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Learn a New Language or Maintain the Language of Your Family Heritage
September 6, 2025 to June 13, 2026
The International & Indigenous Languages Program – Elementary helps students learn a new language or maintain and develop the language of their family heritage, promoting cultural and linguistic diversity. It is available to all students (JK-Grade 8), regardless of their language background and the school board they attend, and is FREE for Ontario residents.
Classes will be offered in-person and/or virtually. If in-person classes must be cancelled, students will be asked to switch to virtual learning.
Discover the Two Available Options and Locations
1. Saturday Morning Classes: In-Person & Virtual ›
2. Saturday Afternoon Beginner Classes: Virtual ›
Please read the Know Before You Register section of the webpage (below) before registering.
Please register your child before August 25 if you would like to start on the first day classes, September 6.
1. Saturday Morning Classes: In-person & Virtual
9:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Find out the language courses offered in each in-person location and virtual options for the Saturday Morning Classes.
| Language | Format | Location for In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Akan (with focus on Twi) | In-person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa |
| Amharic | In-person | St. George School 130 Keyworth Ave., Ottawa |
| Arabic | In-person | St. Patrick's High School 2525 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa Holy Trinity High School 180 Katimavik Rd., Kanata |
| Blin | In-person | Notre Dame High School 710 Broadview Ave., Ottawa |
| Bulgarian | In-person | St. George School 130 Keyworth Ave., Ottawa |
| Cantonese | In-person | Notre Dame High School 710 Broadview Ave., Ottawa |
| Creole | Virtual | N/A |
| Croatian | In-Person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa |
| Dari | Virtual | N/A |
| Dutch | Virtual | N/A |
| Farsi | In-person | All Saints High School 5115 Kanata Ave., Kanata |
| Igbo | In-person | St. Matthew High School 6550 Bilberry Dr., Orléans |
| Igbo | Virtual | N/A |
| Inuktitut | Virtual | N/A |
| Italian | In-person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa |
| Kinyarwanda | Virtual | N/A |
| Kirundi | In-Person | St. Patrick's High School 2525 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa |
| Korean | In-person | St. Mother Teresa High School 440 Longfields Dr., Barrhaven |
| Kurdish | In-person | St. Mother Teresa High School 440 Longfields Dr., Barrhaven St. Matthew High School 6550 Bilberry Dr., Orléans |
| Lingala | Virtual | |
| Mandarin (Simplified) | Virtual & In-Person | All Saints High School 5115 Kanata Ave., Kanata Notre Dame High School 710 Broadview Ave., Ottawa St. Matthew High School 6550 Bilberry Dr., Orléans St. Joseph High School 3333 Greenbank Rd., Nepean |
| Mandarin (Traditional) | In-Person | Notre Dame High School 710 Broadview Ave., Ottawa |
| Mandarin (Simplified) for Non-Native Speakers Conversation class | In-person | Holy Trinity High School 180 Katimavik Rd., Kanata Notre Dame High School 710 Broadview Ave., Ottawa St. Joseph High School 3333 Greenbank Rd, Nepean |
| Polish | In-person | St. Nicholas Adult High School 893 Admiral Ave., Ottawa |
| Portuguese | In-person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa Holy Trinity High School 180 Katimavik Rd., Kanata |
| Punjabi | Virtual & In-Person | Holy Trinity High School 180 Katimavik Rd., Kanata St. Mother Teresa High School 440 Longfields Dr., Barrhaven St. Matthew High School 6550 Bilberry Dr., Orléans |
| Romanian | In-person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa |
| Russian Russian for Beginners/Non-Native Speakers (Gr. 2 to Gr. 8) | In-person | St. George School 130 Keyworth Ave., Ottawa |
| Shona | In-Person | Holy Trinity High School 180 Katimavik Rd., Kanata |
| Slovak | In-Person | St. George School 130 Keyworth Ave., Ottawa |
| Spanish | Virtual & In-Person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa Holy Trinity High School 180 Katimavik Rd., Kanata St. Matthew High School 6550 Bilberry Dr., Orléans St. Mother Teresa High School 440 Longfields Dr., Barrhaven St. Patrick's High School 2525 Alta Vista Dr., Ottawa St. George School 130 Keyworth Ave., Ottawa |
| Swahili | Virtual | N/A |
| Tigrinya | In-person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa |
| Turkish | In-Person | Notre Dame High School 710 Broadview Ave., Ottawa |
| Ukrainian | In-Person | St. Mother Teresa High School 440 Longfields Dr., Barrhaven Holy Trinity High School 180 Katimavik Rd., Kanata |
| Yoruba | Virtual & In-Person | Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School 128 Chesterton Dr., Ottawa Note: In-person location might change. |
2. Saturday Afternoon Classes: Virtual
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
Afternoon classes are designed for beginners (Grades 2 – 8) and offered virtually only. Prior knowledge of the language is NOT expected or required.
Languages: Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Please Note
- Each class runs based on sufficient student enrollment and if the availability of an instructor for the language is confirmed. OCSB has the right to cancel classes (in-person or virtual) if neither requirement is satisfied.
- Some of our classes fill up quickly. Please note that registration in a course doesn’t guarantee admission.
Know Before You Register
2025-2026 IILE Consumable and Out-Of-Province Fees
About Indigenous Education
The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) has committed to enhancing its educational offerings by providing Indigenous language courses to students. It aligns with the Board’s dedication to The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls To Action. The OCSB understands and respects the unique learning requirements of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. The Board acknowledges the importance of imparting the truth about Canadian history, including the legacy of residential schools, as outlined in Call to Action #62. Moreover, the Board recognizes the evolving dynamics between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Canada.
In pursuit of its commitment to reconciliation, the OCSB has actively responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action through various initiatives. However, the Board currently needs educators who are available to teach Indigenous language courses. If you know individuals proficient in Indigenous languages who are interested in sharing their knowledge, please encourage them to contact the Continuing and Community Education Department at Continuing.Education@ocsb.ca.
It’s important to note that Ontario College of Teachers certification is NOT a requirement for interested educators. Everyone is welcome to join the OCSB to foster cultural understanding and linguistic diversity within our educational community.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about how to register for the International Languages Elementary Program, please contact us at 613-228 3338 or by email at Continuing.Education@ocsb.ca.