20 Things that Happened in 2017, Our 20th Anniversary Year

2017 was a BIG year for ILAC! On our 20th anniversary year, we cheered, celebrated, opened our new campus, and so much more!

Check out our list of 20 things that happened in 2017 as we turned 20 years old:

1. We welcomed 7 Syrian Students on Full Scholarships to Study English in Canada

Syrian Girls

We started the year by welcoming our first five female Syrian students on full scholarships at our campus in Toronto (2 more to join in March). At a time when countries are closing its borders, ILAC, along with many educational institutions across Canada, has vowed to continue to support diversity and inclusivity as a pathway for peace. Click to Read More

2. We won 10+ Awards for Best Student Feedback, Best School Award, Top Language School and more!

ILAC was proud to be awarded by:

  • Top Choice Award – Top Language School in Toronto and Vancouver (11th year in a row)
  • Consumer Choice Award – Best Language School in Toronto (6th year in a row)
  • Japan Best School Award – #1 Chain School and #3 in Lesson Category (Vancouver)
  • UED Agency Awards of Turkey – Best English Language School (4th-time winner)
  • Excellence Award (3rd year in a row)
  • iStudy Award – Language Academy of the Year – Canada
  • Travelmate Intercâmbio & Turismo – Best Student Feedback
  • IE Intercâmbio – Best Career-Focused School
  • Right Honourable John N. Turner (Former Prime Minister of Canada) – Higher Education Achievement Award
  • Women in International Education Awards – Enlightened Employer Award
  • Women in International Education Awards – Mentor of the Year, Jonathan Kolber
  • And more!

To see all of our awards, visit our Awards page

3. We were recognized with the Enlightened Employer Award in the International Education Industry

Jonathan Kolber at WIE Award Ceremony

Jonathan Kolber, ILAC’s Founder and Co-President was awarded the Mentor of the Year Award and Enlightened Employer Award at the Women in International Education Awards 2017 by Lead 5050. Click to Read More

4. We were shortlisted for the PIEoneer Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

Jonathan Kolber, ILAC’s Founder and Co-President, was shortlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in the Education Industry: The PIEoneer Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry. Click to Read More

5. We had our Biggest Higher Education Workshop in ILAC History

The ILAC Higher Education Workshop 2017 took place in Vancouver from April 17 to 23. We had the honour of welcoming 112 agents from 25 different countries for a week filled with adventures, action, celebrations, and more importantly, to meet with 65+ representatives from top Canadian colleges and universities, creating new partnerships and bonds. Click to Read More

6. We held 20 ILAC Worldwide Agent Trainings in 13 countries and trained more than 1,000 higher education focused agents

ILAC, along with representatives from Canadian colleges and universities, held higher education training sessions around the world to promote Canada as an educational destination. Read More

 7. We inaugurated the ILAC Dream Building, our 5th campus in Toronto

Dream Building Photos

The new facility, located at 425 Bloor Street East in Toronto is ILAC’s 9th campus in Canada. With 47 classrooms, student lounge area and works of art everywhere, it is the perfect environment for students to learn and socialize.

8. We changed the game with the opening of our Dream House

Dream House Residence Photos

We opened our first residence! Students can now stay at our state-of-the-art facilities during their studies at ILAC! Conveniently located at one of Toronto’s most lively neighbourhoods, entertainment is just out the door. Read More

9. We opened our first ILAC Experience Store in Toronto

Discover our newest project to increase students’ happiness: The ILAC Experience Store. Located at ILAC’s Cumberland Building in Toronto, consider it the place where students’ journey through Canada begins. Read More

10. We launched our NEW Year Round Young Adults Program

Tailored to match the fast-paced learning of young adults, our NEW program is designed to offer younger students the best experience learning English. Read More

11. We welcomed the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development at our campus

We had the pleasure of welcoming the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development (Read More) and Honourable Laura Albanese, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Read More) at our Toronto campus.

12. We hosted the Biggest 20th Anniversary Celebration for ILAC industry partners, with 150+ overseas guests

anniversary banner 3 pics day 1

We had a great time celebrating our 20th Anniversary with over 150+ overseas guests and industry partners. Nothing is more valuable to us than being able to share our gratitude with the people who have helped us get where we are today. Click to Read More.

13. We celebrated 20 Years of Dreaming Big with our students in Toronto and Vancouver

We partied big time with our Students in Toronto and Vancouver to celebrate 20 Years of Dreaming Big!

14. We heard our students’ voice with over 3,500 online reviews

Our students’ experience is the most important thing to us, and we were happy to read over 3,500 online reviews rated by our students on Facebook and Google!

15. We saw the ILAC Experience through our students’ eyes with 6,000+ NEW #iloveilac posts

#iloveilac Photos

Once again, our students’ shared what ILAC has to offer! From nature to infrastructure or just a meal with friends, nothing explains more what the ILAC Experience is like than seeing the Instagram photos our students post with #iloveilac. Check It Out

16. We sang O Canada with students from 40 different countries to break a Guinness World Record

ILAC students from 40 different countries sang O Canada to attempt to break a Guinness World Record! The event was held in the Distillery District as part of Sing! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. Watch Our Video

17. We announced a new scholarship program to come in 2018

ILAC was a proud sponsor of the 11th edition of TD Bank’s “10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians” award ceremony. The awards were presented by Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Executive Director for Canada at the Inter-American Development Bank and His Worship John Tory, Mayor of Toronto.

ILAC Founders and Co-Presidents, Jonathan Kolber and Ilan Cohen, introduced the award winners and showed ILAC’s support to the Hispanic community in Canada by announcing a new scholarship program for five women from Spanish speaking countries (details to come). Read More

18. We signed 6 new partnerships with Canadian colleges and universities, becoming the biggest Pathway Program in Canada

Our award-winner University Pathway Program keeps growing every year! ILAC students who finish this program can now enter nearly 80 partner universities and colleges, including 6 more new partners in 2017.

See a list of all partner institutions

19. We placed over 1,000 ILAC students in Canadian colleges and universities through our University Pathway Program

For some students, ILAC is just the first step of their journey in Canada! Over 1,000 ILAC graduates were successfully placed in Canadian colleges and universities in 2017, to continue their higher education studies in the land of opportunity. Read More About Our Program

20. We taught English to over 14,000 students from 75+ countries and helped them have an amazing experience, Dreaming Big in Canada!

In 2017, over 14,000 came to ILAC with one goal: to learn English and Dream Big! We helped them accomplish this by providing them with a life-changing experience and high-quality courses guaranteed to improve your English language skills. ILAC Students Jumping

Thank you for being part of our 2017, and we can’t wait to see what 2018 brings!

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20 hours ago

Do you need to take IELTS or CELPIP for Immigration?Join our Night School Open House📍ILAC Cordova Campus: 1168 W Cordova St., Vancouver📅Thursday, April 4th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. PDTAgenda6-7 p.m. PDT: IELTS/CELPIP demo class7-8 p.m. PDT: Presentation of Night School Programs and Q&A Why attend our Open House?📒Demo classes: experience the test preparation firsthand!📒Networking: connect with fellow test-takers!📒Expert tips: learn how to boost your score at ILAC Night School!Looking forward to seeing you there!Register HERE: www.ilac.com/open-house-vancouver-nightschool/ ... See MoreSee Less
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3 days ago

Great news!!! ILAC is ready to welcome even more students in 2024 to our Vancouver campuses.Start your program before January 21, 2025, and qualify for a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from ILAC.No reason to delay making your dreams come true. The time is NOW to come to Canada!#iloveilac #studyincanada #englishincanada #thinkilac #StudyinVancouver ... See MoreSee Less
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4 days ago

ILAC is excited to announce its new pathway partnership with International Business University!Students who complete level 3.3 of the ILAC pathway program can apply for direct entry into all IBU Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and MBA programs.To learn more, contact [email protected]#ilac #iloveilac #ilacpathway ... See MoreSee Less
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4 days ago

'Tis an egg-citing time of the year! 🐰 🥚Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is back!When? Wednesday, March 27th at 1 p.m. (Toronto and Vancouver time)Where? All the ILAC CampusesTake a look at our Instagram stories for the hints!There will be exciting prizes, including a $50 gift card!Don't #ilaci#iloveilac##ilactorontol#ilacvancouverc#ilaccanadailaccanada ... See MoreSee Less
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