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Specialized Language Training in Ontario

The Specialized Language Training Pilot Projects offer immigrants the opportunity to strengthen their language skills so they can get jobs that reflect their qualifications or function more effectively in jobs they currently have. Sixteen school boards across Ontario are offering this job-specific language training in one of two ways:

Language Training for the Workplace (LTFW) assists immigrants in finding work in a specific field, by offering sector-specific English as a Second Language (ESL) / French as a Second Language (FSL) training; and
Language Training in the Workplace (LTIW) helps immigrants who are already employed to improve their ESL/FSL language skills at work.

Key occupational sectors for this program include:

Need help finding English or French adult language training? Try using this search tool.

Accounting, Business and Finance
Information Technology
Engineering and Manufacturing
Health Care and Pharmaceutical
Hospitality and Tourism
Food and Beverage

Since the launch of the Specialized Language Training Pilot Project initiative in 2006, 21 school boards across Ontario have received nearly $5.6 million to deliver 50 projects serving over 4,600 learners. The province is investing an additional $4.3 million over three years for 16 school boards to deliver 31 language training projects which will benefit approximately 3,800 learners. Overall, the Ontario government is investing over $64 million per year to provide language training for more than 120,000 learners across Ontario.

Below is a list of the school boards that are being funded to deliver Language Training for the Workplace courses. The list includes the sectors each project focuses on and the relevant contact information.

School Boards and Associated Projects
Region	District School Board	Sector	Contact	Telephone
Central/GTA
Peel	Dufferin-Peel Catholic	Financial, IT, Engineering, Medical/Pharmaceutical/ Laboratory, Social Science	Andris Smits	(905) 891-5114 ext. 37811
Peel	Peel	Customer Service and Business, Internationally Trained Teachers	Lou-Ann Kablarevic	(905) 791-6700 ext. 6345
Toronto	Toronto Catholic	Internationally Trained ESL Teachers	Joanne Hincks	(416) 397-6071
	Toronto	Hospitality with Co-op	Chris Christodoulou	(416) 395-2015
		Home Health Care, Senior's Activation	Overland Learning Centre	(416) 395-5080
		Retail Trade	Bickford Centre	(416) 393-0532
		Success in Business	Gooderham Learning Centre	(416) 395-5080
York	York Catholic	Accounting, Engineering, Health Care	Joana Sotomayor	(905) 737-8652 ext. 3115
Eastern Region
Kingston	Limestone	Health Care	Louise Becker	(613) 542-7369
Kingston	Ottawa Catholic	Home Day Care / Day Care Assistant, Office Assistant, Retail Sales	Abai Coker	(613) 731-3237
Western Region
Guelph	Upper Grand	Business/Clerical, Food and Beverage	St. George’s ESL Centre	(519) 766-9551
London	London Catholic	Skilled Admin. / Business/Clerical	Len Noens	(519) 675-4436 ext. 20015
London	Thames Valley	Health Care Professionals, Law Enforcement, Retail Sales	Lydia Salmon	(519) 452-2660 ext. 69725
Hamilton	Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic	Hospitality and Tourism	Susan Friscolanti	(905) 577-0555
Niagara	Niagara Catholic	Home Day Care and Children’s Programs	Jennifer Schinkel	(905) 682-3360 ext. 211

How do I get my language assessed?

You can have your language ability evaluated by a Language Assessment Centre. The Language Assessment Centre will then suggest a program at your language level. English or French classes are available at no cost through Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC). Learn more about improving your language ability.
Who is eligible for LINC?

New immigrants or individuals in the process of becoming permanent residents qualify for free English or French language training. Classes are provided through the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program, at immigrant settlement agencies and schools, or by online learning via a computer.
Can I apply for both LINC and CLIC programs? What are the limitations?

You may apply for either English or French, but not both. (In French, this program is known as CLIC, for Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada.) The Assessment Centre will evaluate which level you should begin at, and you may progress all the way to Level 8 without any time limitations. However, once you become a Canadian citizen, you are no longer eligible for the LINC or CLIC programs.
Am I eligible to take English classes as a visitor to Canada?

Only new immigrants or individuals in the process of becoming permanent residents are eligible for government language training programs. However, many of Ontario's schools offer language classes. You can find schools, class schedules and fees with the Language Classes Search Tool.
As an employer, we'd like to offer English language training to our new employees ...

Various school boards across Ontario offer job-specific language training through the Specialized Language Training Projects. Classes have been designed to help new immigrants function more effectively in the workplace and offer stronger industry-specific language skills. Language Training for the Workplace also helps newcomers to Ontario get jobs that reflect their qualifications.
How will my child learn English in Ontario after attending a French school?

Elementary schools in Ontario provide programs for English as a Second Language for Grades 1 to 8 (ages 6-13) and secondary schools offer programs for Grades 9 to 12 (ages 14-17). Find more information about the school system in Ontario and how to enrol your children. Ontario also has French-speaking district school boards, which may offer alternatives better suited to your needs.
Some new immigrants come together in informal conversation classes ...

Informal conversation classes can be found at your local community centres, schools, or at immigrant service agencies. CultureLink also helps newcomers improve their English through conversation circles.
How can I maximize my learning to speak English?

You can meet people and practise your English with them in a number of less formal ways. You can try volunteering in your community or with Toronto Special Events. Visit community centres and public libraries, join the TD Summer Reading Club or the online ESL Corner.
Are there any preparation classes available for the IELTS exam?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. You can find extensive online materials for IELTS test takers, covering the four key skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
I am interested in teaching English to newcomers English ...

You should apply for inclusion on the Adult ESL or LINC teachers supply list of the Toronto District School Board. Download the PDF document Adult Continuing Education to learn how.