ENGLISH AS A
SECOND LANGUAGE

ESL Program DetailsESL Registration

ENGLISH AS A
SECOND LANGUAGE

Locations

Multiple

Delivery

In Person / Online

Duration

9 Months

Credentials Earned

Non-credit Program

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About the Program

Our ESL program offers in‑person and online English classes from literacy level to CLB 8.

These classes help you improve your English communication skills for everyday life, work, and further education.

You will practice listening, speaking, reading, writing and digital literacy skills in a supportive learning environment with qualified instructors.

  • Listening: Understand spoken English in a variety of situations including going to the doctor, shopping, in the workplace, or visiting your children’s school.
  • Speaking: Develop your English vocabulary and structure to speak to others in increasingly complex ways in a variety of situations such as job interviews, at the store or bank, and with your doctor.
  • Reading: Learn the skills to understand texts such as application forms, instructions, personal and professional emails, bank statements, and workplace notices.
  • Writing: Write in English to complete job applications, fill out other forms, write personal and professional emails, and write letters, for example, to your children’s teacher.
  • Digital Literacy: Navigate digital tools and text that will assist with learning and give you skills for employment and everyday activities.
Four students seated at a table during ESL Class at St. Louis

Canadian Language Benchmarks

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs) are used to teach and assess language learning for adults. It is important to understand the CLBs as they describe what tasks you can do in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Five students seated studying in the ESL program

Task-Based Learning

Portfolio-Based Language Assessment (PBLA) is a standard task-based learning process that is used to measure your language abilities. You collect assessment tasks to show your ability in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English. Your portfolio is reviewed by your instructor and used to help inform your progress results.

Instructors

ESL instructors are OCELT qualified with many having more than 15 years experience. They assess English language progress according to the CLBs and give tasks based on real-world interactions (PBLA) to help you develop your English, while settling and discovering Canadian culture.

Locations and Schedule

The ESL program begins on September 14, 2026 and ends on June 18, 2027.

St. Mary’s Campus

In-Person

Schedule

  • Morning: Monday to Thursday, 8:45am – 11:45am and Friday, 10:00am – 11:45am
  • Afternoon: Monday to Thursday, 12:30pm – 3:00pm and Friday, 12:30pm – 2:00pm

St. Francis Campus

In-Person

Schedule

  • Morning: Monday to Thursday, 8:45am – 11:45am and Friday, 10:00am – 11:45am
  • Afternoon: Monday to Thursday, 12:30pm – 3:00pm and Friday, 12:30pm – 2:00pm

Main Campus

Online

Schedule

  • Morning: Monday to Thursday, 8:45am – 11:45am and Friday, 10:00am – 11:45am
  • Afternoon: Monday to Thursday, 12:30pm – 3:00pm and Friday, 12:30pm – 2:00pm
  • Online: Tuesday and Wednesday,  6:30-8:30pm

Contact Us

For more information about the ESL (English as a Second Language) program, please contact:
Email: ESL.StLouis@wcdsb.ca 
Phone: 519-745-1201 ext. 229

Funding

ESL is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

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