Context and challenge
Caroline Laberge is a general contractor in the commercial construction sector. Through her company, Berloy Construction, she specializes in building medical clinics and office spaces.
In her day-to-day work, she collaborates with English-speaking clients, often located in other Canadian provinces. Communicating effectively in English had become both a strategic and relational priority.
“I wanted to have real conversations and build genuine connections with my clients — to go beyond the transactional.”
Despite her solid experience and mastery of her trade, she didn’t feel comfortable expressing herself in English in a professional setting.
“I had no confidence. I couldn’t bring myself to speak English in a business context. It became limiting.”
Finding a solution that fits her lifestyle
Caroline needed a flexible format that could adapt to her busy schedule. Traditional in-person classes were simply not an option.
“I needed something I could fit into my calendar. Ellipse was perfect for that.”
From her first meeting with Isabelle, Caroline realized this was more than just another English course. It was a live, interactive space focused on speaking with confidence in real situations.
“It wasn’t grammar lessons. It was a chance to talk, to practice, to build confidence.”
Progress rooted in daily practice
She began with the Ellipse Sprint program — short, 25-minute sessions offered daily. The regularity helped her build a routine.
“At 7:30 in the morning or 4:30 in the afternoon… sometimes I joined twice a day. It kept English on my mind, ready to use anytime.”
She later joined the Ellipse Mastermind, a small group of motivated professionals. The weekly Thursday morning discussions became an inspiring ritual — both stimulating and human.
“You want to show up, not just for yourself, but for the group. It strengthens the bond — exactly what I wanted to build with my own clients.”
A personalized, practical approach integrated into daily life
Caroline particularly appreciated:
- The manageable pace (25 minutes, easy to fit into the day)
- The focus on real professional situations
- The flexibility to participate while traveling
- The facilitators’ kindness and support
“You learn English, but even more, you learn how to work better in English. With Hilma Busz, we talked about leadership, read articles, summarized them — it was so practical.”
A deep impact on my confidence and fluency
Caroline noticed a major shift in her relationship with the language: less fear of mistakes, more ease, and much more confidence.
“It’s the first time I’ve found a program like this — centered on working professionals. Speaking every day, even for just 25 minutes, creates something. I used to think I had to be fluent, but what I really needed was to feel comfortable and confident. It was okay, even necessary, to make mistakes in order to improve.”
Her verdict
“People say they don’t have time. But with Ellipse, that’s not a valid excuse. You can start in 25-minute sessions with several time slots to choose from. It’s manageable, motivating, and above all, incredibly useful.”