difference cultures, different food, etc… When I arrived in the dormitory I knew how to cook but I learned a lot about the food of other countries, and I tasted some specialties from different countries. And sometimes on some nights we cooked all together, we watched TV, played games, did homework. I remember my first week in the dormitory, one night everybody had got homework so everybody went to the table to work together. It was fun.

Melanie, from France - 15 weeks

On the 17th September, around two hundred CSLI students had a big graduation party on a boat. Even though the weather wasn't very sunny, it was enough to enjoy the party.

Before we boarded the boat, we celebrated a lot of students who were leaving the school. After that, the next plan was to announce the Student of the Month as usual. I was one of the students that wondered who would win the award. However, when the director, Lori Ann opened her mouth, I couldn't help being surprised, because what she said was Andy's name and my name. My heart started to beat very quickly and I almost blanked out.

I was one of the greatest moments of my life. I was so excited! After the ceremony, all students headed for the cruise. The real cruise party began then. The big boat cruised around Granville Island for about 2 hours. While it was doing that, we had a lot of fun with the teachers; some of the students showed their traditional dances and some of them took pictures of each other with beautiful Canadian nature. I also enjoyed the fabulous Canadian nature and had my pictures taken with my friends who graduated from the school. Usually, when we talk about graduation ceremonies, it seems a bit sad and depressing, because we have to leave school and many classmates, but the graduation parties at CSLI are quite different from the general idea.

We have many exciting events during the graduations. This cruise graduation is one of them. I am so lucky that I could have a great experience. I couldn't dream of having such a wonderful graduation party in my country. Even in Canada, it would be a special one.

Peter (left), from Korea - 29 weeks

When I arrived in Vancouver I felt overwhelmed but CSLI supported me finding and getting everything that I needed. After four months of intense classes, I was prepared to start my film school. CSLI is for sure the best school in town.

Thiago, from Brazil - 20 weeks

My experience at CSLI

It is never easy to say goodbye, especially when the experiences shared become an important part of oneself.

I could never forget my first day of classes. To take the bus in a foreign country, to see many new things at the same time and realizing that I was going to start something new in my life, those all were situations that had me paying attention. How relieved and confidence I felt when I saw the people of CSLI for the first time!

The first faces I saw when I arrived to the school were Lori-Ann's and a group of kind people, CSLI staff and host students, who gave me a very warm welcome. Since that moment, I knew that I could count on them for the necessary support to make this experience one of the best of my life.

In spite of being 33 years old, I never felt uncomfortable or out of place… All my classmates, even younger than me, were very kind and we were all joined in the desire to learn English and share the cultural essence of your country.

I met interesting people from many countries; I was an ambassador from Costa Rica and I won the first place in the Chef Party that CSLI organized!!! I started a special friendship with my host parents (they will come to Costa Rica in order to know my country); and the most important thing: I got confidence not only about the English language but also about myself.

I cannot say more than this: if the life would give me another chance to repeat this experience, I would do it a thousand times and I wouldn't doubt, even for a second, in looking for your school and its splendid teaching and administration staff. I will always have you in my mind.

Kattia, from Costa Rica - 13 weeks

Being in the dorm was an unforgettable experience. I met a lot of people from all around the globe, Mexico, Denmark, Quebec, Dominican Rep., Argentina, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, from just everywhere. The Dorm is really comfortable; you have all a student would need for daily life and even more, like bedroom with a desk, lamps, big TV, VCR with lots of movies, a complete laundry, internet connection for your laptop, and a nice kitchen with all the stuff and a even dishwasher! You don't have to spend money for transportation cause you live in the school and you're so close.

In short, it's a great experience that you have to experience. People in the dorm will become like brothers. It's just awesome!!

After I finished CSLI, I got a job in which I have to use English in various situations. I really loved to be a host student who helps other students and guests in school life. Through this volunteer work, I got to know how I can get to know each personality in a short time, and how to communicate in English with people who are from a different culture. And I realized I got not only English skills, but also communication skills at CSLI. I believe I can talk about lots of things without thinking about grammar mistakes, anywhere!!!

Eriko, from Japan - 31 weeks

When I came to CSLI I had two main goals with my stay in order to handle business situations in my future career: I wanted to improve my conversation skills and my vocabulary, in other words: to shake the dust of my spoken English and have a bigger vocabulary at my disposal. It is one thing to be able to read and understand English all right, and something else to speak fluent and proper English in business and negotiation situations.

CSLI is a place where you get to talk a lot. Of course the focus in the different classes is on different aspects of the language, but a very useful thing is the warm ups in the beginning of each class. In these warm ups your class can be mixed with other classes, which means that you get to know a lot of people within a very short time. This is not only good for social situations, but to a considerable degree for your English skills. The more people you know, the more English you'll speak and the faster you'll improve your skills. Also there is a very important (and strict) rule at CSLI which helps you: you are not allowed to speak any language other than English at the school.

I spent 8 weeks at CSLI and in those 8 weeks I spoke more English than ever before and it really had a positive effect on my confidence with the language. I will no longer be embarrassed to use my English in business and my academic texts in English at university are being read with a higher speed now. Also I feel that my vocabulary has grown. Beyond listening and reading you are also taught many useful idioms and everyday sayings that make you feel more secure in conversations with people who have English as their first language.

Kristina (right), from Denmark - 8 weeks

Hi everybody at CSLI,

I was a student of CSLI this summer (May until July 2004). It was the best experience of my life. It's a great school with good teachers and staff. I met a lot of new friends all over the world.

I really miss the school and the city. It's a nice place and the dormitory was fantastic. I hope to be able to go back in Vancouver soon. I have a new job in human resources in Montreal and it's a little bit because of your help. Now I'm able to have a conversation in English with the customers and the qualifications of my job required a bilingual professional.

It was such a terrific experience!!!

Thanks and take care,

I spent the summer of 2004 in Vancouver, where I not only took TOEFL and Business English classes at CSLI, but also took part in the internship program and worked for the writer Kelly E. Nault. The two months in Canada were the most wonderful time of my life; I grew a lot personally and I formed so many real friendships that I can still depend on today.

My experiences have inspired me so much that I started my studies in North American and Canadian Studies last fall. I would love to get the chance to study again at CSLI, to learn more about Canada, to improve my English even more, to be able to visit my host family (the Hagens) and just to be back in Canada, not only for academic reasons, but also because it's a place that is near to my heart!

I spent 15 weeks at CSLI. It was a great part of a one-year trip around the world. During my stay in Vancouver, I lived with a local Canadian family, which was a fabulous experience; I had my own room and privacy and I could talk with the family members about their life. I participated in TOEFL class and Listening & Pronunciation class. Both were very good classes with wonderful teachers. Every day, I learned something new in English that was very good for me. I had come to improve my English and the classes I took helped me to achieve this goal. I made many friends with whom I am still in contact these days. My stay at CSLI gave me a great opportunity to make friends from all over the world. It was an experience I will never forget.

Lior (middle), from Israel - 15 weeks

I'm so happy to have a chance to write about CSLI because I have such a special feeling about the school.

I can't forget the first day I visited CSLI. I had had some problems during my first month in Canada, so I was a bit nervous and worried about everything. However, I felt awesome thanks to the kind staff and active atmosphere in the school. With this good feeling, I thought that CSLI might be a good turning point for me to refresh my life in Vancouver.

I've had an amazing time for the last 6 months. I love so many things about the school. All of the teachers and staff are so kind and open. They really help the students (including me) a lot. It's wonderful to be around such nice people. I also like the variety of activities and programs at CSLI. The students from different countries get to know each other and experience Canadian culture through many activities.

It is a never-ending story when I talk about CSLI. It's usually difficult to meet so many nice people at once. That's why I feel like I'm the luckiest person in the world. I love all the teachers, staff, and students at CSLI. I'd like to say thank you so much to them for giving me a chance to have such phenomenal experiences and memories of Canada.

Jung Mi "Elly" (right), from Korea - 6 months

I had the time of my life at CSLI. You can combine two tremendously important things - improving your English skills at a very high level and getting to know people you never want to miss in your life again!

The whole friendly and international atmosphere at the school encourages you to learn in a comfortable and exciting environment, and all this in a city like Vancouver which you will fall in love with the minute you walk out of the airport!

Salah, from Germany - 4 weeks

It's been a long time I wanted to improve my English, and one month is so short. But the teachers at CSLI are very passionate and full of energy, so the courses are always interesting.

Besides studying, it is a pleasure for me to visit around. I visited Victoria and the Butchart Gardens (beautiful!). I went to Whistler - we climbed to the top of the mountain and just appreciated the marvelous sight we had in front of us. When I return to Quebec, I will never forget this nice part of my country.

Students here come from everywhere in the world. We have so many things to learn from each other… and they are so kind that I feel like a mother to them.

Martine, from Quebec - 4 weeks

Learning English at CSLI is quite a different way to learn a foreign language because of professional coaching and teaching that gives you the feeling of learning in a big family. Especially living in the dorm right next to the school in downtown Vancouver was quite comfortable and the right choice, because you are able to get to any place in this exciting city quickly.

CSLI offers so many English courses and levels that everyone can choose his/her appropriate English class and improve his/her level constantly. Each lesson is dedicated to the students. So it is up to the students to choose what they have to or want to improve.

I took part in the Business English class and conversation class, and took an official TOEIC exam before I graduated. In both classes I got to know so many students from all over the world and made friends with some really nice people. It was always a great pleasure to get to know other cultural habits and to understand the way of thinking of people from other nations and cultures. If I were asked if I would do this "trip" again, I would not hesitate to say yes. If you ask me, CSLI is the right language school in one of the nicest cities in the world. But what should I say about Vancouver? I think you should just take a look at my photos taken during my stay in/at Vancouver...

CSLI offers scholarships to selected students. These are for 4 weeks of half-time English classes combined with volunteer work at CSLI for the remainder of the day. Includes 60 hours of tuition and activities, books, taxes, and registration.

Please fill in this form to be eligible to win a scholarship at CSLI.