English As A Second Language (ESL)

Just Arrived? Been here a long time? Professionally Trained? Visiting?

Learn, improve, perfect your English to:

• Open up work and professional opportunities

• Broaden education choices

• Strengthen community connections

English Language classes or English as a Second Language (ESL) is an affordable English language training program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.  

St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres is the largest English language class provider in Waterloo Region & surrounding area open to newcomers, visitors and citizens who have been here both a short time or a long time.  All students are 18 years of age and older and English is not their first language.

Benefits of taking English classes at St. Louis…. English for School, Work, Life:

Students quickly develop strong English language communication skills and learn everything they need to know to live, work and learn in Canada. All ESL and LINC English Language classes teach the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing using Portfolio Based Language Assessment.

Who Can Attend?

To qualify to attend ESL classes at St. Louis, you must be:

• an adult age 18 years and older

• Convention Refugee or

• Permanent Resident or

• Landed Immigrant or

• CANADIAN CITIZEN who was a newcomer to Canada at some point in your life and English is not your first language

• Visitor to Canada (additional fees apply)

• at ANY Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level

Once enrolled in any ESL class (morning, afternoon, evening or Saturday), students are expected to participate in remote classes regularly.

Program Details:

English Language Classes through the ESL program offer the following in person and limited online classes:

• Literacy

• CLB 1 to CLB 7+

• Listening and Speaking

• Reading and Writing

• Pronunciation

• Computer use

• IELTS  Preparation

Open to all students!  Returning St. Louis Visitor students welcome!

What will I learn?

Listening:

You will be able to understand spoken English in a variety of situations including going to the doctor, shopping or visiting your children’s school.

Speaking:

You will develop your English language vocabulary and be able to speak to others in increasingly complex ways and in a variety of situations including job interviews, speaking with your doctor to name a few.

Reading:

You will be able to understand written texts like application forms, instructions, personal and professional emails and bank statements or more advanced academic reading and workplace relevant examples

Writing:

You will be able to write in English to help you complete job applications, fill out forms and prepare documents, craft business emails, write a letter to your children’s teacher as well as prepare for academic writing, essays and reports.

What is Portfolio-Based Language Assessment (PBLA)?

Portfolio Based Language Assessment is a standard in-class assessment process that instructors use in all St. Louis ESL and LINC classes in Canada as a way to measure your language abilities.

Each student receives a Language Companion binder to collect and show what they can do in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English. Task-based learning will help you achieve this. Your portfolio is reviewed by your instructor and used to help inform your progress results.

Note:

• Assessment: $60