About Us

Here at the ESL Wilderness Ranch we combine a high standard of English language study with the adventure of being on a horse ranch with over 40 horses. The ranch is situated in the Chilcotin Mountains, deep in the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada. We prefer using the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach. This is the most widely practiced approach to teaching a second language. Our goal is to have our students achieve “Communicative Competence”.

This means that our students are able to communicate in English using the four language skills, speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Canada is one of the best destinations to study English. Many students decide to come to Canada because of the nature and wilderness that can be found here, especially in British Columbia. However, most of the schools that are available to students are to be found in the big cities such as Vancouver and Toronto.

Our ESL Wilderness Ranch is unique; we are attached to a horse ranch deep in the Chilcotin Mountains, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, lush forests, crystal clear lakes and rivers.

Where else can you sit in a classroom and watch deer grazing outside or a coyote moving through the meadows?

Our courses are designed to improve communication skills that most often take second seat to grammar lessons. Instead of being the mainstay of the program, grammar lessons give you a basis for the intensive conversational aspect of the program. Beginner and high-beginner level students with a basic grasp of English will get the most benefit from the course, gaining both better grammar and communication skills. Students at an intermediate and advanced level will gain more fluency and the vocabulary necessary to work and play in the outdoors in an English-speaking environment.

We firmly believe in a hands-on participation approach to learning while still providing the classroom time necessary for correction and full understanding. Students get an opportunity to meet guests, staff, and other students from all over the world. Practice using their English in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the world.

Students arrive for lunch on the Sunday before the class starts; they spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the ranch and each other while they get an introduction to the program. Work in the classroom begins Monday morning. Workshop-style classes focus on conversational English as well as academic skills such as reading, writing, and listening.