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Students who need to improve their English are getting a second chance at Ryerson.

Starting this fall, Ryerson will have an English language program for new students who are academically qualified to apply for admission but don’t meet the minimum English proficiency requirements. The Ryerson University Foundation Program (RUFP) offers intensive English language and academic skills instruction combined with undergraduate course work. Students who successfully complete the RUFP are admitted to degree programs with at least one undergraduate course credit and a strong foundation for academic success. The program currently has 23 enrolled students and is a partnership between The Chang School, Faculty of Arts and Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment.

The RUFP inaugural class will truly be a global experience, with students from more than five countries including China, Turkey, Vietnam, Pakistan and Mauritius, speaking seven to 10 different languages. After successfully completing the RUFP, students will enter a diverse range of undergraduate degree programs representing all faculties at Ryerson including International Economics and Finance, Nursing, Computer Science, Creative Industries and Business Management.

"In today’s increasingly globalized educational landscape, it is important for us to open our doors to students from all over the world. The RUFP will allow international students who are academically qualified to advance their English language proficiency, develop academic skills, and experience what our multicultural city has to offer," says Marie Bountrogianni, interim dean at The Chang School. "The program will be mutually beneficial to the students and to Ryerson University – it will provide international students with opportunities unique to the Ryerson experience, and it will provide Ryerson with excellent students from around the world.” 

RUFP is an intensive two-semester program that involves 30 hours per week of class time including 20 hours of instructor-led classes and 10 hours of independent and group project-based work. An entirely new curriculum was developed by Marju Toomsalu, English as an Additional Language programs director in the Faculty of Arts and Chang School academic coordinator for English as a Second Language, and Geoff Lawrence, former Chang School instructor. The RUFP workshops will help students develop proficiency in academic reading, writing and vocabulary skills as well as listening, speaking and pronunciation skills. Additionally, through a learner-centred approach, students will also build intercultural awareness and communication strategies to help them transition into Canadian academic life. 

“We are very excited about the new ESL program,” said Jean-Paul Boudreau, dean, Faculty of Arts. “The collaboration between our Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and our CE partners is a perfect synergy. Putting the accent on English language literacy is vital in a city like Toronto, which is a hub for vibrant international relations. We look forward to welcoming students from many different countries."

In order to provide a well-rounded university experience, the RUFP staff and students will work collaboratively with International Student Services (ISS), Student Housing Services, the Tri-Mentoring Program (TMP), English Language Support, Health Promotions and the Office of Student Community Life to provide specialized services and opportunities. Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to live on campus in order to be fully integrated in campus life.

RUFP students’ transition into the Ryerson community will be further supported by the RUFP Peer Mentorship Program. The three RUFP Peer Mentors are highly engaged Ryerson upper-year students with deep experience working with students from different backgrounds. They will be working closely with the RUFP students to refer them to resources, to plan activities, to encourage them to participate in campus life and to help prepare them for success in their future academic and career path at Ryerson. A week-long customized orientation schedule has been planned for the RUFP students, as well as activities and trips throughout the year which may include a day trip to Niagara Falls, dinners at cultural neighbourhoods in Toronto, visits to the Art Gallery of Ontario and Royal Ontario Museum, sporting events and participating in intramurals at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

To learn more about the RUFP, please visit www.ryerson.ca/ce/rufp.