Organization: Ottawa-Carleton District School Board - Department of Continuing Education - ESL/LINC/LBS Programs
Phone Numbers: 613-239-2325
Fax: 613-239-2324
Email: esl@ocdsb.ca
Website: www.ocdsb.ca/continuing_education
Address:
c/o Jennifer McKay
Albert Street Education Centre
440 Albert St, Rm 209
Ottawa, ON
K1R 5B5
Intersection: Bay St and Albert St
Accessibility:
Wheelchair Accessible
Accessibility Notes: at some ESL/LINC locations
Hours: Morning classes Mon-Fri 9am-12noon * Sat 9:30am-12:30pm * Afternoon classes: Mon-Fri 12:30pm- 3:30pm * Evening classes Mon-Wed 6pm-9pm * All programs run from September-January and/or January-June
Executives: Pino Buffone - Director of Education
613-596-8211 * director@ocdsb.ca
Ginette Thibeault - Principal, Continuing Education
ginette.thibeault@ocdsb.ca
Public Contacts: Jennifer McKay - Program Manager
613-239-2325 ext 2024 * jennifer.mckay@ocdsb.ca
Sharon Goyette - Team Manager
613-239-2325 ext 2007 * sharon.goyette@ocdsb.ca
Service Description: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC): provided at many locations throughout Ottawa * Classes are offered at the Literacy and and CLB 1 through 7

Care for Newcomer Children: childcare is available at all locations * In person and online classes available * Clients should have current benchmarks within the last 2 years from an ESL/LINC class or clients must be assessed at the YMCA Language Assessment and Resource Centre * See https://www.ymcaywca-larc.ca/

English as a Second Language (ESL) non-credit classes for adults: Classes offered at many locations throughout Ottawa * Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels available as well as in-person and online classes

Specialized ESL courses for adults include English for Academic Purposes (EAP), Academic Test Preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL etc), Workplace English, ESL for Work (Home Reno, Health Care, Hospitality), Pronunciation and more * Students should have current benchmarks within the last two years from an ESL/LINC class or clients must be assessed at the YMCA Language Assessment and Resource Centre * See https://www.ymcaywca-larc.ca

LBS: Literacy and basic skills training, including numeracy, digital, communication and interpersonal skills * helps learners prepare for employment, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, post-secondary education and greater independence

Available programs include:
Workplace Training courses:
* Childcare Assistant: Trains adult learners to work in a licensed daycare or childcare
* Health Care Training: Prepares adult learners to work as a health care aid in many settings, or to enter a PSW course
* Certificates for Employment: Gives the students their WHMIS certificate, Safe Food Handling Certificate, First Aid/CPR certificate, Customer Service Certificate * These certificates will help these students to find jobs much more easily in the hotels, restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals, and more

Skills Upgrading: For students who would like to improve their reading and Writing to eventually enter the Adult High School , other training or employment * Students learn the strategies needed to study, plan projects and activities, and improve their writing skills * Three different levels of Reading and Writing classes 

Adaptive Learning Program: Adults with a developmental disability are trained for a variety of workplaces including a café, administrative support, greenhouse and plant care, light building maintenance such as recycling and room preparation * Additional program for adult learners working toward independence and self-advocacy for physically disabled and/or multi-disabled adults * secondary education and greater independence



Fees: One time materials fee of $10-$15 for ESL (2019) * None for LINC, LBS, Adaptive Learning students, PSW Preparation, Childcare Assistant, Certificates for Employment * Fee for First Aid/CPR Certificate and for Safe Food Handler Certificate
Application: Call for registration information
Eligibility / Target Population: ESL: Ontario residents including Canadian citizens, refugee claimants and Permanent Residents who are 18 years and over and not attending a publicly funded secondary school

LINC: newly arrived immigrants and convention refugees who are 18 years and older and not attending a publicly funded secondary school

LBS: Ontario residents 19 years and older, with reading, writing and math skills below Grade 12 of the Ontario Curriculum * must have facility in English

Adaptive Learning Program: adults 21 years old or older with a developmental disability * assessment required
Languages: English
Area Served: Ottawa (City of)
See Also: English/French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL) Training Programs
Last Updated: 3/7/2024
Service Profile Web Address: eng/displayService.aspx?id=212234

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