Student Resources at
GV English Victoria
Education Support Services
Language Proficiency Systems
IELTS Victoria:
CELPIP Victoria:
Private Lessons
If you realize you need additional support in any area with your language learning, GV is able to provide private lessons. You can choose General English private lessons or Test Preparation private lessons. Benefit from one-on-one attention from a certified instructor. You can study at your own speed and on your schedule. All materials are included.
You may choose individual lessons or packages consisting of 6 or 12 lessons. All private lessons are 50 minutes in length.
Speak to one of our Registrars for information on pricing.
Learning Support Staff
Please consider all of our teaching team your learning support staff! We’re here to help you with your language journey and the questions you may have. GV prides itself on a teaching team that is supportive, kind and patient.
Whether you need a little more explanation on a grammar point, or want to know the best website to practice your pronunciation, your teachers are here to help you. Can’t find the teacher you want? Everyone looks too busy? The Director of Programs’ door is always open to students.
Feel free to drop by her office with any learning support question you have!
Living Costs, Housing, and Tenancy Rights
Living Costs
- The average cost of living in Victoria, B.C., can be found on the Numbeo Website You can also compare the cost of living between different cities, both inside and outside of Canada on the Numbeo Website above.
- WorkBC is a provincial website that provides a cost of living calculator which takes into consideration the expenses an individual may have for a specific city.
Housing Costs
Housing costs depend on the type of accommodation that you are looking for.
The following are the most popular accommodation options for international students at GV Victoria:
Alternative Accommodation
Shared house or suite with other roommates
Apartments, townhouses
The costs and availability for apartments or townhouses can be found on the following websites:
Hotels or Hostels
- Global Village is partnered with Hotel Grand Pacific. Mention you are a GV student at time of booking and you will get a special rate!
- Booking.com is a platform popularly known for finding and providing costs of available hotel rooms in cities across the globe.
- Ocean Island Inn and Turtle Hostel Are also options for students looking for a different, more affordable, type of accommodation.
Tenant Rights
The following key points come from the government of British Columbia’s website on tenant rights.
Refer to the above website directly for more detailed information about these key points and many more:
- Tenants have rights during a tenancy, including their rights to dispute problems and their quiet enjoyment rights. Landlords can’t physically remove tenants or lock them out of their rental units.
- Landlords must prepare a written agreement for tenancy. Even if a landlord doesn’t prepare one, the standard terms of a tenancy agreement still apply. Paying a security deposit establishes a tenancy, even if there is no written tenancy agreement and if the tenant never moves in.
- Everyone has the right to “quiet enjoyment” of their property. You have the right to live peacefully in a rental unit without unnecessary disturbances from others. Quiet enjoyment is the tenant’s responsibility as well and could be a cause for eviction if that responsibility is not fulfilled.
Disclaimer: The links above are provided for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement or approval by Global Village Victoria of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation, organization or individual.
Renter’s Insurance
The following information was adapted from the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre’s website. More detailed information can be found at: https://tenants.bc.ca/your-tenancy/tenant-insurance/
Some landlords require tenants to have renter’s insurance. This is normal in BC. Even if the landlord does not require it, renter’s insurance can provide peace of mind and financial help in a time of crisis.
Most tenant insurance policies cover the following:
- Personal possessions – Tenant insurance can cover your clothes, electronics, furniture, etc. For example, if there is a flood in your rental unit, you might be able to use your tenant insurance to replace your belongings.
- Liability – Imagine you forget a candle is burning and it starts a serious fire. If you cause damage to other tenants’ rental units, you might be able to use your tenant insurance to pay for those repairs or damaged possessions.
You will have to do some research to find the company and policy that best fits your situation.
Tips to avoid rental scams
- Never deal in cash – If a potential landlord asks for the security deposit and first month’s rent in cash, this is a warning sign of a rental scam. Legitimate landlords will usually accept regular or cashier’s checks.
- Make sure you have a written lease – If you and the landlord want a month-to-month lease, this is fine, but the lease should still be in writing to prevent fraud and to explain the rights and responsibilities of the tenant and the landlord. Make sure you have a copy of the lease signed by the landlord.
- Meet the landlord in person.
- Visit the apartment or house if possible – make sure that what is advertised is what you will be actually renting.
- If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is. Stay away from extra-cheap rental offers.
- Do as much research on people as possible, including landlords and potential roommates.
School Facilities And Resources
Kitchen
- Feel free to use the microwave ovens and fridge. Never put metal or plastic in the microwave.
- The fridge is cleaned every Friday at 1:00 PM and we will throw perishable food in the garbage.
- Please wash your dishes by hand in the sink provided. Do not dump food down the drain.
- Our vending machine has pop, juice and water. It only accepts card and contactless payment
- We have one hot water dispenser for tea, instant soup, or instant coffee
- For sanitary reasons, there are no shared dishes or cutlery. Please bring your own.
Washrooms
- The washrooms (one men’s, one women’s and one universal) are for Global Village students ONLY. Please do not let people who you don’t know use our washrooms.
- Keep the washrooms clean and do not leave water on the sink or floor.
- Please do not put anything in the toilet except toilet paper.
Wireless Internet
- Wireless internet is available throughout the facility. Please obtain the code from Reception. Report problems with the internet to Receptionist immediately, so the issue can be fixed quickly.
Lost and Found
- Please do not leave your things in the classroom. Please ask administrative staff for the Lost & Found if you have lost or found something.
Who to talk to at GV
| Topic | Title |
|---|---|
| Academic Support: program changes, program outlines, option classes, specialized programs, school policies | Director of Programs |
| Class level changes | Class teachers or Director of Programs |
| Complaints, bullying, harassment | Director of Programs |
| Student enrolment contract, program changes, extensions, vacations, medical insurance, fee payment, transcripts | Registrar(s) or Admin Coordinator |
| General information about life in Victoria such as childcare services and community and cultural services. | Registrar(s) or Director of Programs |
| Activities, travelling, weekend trips, tourist information about Victoria, public bus information. | Activities Coordinator |
| Homestay information, homestay extension/cancellation, other accommodations, underage trips on weekends | Homestay Coordinator |
| Language support | In Japanese: Admin Coordinator, In Spanish: Registrar, In Portuguese: Homestay Coordinator, In French: Homestay Coordinator |
| Employment resources (including resources available to prepare a resume) | Business English Instructor, Workplace Readiness Coordinator |
| Pathways – studying at a college or university in Canada | Pathway Coordinator |
Dispute Resolution, Sexual Misconduct Policies, and Statement of Student Rights:
More details on these policies can be found in our Student Handbook.
Crisis Response Policy
- Follow the instructions of your teacher, or the staff member who is supervising you.
- As soon as you can do so safely, report the situation to the nearest Global Village staff member. If no staff member is nearby, call the homestay 24-hour emergency support number (250-727-8621). Remain calm and follow the instructions of the staff.
- If you cannot reach a staff member, call 911 directly if you are in danger.
- Otherwise, stay calm and leave the building. Take your coat but leave your bag and other belongings.
- In the case of fire alarm, earthquake, or other disaster, do not use the elevator. Go directly to the closest exit and follow the stairwell to the ground floor to leave the building.
- When you get outside, a staff member will be there to direct you to the appropriate safe meeting point.
- Wait at the safe meeting point until a staff member confirms that you are OK to return to class.
- At all times, stay alert and cautious, communicate with staff, and stay safe!
