International Students

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Sardis Secondary School International Program

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Goals of the International Program:

To create opportunities for Sardis students to learn about different cultures
To create opportunities for Sardis students to be involved in service/volunteerism at a global level
To create opportunities for staff development through educational/cultural exchanges
To create opportunities for students from around the world to attain a British Columbia Dogwood Certificate
To create opportunities for student from around the world to experience Canadian culture

Sardis Secondary offers a variety of options:

Graduation (Dogwood)

This is a full year program with an academic focus in which students will select courses which meets the requirements for a B. C. Graduation Certificate (Dogwood). It leads towards entry into a college or university. Students will enroll in a full time program of courses, will receive intensive English language instruction, and will be encouraged to participate in all aspects of school and family life. Typically, this is a two or three year program, beginning in Grade 10 or 11. The International student counselor will assist students with applications to colleges and universities.

Learning Exploration

This is a one year program in which students select courses of interest and value but not necessarily to fulfill graduation requirements for a British Columbia Graduation Certificate or college or university. The main focus beyond the content of specific courses is the development of English language skills and to experience Canadian culture. Students will enroll in a full time program, which includes intensive English language instruction, and will be encouraged to participate in all aspects of school and family life.

English Summer Study Tour (General Tour Information Summer 2007 Tour)

This is a two or three week program in which groups of students attend SardisSecondary School during the summer. The main focus of the program is the development of English language skills and to experience Canadian culture. The program will include English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction four mornings a week, half and full day field trips to various locations around Chilliwack, Vancouver, and Victoria, and home-stays. Students will be awarded certificates of completion at the end of the program.

Short Term Reciprocal Exchange Program

This is a two to three week exchange program in which students from a partner school visit Sardis Secondary and then Sardis students visit that school. The main focus of this program is the development of English language skills and to experience Canadian culture. It is also an opportunity for the teachers of the two schools to exchange ideas with respect to education practice. This program is limited to those schools which have a partnership agreement with SardisSecondary School.

Cultural Volunteer

This is a ten day program in which Sardis Secondary students visit schools in other parts of the world. The main focus of this program is for Sardis students to learn about other cultures at the global level. They will participate in a project which will focus upon helping children and families of another country in some meaningful way.

Overseas Tour Groups

This is a ten day annual program in which SardisSecondary School students travel to predominantly European countries. The main focus of this program is for Sardis students to learn about language, culture, and geography. This is a study tour in which students will be awarded 2 Independent Directed Studies (IDS) credits upon completion.

Support for International Students:

In order to maintain a quality program Sardis Secondary School maintains strict control over the application and acceptance process and therefore the number of students entering the International Program. Our goal is supply individualized support for our foreign students. In addition to the wide range of course offerings, the following support services are available to these students:

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Every International student has a minimum of one block in his/her educational program in which he/she receives ESL support from a qualified teacher in a small class of 6-8 students.

Test of English as a Second Language (Toefl)

We supply Toefl instruction to our International students free of charge as part of our International Program. This optional, but recommended instruction takes place during the lunch period or after school, allowing students to take a full program of courses.

Homestay Coordinator

Sardis Secondary School has a designated Homestay Coordinator at the school who takes care of pre-screening all potential homestay families for our International students. After examining the student application, the Homestay Coordinator matches interests of the International student with the appropriate family. Homestay arrangements are monitored on an ongoing basis.

Counselling

Sardis Secondary has a designated counselor for our International students. This individual, in consultation with the ESL teacher, is responsible for developing the appropriate program for the students, monitoring their progress, assisting with any issues that might arise, and assisting with college and university selection and applications.

Equivalency/Challenge

International students often arrive with transferable courses from their home countries. Our staff will determine which of these courses are equivalent to courses in British Columbia ensure that the student receives credit for qualifying course. In addition, our staff will assist students if they wish to challenge courses, especially language based courses in which the International student is proficient (eg. Mandarin, German, Spanish, etc.)