Summer International and Indigenous Language Program for elementary students in Ottawa

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Summer International & Indigenous Languages

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June 29 – July 31, 2026

Language Program for Students from Kindergarten to Grade 8

In our summer program, children can have fun in another language. Our Summer language classes are available to all students from JK to grade 8, regardless of their heritage or the school board they attend, and are FREE for Ontario residents.

We also offer a year-long program to learn international and indigenous languages. Information and registration for the ‘International & Indigenous Language Program 2026-27 School Year’ is coming soon! Learn More ›

Choose In-Person and/or Virtual Classes

Here are the languages our Program offers: Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Igbo, Italian, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Kinyarwanda, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Shona, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Twi, Ukrainian, and Yoruba.

Find Out the Two Available Options This Program Offers

1. In Person Classes ›

2. Virtual Classes ›

1. In-Person Morning Program

Our Morning Programs run from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Below, you’ll find the details for the In-Person Classes, which are FREE for all Ontario residents.

If you’re looking for an additional learning opportunity for your child, we also offer ‘Afternoon Camps’ from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm. The Afternoon Camps are a paid option, and the payment links can be found on the right side of the table below.

In-Person Classes School Location	Morning Classes	Afternoon Programs (Classes & Camps)
Holy Redeemer 75 McCurdy Dr. Kanata South	Farsi Portuguese Punjabi Russian Shona Spanish	Mandarin Conversation classes for Non-Native Speakers Spanish classes
St. Benedict 2525 River Mist Rd. Barrhaven	Arabic Italian Korean Polish Punjabi Russian Spanish	Korean Camp Spanish classes
St. Cecilia 3490 Cambrian Rd. Barrhaven	Mandarin (Simplified)	TianTian Camp REGISTER NOW >
St. Daniel 1313 Field St. Ottawa Central West	Cantonese Mandarin (Simplified) Mandarin (Traditional) Mandarin for Non-Native speakers Portuguese (moved to Holy Redeemer) Spanish	Capital Chinese School Camp REGISTER NOW >
St. Dominic 2300 Esprit Dr. Orléans	Arabic Mandarin (Simplified) Punjabi Russian Spanish	Mandarin Conversation classes for Non-Native Speakers Spanish classes
St. Gabriel 400 Keyrock Dr. Kanata North	Mandarin (Simplified) Ukrainian	KC Afterschool Camp REGISTER NOW >
St. Thomas More 1620 Blohm Dr. Ottawa South-East	Arabic Igbo Kinyarwanda Spanish Tigrinya Twi Yoruba	Camp TBD Spanish classes

Please Note

A nonrefundable consumable fee of $10 per child will be collected for in-person classes.
An Early Drop-Off option is available from 8:00 am – 9:00 am at a fee of $20 for the first week and $25/per week for the remaining weeks.
Afternoon in-person classes offer two optional $25/week add-ons: Lunch-Hour (11:30 am to 12:30 pm) and After-Class (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm). Choosing both options comes up to an additional cost of $50 per week.
All payments could be made through SchoolCash Online, when available (see the bottom of the page)
- Consumable fee – after April 15
- Supervision and lunch – in late May

2.Virtual Program

Classes will be delivered online using Google Meet for synchronous learning. Students are required to have access to a device (Chromebook, laptop) and access to the internet.

Morning Classes (JK to Grade 8)

Time: from 9:00 am to 11:30

Languages: Igbo, Mandarin (Simplified), Punjabi, Spanish, Swahili, Yoruba.

Afternoon Classes (Grades 2-8)

Time: from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Languages: Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish.

*Afternoon classes are designed for beginners (Grades 2-8). Prior knowledge of the language is not expected or required.

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

Know Before You Register

One Morning Class (Grades JK-8) OR
One Afternoon Class (Grades 2-8) (Note: Different Grade range in Afternoon Class) OR
One Morning Class and one Afternoon Class (Different languages, Morning/Afternoon classes).

Students who are in JK – Grade 8 in the current 2025-2026 school year.
Students born in 2022 and have pre-registered into a Kindergarten program starting Fall 2026 (publicly-funded school boards only) are eligible to register in this summer’s IL program.
Students must be available for the full duration of the class time and may not be registered in any other OCSB virtual summer school program (e.g. Summer Numeracy/Literacy or Reach Ahead Credit) scheduled at the same time of day.
Students currently attending a school in Ontario and Quebec (please also see the section below “Required Documents”).

As per the Ontario Ministry of Education guidelines, the following supporting documents for NEW students to our program must be reviewed by the Continuing Education Department prior to confirmation of the registration. We will email parents the details of this process upon receipt of the registration.

Proof of Address (only one of the documents below is required and has to be dated within the last 6 months):

Current Property Tax Bill.
Current Rental or Purchase agreement.
Utility Bill.
Home Phone/Cable/Internet Bill.
Please note, a Driver’s License is NOT acceptable.

Proof of Citizenship and Status in Canada (only one of the documents below is required):

Canadian Citizen (Birth Certificate, Passport, Baptismal Certificate).
Permanent Resident (Permanent Resident Card, Stage One Approval letter, Equivalent Documentation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirming approval in principle).
Refugee Status: Documentation from IRCC confirming status, Consideration of eligibility (Convention refugee).
Parent’s Student Visa (Study Permit).
Diplomat Status / Minister’s Permit.

Summer IL Program is offered free-of-charge to Ontario residents.
A non-refundable consumable fee of $10 per child will be collected for in-person classes.
A tuition fee of $110 per language per child will be charged to Out-of-Province and International Students, and Visitors to Canada. If a fee-paying student cancels, we will refund a prorated amount minus a $15 Administration Fee.
An Early Drop-Off – $25/week, ($20/first week).
Some sites may also offer lunch-hour and after-school supervision at an additional cost. More information is coming soon.

PAY ONLINE after April 15

Suggest a Language for Your Child to Study

If there’s a language you’d like your child to learn, please let us know by submitting your suggestion. Your feedback helps us enhance our program offerings and ensure we meet the diverse needs of our community.

SUGGEST A NEW LANGUAGE

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.

Summer International & Indigenous Languages Program (Elementary): Register Now!