Summer ESL

Appleby College’s Summer ESL Program is ideal for students who have an interest in improving their English communication skills, or for those who plan to attend secondary school or university in English speaking countries.

Every day students participate in an engaging classroom experience, specific to their English level, focusing on the academic aspects of the English language, including reading and writing. English language learning also continues in other formats with experiential activities, both inside and outside the classroom. These activities provide students an opportunity to put the skills learned to practice as they communicate with peers and teachers. Activities will vary, but will include games, debates, leadership programming, and of course, our annual student film festival!

Our program focuses on the acquisition of language through communication. Students are encouraged to speak freely in English and make mistakes as they apply and improve their English language skills through practice, in real life situations, while learning about Canadian culture and authentic Canadian expressions.

Students are required to bring their own laptops for projects and classwork.

Appleby Summer ESL students reside on campus in one of our four air-conditioned student boarding houses.  Students stay in double-occupancy rooms separated by gender. Roommates are carefully selected so that each student shares a room with a student of a similar age who is from a different language group. Each boarding house offers multiple common rooms, providing a casual and comfortable social space to hang out with friends, play games such as pool or table tennis, and study. Linens and self-service laundry facilities are provided, and wi-fi is available throughout our campus.

Three nutritious buffet-style hot meals are served daily in our beautiful lake-view dining hall, centrally located on campus. All foods are prepared on-site by Appleby’s excellent year-round catering team. Fruits and snacks are provided daily. All dietary restrictions and allergies can be accommodated, with the exception of Kosher.

We are excited to offer off-site excursions, providing students with the opportunity to experience some of the regions most exciting attractions and Canadian culture.  All meals, transportation and entrance fees are included in the program price, and our staff supervise all excursions. Staff are trained in off-site safety and risk mitigation, ensuring a safe and fun experience for all participants. Some examples of our excursions include:

• City of Toronto, including the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
• Niagara Falls, Clifton Hill, and surrounding attractions
• Canadian post-secondary institutions such as the Toronto Metropolitan University and Brock University, accompanied by their classroom ESL teachers
• Canada’s Wonderland theme park
• Fort George National Historic Site
• Trampoline Park 
• Shopping malls

Please note excursions are subject to change due to weather and availability. 

Our boarding staff ensure students are immersed in English language learning in, and outside of the classroom. Our afternoon and evening on-campus programming is designed to both be fun and to also provide students with ample opportunities to practice communicating in English and continue learning about each other and Canadian culture. Some examples include:

• Organized Sports, including archery, tennis, basketball, soccer, dodgeball, indoor and beach volleyball
• Community Connection Time
• Diversity and Inclusion Seminar
• House Cup Challenge
• Board Game Café
• Guided Arts Activities
• Talent Show
• Capture the Flag
• Karaoke
• Egg Drop Competition
• Rock-climbing on our indoor, 3-story rock-climbing wall
• Campfires by the lake
• Farewell Dinner and Dance

With the health and safety of each student as our utmost priority, we provide 24/7 supervision from arrival in Canada to departure.

Our caring and supportive boarding staff live alongside students in the boarding houses and attend all activities and excursions. Our trained and experienced team is passionate about the care and well-being of each student and are certified in Standard First Aid and CPR-C. 

Students also receive support from additional on-campus staff and security. Medical staff are present on campus daily at Appleby College’s Health Centre to treat or care for students, if needed. 

The 2025 ESL Program fee is $7,750.00.

Boarding program fees include:

• Tuition and programming materials
• a certificate of completion and OSSD ESL credit
• a comprehensive learning report
• On-campus shared accommodation
• Three buffet-style meals daily plus snacks and fruit.
• Transportation to and from the airport, as well as at all points during their stay
• All excursion-related costs
• Emergency medical insurance

Boarding program fees do NOT include airfare, fees for travel permits, notarization of custodianship (available for $50 if required), or personal spending money.  

The fee for airport pick-up and drop-off on non-arrival and departure days is $200, pending staff availability. 

Fees can be paid by wire transfer or credit card. Credit card payments for all summer boarding programs are subject to a 2.4% non-refundable surcharge.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy: Notice of student withdrawal must be made in writing to Appleby College Summer Programs at SummerBoarding@appleby.on.ca. Details and timelines:

• Cancellations made on or before February 28, 2025, are eligible for a full refund less a $500 non-refundable administrative fee 
• Cancellations received on or after March 1, 2025, and prior to May 1, 2025, will be eligible for a 50% refund less a $500 non-refundable administrative fee 
• Cancellations received on or after May 1, 2025, are not eligible for a refund 
• Exceptions to cancellation deadline: In case of visa denial (complete with proof, accepted at the discretion of Appleby College) or medical emergency, supported by certification from a legally qualified medical practitioner not related to the student, a full refund will be issued, less a $500 non-refundable administrative fee. Notice must be made in writing to SummerBoarding@appleby.on.ca no fewer than 7 days prior to program start 
• Please note custodianship notarization fees are non-refundable
• Program fees paid cannot be transferred to another individual 
• Session/Program transfer requests if able to be accommodated are subject to a non-refundable $250 Program/Session Transfer Fee  

Applications for Summer 2025 open at 7:00 a.m.  EST on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. 

APPLY ONLINE

Offer of Admission: After submitting your application, your application will be reviewed, and our team will be in contact within 5 business days with the resuts of your application.

Program Payment & Forms: If accepted, to confirm the student’s placement in the program, full payment is due within five (5) business days from notice of acceptance. Program fees can be paid by credit card in the online application system or by wire transfer. 

A formal Letter of Acceptance will be issued by email following submission of all required forms and documentation.

If you have questions about the Summer ESL program or application process, please email SummerBoarding@appleby.on.ca. We look forward to welcoming you to Appleby College this summer!

Appleby College Summer Programs
Appleby College is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of campers, students & staff as our first priority. As such, it is important that all campers, students & staff confirm the status of their vaccinations.
Routine Immunization Policy
The Ontario Ministry of Health recommends the following Publicly Funded Immunization schedule:
Link to Immunization Schedule

If there is an outbreak of a disease targeted by Ontario’s routine vaccination program (e.g. measles), the following individuals will be sent home at their own expense:
Any camper, student or staff member who:
a) is unvaccinated;
b) has followed an atypical vaccination schedule;
c) has not provided an immunization record
Removal from Appleby Summer Programs will be for an isolation period determined by the Ontario Ministry of Health. No refunds will be issued for time missed in program. Staff salary will be prorated to the date of departure. All transportation costs incurred will be the responsibility of the camper parent/guardian or staff member, if applicable.