SURREY - Vancouver English Centre is opening a new centre in Surrey to help immigrants prepare for Canadian citizenship, university acceptance and professional career development.
The preparation centre works with people to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test."Considering that almost half of the residents of Surrey speak a language other than English as their mother tongue, there has until now been a shortage of English language training here," said Ken Gardner, president of Vancouver English Centre. "Our unique program will help local people improve their lives."The multifaceted course works to enhance and polish the four primary language skills, with one particular language skill practised each day, four days a week.This program is offered four evenings a week, beginning March 31. For more information, see www.vec.ca, call 604-687-1600 or email ielts@vec.ca.VEC has been offering IELTS preparation in downtown Vancouver for over 15 years.DRIVE A FORD TO HELP SCHOOLSSURREY - Hallmark Ford Sales is bringing Ford Motor Company's Drive 4 UR School program to town to help raise money for North Surrey and Clayton Heights secondary schools.For every person who test drives a Ford vehicle this Saturday at the last day of the event, Hallmark Ford and Ford of Canada will donate $20 to the schools.The special test drives are Saturday, March 8 at Clayton Heights Secondary, at 7003 188th St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To participate, drivers must be 18 or older and have a valid driver's licence. One test-drive per household.Since the start of Ford's Drive 4 UR School and Community programs in 2010, Hallmark Ford has hosted 16 events, raising more than $23,000 to support Surrey schools.Send your news items to be included in Business Notebook. Email your submissions to edit@thenownewspaper.com with "Business Notebook" in the subject line.