Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Summer 2024. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
The following courses are designed for professionals already in the workplace and focus on improving oral and/or written skills. They are college-level credit English courses specific to the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training.
For Academic-stream courses, please refer to English Skills - College Level Courses.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Intermediate level ESL speaker
This intermediate level Accent Reduction course is designed for students who may have difficulty communicating clearly and effectively in spoken English. The course helps students with accent reduction through the identification of specific pronunciation problems. In this level, students learn correct pronunciation of English vowel and consonant sounds, as well as spelling patterns through the use of an English dictionary.
Advanced level ESL speaker
This advanced level Accent Reduction course is designed for students who are fluent in English but wish to acquire a more standardized North American speech pattern. The second level of Accent Reduction emphasizes the development of sound production, rhythm, stress and intonation patterns in "real life" communicative contexts.
ESL932 or equivalent, or permission from coordinator.
In this course, students develop proficient editing skills that enable them to identify grammatical weaknesses in their own writing. Through a focus on error analysis and guided practice, students will learn to become independent self-editors and be able to apply the strategies acquired beyond the duration of this course.
Completion of ESL934 or ELL100 at entry level for COM101 or permission of English coordinator
Students learn the rules of English grammar in a comprehensive, easy-to-follow manner. The course begins with a review of sentence parts, followed by an in-depth explanation of sentence structure, and culminates in a practical review of stylistic conventions in business and professional writing.
ESL934 (or equivalent) or permission of the coordinator
Effective and practical writing skills are important for successful communication in business. Students learn how to compose business correspondence including emails, memos, letters and reports with a focus on routine and persuasive messages. A review of basic grammar is also included.
ESL934 (or equivalent) or permission of the coordinator
Designed to meet the needs of business people who want to improve their written and verbal communication abilities, this course provides practical skills in writing core business documents and presenting information in a variety of settings.
ESL079 (or equivalent) or permission of the coordinator
Verbal communication comes with a personal responsibility. Essentially, effective communicators have the responsibility of making messages clear and understandable, so they can build and maintain relationships with customers and colleagues. This course introduces the primary aspects of successful verbal communication in a business context. Students develop and implement an action plan for continuously improving their own verbal skills, gaining practical knowledge about business communications that can be applied in real-world scenarios.
Improv is a non-traditional way for business professionals to refine their interpersonal skills. The ability to communicate effectively, think on your feet and work well with a team can determine success in business. This course focuses on the skills needed to be highly effective in organizations through confidence building improvisational techniques. It is designed to encourage risk taking and to accept failures by building on the ideas of others in a collaborative creative problem solving effort. Participants learn how to better handle stressful situations, overcome shyness, handle awkward moments and communicate more powerfully.
ESL934 (or equivalent) or permission of the coordinator
This course teaches important skills for effective written and oral communications of technical information. It distinguishes between academic and technical (job-related) writing and guides the students through proven steps to enhance the effectiveness of their various written technical communications. The course also provides a practical approach for planning and structuring technical oral presentations. Students get to use this approach and to practise these techniques.
Effective immediately course codes in the Professional communication category will changed to PRC. The courses are the same.
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in post-secondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca College program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
In-person (P)
The course will be delivered fully in person and requires students to come to campus. A variety of methods will be used to aid students in acquiring the knowledge and skills required to meet the learning outcomes of the course.
Hybrid (H)
Delivery of this course will be mixed and will include both in-person and online components. Students will be required to come to campus for the in-person part of their course. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the weekly schedule and important deadlines at the start of the course.
Flexible (FL)
The course offers students a choice of coming to campus for an on-campus experience or learning remotely online. Instructors will teach classes to students in a classroom or lab at a scheduled day and time and broadcast to students online at the same time. Students will be able to choose their location weekly (e.g. one week online, another week on campus). No advance notification is required (some exceptions may apply).
Online Synchronous (OS)
The course will be delivered online, providing students with an opportunity to attend a weekly online class at a scheduled day and time. Classes will include synchronous real-time activities led by an instructor, instructor-student and student-student interactions, and will be complemented by asynchronous, self-directed activities. Students are expected to participate in the weekly live online sessions at the scheduled time. The sessions will take place using video-conferencing platforms such as Webex, Zoom, Teams, or Big Blue Button. They are typically recorded and can be accessed by students for the duration of the course. However, please note that in most cases, classes will not be 3 hours of live, real-time instruction. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the course outline, the weekly schedule and important deadlines at the start of the course.
Online Asynchronous (OA)
The course will be delivered online without any scheduled classes. It is being offered as self-directed, providing students with significant flexibility to learn and study on their own time. All online activities will be asynchronous, such as lesson modules, lecture notes, discussion groups, multi-media content, assignments and assessments. Consultations with the course facilitator occur via email or course discussion board. While students work through the course materials at the time of their choosing, they are expected to follow a weekly schedule to complete activities and submit assignments by the due dates specified by the facilitator. Students may interact with their facilitator or each other through the course's Learning Management System, such as Blackboard.
Online Synchronous and Asynchronous (OB)
The course will include some synchronous online sessions occurring at a scheduled day and time, as well as some self-directed activities which students complete at the time of their choosing while adhering to specified due dates. For example, a course may have bi-weekly scheduled live online sessions and asynchronous activities on the other weeks. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the course outline, the weekly schedule and important deadlines at the start of the course.
eCorrespondence (E)
The course will be delivered via email. E-correspondence materials including, among others, study guides, course timelines, and assignment sheets, will be emailed to students for download in a digital format. Students can expect to receive instructions by email and correspond with their course facilitator by email.
Fieldwork (F)
This course is an experiential learning opportunity for students to integrate their academics with real-world working environments. It can be in the form of a practicum, field placement or clinical which takes place in a formal work environment. Fieldwork hours vary depending on the program.
Marianne Tang
Program Assistant (PRC courses only)
Marianne.Tang@senecapolytechnic.ca
437-312-0357
Peggy Luk
Program Assistant (ESP courses only)
Peggy.Luk@senecapolytechnic.ca
437-312-1121
Rosemare Mariaseelan
Academic Program Manager
Rosemare.Mariaseelan@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-9890
For more information about these courses, fill out the following form.