Speaking either English or French can help you to adapt to life in Canada by making it easier to get a job, communicate with Canadians and talk with your children in the language they learn at school.
You also need to know English or French to become a Canadian citizen. It is a good idea to learn both languages. Depending on where you decide to live in Canada, being bilingual can make it easier for you to communicate with people in your new community and at your new job.
English and French across Canada
English is the most common language spoken everywhere in Canada except the province of Quebec, where French is the official language. French is also spoken in many communities in other provinces, especially New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba. New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province.
Canada is officially a bilingual country and there are anglophone and francophone communities in every province and territory.
Find language training in your home country
Before you leave for Canada, you should have your language skills assessed (tested) and take some language training. There are many assessment services that you can contact from your home country but be sure to ask about fees as some may charge you for their services. Assessment services include:
Free language training in Canada
The Government of Canada offers free language training across the country to all qualified adult permanent residents—not just people looking for work. The government works closely with provincial governments, school boards, community colleges and immigrant-serving organizations to provide this service.
To qualify for training, adults must:
- Have their English or French language skills assessed
- Be an adult immigrant (older than the legal school age in your province or territory)
- Be either a permanent resident or a newcomer who has been allowed to remain in Canada to whom Citizenship and Immigration Canada intends to grant permanent resident status and who has not become a Canadian citizen.
In most provinces, the name of the language-training program is Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, or LINC. In French, LINC is known as CLIC, for Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada.
Manitoba provides language assessment to refer immigrants to the English class that meets their personal needs. A range of classes are offered in Winnipeg and in communities throughout Manitoba.
LINC and CLIC are easy to find
LINC can test your language skills to find out which training program would be best for you. In some communities there may be a waiting list to enter the LINC program.
LINC offers full- and part-time classes. Most LINC centres can also refer you to other, non-LINC classes in your area. Some of these classes offer free child care while you are learning.
Contact the LINC assessment centre near you. You can also contact your local immigrant-serving organization for help finding a LINC course.
Private language training
Most universities and community colleges, as well as some private language schools and community organizations, offer language classes. You can contact these groups for more information. They will be listed in the yellow pages of your telephone book. Remember to ask about fees, as these courses may not be free.
The following websites list language programs for immigrants across Canada:
Test of English as a foreign language
To enter a Canadian university where instruction is in English, you will need to take a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Colleges and universities offering courses in French use various French language tests. To find out more about these tests, see Educational Testing Services. |
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