sprachcaffe toronto-english-2013.pdf

7/27/2019 Sprachcaffe Toronto-English-2013.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/sprachcaffe-toronto-english-2013pdf 1/14

T O R O N T O



Last update: 29.04.2013

WELCOME TO SPRACHCAFFE

You are totally committed not just to having a holiday, but at the same time, to learning a new language or

improving your skills in a language you already know. We wish you the best of luck and every success in this. It is

great when people want to make the world a bit smaller for themselves.

It pleases us even more that you have chosen Sprachcaffe/GEOS LANGUAGES PLUS for your language holiday. We

offer lively teaching methods, a relaxed and stress-free atmosphere and learning through interaction and natural

conversation. We have become experts in our field over the past 30 years, with 32 destinations worldwide.

In the enclosed documents you will find everything you need to know for your trip. Please do not travel without this

information sheet. If you have any additional questions, we would be glad to answer them: Please send us an email:

[email protected]

We wish you a great holiday and lots of success

Your Sprachcaffe Team

Contents

THE TRIP 1

ACCOMMODATION 2

APARTMENTS 2 HOMESTAY 3

THE SCHOOL 3

LESSONS 4 EXAM COURSES 5

GENERAL INFORMATION 7

ABOUT TORONTO 8

FEEDBACK 10

LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL 11

CHECKLIST BEFORE DEPARTURE 11 CHECKLIST FOR RETURNING HOME 12



Sprachcaffe Toronto

59 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1K6, CANADA

Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 1

The Trip

Toronto has TWO airports but you will almost certainly fly into Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada's

largest airport with over 40 international airlines. Pearson Airport is located 27 km (16 miles) away from downtown

and is accessible by public transport. There are currently two terminals at Toronto Pearson International Airport,

each serving customers traveling within Canada, to the U.S. and international destinations. There are many ways totravel to and from Pearson Airport - by car, public transit, inter-city buses or taxis and limousines. Some bus

companies which run shuttles to the airport are: Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) (Internet:

http://www3.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Airport_service.jsp) and Airport Express (Internet:

www.torontoairportexpress.com).

If you want to check a flight’s status or need any arrival tips, visit the following website: www.gtaa.com.

Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ) is a small, domestic airport located downtown on Toronto Island and linked to the

city by shuttle.

When traveling to Canada, be careful not to bring plants, fruit or live animals as these items are either prohibited

and/or subject to quarantine. Pearson International Airport is located about 30 minutes west of the city center.There are taxis, shuttle buses and public transportation buses that operate regularly from the airport to various

Toronto neighborhoods. Currency exchange facilities and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available in all of

the terminals.

For those students who do not request airport pickup, we suggest you take a taxi from the airport to your host

family or residence. Once you pass through the immigration checkpoint, you will collect your luggage and then pass

through customs. Once you leave the customs area with your bags, look for the signs that say “Taxi”. There will be

an airport staff member there and a line of taxis. Tell the taxi driver where you want to go.

In case of an emergency or a delay of your arrival, you can contact the school at this emergency number: 1-647-

922-1954

If you have booked an airport transfer, please meet your homestay family or the school representative when

you exit the Arrival area. They will be holding a sign with your name on it. Sometimes there are a lot of people

in this area so please look carefully and DO NOT LEAVE this area or take a taxi. If you have any trouble, please

call: 1-647-922-1954



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 2

Accommodation

Your destination address on arrival is stated on your voucher. In general, this address is the address of youraccommodation. Please understand that Sprachcaffe cannot guarantee a completely unproblematic check-in at

our school in Toronto if we are not correctly informed of your arrival time or any delays or changes in flight

timetables.

Apartments

Please note that every student staying in one of our school apartments has to pay a key deposit of $80 CAD uponarrival. Please make sure you have it in cash with you. The week before your program ends, please speak with the

school staff regarding departure procedures in the apartments. You get your deposit money back the day you check

out. YOU MUST CHECK OUT BY 12 PM SATURDAY (OR SUNDAY IF YOU HAVE BOOKED AN EXTRA NIGHT!!) NO

EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE.

CHECK IN/OUT TIME FOR OUR APARTMENTS:

Check in Time: 10.00am – 08.00pm

Check out Time: 12.00pm

Having chosen to stay in an apartment, you will get to experience a special kind of shared living for the duration of

your holiday. You share the apartment, kitchen and bathroom with other course participants who normally come

from different countries. You can cook delicious meals in a cozy atmosphere and exchange experiences in the fully

equipped kitchen.

This flat-sharing is part of our concept for communicative learning and allows you the possibility of organizing

excursions, going to the theatre or cinema together with other course participants. If you have booked a double

room, we will take care of finding the ‘right person’ for you to share your room with.

Please note that apartments are only available for course participants and not for friends or relatives. For extra

nights, which are not free, you need to have our confirmation. Therefore, we kindly ask you to contact us well

in advance if you wish to extend your stay.

Please note that the apartments are not hotels. All course participants have to take care of the cleaning

themselves. Sprachcaffe organizes basic cleaning once a week. You are responsible for keeping your room and

the common areas clean on a daily basis, this includes washing dishes, removing the garbage and making sure

the kitchen and bathroom are clean after you have used them.

We recommend that you and your fellow-lodgers make a plan so that the work can be shared evenly. Garbage and

empty bottles need to be removed on a daily basis.

We want all our course participants to feel at home and hope that everyone treats the apartments, rooms and

facilities accordingly. Your fellow-lodgers would surely appreciate a clean lounge, kitchen and bathroom. We

therefore believe that the minimum you should do is to wash up your dishes and keep your things in your room and

organised tidily.

Should you want to invite your new friends from school to dinner, you should, talk to your fellow-lodgers first. You

should respect their privacy and avoid unnecessary noise, especially late in the evening and at night. For security

reasons it is forbidden to have guests in the apartment overnight.

Bed sheets are provided. However, you should bring your own towels and other personal hygiene products.

It is our aim to provide the best service possible. However, if you have any issue during you stay please talk directly

to the school staff.



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 3

Homestay

Home stays provide students with an excellent opportunity to live and experience life in Canada. The purpose of

living together with a Canadian host family is to practise what you have learned during the course and gain

confidence while communicating with the family. The host family will certainly appreciate a little present, but by

this we mean a little present.

Canadian host families are very open-minded, helpful and welcoming to their guests. You should be prepared to get

to know this different culture. Our host families are not always families in the traditional sense. They can also beactive single people or elderly couples who will have a lot of time to spend with their guests.

In general, the families will introduce you to their habits on the day of your arrival, such as times for meals and use

of the washing machine. Normally, you share the bathroom with other members of the family. Some host families

have washing machines and detergent, which are available for students to use at no additional charge. Some host

families may prefer to wash the student’s laundry for them. If a family doesn’t have a washing machine, you will

have to go to a laundromat and you will need quarters to use the machines. The families are NOT responsible for

doing your laundry. Students can use the phone after asking permission to do so, for local calls. They may also use

the phone for international and long distance calls but they have to purchase calling cards beforehand.

Of course, living together naturally means following some rules. Please make sure that you always leave your room

and bathroom clean and tidy and that you do not damage the furniture. Please be considerate of the family and

avoid unnecessary noise, especially late in the evening and at night. We appreciate your understanding when asking

you not to use the home stay’s telephone to call your family at home. Please inform your host family beforehand if

you will not be home for a meal, if you plan to go on a trip for a few days or if you are not staying at home overnight.

Otherwise, your family will be worried unnecessarily! In general, families do not mind if you invite new friends from

the course over. However, you should talk to your host family about it first if you plan to bring some friends home.

Sprachcaffe/GEOS homestay rules indicate that we do not place two students with the same native language in the

same home. If there is another student in the home who speaks the same native language as you, please let the

school know right away and we will do our best to move one of the students.

If you would like to move out of homestay, there is normally a two-week notification required, and if you leave early,

you would be responsible for these fees.

If students go on vacation while in homestay, they are still responsible for the accommodations fees.

Most families have wireless internet at home. Whether or not students have their own computers, they should still

ask their host family about the rules for using the internet at home.

Our Canadian host families reflect the cultural mix of the country itself. Please be aware that while our host families

must meet a minimum language requirement and speak only English at home, English may not be their first

language.

Please also note that most of our Canadian families do not allow students to smoke in their rooms or in the rest of

the house.

Please note that our host families are not always near the school. However, you will be able to get to school

within 45 minutes or less due to the excellent public transport system in Toronto. When staying with a host

family, bed sheets will be provided, but every student should bring his/her own towels and personal toiletries.

The school

The school is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, in the “Old Town Toronto” district near the corner of

Adelaide and Church Street. We are located a few short blocks from King Subway Station, and streetcars are just a

few minutes’ walk from the school.



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 4

Many of Toronto’s famous attractions are nearby: the CN Tower, the Air

Canada Centre (Raptors basketball and Maple Leafs hockey), Rogers Centre (Blue Jays baseball), the St. Lawrence

Markets, the Eaton Centre and the Toronto Harbourfront Centre. We have a modern facility including a spacious

student lounge and a computer lab with high-speed internet access and wi-fi access.

All students must arrive by 08:45am on the first day of school for Orientation and Testing. You should bring:

• Your Passport and insurance information

• A notebook & pen

Address: Sprachcaffe Toronto / GEOS Languages Plus

59 Adelaide Street East

Toronto, Ontario

M5C 1K6

CANADA

Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120

Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214

Emergency number: 001-647-922-1954

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

Languages spoken by the staff at the school: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Japanese

Bistro, Snacks and Drinks: Vending machines for snacks, coffe, and drinks are available for students.

Internet room: There is a computer lab and free wireless internet throughout the school.

Study Room: A study room where students can work on/revise their homework is available.

ORIENTATION AND TESTING PROCEDURE

In general, the schedule on your first day is:

• 9:00 – 9:15 Welcome

• 9:15 – 10:00 Placement Test

• 10:15 – 11:00 Speaking Assessment• 11:00-11:15 Coffee Break

• 11:15-12:15 (depending on group size) School orientation, class rules, homestay regulations.

If you begin your classes on a non-official starting day, then you may begin your classes on your first afternoon

Please note that you need to pay a for the course books. The approximate prices are:

$40 - $65 for part-time course

$80 - $130 for standard course

$120 - $195 for intensive course

(changes in prices during the year are possible)

Students will be charged per class and will be given their own book to use, write in and keep. Students enrolled for

four weeks or less will have the option of renting the books instead of buying them. In this case, the student will

leave a deposit of $40 per book which will be refunded when the books are returned, minus a fee of $5 per book per

week.



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 5

Lessons

Our teachers are all TESL certified, are highly fluent English speakers and teach only in English. Furthermore, the

teachers are your advisers: competent and committed.

The topics of the lessons are various and our teachers may supplement their course books with material such asnewspaper articles and include socio-political topics, theatre or literature reviews. We find communication

invaluable as a teaching method. It is, however, also necessary to teach grammar and vocabulary! The students

come from all around the world, in particular Europe, South America and Asia.

We offer different types of courses. For all types of courses, one lesson is 45 minutes. Maximum number of

students per class: 14.

• Part-Time course 10 lessons per week

• Standard course 20 lessons per week

• Intensive course 30 lessons per week

• Private lessons 2, 4 or 6 lessons daily

Students may advance to a higher level class after completing a 12-week course at one level or after 8 weeks at one

level with teacher recommendation if they have achieved a minimum of 80% attendance and 80% average score on all

tests. The maximum number of students in one group is 14.

Lesson times are generally as follows:

09.00-10.30 Lessons

10.30-10.45 Break

10.45-12.15 Lessons

12.15-13.00 Break

13.00-14.30 Lessons

14.30-14.45 Break

14.45-16.15 Lessons

Please note, that lessons may be held in the morning and/or in the afternoon, especially in high season.

Classes will be divided on the first day of school and cannot be changed without a valid reason.

Lessons are not held on the following public holidays in 2013: 01.01., 18.02., 29.03., 20.05., 01.07., 02.09.,

14.10. and 25.12.-26.12. Please note that lessons lost on public holidays, late arrival or early departure will not

be replaced.

Intensive course students often share the morning classes with the Standard course students and are re-grouped,

usually with a different teacher, for afternoon classes, which have a greater focus on communicative skills or

specialised English.

School closures due to force majeur

In cases of force majeur , the school will be closed. In such cases, group lessons are not recuperated or refunded.

Private lessons will be rescheduled with the agreement of the student, teacher and the school management.

Exam Courses

The school offers one-to-one preparation for TOEFL and IELTS. At present, Sprachcaffe Toronto does not offer set

examination preparation courses but can form courses should a minimum number of 4 students be interested.

Please note!

In the unlikely event the school cannot create a group course due to not having enough students at the same

time/level, smaller group courses or single lessons for a reduced amount will be provided instead: 20 lessons = 12

lessons, 30 lessons = 18 lessons. Under the rare circumstances of being forced to cancel, course fees will be refunded.The minimum number of participants for examination preparation courses is 4 students.



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 6

It is our aim to provide the best service possible. However, if you have any issue during you stay please talk directly

to the school staff.



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 7

General information

Currency

We recommend that all visitors to use Canadian currency when travelling to/within Canada. Visitors can exchange

currency at Canadian chartered banks, trust companies, credit unions, or at foreign exchange brokers’ offices, but it

is advised to have local currency on hand prior to arriving. Some hotels, shops, restaurants and suppliers accept USdollars or other foreign currency at a pre-determined rate, which may differ from the daily rate posted by financial

institutions.

Travellers Cheques

Travellers’ cheques in Canadian dollars are the safest and most convenient way to carry money. They are widely

accepted and can be cashed at banks or foreign exchange brokers. Identification may be required when cashing

travellers’ cheques.

Tipping

15 to 20 % of the before tax total is standard in Canada.

InsuranceWe strongly recommend taking/purchasing our health insurance because medical services in Canada can be very

expensive if you do not have the correct insurance. The loss or damage of luggage and valuables is always a great

disappointment but this risk can be covered by also taking/purchasing our travel/luggage insurance.

Time

The time difference is: CET - 6 hours.

Telephone

Almost every grocery/convenience shop sells telephone cards for international phone calls. This is the cheapest way

to contact your family.

Climate

Tales of igloos and sub-zero temperatures might be used to describe other cities in Canada, but certainly not

Toronto in the summer. Toronto is on the same latitude as Cannes on the sunny French Riviera and just slightly —

one degree — north of Boston.

In fact, Lake Ontario serves to moderate Toronto's weather giving it four distinct seasons. Generally speaking,

spring and summer temperatures range from 15 C (60F) to 25C (80F). During winter months, the average daytime

high hovers just below freezing but a snowfall of more than 10 cm (four inches) is unusual.

Month Avg. High Avg. Low Avg.

Jan -1°C -9°C

Feb -1°C -9°C

Mar 3°C -5°C

Apr 10°C 1°C

May 17°C 7°CJun 23°C 12°C

Jul 26°C 15°C

Aug 25°C 14°C

Sep 21°C 11°C

Oct 13°C 04°C

Nov 06°C -01°C

Dec 01°C -06°C

(Source: http://beta.weather.com/)

Documents

We strongly recommend copying all your important travel documents (such as flight ticket, insurance policies,

passport, driving licence, documents to rent a car, etc) before you start your language trip to Toronto. In case youlose one of these documents, authorities can help you more efficiently with the help of your copies.



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 8

Smoking Laws

By law, smoking is not permitted in public buildings, on public transport, in shopping malls, nor in most restaurants,

pubs, nightclubs and casinos. Many restaurants and other establishments have designated smoking areas such as

patios or outside heated seating areas. Please smoke in designated areas only. It is considered impolite for a guest

to smoke in a private home without first asking permission.

About Toronto

CN TowerDefining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of

553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is Canada’s National Tower, one of the World's Tallest Buildings, an important

telecommunication hub, and the centre of tourism in Toronto. Each year, approximately 2 million people visit the

CN Tower to take in the breath-taking view and enjoy all the attractions it has to offer.

The CN Tower was built in 1976 by Canadian Nationals (CN) who wanted to demonstrate the strength of Canadian

industry by building a tower taller than any other in the world. The CN Tower is situated on Front Street, which is

located in the heart of the Entertainment District. It is easily accessible from Union Station as well as many major

streets and highways. For a broader sense of the tower's location, it is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Air Canada Centre

The ACC, as it is often called, is a state-of–the-art arena which is home to the Toronto Raptors of the National

Basketball Association and the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League.

The Rogers Centre (formerly called the SkyDome)

Famous for its retractable roof, the Roger’s Centre is home to the Toronto Argonauts football team and the Toronto

Blue Jays Baseball Team, 1992 and 1993 World Series Champions.

Toronto Eaton Centre

Located in the heart of Toronto's bustling downtown core, the Toronto Eaton Centre shares the honour of being

one of the most visited tourist attractions in Toronto. Millions of tourists from around the world visit this world-classshopping centre for its architecture, culture and urban atmosphere.

Canadian National Exhibition

For the past 120 years, the 18-day Canadian National Exhibition, which runs from mid-August until Labor Day

weekend (beginning of September), has traditionally signified the end of summer to two million visitors from across

Canada and around the world. The "Ex", as it is better known, is the largest annual exhibition of its kind anywhere.

Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, the Ex is a 350-acre carnival of entertainment, rides, buildings, sports andagriculture. It is also the site of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair held each November.

Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre offers interactive and multi-media exhibits with live demonstrations and exhibits ontopics that include sports, space, the environment and the information highway. The Science Centre entertains and

educates more than 800,000 visitors each year.

Toronto Zoo

Divided into geographic regions, the zoo’s 710 acres feature more than 5,000 animals in their natural environments.

Its new Africa Savanna exhibit includes a 32-acre walking safari through the wild lands of East Africa.

Ontario Place

A 96-acre modernistic culture, leisure and entertainment parkland complex built on three human-made islands over

the lake, Ontario Place features restaurants, a children’s village, an outdoor amphitheatre, a water play area, mini-

golf, the Rush River Raft Ride and many other attractions. The highlight of Ontario Place is the Cinesphere – a six-

storey curved screen capable of showing not only regular 35 and 70 millimetre films, but IMAX films as well.



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 9

Harbourfront

Like most big cities at the water’s edge, Toronto’s downtown waterfront has gradually been transformed into a

lakeside people place. The heart of this revitalization is the award-winning Harbourfront Centre – the site of art

galleries, theatres, craft boutiques restaurants, offices, hotels and marinas fronted by a waterside promenade. The

Harbourfront Centre attracts approximately 3.5 million visitors every year.

Canada’s Wonderland Canada’s largest theme park was built in 1980 on 300-acres of land just north of Toronto. It features more than 180

attractions and 50 thrilling rides, including Canada’s only suspended roller coaster and the largest outdoor wave

pool in the country.

Toronto Islands

Only a 10-minute ferry ride from the foot of Yonge Street, the Toronto islands offer a panoramic view of the city

skyline. Centre Island offers miles of parkland with beaches, barbecues and picnic tables, boat rentals, bicycle paths,

a children’s farm and even an amusement park.

For further information visit: www.toronto.ca



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 10

Feedback

Before the everyday routine back at home sets in completely we would be very pleased if you could give us your

feedback. As a participant you can tell us about your experiences. Just fill out the online form at

http://www.sprachcaffe.com/english/feedback.htm We always welcome ideas, tips and constructive criticism!

Address: Sprachcaffe Reisen GmbH

Gartenstrasse 6

D – 60594 Frankfurt/Main

Tel.: 069 (0) 6109 120

Fax: 069 (0) 603 1395

Email: [email protected]

www.sprachcaffe.com

We wish you a wonderful stay and a successful language course!

Your

Sprachcaffe Team



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 11

Location of the school



Sprachcaffe Toronto


Tel: 001 (416) 599 2120, Fax: 001 (416) 599 2214 12

Checklist before departure

Things you might want to think of when packing your luggage

Important travel items

❏ Travel guide❏ Reading material

❏Dictionary

❏ Cash, credit card

❏ Phone number of your credit card company, in case you have to block the card

❏ Vaccination card

❏ Inform Sprachcaffe about arrival time

❏Alarm clock

❏ Sunglasses

First-aid kit

❏ Sunscreen

❏Any medicine required

❏ Insect spray

❏Medicine for stomach trouble

❏ Plasters

❏After-sun lotion

❏ Tweezers

Travel documents

❏ Identity card

❏ Flight or train ticket

❏ Student ID

❏Sprachcaffe travel documents

Sport/Hobby

❏ Camera

❏ Extra film, extra memory card

❏Music / radio

❏ Batteries

❏ Sports equipment

Insurances

❏ Travel health insurance

❏ Luggage insurance

❏ Insurance card from your car insurance❏ Phone number of your car insurance

Checklist for returning home

❏ Buy souvenirs for friends and relatives at home

❏ Exchange addresses with people in the course, teachers and host family

❏ Pick up course participation certificate

❏ Tidy and clean up the room

❏ Pack and check the rooms for anything left behind