From Working Holiday to English Confidence: Woojin’s story at VGC

Could you please introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Woojin. I came to Vancouver on a working holiday visa. Before coming to Canada, I set three main goals for myself: studying English, working, and traveling. I realized that improving my English was necessary before starting a job. Also, since I expected that adapting to life in Vancouver would not be easy at first, I decided to attend a language school and take my time adjusting. After improving my English, I plan to look for a local job and travel around different places as well.

What attracted you to enroll in the English program at VGC?

From the moment I came to VGC for a consultation, I immediately felt that this was the place where I wanted to study. I had compared several language schools, but I wanted to avoid very large academies, and I was also looking for a school with reasonable tuition fees. That was when VGC stood out to me, so I decided to visit for a consultation.

Eddy and Laura kindly explained the school’s English courses and various programs in detail. In particular, Laura, a student advisor, listened sincerely to my concerns and goals without taking them lightly. It felt less like simply choosing a school and more like meeting someone who genuinely cared about the direction I wanted to take in my English learning journey.

Because of that warmth, even though it was my first visit, I had a strong feeling that VGC was the right place for me. Naturally, I made the decision to enroll.

In what ways has the course improved your English skills?

The course helps improve all areas of English, including speaking, listening, writing, and grammar. Depending on the program, students can also choose to focus on the specific skills they want to develop. For beginners, speaking can be especially intimidating at first. However, the speaking classes are not overwhelming. They start with simple topics and gradually move on to more interesting and engaging subjects. By progressing step by step, students can overcome their fear of speaking and build confidence naturally.

How would you rate the support you got from your teachers and staff?

I believe everyone’s experience may be different, but personally, I was very satisfied. Not only the teachers but also all the staff members are thoughtful and kind. Most of the teachers guide and support students very well, creating an environment where we can fully focus on studying.

Are you happy with the classmates you have? Have you been able to create networks or connections through this program?

I truly enjoy taking classes with my classmates. If you simply follow the activities and programs in class, it is almost impossible not to make friends naturally. We start by sharing our names, nationalities, and simple daily questions, and then move on to talking about hobbies and cultures. Before you know it, you become close. We also meet outside of class to study together, have meals, and spend time hanging out.