In our international English-language summer camp, your child will experience North American culture firsthand. They’ll develop friendships with peers from widely diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds. And of course, they’ll be given expert guidance to help them master reading and writing the English language.

But did you know that speaking English – in class, on day trips, and even in public to a large crowd of friends and classmates – is an important pillar of the Destination Canada experience?

Read on to learn about how our programs help kids develop their public speaking skills:

Building Self-Confidence in Interactive English Summer Classes

At Destination Canada, we offer twenty-five hours of English instruction per week, in small class sizes limited to 15 students. Our instructors are all university graduates and classroom teachers that teach in accredited Canadian schools during the year.

English isn’t just the subject of language instruction in Destination Canada classrooms, it’s also the means of communication within them. Teachers not only help students write English independently, but also to speak English in class and amongst themselves.

Students participate in English summer classes at Destination Canada

Assessments upon arrival ensure each child is placed alongside classmates at similar skill levels, making the process of reading, writing, and speaking English a welcoming team effort! Nothing lays better groundwork for public speaking than confidence earned in supportive, immersive environments.

Practicing English Speaking Skills in Immersive Extra-Curricular Experiences

Because of the immersive learning style at Destination Canada, English-speaking practice continues far beyond classroom walls! Students at our English summer camp get to explore spectacular Canadian landmarks and exciting social activities all while surrounded by an English language atmosphere.

According to the Advanced Centre for Research on Language Acquisition, immersion is the most effective way for a child to learn a language: “This authentic communication allows students to learn a second language in a similar manner to the way that they have learned their first.”

“Day after day I had the chance to practice my English not only inside the classroom but also during the extracurricular activities, such as visits to museums, city tours, sports and evening activities,” says Maria Fernanda Valderrama Vargas, a Destination Canada camper from Colombia.

International students practice communicating in English through fun social activities

Earning Recognition at Our English Summer Camp Speech Competition

Through these in-class and extra-curricular experiences your child will learn more about the English language than mere pronunciation and grammar exercises. They will learn to express themselves in this language in engaging, persuasive and passionate ways. Children have the opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned during English summer classes at Destination Canada’s International English Speech Competition, a highlight of each year’s program for students and teachers alike.

Our instructors help students choose a topic that is meaningful to them, before the students research, plan, write, and deliver a speech in front of their classmates. Then one student from each of the three junior classes and three senior classes is chosen to present their speech to all students in the Speech Competition finals.

Destination Canada students gather in Carleton University’s main auditorium for Speech Finals

Children get the chance to perform their speeches before a panel of distinguished judges and an auditorium of the finalists’ encouraging and supportive classmates. Each speaker is even challenged to answer a few questions about their topic without preparation. Then after careful deliberation, the judges select two winners (one senior and one junior) as the official champions of the International English Speech Competition!

Check out last year’s winners in action:

Are you interested in enrolling your child in an English language summer camp?

Visit Destination Canada to learn more about what we can offer your child.