Explore Program

Immerse yourself in an intensive program, with international students, to improve your oral and written English skills. Participate in engaging lessons, activities, and discussions. Discover prairie sunsets and hospitality, while making life-long friends and connections to another part of Canada.

Classes focus on developing students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through engaging lessons and activities with international students. Workshops focus on speaking and listening to improve conversational skills.

Program highlights:

• Develop your English skills at a research-intensive university
• Indigenous component to programming
• Gain insight into common university classroom expectations and strategies for cross-cultural communication
• Highly experienced instructors
• Enjoy access to UM facilities and services
• Vibrant and picturesque campus. It contains numerous potential film location sites and occasionally allows use of its facilities to members of the film industry.

Example activities:

• Sociocultural and recreational activities
• Outdoor excursions to cultural and historic sites

Classroom hours:

8:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. CDT

Classes, workshops and language-intensive activities will run Monday to Friday. These are mandatory and an integral part of the program.

Immerse yourself in an intensive English program, with international students, at the University of Manitoba. Students enrolled in this full-time Explore program, will use Zoom to join their classes with their instructors and classmates to engage in lessons, activities, and discussions. Students will also be able to participate in online activities in their own time.  Make life-long friends and global connections!

Classes focus on developing students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through engaging lessons and activities with international students. Workshops focus on speaking and listening to improve conversational skills.

Program highlights:

• Develop your English skills in a research-intensive university
• Indigenous component to programming
• Gain insight into common university classroom expectations and strategies for cross-cultural communication
• Highly experienced instructors
• Daily interaction with students from different cultures
• Opportunities to extend learning outside the classroom

Example activities:

• Fun virtual activities include tours, chat café, games etc.

Classroom hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. CDT

The University of Manitoba offers an interactive virtual program, with a focus on practical communication skills and strategies focusing on culture and current themes and topics. Students will learn common idioms, academic vocabulary, and improve their writing.  Be ready to participate and to make connections with others on Zoom! 

Classes focus on developing students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through engaging lessons and activities with international students. Workshops focus on speaking and listening to improve conversational skills.

Program highlights:

• Develop your English skills in a research-intensive university
• Indigenous component to programming
• Task-based learning and workshops
• Learn about the unique geographical context of Manitoba
• Opportunities to extend learning outside the classroom

Example activities:

• Fun virtual activities include tours, games, etc.

Classroom hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. CDT

Prior to arrival, Explore students will receive an email with instructions on how to take an online placement test. The results of the placement test will help us determine your language level, so that you can be placed in an appropriate level.

Socio-cultural activities will provide opportunities for students to use the language while exploring the uniqueness of Winnipeg and Manitoba. They will include outdoor excursions to cultural and historic sites and recreational activities.

Supervised activities will also be organized on Saturdays. Paid activities may be offered, but they will be optional.

The ELC and the University of Manitoba are committed to a safe and respectful learning and teaching environment. Students are responsible for knowing and following the appropriate conduct expected of them as members of the UM community. The following conduct policies outline what is, and what is not, considered appropriate behaviour:

• Respectful Work and Learning Environment
• Student Discipline
• Violent or Threatening Behaviour
• Academic Integrity website
• Student Discipline By Law
• Responsible Computer Usage Agreement
• UM Sexual Violence Policy

The English Language Centre follows the University’s policies, regarding concerning behaviours (student and staff)

The ELC follows the University of Manitoba’s guidelines for academic integrity. Academic integrity means that students will study in a fair and honest way in their classes (in-person or remote). Academic Integrity rules apply to all assessments. In cases of misconduct, the English Language Centre will refer to the Student Discipline Bylaw on how to proceed.

Please see the student handbook for specific situations and consequences.

Dismissal from the Program: Any of the following will constitute cause for dismissal:  

• Refusing to speak the target language which must be always used during the program.
• Missing classes, workshops, seminars, and required socio-cultural activities without valid permission.
  • A Certificate of Program Completion will not be given if a participant is absent from mandatory classes or activities without permission and/or if a participant is dismissed from the program.
• Behaving irresponsibly and/or being disruptive and/or uncooperative and/or harassing any person(s). 
  • Harassment, bullying, gossip, and slander that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. This includes, but is not limited to, use of whiteboards, comments made via social media or texting, etc. Sexual harassment will be addressed through UM’s Policy on Sexual Violence. 

• Possessing and/or using illegal drugs, any non-prescription narcotic, and/or the use of prescription medication for purposes other than those for which they were prescribed.
• Possession or consumption of alcohol by persons under 18 years of age and/or supplying alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.
• Not meeting the Classroom Expectations and Attendance Policy, as outlined in the handbook and course outlines, may lead to being dismissed from the program.

Note: If dismissed from the program, students must leave the campus and Homestay immediately and return home at their own expense.