Canada's publicly funded language training network is one of the more extensive systems of its kind. For newcomers who arrived as permanent residents, refugees, or protected persons, several free learning paths exist — ranging from government-funded in-person classes to online tools managed by settlement organizations. This article outlines the main options, the conditions that determine eligibility, and where to find local providers.

Adult learners in an English as a Second Language classroom

Adult English language classroom. Source: Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

LINC is a federally funded program administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It provides free English language classes to eligible adult newcomers — specifically permanent residents and protected persons who are 18 years of age or older. Canadian citizens, temporary residents (including study or work permit holders), and international students are not eligible.

Classes are offered at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels 1 through 8, covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing. LINC is delivered through community colleges, school boards, immigrant-serving organizations, and other settlement service providers. In some provinces — particularly Ontario and British Columbia — LINC is integrated with settlement support such as childcare assistance and transportation subsidies to reduce barriers to participation.

To access LINC, newcomers are first required to complete a language assessment at a designated Language Assessment Referral Centre. The assessment result determines the appropriate CLB level and guides placement into the right class.

Enhanced Language Training (ELT)

ELT programs are also government-funded and target newcomers who have foundational English skills and are ready to enter the Canadian workforce. Unlike LINC, ELT combines English language instruction with occupation-specific vocabulary, Canadian workplace culture, and networking components. Programs are typically delivered in partnership with sector-specific employers or professional associations.

Eligibility requirements for ELT vary by program and province. In Ontario, the government's Enhanced Language Training initiative has historically been targeted at internationally trained professionals in regulated fields such as engineering, nursing, and accounting.

Community College ESL Programs

Most publicly funded community colleges in Canada offer English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. These courses vary in cost. Some are subsidized or fully funded for eligible newcomers through provincial training arrangements. Others carry tuition fees comparable to standard continuing education programs.

Examples of institutions with well-established ESL departments include George Brown College, Mohawk College, and Conestoga College in Ontario; BCIT and Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia; and Bow Valley College in Alberta. Each institution's eligibility and fee structure differs, and prospective students should contact the institution directly for current information.

Online and Hybrid Options

Several online tools are funded through settlement organizations and available at no cost to eligible newcomers:

  • CLB Internet Project (CLIP) — A collection of online learning tasks aligned to Canadian Language Benchmarks, developed with support from IRCC. Available at language.ca.
  • Tutela.ca — A repository of language learning materials compiled from settlement organization resources across Canada. Many materials are free and searchable by CLB level.
  • LINC Home Study — An online LINC program available to eligible newcomers in Ontario who cannot attend in-person classes due to location, disability, childcare responsibilities, or shift work. Instruction is delivered by a qualified teacher through an online platform.

Library-Based Learning

Public libraries across Canada offer language learning resources that require only a library card. The Toronto Public Library, Vancouver Public Library, and many smaller municipal systems provide access to Mango Languages, a subscription-based language learning tool, free of charge for cardholders. Libraries also frequently host conversation circles and informal ESL workshops open to the public.

Assessing Your Starting Point

Before enrolling in any program, prospective participants in federally funded training are generally required to complete a formal language assessment. In Ontario, this is done through Language Assessment Referral Centres (LARCs), which are listed on the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website. The assessment is free and takes approximately three hours.

The result — expressed as a CLB level — is used by LINC providers to place learners in an appropriate class. The same assessment result may also be used to determine eligibility for certain ELT programs.

Provincial Differences

Quebec manages its own immigration language training through the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI). The province's Francisation program is described in a separate article on this site. In all other provinces and territories, English language training for newcomers is coordinated through agreements between IRCC and provincial governments or settlement organizations.

Read next: Language Assessment Tools for Canadian Newcomers →