About ESL and LINC During COVID 19
During COVID19 we are offering both online classes as well as in person classes. Students interested in attending classes in person will attend 2 days a week in person and will attend online the other days.
The OCDSB provides English as a Second Language (ESL) and Language Instruction to Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes for adults. Highly trained and experienced teachers can help you develop your English listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Classes are offered from pre-literacy to advanced levels, including Advanced Communication, Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking, Workplace English, Academic Test Preparation, Preparation for Citizenship and more.
Fall 2020 ESL/LINC Information:
New Students: All ESL/LINC registrations for new students will be online. Due to COVID-19, there will not be any in-person registration.
Registration Waitlist for New Students: To be added to the waitlist for ESL and LINC classes, please fill out this online form.
Eligibility for ESL/LINC:
- To register for ESL or LINC (both online and in person classes), you must have an up-to-date language assessment or have attended LINC or ESL classes in the past 2 years.
(If you do not have a current language assessment, please call the YMCA/YWCA Language Assessment and Referral Centres. West Location: 613-688-2150, Central Location: 613-238-5462 or click here for more information)
- To register for ESL or LINC, you must have the following:
- Immigration documents
- Proof of Ontario address
- A progress report from a LINC or ESL class (current students only)
Class Fees and Eligibility for Free ESL and LINC Language Classes
- If you are a 1) Permanent Resident, 2) Refugee Claimant, or 3) Canadian Citizen, you may be eligible to take free language classes. (Please note: there is a $15 material fee for ESL classes).
- You are required to pay full fees for the ESL program if you are in Canada with any of the following: 1) Work Visa, 2) Student Visa, 3) Visitor Visa, 4) Diplomat, 5) Cleric. (Please contact esl@ocdsb.ca for a fee schedule).
Free child care
- Free child care is available for eligible families. You must have the following to register: 1) your child’s immunization records 2) proof of income (ESL students only), and 3) Ontario Works Case ID (if applicable). Please contact esl@ocdsb.ca for more information.
Specialized Class Information:
Please note: Class dates, times and locations are subject to change due to COVID-19.
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Class
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Date, Time, Location
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Class Information
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Preparing for the Citizenship Test
Online only
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Monday to Friday
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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What you will learn:
- Vocabulary to help you pass the citizenship test
- About history, elections, government and more
- Strategies to improve your language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing
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English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
Online only
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Monday to Friday
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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What you will learn:
- Note taking
- Summarizing
- Grammar & vocabulary
- Writing and speaking strategies
- Critical thinking skills
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Academic Test Preparation (IELTS+)
Not offered at this time.
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Day School:
Monday to Friday,
12:30pm - 3:30pm
Night School:
Monday & Wednesday evenings, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Albert Street Education Centre, 440 Albert Street
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What you will learn:
- Useful test-taking strategies and skills for IELTS and other standardized tests
- Develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills
- Receive feedback from an instructor on performance as well as tips on how to improve your IELTS scores
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ESL CLB 5+ Preparation for Adult High School or the Workplace
Online only
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Monday to Friday
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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What you will learn:
- English language and skills to succeed in high school or the workplace
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Pathway to Education & Employment
Not Offered at this time.
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Monday to Friday
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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What you will learn:
- This course is for students with specific goals for further education or employment.
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Workplace English
Online only
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Monday to Friday
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
- Albert Street Education Centre, 440 Albert Street
- Bayshore Public School, 145 Woodridge Crescent
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What you will learn:
- Communication strategies
- Workplace culture
- Professional writing
- Team work
- Negotiating and meetings
- Conflict resolution
- Job search skills and more
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ESL for Active Living (55+)
Online and In person
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Monday to Friday
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Albert Street Education Centre, 440 Albert Street
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What you will learn:
- Strategies for staying physically fit
- Active living and how to stay healthy
- Volunteering and other community services for seniors
- Practice English
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Reading and Writing Workshop
Online only
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Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
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You will:
- Improve your reading & writing skills to help you reach your goals
- Improve your spelling and grammar for every day use such as basic email, note writing, working with forms and more
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Listening and Speaking Workshop
Online only
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Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
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You will:
- Improve your listening & speaking skills to help you reach your goals
- Enrich your vocabulary for everyday use
- Improve your pronunciation
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Saturday Pronunciation Class
Online only
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Saturday
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Albert Street Education Centre, 440 Albert Street
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You will:
- Improve your listening & speaking skills to help you reach your goals
- Enrich your vocabulary for everyday use
- Improve your pronunciation
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ESL for the Trades
On a Waitlist
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Days and times for this class are to be determined.
- Albert Street Education Centre, 440 Albert Street
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You will improve your English and learn about:
- Vocabulary about trades occupations, tools and equipment
- Orientation to the trades industry including unions, apprenticeship, labour laws and workers rights
- Preparing to find employment or continuing your education
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ESL Night School
Online only
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Monday and Wednesday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tuesday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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You will:
- Improve your listening & speaking skills to help you reach your goals
- Enrich your vocabulary for everyday use
- Improve your pronunciation
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More information on ESL and LINC classes
For any questions, please email esl@ocdsb.ca or call us at 613-239-2737 and leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.