There are many students from all corners of the world coming to Toronto to study. They are coming here either to study English or to enroll in high schools and universities.
Toronto is proudly diverse which makes anyone feel immediately comfortable and allows each person to blend in easily. There are many reputable ESL schools, high schools and universities and teachers who are educated under the strictest standards.
When coming to Toronto to study the English language, it is very important to choose an ESL school wisely. Always inform yourself of the school’s success rates;especially on exams written to gain university acceptance such the IELTS and the TOEFL. Ask about the number of students per class. The smaller the class the more attention the teacher will pay to each individual student and the more time each student will have to speak. Try not to enroll in classes where most of the students are from your home country because you will end up speaking your language a lot and your intention is to learn English not practice your native tongue. This will also give you the opportunity to meet students from countries other than your own and allow you to learn about other cultures , while practicing your English of course.
Choose a school close to a subway stop, and one which is centrally located. You want to be close to other amenities-shops, cinemas, cafes etc. Also it will make your commute easier, especially in winter, when the temperature does dip quite low.
Another option is to study with an independent ESL teacher. This will give you the one on one attention you will need. Many students decide to combine the the two options in order to accelerate their learning. When studying with an independent ESL teacher be sure to ask for credentials. Ask to see proof of education and qualifications. If a teacher is qualified to teach in Ontario, he/she should be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers. You can go to the Ontario College of Teachers website and check the teacher out. Do not hesitate to do this to make sure you are getting what you pay for.
