English Classes for Adults in Durham Region
Durham Region is happy to offer English language classes to adult immigrants who do not speak English as a first language. The Durham Region (Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board) offer part-time, full-time, evening or Saturday classes to improve your English. Classes are offered in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering. Most classes have continuous enrollment – so you can begin any time!
ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for adults is funded by the Ontario Government and ranges from basic literacy to advanced English, including Conversation, Pronunciation…and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Preparatory classes. To qualify for these classes you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Landed Immigrant or Refugee Claimant
Visit the following websites for more information:
Oshawa & Pickering Classes
Durham Continuing Education
(beside McLaughlin Library)
E.A. Lovell School
120 Centre Street South
Oshawa
Durham Continuing Education
(beside the GO Train Station)
1400 Bayly Street, Unit 1
Pickering, ON L1W 3R2
Oshawa, Whitby & Ajax Classes
Durham Continuing and Alternative Education
Oshawa Campus (next to St. Gertrude Church)
692 King St East
Oshawa, ON
Durham Continuing and Alternative Education
Ajax Campus (above the Shoppers Drug Mart)
314 Harwood Avenue
Ajax, ON L1S 2J1
Durham Continuing and Alternative Education
Centennial Building
416 Centre Street South
Whitby, ON L1N 4W2
LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) classes for adults is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. There is no cost to take these classes. To be eligible you must:
- Be a permanent resident of Canada, or Convention Refugee, or be a person in Canada whose application for Permanent Resident status is being processed in Canada and who has been informed by a letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada of the initial approval of your application subject to an admissibility assessment (this means you have approval-in-principle);
- Be of legal school-leaving age within your province or territory (in Ontario, age 18); and
- Take a language assessment test at a Language Assessment Centre, to figure out which level is right for you. Contact Durham LINC for a language assessment or call 905-922-LINC.
You are not eligible for LINC if you are a:
- Canadian citizen
- Refugee claimant
- Temporary resident (such as foreign student, foreign worker or visitor)
LINC offers both full- and part-time classes, with free child-minding while you attend classes. Students may be eligible for free child care and/or transportation assistance. For more information on LINC classes, locations and times contact:
LINC classes in Oshawa and Pickering
Durham Continuing Education
(beside McLaughlin Library)
E.A. Lovell School
120 Centre Street South
Oshawa
Durham Continuing Education
(beside the GO Train Station)
1400 Bayly Street, Unit 1
Pickering, ON L1W 3R2
LINC classes in Whitby and Ajax
Durham Continuing and Alternative Education
Ajax Campus (above the Shoppers Drug Mart)
314 Harwood Avenue
Ajax, ON L1S 2J1
Durham Continuing and Alternative Education
Centennial Building
416 Centre Street South
Whitby, ON L1N 4W2
ESL for children (elementary and secondary schools)
English as a Second Language classes are available for school age children from JK- Grade 12. Please contact the school board to locate the school closest to your home and find out about ESL classes for your child.
International Languages Programs for children
It is very important to speak English or French to be successful in Canada, but that does not mean that your home language and culture are not important. It does not mean that you should stop speaking your first language or that you should not teach that language to your children. Keeping a connection to your first language and culture can help you and your children feel confident in your identity and to appreciate different languages and cultures. In Durham these classes are available on Saturday mornings and/or weeknights for 2 – 2.5 hours from September to June for elementary school age children (JK – Grade 8).
For more information on the language available and locations contact Durham Continuing and Alternative Education or Durham Continuing Education. No previous knowledge is necessary so your child can learn a new language or continue to learn your families' first language.
English Language Training and Support
The Region of Durham has welcomed many immigrants whose first language is not English. There are many language training and upgrading programs available in the region to assist newcomers to settle and integrate into the community and to enhance their English communications skills.
Steps and information you need to know in order to enroll in English classes:
Step 1 – Have your English Assessed at the LINC Assessment Centre
Anyone who is interested in learning English and wishing to join a LINC class must first complete a language assessment. Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, or LINC, is a program funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which offers free language training across the country for permanent residents, conventional refugees.
In the Region of Durham, Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) is the only language assessment and referral centre. The certified Canadian Language Benchmark assessors will assess your English skills using appropriate assessment tools to determine your English proficiency level. The assessment is valid for 6 months and is accepted in all LINC/ELT programs and some post-secondary institutions across the country. LINC Assessors evaluate your language and training needs and refer you to the appropriate programs near your home according to your abilities, interests and needs. You need to call to make an appointment for this assessment.
Contact CDCD LINC Assessment Centre at:
Community Development Council Durham
134 Commercial Avenue, Suite 138
Ajax, ON L1S 2H5
905 686-2661 ext. 113/ 1-866-550-5462
Step 2 – Register in LINC Program
The LINC programs in Durham Region are being offered across the region at Durham Continuing Education and Durham Catholic District School Board in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering. Free Child mining is available to eligible students. You can choose to go to the LINC classes either full-time or part-time during the day or in the evening, and at the location which best suites you.
Durham Continuing Education
(beside McLaughlin Library)
E.A. Lovell School
120 Centre Street South
Oshawa
Durham Continuing Education
(beside the GO Train Station)
1400 Bayly Street, Unit 1
Pickering, ON L1W 3R2
Durham Continuing and Alternative Education
Ajax Campus (above the Shoppers Drug Mart)
314 Harwood Avenue
Ajax, ON L1S 2J1
Durham Continuing and Alternative Education
Centennial Building
416 Centre Street South
Whitby, ON L1N 4W2
Other Language Training Programs
ESL Program
English as a Second Language, or ESL, is a program funded by the Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration, Ontario, which offers language training for all residents regardless of status. You may need to have your English assessed before your start the program. You can also contact the school boards directly for assessment.
Durham Continuing education: (905) 440-4489 (Oshawa) / (905) 831-3118 (Pickering)
Durham Catholic School board: (905) 683-7713(Ajax)/9905)668-5371 ext 6204 (Whitby) / (905) 438 – 0570 (Oshawa)
ELT Program
Enhanced Language Training Program (ELT) is a free program funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This program provides advanced English training to internationally trained workers and an opportunity for the students to gain Canadian work experience through its internship/mentorship component. The program is currently offered at the Durham Continuing Education in Oshawa.
Contact 905-440-4488 for more information or visit: www.restartdurham.ca
English at Work Place
This program is offered at Durham Continuing Education, a division of Durham District School Board. The program provides on-site, customized English language training for newcomers to Canada who are currently employed. To be eligible for this training program, participants need to be Permanent Residents and currently employed in the region of Durham. Please call 289-314-6509 for more information or registration.
English for Academic Purposes
There are some post-secondary preparation programs offered at our colleges and universities in the Region of Durham. These are paid programs for newcomers who need to upgrade their English skills in order to enroll in college or university programs. Both Durham College and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) are currently running such programs.