Searching for English As A Second Language

Provides newcomers with an array of settlement services which include:

• A comprehensive library of multilingual printed resources
• Information on housing, education, health care, employment and employment preparation skills
• Assistance in filling out government forms
• Referrals to community services
• A calendar of settlement events and workshop series
• Coffee Talk, an informal English conversation group

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral Centre

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

Offers English As A Second Language (ESL) instruction

Literacy and basic skills training, including numeracy, digital, communication and interpersonal skills

• helps learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence

English as a second Language tutoring available

Ontario residents 19 and over, proficient enough in French to take full advantage of the program, and whose reading, writing and basic skills are rated below Level 3 of: International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) or the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF)

Employment Specialists:

• Career Connections: employment readiness program
• Soft Skills Training, resume/cover letter development, interview preparation, job development

Education Services:

• basic literacy and numeracy, computer literacy
• grade 12 upgrading, support accessing other educational facilities
• assistance applying to post-secondary programs and exploring potential funding opportunities

Recreation Therapy:

• 1-1 and small group programming, support with identifying leisure interests/pursuits, community integration

Courses designed for adult learners who want to complete their high school diploma

• focus on reading, writing, mathematics, and social sciences
• Day classes - E-Learning. Evening classes - Blended Learning (online and face to face)
• Summer School - E-Learning and/OR face to face. Equivalency credit assessment performed
• specialized programs offered such as Personal Support Worker.

Community Services Provider

• administers Ontario Works, Social Housing and Children Services
• Ontario Works provides employment & financial assistance to qualified applicants
• Social Housing provides access to affordable housing to qualified applicants based on availability
• Children Services provides Child Care listings, subsidies, before & after school programming information & parent resources

COVID-19 Response
All in-person sessions are cancelled until further notice. Sessions will be conducted online. Offering both group and one-on-one support services

Regular Service
Tutoring
After a parent consultation and learning more about your child's needs, tutoring plans are created to individualize each child's learning style.

Mentoring
Empowers youth to see their ability. Uses a strengths-based model of approach, mentoring is focused on identifying a youth's strengths and gifts to help increase their self-worth and self-esteem.

Specialized in Non-Verbal Learning Disability support (NVLD)
Through lived experience, provides support on navigating the challenges and misunderstandings associated with non-verbal learning disability (NVLD).

Group programs
Programs are designed for youth with autism and learning disabilities to promote socialising, self-esteem, goal setting, and cooperative play. Program activities may include art, group games, cooking, fitness, etc.

English As A Second Language
Certified with 120-hour TESOL certificate and with experience teaching English As a Second Language to students from all over the world from daily conversation to more advanced English.

Limited in-person appointments are available in Keele and Finch offices. Also, services continue to be offered via phone, email and online


Settlement Services

• orientation to life in Ontario; information on immigration issues
• accessing government resources including social assistance, income security, child tax benefits
• assistance with search for housing and social housing
• emotional support

Helping Our Newcomers Prepare for Employment/Entrepreneurial Success (HOPES) Program: resettlement stress support, education, skills and experience support

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada): provides basic English skills in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto --see separate entry

Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS) Program: alternative language program that provides functional English as a second or additional language (ESL/EAL) instruction to vulnerable newcomers who experience emotional, cognitive, or academic barriers to learning in traditional English classes

Adult Education services for deaf clients including Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS)

COVID19 24-hour crisis line, telephone counselling and virtual programs available; restrictions and modifications for some programs; instruction provided to assist in online participation, and tablets available for lending to seniors without devices; visit TUTFS website for details, including registration information

Telephone Counselling
Immediate emotional support, crisis intervention or suicide prevention

• links to other appropriate emergency services
• face-to-face individual, group and family counselling
• community outreach counselling and visitation for clients facing barriers to accessing services
• information and referral
• translation and interpretation
• counselling education and volunteer training program
• public education and awareness
• health promotion, including recreation and social activities

Telephone Crisis Intervention Services
24-hour emotional support for individuals experiencing distress, grief, conflict, depression or other crisis

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In-person Counselling Services
Anonymous, confidential counselling for individuals, groups, couples and families

Children's Programs

• Little Steps, Big Steps for kindergarten to grade 6
• homework club
• summer camp

Health Programs

• home hospice program and palliative care provided by trained volunteers
• healthy lifestyle workshops
• smoke-free education for youth
• diabetes prevention program
• visitation for community members who are ill

Parenting Programs

• Focus on Early Years and Mothers
• Focus on Fathers
• parenting skills workshops, including workshop with parents and their children

Seniors Programs

• English café
• reassurance program including counselling and visitation
• outreach services
• recreation including singing, art and digital storytelling classes
• online virtual seminars such as Sing-A-Long Musical Class, Expressive Art Class, Dance Class

Violence Prevention Education
Anger management and conflict resolution classes and workshops

Youth Programs

• employment seminars, career development, leadership training, life skills workshops
• Mind and Motion Program, 2-weeks summer volunteering (August) retreat
• tobacco-free campaign program
• facilitation skills workshop
• mentoring program
• recreational activities

COVID19 -- full-time in-person services have resumed, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm; call 416-533-8545 or email info@spanishservices.org; appointments only - no walk-ins


Settlement Program

• information, counselling and referral
• assistance with completing government and social services application forms
• ESL classes
• commissioner of oaths
• interpretation and translation services
• monthly settlement workshops

Violence Against Women (VAW) Program

• individual crisis counselling and group counselling by telephone or in person
• support groups for isolated women and their children
• information and orientation about legal rights
• assistance leaving the abusive home, finding transitional housing and applying for social assistance

Volunteer Program

Volunteer opportunities with ESL classes, food security assistance and interpretation and translation assistance

Seniors Program

• art-based workshops
• informational workshops

Legal Clinic, see separate record

HIV and AIDS Prevention Services, see separate record