SOICS is proud to offer English language testing books, dictionaries, and other training materials with plans to add a multi-lingual collection.
Clients looking to improve their English language ability, attain additional skills or learn about soft skills are able to take advantage of our in-house resource library. Resources are carefully selected to focus on teaching you by example and walk you through every aspect of integrating in the local community. Be it a how-to guide or a set of Flash Cards or language test preparation materials, our resource library provides access to current and comprehensive information in various fields. Below you will find brief summary for some of our resources and links to help you progressively develop skills and language.
The computers in our computer labs are bookmarked with websites and links that are of particular note for newcomers. The computers are also equipped with Rosetta Stone English learning software and All The Right Type keyboard typing software. These arrangements enable clients to take advantage of resources and become independent.
In order to loan the resource materials, clients need to be registered with SOICS. To get the list of available resource material please contact us at (250) 492-6299.
The BC Learner’s Licence Prep Kit
The kit is created to help people pass their BC Learners Licence exam with ease. They are a series of compact study flashcards that summarize the ICBC Learn to Drive Smart handbook in smaller manageable units of information. The kit will help to let people know if they thoroughly understand the material – resulting in passing the exam with ease.
Canada’s Citizenship Prep Kit
Created to help newcomers pass their Canadian citizenship exam, the Prep Kits are a series of study flashcards that summarize the Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship guide in smaller manageable units of information.
The kit is a great companion to the Discover Canada Guide and will let people know if they thoroughly understand the material – resulting in passing the exam.
Literacy Readers – Bow Valley College
https://esl-literacy.com/readers/
With funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the ESL instructors at Bow Valley College developed a series of readers for newcomers learning at a Literacy Level. The stories authentically represent learners themselves as well as events and issues that a typical learner may experience. Most of the photographs that accompany the stories are not stock photos, but photos of real learners at Bow Valley College.
Success in TESL – Donna Bowler
Donna Bowler publishes original ESL content within a British Columbian context. Based out of Vancouver, Success in TESL offers a wide range of photocopy-ready resources that cover almost every aspect of life for a newcomer in our province, from shopping to renting an apartment. Our students particularly like her exercises and lessons to do with money and the checkout counter, which is a common concern. Each unit comes with a small book to make for each student, so their home library is always expanding.
Language Assessment Preparation Materials
IELTS preparation materials package includes a full practice test with answer key and CD. This package gives future IELTS test takers an idea of what the test is like and it also gives test takers an opportunity to test themselves to indicate whether their English is likely at the level required to study at an institution where the teaching is in English.
Instruction materials to help you achieve the best possible score on the CELPIP test include study tips and sample tests. Students can select from among four skills modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, thereby focusing on the test components that they are most concerned about.
The Official Guide to TOEFL provides beneficial tips and advices including well-defined writing and communication section and. With the CD students can practice full-length mock tests and evaluate their abilities and potentials.
Besides the practice exams, the LPI preparation material includes sections on sentence structures and word usage tips.
Oxford Picture Dictionary
The Oxford Picture Dictionary illustrates over 3,700 words in full-colour pictures presented in context. Each of the dictionaries offers approximately 140 key topics, many with vocational strands, targeted to meet the needs of adults and young adults. The heart of this book is a set of vocabulary in both English and other languages on each page, illustrated by pictures.
The Dictionary workbooks teach more than 1,000 words using 70 topics, grouped into 9 thematic units. It includes the language of home, school, social studies, science, and math. The Reproducible Collection includes pre-reading, reading, post-reading, and writing practice, plus more than 800 word and picture cards and is based on research-based instructional routines.
All of SOICS’ services are free for eligible immigrants. For more information on becoming a SOICS client, please visit Getting Started at SOICS. To make an appointment, please call or visit one of our offices.