Health Care Assistant - ESL, Certificate

Ready to get started? 

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

English Language Competency Requirements:

Applicants do not require English 10 to be admitted to the HCA-ESL program but will be admitted using the following assessments.

• BC HCA program applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Domestic and/or international applicants whose first language is not English will need to take a standardized proficiency assessment to confirm communicative competency in all four language skills areas (speaking, listening, reading and writing).
• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of one of the following standardized English language proficiency test scores from an authorized assessment centre:
• Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) (testing within the last year):
  • Listening 6
  • Speaking 6
  • Reading 5
  • Writing 5

    Note: A CLB Report Card from a LINC Program may also be accepted. To confirm the appropriate level of English proficiency, Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) Report Cards (also may be known as ESL Student Progress Reports) would need to specify that an applicant's current language level ("CLB levels now"), as "Completing" CLB Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6 and Writing 6 AND that the "Recommended Class Placement for Next Term / Course" as Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic or General (testing within the last two years):
  • overall score of 5.5
  • minimum of 5.5 in Speaking and Listening
  • no score lower than 5 in Reading and Writing
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (testing within the last two years):
  • IBT with an overall score of 56
• no score lower than 15 in Speaking and Listening
• no score lower than 13 in Reading and Writing

English Proficiency Self-Declaration:

• Completed self-declaration confirming level of English proficiency

Informational Interview:

• Attend an informational interview with the Health Care Assistant - English Language Development instructor to confirm program expectations, and discuss oral communication skills.

Information Session:

• Attendance at a Health Care Assistant program information session is required to ensure applicants have a strong understanding of the expectations of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program and the role of the HCA in the work environment. An online information session module is available for anyone unable to attend in person.