EC Vancouver Pre-Arrival to First Day

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Get Ready for Your EC Experience

Essential Information to Prepare for Your Journey

Pre-Arrival

MyEC

What is MyEC?

MyEC is a personalised study tool and powerful learning companion throughout your EC journey. It also offers information about your EC centre, accommodation and about living in your chosen destination.

Your Online Placement Test

To help us place you in the right level when you start studying with us, you must complete your Online Placement test before you arrive at school.
If you do not complete this test before your first day, you may miss some of the first day activities and/or class time as this test must be completed before you start class.
The Online Placement Test focuses on Reading, Writing and Use of English (Grammar and Vocabulary) and consists of 66 questions.
Your speaking level will be assessed on your first day in school
For the instructions on how to complete your Online Placement Test, please go to Preparing for your Arrival

When can I access MyEC?

You will have access to MyEC as soon as you receive your booking confirmation. Start by logging in here: https://signin.ecenglish.com/student

What else must I do on MyEC before my arrival?

Access a bank of study materials to start learning before you even leave home
Complete your Important Personal Details Form
Complete yout Needs Analysis Form
Complete your placement test
Fill in the pre-arrival survey

Arrival

Arrival at Airport

(All students under 18 years old must book return airport transfers if arriving and departing between 8:00pm and 8:00am).

Who will I meet at the airport?

If you booked a transfer, an EC Representative will be waiting for you at the Vancouver Airport in the designated meeting points described below. Please check if your flight arrives at the International or the Domestic Terminal as the meeting points are different and refer to the detailed instructions below.

What should I do if I cannot find the EC representative?

If after 10 minutes you cannot see the EC representative, just call +1 604.988.7639 or text/WhatsApp +1.778.773.5466 (from the public phone, information desk or a mobile phone). Useful phrase to use: Hi, My name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). My student number is (123456). I cannot find my EC representative. I am at the information desk.

What should I do if I have missed my flight or my flight is delayed?

If your flight has changed or you missed your flight you should notify EC Transfer Representative by calling +1 604.988.7639 or text/WhatsApp +1.778.773.5466 (from the information desk or a mobile phone) to rearrange your transfer time and avoid additional cost. Useful phrase to use: My name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). My student number is (123456) and my flight has been changed. My new flight number is (1234) arriving at (time).
If your flight has been delayed but you will come in the same flight (flight number did not change) you do not need to call us.

What should I do if I haven’t booked an EC transfer?

Take the SkyTrain, Canada Line. This will bring you to a number of different transportation stations in order for you to make your way to your accommodation. You can also take a taxi from right outside the airport. All taxis have fixed fares depending on your destination. You can find out your fare by looking at https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/transportation/taxis

Arrival at EC Accommodation

What should I expect at my EC accommodation?

You will receive a warm, personal welcome, whether you have booked homestay or residence. All our hosts are fully briefed on how to make you feel comfortable and prepared for your first day of lessons. In our residences, an EC representative will be available at the weekend to help and answer any questions.

First Sunday Activities

What should I do on the Sunday before school starts?

You will have the option of participating in activities arranged by EC. This is an opportunity to meet other new EC students, relax and be introduced to your new city together. With an EC staff member on hand, you can also ask any questions you may have. We will notify you of the Sunday activity schedule around 2 weeks before you start school.

Learn more about our Orange Carpet Experience

Your First Day at School

How can I find my way to school?

You can find this information on your EC Accommodation Profile, or feel free to ask your host family or residence.

What if I haven’t booked EC accommodation?

There are a number of different SkyTrain lines that arrive at the school
Canada Line (Vancouver City Centre Station)
Millennium Line (Granville Street Station)
Expo Line (Granville Street Station)
There are also a number of different bus routes that will take you here.

What time should I arrive?

On the first day students need to arrive at the centre at 8:00 AM.

Before your first day, EC Vancouver will email you to confirm your arrival time.

Address: 570 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, V6B 1Y1. Press #300 on the door buzzer, and someone will meet you

What should I bring with me?

It’s important to bring these documents with you on your first day:

Proof of health insurance covering the length of programme. This is required for you to start lessons
Visa and passport
Your own notebook, pens, and laptop/ mobile tablet

What can I expect on my first day?

What will my timetable be?

You will receive your timetable at school.

What do I do if public transportation is temporarily unavailable?

In case of bad weather, public transport strikes etc, please check the EC Vancouver Facebook page for any important updates or call the emergency number.

Public holidays

What happens on public holidays?

Schools do not open on public holidays, so if Monday is a public holiday, your first day at the school will be on Tuesday.
2025 Public holidays on a weekday: 01 Jan, 17 Feb, 18 Apr, 19 May, 01 Jul, 04 Aug, 01 Sep, 30 Sep, 13 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Dec & 26 Dec

Centre Information

EC Vancouver

570 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 300, Vancouver, BC V6B1Y1, Canada

See Inside

Phone number: +1 604 683 1199

Emergency Number:

(For use outside of office hours only)
+1 236 514 1230

Opening Hours

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Office hours

08:30 – 16:30

Closed

08:30 – 16:30

Map

Timetable

What will my timetable be?

This is a sample timetable, times may change and are not guaranteed.

General English (20 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri)

Semi-Intensive English (24 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Tue & Thu)

Semi-Intensive English (26 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Mon, Wed & Fri)

Intensive English (30 lessons/week) : Core Classes (Mon-Fri) & Special Focus Classes (Mon-Fri)

Sample Timetable

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
09:00 – 10:30	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:15	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A
12:15 – 12:45	Lunch Break
12:45 – 14:15	Special Focus Classes
14:15 – 14:30	Break
14:30 – 16:00	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B
16:00 – 16:15	Break
16:15 – 17:45	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B	Core Class A	Core Class B