Who can attend?
To qualify to attend ESL classes at St. Louis, you must be:
- an adult age 18 years and older
- living in Ontario, Canada
- Convention Refugee or
- Permanent Resident or
- Landed Immigrant or
- Refugee Claimant or
- CANADIAN CITIZEN not born in Canada and English is not your first language
- at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels Pre-CLB to CLB 7
English Language Assessments
English Language Assessments are done at the YMCA. Contact the YMCA Language Assessment Centre to determine if you are eligible for a free language assessment
YMCA of Three Rivers Assessment Centre
Kitchener Office
519-579-9622
Cambridge Office
519-621-1621
Email: intake@ytr.ymca.ca
You may qualify for acceptance into a St. Louis ESL class, if you have had a language assessment in the last two years by:
- the YMCA of Three Rivers
- an in-class assessment by your ESL or LINC teacher
The YMCA can confirm which English Language class you are eligible for and which language level you are at.
Canadian Language Benchmarks – What do they mean?
The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs) are used in Canada to teach and test language learning for adults. It is important to understand the CLBs if planning to go to English class, train, look for work or study at a College or University. The benchmarks describe tasks that people can do in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Literacy and Level 1
Welcome to English School! We will help you start to learn English.
Level 2 and 3
You will develop and have an adequate knowledge of simple spoken and written communication to function in the community like shopping, going to the doctor and speaking to your children’s teacher.
Level 4
You know enough English, now, that you could begin to apply for Canadian Citizenship.
Level 5
Your English should be good enough to get and keep a job and gain some Canadian work experience. Don’t stop learning English. Continue in your ESL classes and keep moving forward to the next CLB level. Continuing to learn English will improve your soft skills, pronunciation, computer or customer service skills.
Level 6
Once you have completed level 6, you may continue to improve your English language skills or you can apply to take other classes at St. Louis, including working toward earning Secondary School Credits, Hairstylist Training or consider a pathway toward PSW by taking an English for Work PSW online class that starts again in September 2024 (CLB 5,5,5,5 or higher required)
Level 7+
At this level, you will be encouraged to apply to College or University, IELTS testing or for the St. Louis Personal Support Worker Certificate Training