English Language Programs Handbook

The University of Guelph English Language Programs are intensive English for academic purposes (EAP) programs. These programs aim to promote students' learning strategies, and help to develop independent, critical and reflective language learners who are able to work effectively in an academic context. The primary focus of the programs is to provide students with pathways and support for the transition to degree study at the University of Guelph; however, the rigorous academic focus of the programs helps develop skills that can be applied to a range of different challenges. 

Students get opportunities for cultural integration through planned activities in Guelph and surrounding areas, as well as through living with Canadian families in homestay. Students also have opportunities for rich interaction with Canadian university students through our ELP Buddy and Conversation Tutor programs. English Language Instructors at the University of Guelph have on average 15 years of teaching experience in Canada and abroad, as well as post-graduate diplomas in TESL and graduate degrees in Applied Linguistics or Teaching English as a Second Language. Our administrative and academic support staff have extensive expertise and years of experience in supporting international students, and can provide valuable guidance on degree program pathways. 

The University of Guelph is committed to the highest standards of pedagogy; the education and well-being of the whole person; meeting the needs of all learners in a purposefully diverse community; the pursuit of its articulated learning objectives; rigorous self-assessment; and curriculum that fosters creativity, skill development, critical inquiry, and active learning. The University of Guelph educates students for life and work in a rapidly changing world.

For more information, please read the full University of Guelph Mission Statement. 

Truth: The University of Guelph's core value is the pursuit of truth. It is animated by a spirit of free and open enquiry, collaboration, and mutual respect. It asserts the fundamental equality of all human beings and is committed to creating for all members of its community, an environment that is hospitable, safe, supportive, equitable, pleasurable, and above all, intellectually challenging. 

Diversity: Students have a responsibility to help create and uphold an environment that respects the diversity and differences of members of our campus, and allows all members to be treated with dignity, worth and respect. 

Integrity: Students have a responsibility to help maintain the integrity of the University as a community for learning, such as abiding by all Canadian laws, including:

1. No possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia
2. No possession of alcohol under the age of 19
3. Not smoking anywhere on campus

Learning: Students have a responsibility to help support community members' access to the tools they need to engage in their learning and development, both in and outside of the classroom; for example, to not interfere with the normal functioning of the University, nor to intimidate, interfere with, threaten or otherwise obstruct any activity organized by the University, including classes. 

Safety: Students have a responsibility to support an environment that enables students to be safe and free from harm; for example, students have a responsibility to treat all members of the University community with respect and without harassment.

• Harassment is defined as any attention or conduct (oral, written, virtual, graphic or physical) by an individual or group who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that such attention or conduct is unwelcome/unwanted, offensive or intimidating.
• Sexual Assault: to not assault any person sexually or threaten any person with sexual assault.
• Bodily Harm: to not engage in activities that are likely to endanger the health or safety of yourself or another person, or to assault or threaten to assault another person or to knowingly cause another person to fear bodily harm.
• Firearms and Other Weapons: to not bring onto campus any firearms or weapons (examples include but not limited to: BB guns, slingshots, paintball guns, firecrackers, gunpowder or any other forms of unauthorized hazardous materials). Students are not allowed to use any objects to injure, threaten or intimidate a person.
• Fire and Life Safety Equipment: to not tamper or interfere with, discharge or activate any life safety or fire equipment on campus unless for the purposes of responding to an emergency.

For more information, please read the University of Guelph's Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct. 

Please visit our Technical Requirements page for online learning system requirements.

At the beginning of each term, all new students are placed in levels according to their performances on the following tests:

• Oxford Online Test
• A Timed Written Test

New students who are uncertain about their level placement should contact the academic coordinator in person or by email by the second day of regular classes. 

English Language Certificate Program (ELCP)

A continuation of study policy is in effect as follows:

• A student who achieves an overall term average of 70% or greater may proceed to the next level in sequence.
• A student who achieves an overall term average less than 70% must repeat the level and will be placed on probation for one term, with the understanding that the student must obtain a minimum overall term average of 70% in that repeated level or they will not be permitted to register for the forthcoming seven-week term.
• A student who achieves an overall term average of 90% or higher in the level has demonstrated strong performance and therefore may be at a higher English proficiency level. The student is therefore eligible to take the level placement tests for the upcoming term. 

Integrated Admission Pathway (IAP)

At the beginning of each term, students receive course outlines that set out the number and type of assignments in each course. Assignment due dates and penalties for late assignments will be communicated by the instructor in the course outline. In the event that students are unable to meet an assignment deadline, they should discuss their situation with the instructor immediately and in advance of the due date. Procedures for submission of assignments will also be communicated by the instructor. The instructor cannot grant extensions beyond the last day of regular classes.

Throughout each seven-week term, students are assessed using a combination of diagnostic, formative and summative evaluation techniques, such as quizzes, presentations, worksheets and assignments. This process allows the instructor to gauge student progress, determine areas where further practice is required and guide the direction of course content. At the end of each seven-week term, students write final exams. 

• A+ = 90-100%
• A = 85-89%
• A- = 80-84%
• B+ = 77-79%
• B = 73-76%
• B- = 70-72%
• C+ = 67-69%
• C = 63-66%
• C- = 60-62%
• D+ = 57-59%
• D = 53-56%
• D- = 50-52%
• F = 0-49%

Students can access their final grades approximately 6 days after the final day of the exam period by logging in to the SCS Student Portal.

If you require an official transcript, please complete a Transcript Request Form.

Grades are not official until they are communicated to the student by the University of Guelph. Grades will not be communicated to students by phone, fax or email. 

You are required to attend class. When you attend class, you gain the full advantage of your tuition. Your attendance status will be assessed in accordance with the following chart:

Hours of Class Missed in a Semester

10% or more: Warning

• You must meet with the Open Learning program Counsellor, or other designated program staff

33% or more: Required to Withdraw

• Your registration in the program will be cancelled without refund.
• You will not receive a final report or certificate.
• You may not attend classes or activities.
• Canadian Immigration will be notified of your withdrawal.
• Your library card and athletic membership will be cancelled.
• You will not receive a bus pass.
• You may not use the services of the Student Health Centre.
• If you have a scholarship, your sponsor will be notified.
• Your medical insurance will not be cancelled . 

If you are absent for an extended period (three days or more), due to illness or other circumstances, you must inform the English Language Programs office by email during the period of your absence.

When you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out from your instructor what material, quizzes or assignments you have missed. You are responsible for making arrangements on how missed work will be handled.

If you feel your situation requires special consideration, please refer to the Assignment/Exam Grade Appeals section below. 

For transcript requests, please visit our Transcripts & Credentials page.

Please see the Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions section on our Academic Policies & Procedures page.

Please see the Academic Accommodation of Religious Obligations section on our Academic Policies & Procedures page.

Please see the Academic Misconduct section of our Academic Policies & Procedures page.

As per University regulations, all students are required to check their mail.uoguelph.ca email account regularly. Email is the official route of communication between the University and its students. 

Please see the Academic Accessibility Accommodations for Learners section on our Academic Policies & Procedures page.

Students who achieve a minimum of 70% in each Advanced Level course, with an overall advanced level average of 75%, achieve the Certificate of English Proficiency. The Certificate of English Proficiency meets the English proficiency requirements for entry into the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph-Humber. 

Students who complete the English Language Pathway courses (Semesters 1, 2 and 3) with an overall average of 75%, and no course average below 70%, will achieve the Certificate of English Proficiency. The Certificate of English Proficiency meets the English proficiency requirements for entry into the University of Guelph, the University of Guelph-Humber and Wilfrid Laurier University.  

Successful completion of the Certificate of English Proficiency is one of the accepted measures of English proficiency for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Guelph. Students have several ways to gain admission to undergraduate studies:

• Direct admission: Students who have excellent high school marks and/or a strong score on their home country's University Entrance Examinations may apply for direct admission to undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph.  
• Open Learning program: Students who have never studied in a post-secondary institution also have the option to take degree-credit courses through the Open Learning Program. Please refer to the Open Learning Program section in the current Undergraduate Calendar. Students who achieve an overall average of 80% or higher in Levels 7 and 8 or in Levels 8 and 9 are eligible to take one Open Learning Program course in the following semester. Open Learning Program course offerings begin in January, May and September. 

Successful completion of the Certificate of English Proficiency is one of the accepted measures of English proficiency for Graduate Studies at the University of Guelph. For more information on admission to Graduate Studies, please contact the graduate secretary of the academic department of your subject area.

Visit the online graduate calendar for specific contact information. 

Through formal evaluations, students will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the design, instructional approach and administration of each course. Evaluations are administered so as to preserve students' anonymity. Evaluation comments will be summarized and shared with instructors, only after final grades have been submitted. Students may also forward comments directly to the English Language Programs academic coordinator at any time during the course. 

Please see the Library Access section on our Pre-Registration Policies & Procedures page.

Students will receive a monthly bus pass which provides unlimited access to local transit. Visit the Guelph Transit website for detailed information about local transit. 

All students must have medical insurance during their studies at the University of Guelph. English Language Programs provides medical insurance through GuardME Canada. A student wishing to provide their own medical insurance must provide proof of insurance no less than two weeks before the start date of the program to opt out of the coverage provided. 

Students who are renewing their study permits should request transcripts from our main office. If any other documents are required, please request them by filling out a letter request form at the English Language Programs office. 

A request to withdraw from the program must be made in writing by completing a drop form at the English Language Programs office. Drop requests received before the 20th day of the term will deregister you from the program or course without academic penalty. This means that the course and grade will not show on your transcript. If you complete the drop request after the 20th day of the term, the course and the grade you have earned up to your drop date will show on the academic transcript. 

Students are permitted to request a leave of absence should they need to take a break from their studies. They must fill out an ELP Drop Form from the English Language Programs office. Tuition and student service fees will be transferred to their intended semester of return, based on the refund policy of their program.

Fees

There is no charge for an initial Leave of Absence to be processed; however, if a student does not return for their intended semester, a $100 fee will be charged for each subsequent request to defer their registration. If a student has transferred tuition fees, the $100 will be taken from the tuition fees already paid. If no tuition has been paid, the $100 will need to be paid in order to process the deferral request. 

The refund policy is specific to each ELP program and can be found on the program page.

The School of Continuing Studies at the University of Guelph is committed to providing high quality academic English language instruction. We take student problems and complaints very seriously. At all times, we encourage students to provide feedback on the program, instructors, and administrative systems.

How to Solve a Problem or Concern

1. Write out your concern in a step-by-step format.
2. Email or bring your written concern to the person.
3. Make an appointment to speak with the person; it is not always possible to see a person without making an appointment.
4. Explain your concern slowly and clearly.
5. You will find that the people want to help you to resolve the problem. It is helpful if you can explain the whole problem, not just one small part of the problem. This helps to determine the best solution to the problem.

Who should you talk to?

Who You Should Talk to for Problem Resolution 

The School of Continuing Studies adheres to the University's policy on the Release of Student Information. Please see the Notice of Collection section on our Pre-Registration Policies & Procedures page.