Searching for English As A Second Language

Visit COVID-19 Information and Updates for the latest on how to access programs and services during COVID-19.

Temporary income and employment assistance for low income individuals and families in immediate financial need. Requires a financial assessment to determine eligibility for services.

Employment Supports and Benefits

• caseworkers work closely with participants to develop individualized action plans that address unique needs
• participants guided through each stage and encouraged to stay on track
• employment benefits to assist clients in finding and starting a job

Additional employment supports include:

• basic educational upgrading
• English as a second language training
• job specific skills training
• job search assistance (resumé writing, interview preparation)
• access to volunteer and employment placements

Discretionary Benefits for recipients of Ontario Works assistance, or Ontario Disability Support Program assistance.

Other programs include:

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) - for young parents, ages 16-25 years
• Self-Employment - training and supports to operate a business; delivered in partnership with Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
• Life Skills Case Management - intensive support for those who are experiencing issues related to addictions or mental health
• services for empoyers

COVID-19 Update: In-person classes may be changed to online classes if directed to do so by provincial government; class times and locations are subject to change. Please see website for information.

English language day and evening classes for adults:

• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

Speciality classes (schedule varies, call for information):

• academic test preparation
• preparation for IELTS and TOEFL class
• citizenship class
• may offer other classes related to spoken and written English language development and skills training

Childminding program for some LINC classes:

• free childminding for children of permanent residents and Convention refugees
• contact St George's Centre for details

ESL Summer School for students in Grades 7, 8 and Grades 9-12:

• three weeks duration in July
• apply through elementary or secondary school

Note: Start dates for all day classes, night classes and Sat classes depend on enrollment numbers

Serves international students, new immigrants and refugees. Support services include:

• adaptation issues, housing needs, academic concerns, financial difficulties, faculty-student issues (grad students), personal support

Programs include:

• LINK Program matches new International Students with Guelph students for their first semester to help orient them to life on campus and in the new community
• Conversation Partners matches fluent English speakers with undergraduate and graduate English language learners to practice conversational English
• International Student Connections is a series of programs and events for international students to foster community, develop skill-building, and provide international student-specific information

Services include:

• settlement counselling and orientation:
• information and referral
• assistance with government benefits application
• assessment of English language skills
• referral to English language instruction

Settlement Services -- services to enable immigrants and refugees to integrate into Canadian society including orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment, and programs to welcome newcomers to the community. Needs and eligibility assessments, post-arrival information and referral to job search and employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement, and assistance to access a range of settlement and community services.

Settlement Workers in Schools Program (SWIS) -- provides settlement support to newcomer families in schools during the school year (Sep-Jun). Settlement workers connect with newcomer students and families. One-on-one and group settings. Provide settlement-related information for successful integration * services are available to all UGDSB and WCDSB schools.

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral Services (CLARS) -- Eligibility screening, language skills assessment and referral to government-funded English language programs including Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), LINC Home Study, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, Enhanced Language Training (ELT), Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT), and Specialized Language Training (SLT).

Translation and Interpretation Program Services (TIPS) -- services for individuals and organizations

Employment Counselling Services -- assistance with resumés and job search, employment training including Canadian workplace culture, computer skills, and worker health and safety information.

Programs and Groups:

• income tax clinics, income tax information sessions
• Orientation to Ontario Workshop
• English conversation circles
• one-on-one conversation practice
• Women's Group
• Seniors' groups

Information Sessions -- available monthly on a variety of topics, visit calendar for details.

Commissioner of Oaths

English as a Second Language classes

Provide settlement and employment services to assist immigrant and refugees

• Cultural Diversity Program
• Language Interpretation
• English Language Assessment and Referral Services
• Settlement Services
• Employment Resource Centre
• Language Interpretation
• English Language Assessment and Referral Centre

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral Centre

• Eligibility screening, language skills assessment and referral to government-funded English language programs including Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), LINC Home Study, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, Enhanced Language Training (ELT), Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT), and Specialized Language Training (SLT)

Free English classes for permanent residents and convention refugees as part of the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC)

• Students can study on a full-time or part-time basis
  
• Free day care is available
  

Conducts IELTS Tests. (International English Language Testing System

English as a Second Language classes

Free English classes for permanent residents and convention refugees as part of the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

• Students can study on a full-time or part-time basis
  
• Free day care is available
  

Free English classes for permanent residents and convention refugees as part of the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC)

• Students can study on a full-time or part-time basis
  
• Free day care is available
  

Free English classes for permanent residents and convention refugees as part of the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC)

• Students can study on a full-time or part-time basis
  
• Free day care is available
  

Provide settlement and employment services to assist immigrant and refugees

• Cultural Diversity Program
• Language Interpretation
• English Language Assessment and Referral Services
• Settlement Services
• Employment Resource Centre
• Language Interpretation
• English Language Assessment and Referral Centre

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral Centre

• Eligibility screening, language skills assessment and referral to government-funded English language programs including Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), LINC Home Study, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, Enhanced Language Training (ELT), Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT), and Specialized Language Training (SLT)

Online English Conversation Circles * learn English and make new friendships

Free English classes for permanent residents and convention refugees as part of the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

• Students can study on a full-time or part-time basis
  
• Free day care is available
  

A school which offers English Language Instruction to Newcomers to Canada (the LINC program).

Free English classes for permanent residents and convention refugees as part of the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

• Students can study on a full-time or part-time basis
  
• Free day care is available
  

English as a Second Language classes

Online English Conversation Circles * learn English and make new friendships

Renison ELI offers a variety of English as a second language (ESL) programs and courses to help students succeed in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English.

The Online Conversation Circles have been developed for Newcomers to learn and practice their conversation skills in English or French, make new friendships, and build confidence.

This program provides:

• A way to stay connected and practice English or French from home
• An opportunity to make new friendships
• A space to learn about community resources

Online English Conversation Circles * learn English and make new friendships

A continuing education service of the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) which offers Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), English as a Second Language (ESL) from levels 1 to 10 and French as a Second Language (FSL) .

Programs designed for:

• Adult immigrants wanting to improve their ability to read, write, speak and understand English and/or French
• Exam preparation for IELTS (required for university or college entrance in Ontario)
• Adult immigrants wanting to improve their workplace skills
• Classes are free and are offered at Oakville, Burlington and Milton locations

Classes:

• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 1 to 10
• French as a Second Language (FSL) (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
• Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing
• Literacy
• Pronunciation
• Business English
• Canadian Employment Language Training (CELT) courses
• Computers for the Workplace
• IELTS / Academic English Test Preparation

Canadian Citizenship Test Preparation

• Focus on English comprehension and language skills specific to the Canadian Citizenship test
• Learn about Canadian geography, history, political system, and the cultural diversity of Canada
• Five-week course, scheduled multiple times throughout the year (call for details of course dates)

A service of the Halton Catholic District School Board offering summer literacy, secondary credit courses, International Language Program for JK-Grade 8, ESL and FSL programs

Summer Literacy and Math Programs Grades 6, 7 and 8:

• Mathematics Camp, Numeracy through Robotics Camp, Literacy Through the Arts Camp
• materials fee for Robotics

Secondary Summer School Grades 9-12:

• courses for new and make-up credits
• registration forms available from your school's Student Services Office or website

Summer Co-operative Education:

• opportunity for Grade 11, 12 or adult students to earn secondary school credits and gain employment experience
• placement must be related to a course within your high school curriculum at Grade 10-12 level

International Languages, Grades JK-8:

• an opportunity for elementary students to experience the culture, traditions and language of another country
• no previous knowledge of language is necessary
• consult website for languages

ADULT LINC/ESL/FSL Programs:

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada - LINC
• English as a Second Language - ESL
• French as a Second Language - FSL

Refer to Thomas Merton Centre website for contacts, locations, days and times for each of the programs

Milton: 2800 Highpoint Drive, 905-693-6676
Oakville: 255 Morden Road, 905-849-7555
Burlington: 460 Brant Street, 905-632-5858

Services altered in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Learners have a choice between:

1. attending classes in-person from any of our four locations in Halton, or
2. online using Google Classroom

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Programs provide language training in English (ESL) and French (FSL) for those newcomers to Canada whose first language is neither English nor French

• programs use the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) curricular standards
• all instructors are OCELT-certified

English as a Second Language (LINC/ESL)

• provides learners with the opportunity to improve their English language proficiency according to their individual learning goals and priorities, in a group setting
• curriculum is based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) standards

French as a Second Language (FSL)

• offers learners opportunities to communicate in French in a variety of travel, leisure and job-related contexts
• using the NCLC curriculum standards, learners will expand their vocabulary and grammar in a variety of themes related to their daily lives with the help of dedicated & professional FSL instructors

Employment Language Training (SLT)

• offers learners opportunities to acquire specific language & communication skills to succeed in a variety of employment sectors
• using CLB curriculum standards, learners will focus on vocabulary and essential skills needed for the Canadian workplace
  * content in 12 different work sectors are vetted by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and taught by certified language teachers