Adult ESL (English as a Second Language)

The Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test assesses how well you use English. After completing the test, you will receive an assessment report that gives your Canadian Language Benchmarks levels for listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

The Language Assessment and Referral Centre at the YMCA-YWCA provides immigrants with English or French language assessments for government-funded programs. Their services are offered at no cost.

Generally, newcomers to Canada are eligible for language training at no cost. Eligibility must be verified when registering for a class.

To register in ESL or LINC programs you must:

• be an adult, 18 years of age or older (if younger, with proof of high school completion from the country of origin)
• be able to show proof of Ontario address
• have your language ability evaluated by a Language Assessment Centre. YMCA’s Language Assessment and Referral Centre (Y-LARC) provides immigrants with English or French language assessments for government-funded programs

English As A Second Language (ESL)

• Canadian Citizens (those born outside Canada who do not speak English as a first language)
• Permanent Residents
• Convention Refugees/Protected Persons
• Persons in Canada whose applications for Permanent Resident status are being processed in Canada, and who have been informed by a letter from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada of the initial approval of their application subject to an admissibility assessment
• Refugee Claimants
• Temporary residents with CUAET
  
• Temporary Workers or Students who have obtained initial approval for a concurrent Application for Permanent Residence
• Foreign Domestic Worker admitted under the Live-In Caregiver program
• Provincial Nominee (or Dependant) approved through Opportunities Ontario
• Temporary Foreign Worker (or Dependant) approved through Canadian Experience Class

NOT eligible for the free ESL training

• Diplomats
• Visitors
• International Students

Language Instruction For Newcomers To Canada (LINC)

• Permanent Residents
• Government Assisted Refugees (GARs)

NOT eligible for LINC

• Canadian citizens
• Refugee claimants
• Temporary residents (such as foreign students, foreign workers or visitors)

All new learners must have a language assessment completed at the Ottawa Y-Language Assessment and Referral Centre (Y-LARC). Learners may then select the school location of their choice and register in person Please bring proof of status in Canada and proof of Ontario address.

• Central Location: 308-240 Catherine St. | Tel: 613-238-5462
• West Location: 1642 Merivale Rd. | Tel: 613-688-2150

Note: Visitors, diplomats and international students can be also assessed at Y-LARC for $150. Please call the school for more information or for help to make an assessment appointment at Y-LARC.

View the following videos for a more detailed explanation:

• English (https://youtu.be/0UUO31PijiE)
• Français (https://youtu.be/2vxLL1wZawk)
• 普通话 (https://youtu.be/G0ms54aABz0)
• العربية (https://youtu.be/40VpR-kYcs0)
• Español (https://youtu.be/yNsG9kSMsC8)