International and Indigenous Languages (IIL) Program — Elementary
Registration OPENS June 1st – Deadline Sept 5, 2023
Meet & Greet Saturday September 23 & Monday September 25
Classes start September 30, 2023
Visit this website often for updates or contact stlouis@wcdsb.ca
IILE Programming is being offered in-person at various locations throughout the Region.

Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am – 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Francis Campus, 154 Gatewood Rd, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
You may only choose ONE of the two options. Students cannot take the same language twice a week.
Option 1
Day: Monday
Time: 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Date: October 2 to June 17
Location: St. Nicholas CES, 525 Laurelwood Dr., Waterloo
“Meet and Greet”: Monday evening, September 25, 2023
Option 2
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: Resurrection Catholic Secondary School, 455 University Ave. W., Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Chinese Language school is FREE, however the Parent Association is very active and prefers smaller class sizes, therefore you may be asked to make an optional financial contribution to offset the costs associated with this preferred class size.
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. John Catholic Elementary School, 99 Strange Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. John Catholic Elementary School, 99 Strange Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. John Catholic Elementary School, 99 Strange Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Polish language schools in the Region are among the oldest in the country celebrating almost 90 years in Cambridge and almost 130 years in Kitchener!!
Please choose one of two locations to learn Polish
Kitchener location
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. John Catholic Elementary School, 99 Strange Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Cambridge Location
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School, 15 Gatehouse Dr., Cambridge
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Please choose one of two locations to learn Portuguese.
Kitchener Location
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September to June
Location: St. Louis-St. Francis, 154 Gatewood Rd., Kitchener
Escola Lusitana has celebrated over 45 years of language learning for children in Kitchener!
Cambridge Location
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00am
Date: September to June
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School, 15 Gatehouse Drive, Cambridge
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. John Catholic Elementary School, 99 Strange Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Please choose one location for this language.
Kitchener Location
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Cambridge Location
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School, 15 Gatehouse Drive, Cambridge
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-St. Francis, 154 Gatewood Rd., Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-Kitchener Main Campus, 80 Young Street, Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm
Date: September 30 to June 15
Location: St. Louis-St. Francis, 154 Gatewood Rd., Kitchener
“Meet and Greet”: Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023

Language study is a passport to our future.
Knowing languages is more important today, than ever before. Knowledge of other languages offers us a better understanding of Canada and Canadians, providing an opportunity to see both the similarities and the differences among people.
Language study includes more than grammar and vocabulary. It introduces us to the culture of a people, their literature, their history, and to their contributions to the worlds of art, music and science. When we learn another language, we find ourselves speaking effectively, thinking more clearly, and writing more logically. Young Canadians who study languages improve their chances for job success. In Canada and overseas, in commerce, in technology, and in government, there are a growing number of opportunities for graduates with knowledge of languages. One of the most important contributions that we can make to our country’s cultural and economic future is to learn another language.
Students who enrol in an International and Indigenous Language program will find learning a language will support
- personal growth,
- cultural identity or awareness and
- develop language skills that will open a world of possibilities.
Students who know more than 2 or 3 languages typically do better in school overall, and are keen to pursue other interests and hobbies with greater achievement.
Have a child in high school or are you an adult interested in learning a language NEXT SEPTEMBER?
Visit our International Languages – Secondary program page.
International Languages Elementary program is FREE.
There may be a student fee asked on a voluntary basis by a Parent Association with that language school to cover additional costs or to reduce class sizes.
St. Louis has over 100 International and Indigenous Language – Elementary (IILE) Instructors.
IILE Instructors who teach at our language schools have been hired by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board following a pre-screening / interview process in accordance with WCDSB Human Resources processes.
As a school board employee, all IILE instructors follow the best practices in teaching, access the latest resources available and bring their knowledge, skills and experience teaching language to children. International and Indigenous Language Instructors follow all processes surrounding safe-school protocols and are committed to making learning fun and safe for all children.
Welcome
Welcome to the St. Louis International and Indigenous Languages Elementary (IILE) Program. This Program is offered through the St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
The IILE Parent’s Handbook is currently being revised.
Registration OPENS June 1st | CLOSES September 5th
for classes starting Saturday September 30, 2023 or Monday, October 2, 2023
There is ONE registration form for ALL languages offered at several locations throughout Waterloo Region. Ministry of Education guidelines allow students to take one language for 2.5 hours each week. Children may now learn two DIFFERENT languages each week If the language is offered on a different day at a different time. Students CANNOT take the same language at a different location or time.
Important Dates for the 2023 – 2024 school year
Meet and Greet:
Saturday Morning, September 23, 2023
Monday Evening, September 25, 2023 (at each language program site)
Saturday Classes
First Class: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Last Class: Saturday, June 15, 2024
No Classes: Oct 7 , Dec 30, 2023 | Jan 6, Feb 17, Mar.9, Mar 30, May 18, 2024
Monday Classes
First Class: Monday, October 2, 2023
Last Class: Monday, June 17, 2024
No Classes: Oct 9, Dec 25, 2023 | Jan 1 , Feb 19, Mar 11, April 1, May 20, 2024
For more information: