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Language Instruction For Newcomers To Canada (LINC)

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The LINC program helps Newcomers to Canada participate in Canadian society by providing:

  • English language training 
  • Settlement skills and basic pre-employment skills
  • Useful information about life in Canada, including social and cultural issues
  • Field trips, guest speakers, cultural events and digital activities for learners to connect with the community

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)

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.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

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.

ESL & LINC Eligibility

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)

ESL & LINC Assessment

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:

Who is eligible for the program

The LINC program is funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada and it 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.

Registration

Registration is ongoing throughout the year at the following locations:

St. Patrick’s Adult School

  • 290 Nepean St., Downtown 
  • 613-594-5773
St. Patrick’s Adult School – Details

Available course(s):

  • CLB 4 & 5

Class Schedule(s):

  • Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

St. Joseph’s Adult School

  • 330 Lajoie St., Ottawa East
  • 613 741-6808
St. Joseph’s Adult School – Details

Available course(s):

  • CLB Literacy to 1
  • CLB 1-2;  3; 4; 5-6
  • Classes for Deaf

Class Schedule(s):

  • Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
  • Monday to Thursday, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

St. Nicholas Adult HS (W)

  • 893 Admiral Ave., Ottawa West
  • 613 228-9060
St. Nicholas Adult HS (W) – Details

Available course(s):

  • CLB 1
  • CLB 5+ Advanced English

Class Schedule(s):

  • Monday to Friday, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

LINC Specialty Courses

LINC Home-based Business for Women Entrepreneurs (CLB 5-8)

Course Availability (Starting September 5, 2023)
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm St. Joseph’s Adult School,
330 Lajoie St., Ottawa East

LINC Office & Accounting Basics for Newcomers (CLB 6-7)

Course Availability (Starting September 5, 2023)
Monday – Friday 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm St. Joseph’s Adult School,
330 Lajoie St., Ottawa East

LINC with STEM Focus (CLB 7-8)

Course Availability (Starting September 5, 2023)
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm VIRTUAL

LINC Classes for the Deaf

English and American Sign Language classes for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafened Adult Newcomers.

  • St. Joseph’s Adult School, 330 Lajoie St., Ottawa East.
  • Call: 613-741-6808 or TTY: 613-741-1218

We also accept immigrant adult family members who are hearing who also want to learn American Sign Language (ASL).

Learn more by watching the Language Training For Canada videos from Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Summer Programs

Interested in our Adult Summer Programs?

Learn more

Important

Clients must bring proof of status in Canada, proof of Ontario address and assessment papers from the YMCA-YWCA Language Assessment and Referral Centre or copies of LINC Progress Reports.