Program launched for language training for newcomers to Canada

By Dale Johnson Posted: April 12, 2017 3:45 p.m.

Jerry Wang, (l-r), administrative assistant with ELS-LINC; Jackie Spalding, director of ESL at the U of R ; and Jonathan Calfat, manager of administration and finance, ESL at the U of R, are getting set to offer more classes in English for new Canadians through the LINC program.
Jerry Wang, (l-r), administrative assistant with ELS-LINC; Jackie Spalding, director of ESL at the U of R ; and Jonathan Calfat, manager of administration and finance, ESL at the U of R, are getting set to offer more classes in English for new Canadians through the LINC program. Photo: External Relations

Classes in English will be offered to newcomers to Canada through the Centre for Continuing Education, with funding coming from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The idea is to help newcomers successfully adapt to life in Canada.

The program, called Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, or LINC, has been offered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Regina Open Door Society. However, given high demand for English classes in the region, IRCC encouraged other providers such as the University of Regina to apply to the 2015 Call for Proposals. As a result, IRCC is providing funding for one year for instructors and administration.

“The University of Regina’s Centre for Continuing Education is pleased to play a role in helping newcomers to Canada settle in to life in Canada,” says Jackie Spalding, Director of English as a Second Language within the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Regina.

“This initiative demonstrates again the strong ties the U of R has with the wider community,” says Dr. Harvey King, Director of the Centre for Continuing Education.

There will be six classes offered, and with room for up to 180 students.  

People can enroll in the LINC program if they are a permanent resident of Canada, protected person or convention refugee who is 18 years of age or older. As well, applicants must complete a language assessment test to determine their level of English. There is no cost for eligible candidates.

Registration is underway and the first of three terms of classes will begin on May 8 and 9. All classes will be held at the Language Institute at the University of Regina.