VIU International students

International Academic Support (IAS)

What is IAS?

How to Book a Tutor

We are a team of English for Academic Purposes tutors. We help international and second language students improve their academic English skills as they work through degree, diploma, and certificate programs at VIU.  Some of the ways we can help include: 

  • Adjusting to a Canadian university setting
  • Developing writing and editing skills
  • Understanding assignments
  • Clarifying difficult readings
  • Citing (APA, MLA, and other styles)
  • Brainstorming 
  • Organizing writing
  • Helping research 
  • Improving presentation and discussion skills  
  • Develop English language proficiency
IAS Tutoring

Reserve a tutoring session with an IAS tutor!

Students can book two sessions per week.  Email Kate Weber or Les Barclay at IAS-viu@viu.ca for permission to book more.

  • Sessions can be online [Video Chat (live) or e-Tutoring (upload your document for email feedback)], or face-to-face in the Writing Centre, 4th Floor of the VIU Library.

Book an IAS Tutoring Session

IAS and Writing Centre Workshop Schedule

Student Testimonials

“Myself and KK from Pre-MBA Team, would like to thank you for boosting our morale with your soothing and inspiring words! We are really feeling confident and more focused. We aim to follow your instructions/ advice on the 'action-plan' that you have created for us and look forward to meeting you with our entire team.”

"The IAS team helped me to sail through effectively in my pursuit of learning the APA style of writing and referencing. I would like to specially mention about Matthew Finlayson, who has not only helped to hone my academic writing skills, but at the same time has been a guiding force in enhancing my life skills and teaching me some very important lessons about stress management and work-study-life balance. My heartfelt thanks to the entire IAS team for their support.”

"I am strongly influenced and encouraged by Matthew and Will and other teachers in IAS. They are always ready to help the students, their positive attitude and diligence are good models for me to learn from.”