Predeparture Toronto LS 2012

Financial District

Lake Ontario

Chinatown

Fashion District

Metropolitan Toronto library

Ramsden Park

Don River Park

Royal Ontario Museum

Queen’s Park

Ryerson University

Allan Gardens

Eaton Centre

Union Station

CN Tower

City Hall

BaldwinSteps

Canada’s Walk of Fame

Art Gallery of Ontario

University of Toronto

www.ef.comImportant Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.

LanguageCourses AbroadFor adults and students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

Accreditations and Memberships

The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,

Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol

and Bournemouth are:

EF Dublin is accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers

in the USA are members of:

The EF Interna-tional Language

Centers in the USA are accredited by:


in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:

EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual-ité Français Langue

Etrangère.

EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.

All EF Courses are certified by Southern

New Hampshire University.

EF Education is an active participant in

the Comité Européen de Normalisation.


in Brisbane and Perth are

members of:

The EF International Language Centers in

Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are

accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,

Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bournemouth are

members of:

All EF Courses are recognized by Hult

International Business School.

Federation of International Youth

Travel Organizations.

TorontoOne of North America’s coolest cities, Toronto is

Canada’s hub for innovative entertainment, fashion

and arts. Its international population and urban style

make it an exciting place for studying English.

Contact details:127 Portland St. Toronto, Ontario M5V 2G5, CanadaTel: +(1) 416 850 2456

EF Toronto

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFToronto

Section ...... Topic

1 ............Introduction to EF

2 ............Welcome to Canada

3 ............Weather watch

4 ............Travel & transfer service

5 ............School information

6 ............Academics

7 ............Accommodation & meals

8 ............Money matters

9 ............Phones, faxes & Internet

10 ..........Health care & insurance

11 ..........School activities & excursions

12 ..........Transportation

13 ..........Expectations

14 ..........Canadian culture & living tips

15 ..........Adjusting to a new culture

16 ..........EF school calendar & holidays

17 ..........Checklist

Contents - Toronto

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing our school for your studies.

The EF Toronto staff is committed to ensuring that

your time here is enjoyable and rewarding. We believe

that whether this is your first visit to Canada or if you

are a seasoned traveller, you are guaranteed to have

a wonderful time at the EF Toronto School.

The relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the school

centrally located downtown, along with the liveliness

and cosmopolitan feel of Toronto will serve to make

your stay here unique! From the lively downtown to

the lovely Niagara Falls to the dizzying view from the

CN Tower, we feel sure there will be something to suit

every need.

We are looking forward to meeting you soon and

helping you make the most of your time in Canada.

Best wishes,

Steve Allen, School Director

EF International Language Center, Toronto

3 Toronto, Canada

2. Welcome to Toronto, CanadaToronto is Canada’s largest city (population

of 3 million) and the capital of the province of

Ontario. In recent years, Toronto has become

one of the most exciting and progressive cities

in the world. The city is a multicultural Mecca,

with more than 80 ethnic groups speaking

approximately 100 languages. Located in the

heart of Ontario, Toronto is Canada’s cultural,

financial and transportation hub. According to

a UNESCO survey, Toronto is one of the safest

and least expensive cities in the world to live.

Toronto is home to the CN Tower, the world’s

tallest free standing structure, named one of

the Seven Wonders of the Modern World; On-

tario Place, which features the first permanent

giant-screen IMAX® theatre, a Canadian inven-

tion; and the Skydome indoor stadium, which

is famous for its retractable roof. Other great

places to visit in Toronto include:

z Air Canada Centre: Home to the Raptors -

Toronto’s Basketball Team and the Maple

Leafs - Toronto’s Hockey Team.

z Art Gallery of Ontario: art in 50 galleries.

z Beach Blast: Indoor beach volleyball facility

located in central Toronto. Six Olympic size

courts, locker rooms, food and beverages.

z Eaton Centre: Toronto’s largest shopping

center - located at the corner of Yonge Street

and Dundas Street.

z Maid of the Mist: Experience Niagara Falls

aboard the Maid of the Mist. A 30-minute

boat tour in front of the American Falls and to

the base of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

z Rogers Centre: Home to the Blue Jays -

Toronto’s Baseball Team and the Argonauts

- Toronto’s Canadian Football Team

z Yonge Street: Toronto’s main thoroughfare is

the longest street in the world (about 1,200

miles /1,800 km long.)

Other great facts about the city:

z There are over 400 parks within the city and

surrounding areas

z Toronto has the world’s third largest theatre

district after London and New York

z Toronto has the fourth largest financial center

in North America

z It is the home to North America’s third largest

film and video production center

z There are more than 20,000 retail stores and

restaurants within the city

z The underground concourse in the downtown

area is 11 km long and links over 1,100 stores

and restaurants

z The city is only a few hours away from some

of the largest U.S. and Canadian cities such

as New York, Boston, Chicago, Montreal,

and Ottawa.

3. Weather WatchToronto’s seasons are easily distinguishable

from one another. Toronto enjoys long, hot

summer days and sunny weather, while spring-

time is mostly warm and pleasant, making it

the most welcomed season after the winter’s

snowstorms that sometimes strike as late

as March. Annual average rainfall is 68.9 cm

(27.25 inches) and annual average snowfall is

135 cm (53.2 inches).

Temperatures range from:

Spring: 0° to 12°C (32° to 54°F)

Summer: 13° to 22°C (55° to 72°F)

Autumn: 0° to 18°C (32° to 64°F)

Winter: -7° to 6°C (19° to 43°F)

Check www.weather.com for Toronto

weather forecasts.

4. Travel & transfer serviceTransfer service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be

confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service

from the Toronto Airport to your accommoda-

tion for an additional fee. We highly recommend

you take advantage of this service.

At least one month before your arrival you must

inform the EF Office in your home country of

the exact details of your flight, e.g. airline, flight

number, date and time – this is especially im-

portant if you will be using the transfer service.

Students whose flights are changed in transit

should inform the school office immediately.

1. Introduction to EFEF Education First welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language where it is natively spoken. Our innovative curriculum, the EF Efekta™ System, integrates face-to-face learning in a classroom with studying outside the classroom using the interactive learn-ing tools in our online iLab. An intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and social activi-ties results in a fast and fun way to learn a language.

EF students come from diverse back-grounds and like you, they have chosen a program to enhance their language skills as part of their academic or career plan. Many have planned for years to take advantage of this opportunity.

A large percentage of EF students apply their new language skills by taking a recog-nized exam, such as Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC and IELTS. Successful completion of such exams provides the necessary language qualifications for university and for professional endeavors. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives while im-proving language and study skills. Students wishing to study at university can access information and make informed academic choices through our EF University Place-ment Service.

A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international com-munity where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission - breaking down barriers of language and culture.

4 Toronto, Canada

When you arrive at the Toronto airport, you

should look for the EF sign in the International

Arrival outside of the International Baggage

Claim area. Note: Please pass through the

baggage claim and customs! The airport

greeter will be carrying an EF sign or a sign

with your name on it. When you see the

Greeter, please introduce yourself to him or

her; they will be happy to meet you and help

you get to your accommodation. Please be

aware that other students will be arriving on

the same day and you may have to wait up to

an hour for other students to arrive before you

leave the airport.

What if you cannot find the greeter?

Toronto Airport has three Terminals (Terminals

1, 2 and 3). Please ask someone which termi-

nal you are in. Do Not Leave The Airport. If you

cannot locate us, please go to the Traveler’s

Aid desk and call the EF Toronto flight emer-

gency number. You will receive this number

and other important contact information prior

to your departure.

What if my flight is delayed?

If you are going to arrive late or if you have a

change in schedule please call the emergency

number that you were given by your local EF

office prior to your departure.

Students arriving independently:

Toronto taxi prices are based on what area of

the city you are traveling to. Zone maps with

pricing information should be clearly posted in

each vehicle. A taxi to the school or to the area

where the majority of homestays are will cost

no more than $40 to $60 Canadian dollars.

Please be considerate of your homestay hosts

and call them if you are going to be delayed.

5. School InformationEF’s program in Toronto is located in the heart

of downtown Toronto at Portland and Rich-

mond Streets. The EF school is on all major

public transportation routes, including bus and

subway lines and surrounded by many restau-

rants, shops, stores, side walk cafes and other

tourist attractions.

Fully renovated, the school has a computer

room equipped with educational and pronun-

ciation software, textbooks, dictionaries, refer-

ence books and audiovisual equipment, as well

as three computer rooms with 17 computers

each. The school also has a modern student

lounge and a lecture hall equipped with televi-

sion, music, VCRs, DVDs and educational

games. Students have access to free email

and Internet use.

Staff

The School Director is assisted by an accom-

plished staff of teachers and administrators.

There is also an Activities Coordinator who

organizes EF activities and excursions.

6. AcademicsEF language courses give students the opportu-

nity to study the English language and the local

culture for as long, and with as much intensity,

as suits the student and his or her needs.

EF Level Placement Test

Within 24-hours after booking your course,

you’ll receive your personalized EF username

and password for the online EF campus called

My EF. Before traveling, you will take the EF

Level Placement test online. This test will mea-

sure your language level and ability, grammar

and listening comprehension abilities. Using

your test results, our academic team will place

you in one of six different language levels.

As your English language skills become stron-

ger, you will be promoted into the next lan-

guage level. You may speak with your teacher

if you feel you have been placed into the wrong

level. Please note: you may have both morning

and afternoon classes depending on the time

of year and course type.

Orientation

When you arrive at the school you will take

the EF Level Placement test, if you have not

done so already. During your orientation you

will receive your class schedule and other

important information about the school and

the city. Fun activities are planned to help you

meet students and staff.

General English Classes

General English classes focus on the develop-

ment of the four skills of speaking, listening,

reading and writing. They also include work on

grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.

Special Interest Classes

Depending on your course type you may also

select a number of special interest (SPIN)

classes. SPINs allow you to improve your

English through the study of a wide range of

subject options. Admission to some of these

will depend on academic and linguistic level

and availability of places. The selection of SPIN

classes varies throughout the year and a stu-

dent may not be able to repeat the same SPIN

class. Each lesson is 40 minutes in length.

Class size

The average class size is 15 students with a

maximum of 17 students.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes.

Consistent failure to attend class, for what-

ever reason, may result in expulsion from the

program with no refund of course fees. It is

important to note that in order to be eligible

for an EF certificate, students are expected to

participate in class and must attend at least

80% of all classes.

Canadian immigration regulations require

you to attend 80% of all your classes. EF is

required to report students who fail to maintain

this 80% average to Canadian Immigration Au-

thorities. Consequently, students with low at-

tendance may be asked to leave the program

and return to their home country.

Homework

You are expected to complete all assignments

set by your teachers in General English and

Special Interest classes. If you are taking an

examination preparation class you should ex-

pect at least one hour of homework per night.

Assessment

You will be assessed at regular intervals through-

out the course. Assessment is based on atten-

dance, participation, attitude and performance.

Course books

As part of your academic program, you’ll be

expected to buy the books and classroom

materials that you will use in class. The exact

number of books that you’ll need is determined

by your academic level, progress and choice of

special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-

ditional books you may need more money. The

5 Toronto, Canada

books you buy are yours to keep, write in and

take home with you for future reference.

iLab Learning

All English language school courses include six

iLab sessions per week. iLab sessions comple-

ment and reinforce classroom learning in an

interactive online learning environment. There

is an iLab computer room at the school, which

is for your iLab lessons and self-study tutorials.

Please note: iLab is not included in the EF

Basic Course.

Exams

You may enroll for several different public

examinations during your course. Some can

be taken at the school itself, others must be

taken at an external examination center and

booked several months in advance. Please

note: you will be responsible for the cost of all

exam registration fees, which cannot be paid

at the sales office.

Library

The school has a computer room equipped

with educational and pronunciation software,

textbooks, dictionaries, reference books and

audiovisual equipment

EF is also located close to the largest reference

and English Language library in Canada.

EF University Placement Service

EF International Language Centers offer a Uni-

versity Placement Service (UPS) that provides

guaranteed admission into a university or col-

lege for qualified students. If you are interested

in continuing your studies, you are encouraged

to talk with the University Pathways Manager

at your school.

University Transfer Credit

Through our partnership with Southern New

Hampshire University (SNHU), EF students

may be eligible to receive university credit for

their coursework.

7. Accommodation & MealsHomestay living and student residence ac-

commodations are available at EF Toronto.

All housing matters should be directed to the

Housing Coordinator.

Homestay

Students staying in a homestay will have the

opportunity to experience Canadian life and also

have the chance to practice their new language

skills with fluent English speakers. Students who

choose homestay accommodation should do so

because they want to live in a family environ-

ment and interact with the family members.

Families choose to host international students

because they want to learn about other cultures

and people.

Students who live in a homestay must respect

the family and their home. Likewise, the family

will respect the student. As you get an in-depth

look at Canadian life, you will realize that Ca-

nadian culture is not the same as your culture,

and therefore, family life may be quite different.

The relationship between husband and wife, the

roles of family members, the relationship with or

discipline of children and the relationship with

pets are just some examples. If you are open-

minded about these differences, life in the family

will be a great learning experience.

In Canada, the traditional family of two parents

with children is slowly disappearing. More and

more, families may be a single parent with

children or a single adult living alone. To avoid

confusion, EF will speak of “homestay” rather

than of a “family” accommodation. Even in

Canadian families that have a more traditional

set-up, family members with children may lead

separate lives. Many students request a home

in a family with children of their same age.

However, few Canadians over 18 live with their

parents, and those who do, rarely participate in

group activities within the family.

You can expect that your hosts will be busy.

Most men and women work outside the home,

including people with children. Your host may

also have social and professional commit-

ments. They may not be able to spend all their

leisure time with you. However, remember that

you can take part in the activities offered by EF.

Canada is a land of immigrants with a great

range of ethnic and racial diversity. Our se-

lected homes reflect this cultural diversity.

Unless you have paid the single supplement

and a single placement has been confirmed to

you by EF, you will be placed in a double room

with another student. You are responsible for

all transportation costs to and from the host’s

home. You may be placed up to one hour away

from the school.

Linens will be provided, but you will be

responsible for cleaning your own room and

doing your laundry. If the hosts prefer, you may

be required to take your laundry to a nearby

Laundromat for washing.

You are responsible for your personal items

such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and other

items. You will probably share the bathroom

with others. This means that you may need to

be flexible about shower and bath times. Very

few students have their own bathroom. If you

want to take a long time in the bath or shower

6 Toronto, Canada

check to see that nobody else is waiting to use

the bathroom.

Canadians usually do all major chores once a

week, on Saturday or Sunday. Since you are a

new member of the family it would be helpful

if you acted like one as well. It would be polite

to offer to help. Always remember to keep your

room clean and tidy. Make your bed, and put

your belongings away. You are also responsible

for cleaning up after snacks, and for washing

your own dishes after breakfast. It is also polite

to help clear the table after dinner.

You may make local calls and collect calls from

your homestay. Unless you are using a calling

card, you should not make long distance calls

from your homestay. Remember that you are

sharing the telephone with the rest of the people

in the home. Do not spend more than 15 min-

utes on the phone at any time. Tell your friends

and family to call you before 9 pm Toronto time.

Homestay accommodation is booked for your

entire course. You may only change homestays

for very serious reasons. Requests for change

will be considered on an individual basis.

No refunds will be granted for students who

choose to leave their homestay for

personal reasons.

Meals in a homestay

Your host family will provide you with breakfast

and dinner during the week and all your meals

on the weekends. You are responsible for your

own lunch during the week. Located within a

five-minute walking radius of the school are

many restaurants, cafes and coffee shops

offering meals from CAN$1.50 pizza slices to

CAN$10 all-inclusive lunches of various cuisines.

Meals will only be provided when you are

home to participate. Please be sure to call your

hosts if you do not plan to be home for dinner.

There will be no refund for meals not taken at

home with your family.

You will find that meals in Canada may taste

different from meals at home. Canadians eat

a lot of pasta, stew, chicken, fish, salad, and

vegetables. They rarely eat steak. If you have

any allergies, let your host know right away.

Expect your hosts to serve you Canadian food

or food from their ethnic origin. Don’t expect

them to know how to cook food from your

country. Be adventurous and open-minded.

If you would like to use the kitchen, ask your

host if you can do this. Appliances, such

as toasters, often differ from one country to

another. The first time you use an appliance, ask

your host to show you how. If you happen to

break an appliance, offer to replace it or repair it.

8. Money MattersCurrency

The Canadian dollar is the basic monetary unit

in Canada and 1 dollar = 100 cents. Paper

currency comes in denominations (values) of $5,

$10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins come in denom-

inations (values) of 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1, $2.

Banks

The safest place to keep your money is in a

bank. You can exchange most foreign curren-

cies at any bank. Different banks offer different

exchange rates. You can call around to find

the best rate for your money. It is a good idea

to open a bank account if you will be staying

more than 3 months.

Spending money

Depending on your lifestyle, we recom-

mend that you bring between CAN$100 and

CAN$150 per week excluding excursions, and

depending on how much traveling, shopping

and eating in restaurants you plan to do during

your visit to Toronto. Please remember that you

will be responsible for some meals.

You will also need to take money for learning

materials used in class and for any language

proficiency exams you plan to take.

How to wire money to Toronto

Please leave this information with anyone who

will be wiring money to you during your stay!

If you are in Toronto longer than 3 months, you

will probably open an account at a local bank.

Ask the bank how to wire money into your ac-

count. If you don’t have an account, you can

have money wired to Western Union. From your

bank in your home country, wire the money to

Western Union. You will be charged a fee to

receive a wire transfer. Please inquire with West-

ern Union before sending your money.

There are a few Western Union locations in

Toronto. The nearest locations are:

z 235 Spadina Avenue at East Giant Corpora-

tion (between Dundas St & Queen St)

Tel: 416 596 7327

Toll free telephone in Canada: 800 235 0000

z MoneyMart

617 Yonge Street

Tel: 416 920 4146

Two blocks south of Yonge & Bloor – open

24 hours

Credit cards

EF strongly recommends that students travel

with either a Visa or MasterCard. Credit cards

enable students to rent cars, reserve hotel

rooms and do various activities, which may be

more difficult with cash or traveler’s checks.

9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone

All long distance calls must be collect calls,

charged to the person you are calling, or

charged to a prepaid telephone card, which can

be purchased at the EF office. We recommend

that students expecting to stay for a long period

of time come with or purchase a mobile phone.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct

business. The school will charge a small fee

to send long-distance faxes (usually CAN$5).

There are also many places close to the school

that send faxes and charge for the time used.

Ask the front desk for directions to the nearest

fax machine you can use. When you receive

mail or faxes at the school, these will be kept at

the front desk for you until you pick them up.

Internet

The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless

Internet. Students are highly encouraged to

bring their personal laptop computers for email

and Internet use on the wireless network.

10. Health Care & InsuranceThe EF staff can recommend nearby hospi-

tals and doctors offices if you need medical

attention. If you have a medical emergency, go

to the emergency department of the hospital

closest to you. Make sure to bring some identi-

fication (i.e. passport) and your insurance card

with you. Walk-in medical clinics are for medi-

7 Toronto, Canada

cal problems that are not emergencies. There

is no need to make an appointment. You can

simply go see a doctor. Please ask the EF staff

for assistance if you need medical attention.

Immunizations

EF requires that all students attending an EF

school in North America carry proof that he

or she has been immunized against measles I

and II, polio, TBC, mumps, rubella, diphtheria

and tetanus. Please note that it is not sufficient

to have had the diseases as a child. If you do

not bring this documentation with you, you will

be required upon arrival at the school to obtain

the immunizations at an area hospital. The

cost to students is approximately CAN$50 (this

amount is not covered by insurance).

Insurance

All students traveling to Canada are required

to have medical and accident insurance upon

starting their program of study.

All students are required to bring proof of insur-

ance in English to show that they have proper

health insurance when a medical emergency

occurs. Students who do not bring proof of in-

surance will be required to purchase insurance

through EF at the school.

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority, we

have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made

travel insurance package for EF students with

Erika Travel Insurance, an international insur-

ance expert. The policy protects you against ex-

penses incurred through accident or illness, and

provides coverage for loss or theft of baggage

and personal effects. It also provides coverage

against interruption of your EF program due to

illness as well as liability and legal expenses.

The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika

Travel Insurance questions and claims. When

you are sick or injured the last thing you want

to do is deal with such issues. Let us help you!

11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly

to your social and academic success. Your

school’s activities and trips give you the oppor-

tunity to apply your life skills, practice English

in real situations and familiarize yourself with

Canadian culture.

Activity program

The EF Activities Coordinator arranges a regu-

lar schedule of local activities, day-trips, and

weekend excursions to area attractions. The

cost of these trips is not included in the tuition.

Local activities

Local activities are offered twice a week,

including cultural events, visits to ethnic restau-

rants, movies, theatres and dance nights.

Weekend excursions and day trips

The school arranges weekend excursions and

day trips to local attractions. The number of trips

and the cost depend on the time of year and

the number of students wishing to participate.

Excursions can be paid for in cash or with trav-

eler’s checks. It may be possible to use credit

cards to pay for excursions – please check with

the school upon arrival as to whether or not

credit cards are accepted. Please note: all prices

are denoted in Canadian dollars. There may be

a small fee charged if credit cards are used.

For more information on what activities are

planned during your stay, pick up an activities

schedule at the front desk of the school.

The following are typical excursions and the

prices are estimates and do not include meals:

z Montreal-Ottawa-Quebec City CAN$350

z New York CAN$330

z Niagara Falls/Lake Tour CAN$45

z One day Ski Trips (all inclusive) CAN$80

z Metro Toronto Zoo Day Trips CAN$20

z Canada Wonderland CAN$40

Visiting the United States

If you plan to visit the USA during your stay in

Canada, you may need a multiple-entry visa. It

is very difficult to get the tourist visa once the

student has arrived in Canada, so we strongly

recommend that you apply for a US visa before

coming to Canada.

Most European Union students, Swiss and

Japanese students do not need a visitor’s visa

to visit the US. They can enter the country

under the Visa Waiver program. However

students from other countries must obtain the

visitor’s visa prior to arrival in Canada.

If you decide to obtain a visa once in Canada

you will need to visit the US consulate office in

Toronto. For more information on how to ob-

tain a visa while in Canada, ask a staff person

in the school office.

Sports

The school also organizes year round sporting

events, including ice-skating, snow skiing, soc-

cer, baseball, basketball, camping, canoeing,

horseback riding and water skiing.

12. TransportationPublic transportation

The public transportation system in Toronto is

excellent. It is also affordable and reliable, so

take advantage of every opportunity to use

it. The EF school is located at 127 Portland

Street, which is in the heart of the downtown

area. There are numerous bus and streetcar

stops only a few feet away from the school.

The nearest subways are St. Andrew and Os-

goode Union stations. Union station is also the

central train station where you can take trains

to various cities in Canada and the United

States. If you start your first day of school in

the beginning of a calendar month, after orien-

tation the school will show you where you can

8 Toronto, Canada

purchase a “metropass.” The approximate

costs of transit pass are:

z Monthly pass - CAN$121 (metropass)

z Weekly pass - CAN$36

z One-way ride - CAN$3

The subway, buses, and streetcars can take you

to any part of the city. Toronto’s transit system

runs from 6:00 am to 1:30 am. On Sunday, it

runs from 9:00 am to 1:30 am. Some of the ma-

jor bus routes have 24-hour service. For more

information, check the Toronto transit map.

Car rentals

Some students choose to rent a car during

their stay in Toronto. To rent a car in Canada,

you must have an International Driver’s license

and own a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard,

and American Express.) You also must be 25

years of age or older. For more information on

how to rent a car, please ask at the front desk

or at in the activities office.

Please note: you should not expect to park at

the school. Public transportation is extensive

and reliable and offers easy access to and from

the downtown area, so we strongly recom-

mend that you use it.

Flights

The Toronto area is well served by the Lester B.

Pearson International Airport. It takes approxi-

mately 30 minutes to travel between the airport

and the city. The school staff can help you with

any flight arrangements while you are at the

school. A taxi from the airport to downtown

costs approximately $45-50. Shuttle service is

approximately $16 to a downtown hotel.

13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of anticipating a

new experience. Remember that many of your

expectations may have been formed by the

unreal world of TV and movies. Arrive at your

course center with an open mind!

What you can expect from EF:

z Supportive staff, available for guidance and

encouragement.

z An academic program which combines lan-

guage, special interest, and culture-oriented

classes.

z Full program of local activities and excursions

at special EF rates.

z Accommodation in either homestay or stu-

dent residence.

z All designated meals.

z EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for

Academic Year Abroad students with 80%

attendance per term and good academic

standing and academic records

z EF Course Certificate for International Lan-

guage Students with 80% attendance and

good academic standing.

z Preparation classes and/or materials for appro-

priate standardized language exams and avail-

ability of University Placement Service (UPS).

What EF expects of you:

z To develop a greater understanding of the

world around you.

z To attend at least 80% of all classes and to

do your best in class at all times.

z To be respectful of your homestay hosts, your

classmates, your teachers and your community.

z To keep your room and shared areas clean.

z To speak English at all times.

z To abide by all laws, rules and regulations of

your host country, state, campus and school.

What you can expect from your homestay hosts:

z A comfortable, clean place to live.

z Prepared meals or accessibility to food to

prepare yourself according to the meal plan.

z Access to the school in approximately one

hour by public transportation. All transporta-

tion costs are your responsibility.

School rules and regulations

As a member of the school and Greater To-

ronto community, you will be asked to observe

all campus rules. These include:

z You must arrive on time every day for class.

z No alcoholic beverages allowed if you are

under the age of 19.

z No illegal drugs allowed in the school or host

family under any circumstances.

z No smoking in the school building.

z Students must respect quiet hours set by the

homestay hosts.

z Students must be respectful of other stu-

dents and school property

z All students are expected to attend at least

80% of all classes.

Failure to comply with the above rules and

regulations may lead to your dismissal.

14. Canadian culture & living tipsSafety

Canada is a very clean and safe country. How-

ever, use the same caution that you would take

in your own country. Be aware of the people

around you and of your surroundings. Try to

appear as though you know where you are

going, even if you do not.

The following tips may be helpful:

z Do not carry large sums of cash. Try to plan

your cash needs so that you use the bank

machine during daylight hours. If you must

use the bank machine after dark, go with

someone you know.

z When you are in restaurants or outside the

school, keep your purse or backpack beside

you.

z Use caution when you travel on public transit

at night. You may choose to take a taxi

instead which is more expensive but a safer

option.

z When you go out at night, go with another

person. Stay on streets that are well lit.

z If you are going out alone, tell someone

where you will be and what time you will be

home. Call if you are going to be late.

z Do not give your address or phone number

to strangers, such as people you meet in

bars or on the street.

Mail

All local postal stations are open 8 am 5:30 pm

weekdays. Substation hours vary depending

on the location. Many locations are listed under

Canada Post Corporation in the white pages of

the telephone directory. Important: Canadian

postage must be used on mail posted from

any point in Canada. The letter and postcard

rate within Canada is 52 cents. Letters and

postcards mailed to destinations other than

Canada and the U.S. are CAN$1.60. Please

note that rates may vary depending on weight.

Toronto drinking and smoking laws

The drinking age in Ontario is 19; students un-

der 19 will not be able to purchase alcohol or

enter bars and discos. Most places that serve

alcohol will ask for proof of age before they let

you in. You need to show picture identification,

such as your passport. These rules also apply

to purchasing alcohol at a liquor store.

z In Ontario (Toronto), you must be 19 years of

age or older.

9 Toronto, Canada

z In Quebec, you must be 18 years of age

or older.

z In the U.S., you must be 21 years of age

or older.

Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings,

elevators, lobbies, stairwells, shopping malls,

cinemas, and sports facilities unless signs say

that you may smoke. Smoking is allowed in

restaurants only where there are smoking areas.

If you smoke in a “smoke free” place, you could

be fined up to $5,000. You must be 19 years of

age or older to purchase cigarettes. Most host

families only allow smoking outside the house

and EF prohibits smoking inside the school.

Taxes

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 5% tax

that is charged on most goods and services

sold or provided in Canada. There is also a

Provincial Services Tax (PST) of 8%, which ap-

plies to goods and services sold within Ontario.

Tipping

It is the custom in Canada to leave your waiter/

waitress a “tip” for good service. You leave the

tip on the table when you leave the restaurant.

The general rule is to leave 15% of your total

bill before the tax. The easiest way to calculate

this amount is to add the P.S.T. and the G.S.T.

(taxes) together.

Recommended reading and websites

z Let’s Go Canada, Harvard Student Agencies,

Inc. Great student travel guide for where to

go, how to get around, where to stay and

what to eat.

Recommended websites

z www.toronto.com

z www.city.toronto.on.ca

z www.infotoronto.com

z www.nowtoronto.com

z www.eye.net

15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of

students who have come together to learn

English. It is also a multi-cultural group of

young adults who are eager to share their

own culture and learn the culture of their host

country and fellow classmates.

One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs, arts,

traditions and practices of a specific community

or population. Our culture affects how we view

ourselves, how we relate to others and what we

value as important in life. We are often unaware

of how much our culture affects our lives.

You may have already had some exposure to

the new culture you are about to experience.

You may have seen television shows, read

books, or studied in school about Canada.

While some parts of this culture may already

seem familiar to you, experiencing a new

culture first-hand will prove exciting. You will be

meeting students from all over the world who,

like you, are looking forward to spending a year

learning and living a language, both inside and

outside the classroom.

As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience

periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are

uncomfortable. Culture shock is what some-

times happens when we try to meet challenges

of our new culture by using the values, beliefs,

and attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to

a new culture, we must learn that cultural differ-

ences are merely different - not right or wrong.

It is a good idea to bring traditional objects

from your culture to share with other students

and your host to teach them about

your country.

Tips on coping with change

Remember that change does not come with-

out some effort! We humans need a certain

amount of stress to motivate us to learn new

ways of being. Learning always involves some

form of change. You should try the following:

z While you might be tempted to surround

yourself with things that are familiar to you, try

not to isolate yourself by being only with others

from your home country. Keep reaching out to

your host, roommates and other students.

z Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more

“at home” with the culture in general.

z Talk to us about your worries or problems.

EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to

know about any problem you may have so

that we can help you.

z Set goals, no matter how big or small, and

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture

shock. For example, set a goal that you will

speak English at all times.

z Remind yourself that you came to this

country to experience a new culture, to meet

others and to explore your new surroundings.

Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on

the days before leaving your home country

when you were excited about your new ad-

venture. Try to refocus this former excitement

towards your experience.

Keeping a journal

One way to keep track of emotions and

changes that take place over the year is to

keep a journal. By recording your experiences

and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able

to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will

have a record of your academic and personal

progress to look back on in days and years to

come. Be sure to note changes in:

z Language skills

z School performance and involvement

z Campus/host adjustment

z Individual learning and growth

Keeping a journal will help to remind you that

culture shock is truly a temporary phase

of adjustment.

Bring pictures and items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some

music, a costume, pictures, or some typi-

cal crafts, it would be good to show other

students, as well as to decorate your room

to make it seem like home. We have seen

costumes and drums from Korea, dancing and

music from Austria and a piñata and tortillas

from Mexico. Please bring pictures of your

friends, family and surrounding area.

Important telephone numbers

16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule

The Academic Year is divided into three terms.

(See the applicable start date below for your

program’s specific term and break schedule).

January 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan

Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 3: (Year) Mon 11 Jun - Fri 17 Aug

Departure: 18 Aug 2012

April 2012


Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun


Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 3: (Year) Mon 24 Sep - Fri 30 Nov

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

September 2012


Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan


Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013


Term 3: (Year) Mon 25 Mar - Fri 31 May

Departure: 1 June 2013

January 2013


Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan



Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun

Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013


Term 3: (Year) Mon 17 Jun - Fri 16 Aug

Departure: 17 Aug 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School holidays

The EF International Language Center in Toronto

recognizes the following public holidays when

there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on

one of these dates, please check with the

school staff upon your arrival for an exact orien-

tation schedule.

2012

1 January - New Year’s Day

20 February - Family Day

6 April - Good Friday

9 April - Easter Monday

21 May - Victoria Day

1 July - Canada Day

6 August - August Civil Holiday

3 September - Labour Day

8 October - Thanksgiving

11 November - Remembrance Day

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Boxing Day

2013



29 March - Good Friday



1 July - Canada Day







17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where necessary)

It’s a good idea to make copies of these

and pack them in your suitcase just in

case. You don’t need to carry your pass-

port with you while you are in the Canada

but you must keep it and your other docu-

ments in a safe place while you are in

the country.

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

with proof of insurance in English. If you

have secured Erika Travel Insurance from

EF, you do not need to have anything

translated.

■ Immunization documents with a copy of

them in English

■ Basic medical supplies, any medication

you take regularly and a spare pair of con-

tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

■ An International Driving License if you are

planning on hiring or buying a car.

■ Local currency for first week and for any

learning materials that are not included in

the cost of the course.

■ Money in the form of an ATM card

(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards

and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring

large amounts of cash in any currency!).

■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-

ances you plan to bring with you.

■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.

■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.

■ Personal sports equipment.

■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.

■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.

Homestay host’s or student residence name:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):

________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number:

________________________________________

EF School telephone number:

+(1) 416 850 2456 ________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+1 416 473 3509________________________________________

C

hec

klis

t

Important telephone numbers

16. EF school calendar & holidaysSchool holidays

The EF International Language Center in Toronto

recognizes the following public holidays when

there will be no classes. If your arrival falls on

one of these dates, please check with the

school staff upon your arrival for an exact orien-

tation schedule.

2012



6 April - Good Friday



1 July - Canada Day







2013



29 March - Good Friday



1 July - Canada Day







17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where necessary)

It’s a good idea to make copies of these

and pack them in your suitcase just in

case. You don’t need to carry your pass-

port with you while you are in the Canada

but you must keep it and your other docu-

ments in a safe place while you are in

the country.

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

with proof of insurance in English. If you

have secured Erika Travel Insurance from

EF, you do not need to have anything

translated.

■ Immunization documents with a copy of

them in English

■ Basic medical supplies, any medication

you take regularly and a spare pair of con-

tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

■ An International Driving License if you are

planning on hiring or buying a car.

■ Local currency for first week and for any

learning materials that are not included in

the cost of the course.

■ Money in the form of an ATM card

(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards

and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring

large amounts of cash in any currency!).

■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-

ances you plan to bring with you.

■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.

■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.

■ Personal sports equipment.

■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.

■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.

Homestay host’s or student residence name:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):

_________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number:

_________________________________________

EF School telephone number:

+(1) 416 850 2456 _________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+1 416 473 3509_________________________________________

Additional notes or numbers:

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address

_________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s)

_________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School telephone number

_________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number

_________________________________________

Predeparture Toronto LS 2012

Documents

ef toronto school

ef courses

ef nice

ef torontowatch

ef dublin

ef toronto staff

ef school calendar holidays17

international population