Gateway to Canada was originally designed as a text to be used in intermediate-level ESL classrooms. It has come to be used much more broadly than originally planned and, in addition, there have been significant shifts in Canadian ESL since the publication of the first edition of the book. The second edition, and the supplementary material available on this website, takes these facts into account.

In addition to being used by ESL teachers and students in classroom settings, Gateway to Canada is often used by independent learners. Some turn to the book as a resource for improving reading comprehension and vocabulary skills, while others are attracted to the text because it is an engaging source of Canadian cultural information. Depending on the needs and the interests of the independent learner, the book can be used in many different ways. On this site, you'll find an Independent Reader's Guide that will help you identify your own needs and direct you in your use of the book.

Additionally, there are supplementary exercises for learners, including four kinds of exercises for each chapter: comprehension, word recognition, word families, and discussion topics. The exercises are designed for advanced learners as they are written in native-speaker English. This does not mean they cannot be used by other learners. On the contrary, with a good dictionary and a determination to learn, they could be very valuable, especially to independent learners who are eager to broaden their English vocabulary and their grammar. The discussion questions included in the supplementary exercises provide an excellent opportunity for you to practise your conversation skills. Reach out to native English speakers—or to other ESL learners—to share your opinions on what you've read.