1. Will I or my family be safe in the Comox Valley?

First , the Comox Valley is one of the safest places in North America. Statistics prove this.

Second , CVIC and Host Families stay in contact with each other so that we can immediately identify and address any problem that may arise .

Third , We introduce you to the Valley, our systems, and our services so that in a short time you will be comfortable and feel secure with us.

2. What if the school closes or goes out of business?

We established CVIC because a high quality small-town school was needed and, to be truthful, it is a wonderful way to earn a living. CVIC is here for you today and will be here for you tomorrow, that is our pledge to you.

We are registered with P.P.S.E.C. a government agency that monitors , among other important things, our financial performance. Each year we must submit our Balance Sheet and Income Statement for their review at re-registration time.

3. Will I be be in a class where all of the other students are from my own country?

We will always strive to schedule our enrolment so that no one nationality dominates a class. We recognize and appreciate that you are not only coming to CVIC to learn English and about Canadian culture but also to meet and associate with new people from other countries. We also have an "English only" policy in the school.

4. Is something wrong with other schools?

The answer to this question is complex because there are such a large number of schools. It is true, there are some bad ones out there so be careful! Quality schools will not only describe the "fun" you will have but also give you detailed information about every aspect of the school, their courses, and area so that you can make an intelligent and comfortable decision. They will answer all of your questions honestly and completely. All you have to do is ask! Remember that complete information is your right. Of course the ideal situation is for you to visit the school before enrolling and inspect it. You should talk to the students and instructors, talk with a Homestay family. Be sure to check with their regulatory agency or the Better business bureau in that area to see if there are any complaints or unresolved issues . Unfortunately this is easier said than done.

We welcome such visits and will give you or your representative our undivided attention at the school and show you the Comox Valley also.

5. Some schools have cheaper prices. Perhaps I should register with one of them?

We see schools around the world offering deep discounts and free airfare etc. Ask yourself some questions about such fantastic deals, for example;

• Can they now afford to give me a quality education at such a low price?
• If they can give me a quality education were their previous prices too high?
• Are all the students being treated equally?
• Will the school still be there when I arrive?

There is a big difference between Cheap and Inexpensive .

Remember, you are making a very important decision and it concerns your future!

6. I need to learn English fast! Is intensive English what I need?

Intensive is a term many schools use to lure students looking for instant results. Studying disciplines such as Science or Mathematics intensively may yield great results. Intensive study is simply memorization, which is how many of us have been taught a second language in high school. It is a wonderful method for collecting information - it is an inferior method for learning to use a language. Learning a language is an active experience, like learning to ride a bicycle. You are not able to learn to ride by reading about it or pretending to do it in a classroom, nor can you effectively learn English this way. An intensive language course will give you lots of information in a short time, but you will not necessarily be a more competent user of English as a result. At CVIC our program is interactive and results oriented. We endeavor to fully integrate you into society so that you will be using and learning English all day and every day.

7. I have studied English for years in my country but I still cannot speak it well. Will CVIC be too difficult for me?

It is a very common misconception that if you are having trouble learning to speak a language that it is your fault . This is not true! You have years worth of information stored in your brain, now you need to give your English some organization and exercise. It is like building a muscle - the more you use it the stronger and more capable it will become. Our course immerses you into a friendly English speaking community which does wonders for students. In a very short time you will find yourself speaking and understanding without spending all of your time inside a classroom, and the rest of your evening studying.

8. What is so special about CVIC ?

There is so much written on other pages that I would be repeating myself and wasting a lot of space here. Read the pages and I hope it will become evident to you. But I can give you some examples to look for: Our standard full time course (Super Intensive) is 120 hours per month. Our special curriculum is designed to be effective, medium pressure, and produce high results for you.

Our Community Volunteer Program (C.A.P.) was designed and initiated for your benefit. It helps you to learn English language, customs, and etiquette . Three very important benefits of the plan are higher self-esteem , higher confidence, and a way to help you to remember your English more easily.

Our area , the Comox Valley. Previously I stated that "Canada's easy living is one of the world's best kept secrets". Well, "the Comox Valley is one of Canada's best kept secrets". However, this has quickly changed. The Valley is one of the fastest growing areas in Canada as many people discover what a wonderful place this is.

Safety: It is always wise to be street smart, no matter where you go. However, you can stroll through our towns and not have any fear of being accosted or bothered.

Friendliness: You can expect frequent nods and smiles from people as you walk through town. The residents of this town do a great job making visitors feel welcome.

Homestay Families are thoroughly screened . Each family is given a personal interview and their homes, community standing , and your accommodations are checked. Each family must also give us two letters of reference and submit to a criminal background check by the R.C.M.P.

Things to do and see? Did you know that the Comox Valley is known as the recreation capital of Canada? Visit our Links pages to get a taste of the many activities offered here.

9. Why do students learn to speak more quickly when they are overseas?

English courses taught in your native country are a good start, and they will be very useful once you take thenext step and enrol in an immersion program overseas. The problem with studying English in your native country is that you do not have the opportunity to use it in a natural setting. Have you ever ordered a meal in an English speaking restaurant, conversed with an English speaking associate, or had to ask for directions while visiting an English speaking country? If you have it is a safe bet that you remember almost every word you said and that these are the first words that come to mind when you try to think of something in English. It is a proven fact that you will learn anything more quickly if the lesson is part of a meaningful experience. Practise is good but practise with a purpose is much better.

By becoming part of an English speaking community you will have purpose in your English experiences every day - in your Homestay family, while buying items at a store, while volunteering, simply by taking the bus home and having a conversation with an English speaker sitting next to you. Meaningful, active language experiences will give you the skills needed to become a competent English user faster than any other form of language education.

10. There are so many interesting places to visit in Canada, and I have heard so much about what a friendly, safe, and inexpensive place it is to live in. I would love to study there but I am worried that it would be too cold for me.

Canadians love to clear up this misconception whenever they have the opportunity! Over 80% of Canadians live within 100 km of the U.S. border. Winters are usually harsher in many of the American Midwestern states than they are in the majority of Canadian cities. It is true that some places in Canada will have very exciting winters, but be assured the summers are warm. The southwest coast of British Columbia has some of the mildest and most pleasant weather in all of North America. There are reasons for this such as the Japanese current etc. (Did you know that an arm of the warm Japanese current ends at the Comox Valley seashore?) Along with the wondrous experience of our distinct seasons is the advantage of an ever changing array of recreational opportunities - from skiing Mt. Washington and Forbidden Plateau to sailing, hiking, and horseback riding or perhaps just lying on the beach on a sunny day. Canada's easy living is one of the world's best kept secrets!