Language classes funded by the Government of Canada

If you’re a permanent resident or a protected person, you can take language classes at no cost. They are funded by the government.

These classes are called:

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
• Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC)

To take a language class:

• take the CLB online self-assessment language test (you can do this before you come to Canada)
• visit an organization that helps newcomers get a formal language assessment
• register for language classes
• start taking your classes

Benefits of language classes

Benefits of taking these language classes include:

• being taught by qualified, experienced teachers
• flexible locations, as you can take them:
  • online
  • in a classroom with other students at places like:
    • schools
    • colleges
    • community organizations
• flexible schedules, as you can take them:
  • full-time or part-time
  • during the day, evening or on weekends
• finding out more about helpful topics such as:
  • housing
  • banking
  • citizenship
  • how to get a job
• in some places:
  • people who will mind your child while you’re taking classes
  • transportation to and from your classes
  • classes for people with special needs

Class standards and types

Classes are based on the official national standards for measuring and recognizing the language skills of adult immigrants in both English and French. These standards are the:

• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) (PDF, 4.18 MB)
• Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) (PDF, 21.35 MB) (in French only)

When you complete a CLB level, you’ll get a certificate that shows your skill at that level. If you complete a CLB level 4 or higher in speaking and listening, you can use that certificate as proof for meeting the citizenship language requirement.

There are also different types of language classes you can take, including:

• general language classes at different levels, such as:
  • basic
  • intermediate
  • advanced
• literacy and language classes for people who have trouble reading and writing in any language
• classes that teach advanced and job-specific language skills to help you succeed in the workplace (in some locations)

Before you register

Before starting a class, you must first be assessed to find out your current language skills.

Visit an organization that helps newcomers in your area. Let them know that you’re interested in taking language classes.

They can tell you where to get assessed. They can also tell you more about all language training programs you can take.