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Program Overview
| Douglas College will not be offering the Explore program in 2012. |
The five weeks of your program will be intense. Each day will be very busy. Mentally prepare yourself to come and learn English and the culture of British Columbia in an atmosphere where participation is required and your time will be more organized than usual.
Here is an example of a typical week in an Explore program at Douglas College. It will include classes, workshops, a field trip, a socio/cultural event, optional activities, and drop-in activities.
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Classes
Regular classes run Monday to Friday and are mandatory. While the beginner classes concentrate on oral communication, more advanced classes focus on language and content. Classes contain grammar instruction in the context of your daily work. You will use your knowledge of English to compose and resolve problems inside and outside of class, to take part in discussions, and to complete your English reading and research tasks.
You may not have English vocabulary or expression lists to memorize and your course may not contain an hour of formal grammar each day. Yes, you will learn a lot of vocabulary and typical English expressions, but it will be through your own observations while you're studying various topics.
Class sizes are small - there will be no more than 18 students in each class. Unlike many university classes, the teacher will take attendance.
Workshops
Workshops are held up to four afternoons each week and are an important and mandatory part of the program. These workshops are led by monitors who will give you the chance to practice your English while engaged in interesting activities or projects. Possible workshops include:
- video journalism
- urban geography
- music and lyrics
- theatrical improv
- slang and challenging word games
- sports and health
- discussion and debate
- public speaking
- community contact through volunteering
Students typically sign up for two or three sets of workshops during the first week of the program.
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Field Trips
This is an important opportunity to explore BC's culture, history, or environment.
One afternoon each week will be off campus. This experiential learning component might be:
- a multi-cultural project
- an exploration of a neighbourhood
- a visit to a cultural site
- an exploration of Granville Island
- a visit to Stanley Park
- a scavenger hunt
- a theatre event
Entry fees and travel costs for these field trips are included in your bursary. Attendance is mandatory.
Socio/Cultural Events
Each week, the program will come together for a socio/cultural event in the evening. This may be:
- a welcome party
- a themed BBQ party hosted by Douglas Students' Union
- a wine and cheese mixer
- a homestay family picnic
- a salsa dance party
- an Explore student talent show
One evening during each program, all of the homestay families, students and staff meet at a local park for a picnic. There are hundreds of guests. The monitors arrange activities such as watermelon eating contests, balloon tosses, piñatas, tug-of-war contests, and California kickball.
Optional Activities
Optional activities are usually held on evenings and weekends. You can choose to participate, at your own cost, in several optional activities. You can sign up for these once you arrive.
Optional activities which may be offered within Metro Vancouver include:
- a day at Stanley Park
- a hike
- a visit to a restaurant
- a movie night
- time at a festival hosted by a local community
- beach volleyball
- baseball
- badminton
- lawn bowling
- soccer
- or any one of many other activities possible in Vancouver.
Most optional activities in Metro Vancouver are free or inexpensive. For example, if you bring a lunch from your homestay, a visit to Stanley Park will only cost what you pay to get there and back on public transit. If you choose to rollerblade at Stanley Park, you will need to rent rollerblades if you haven't brought your own.
Student participation and planning is very important to the program. We will plan many activities for you outside of class, but if you have an additional activity you would like to plan during the program, mention it to the staff and they may be able to guide you in your planning and promotion.
Victoria and Whistler Optional Overnight Trips
Many students enjoy visiting Victoria and Whistler for day or overnight trips. Consider these adventures when preparing your budget. Monitors can recommend travel, accommodation, restaurant, and tourist activities.
Drop-in Activities
Drop-in activities are optional and are usually held following workshops. Drop in activities may include:
- video cafés
- sing-alongs
- coffee house conversations
Drop in activities are optional, so you may choose whether or not to participate. These activities are free.
| Douglas College will not be offering the Explore program in 2012. |
