Language Instruction For Newcomers To Canada (LINC)

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.

The LINC program is funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is for adults, 18 years and older who are permanent residents or convention refugees. Refugee claimants and Canadian Citizens are not eligible for the LINC program. The purpose of the LINC Program is to help newcomers to Canada participate in Canadian society as soon as possible. Students in the LINC program are provided with language training and settlement skills and basic pre-employment skills.

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 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

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, proof of Ontario address and proof of immunization for children (if they are attending our childcare program).

• 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 $125. 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)