Academic Upgrading – Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Academic Upgrading provides an excellent opportunity for individuals who are pursuing college training or new employment prospects to improve their English skills as well as Computer, Math, Biology and Chemistry. The program is offered at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus and is free to permanent residents who live in Ontario.

Pembroke Public Library

Meet new friends and gain cultural insights with second language support at Pembroke Public Library. An abundance of in-house and online resources are ready for you to start learning today. Contact the Library for more details info@pembrokelibrary.ca or call (613) 732-8844. 

Arnprior Public Library

Volunteers at the Arnprior Public Library offer one-on-one and small-group ESL tutoring every week in person at the Library. Contact the Library for more details library@arnpriorlibrary.ca or call 613-623-2279. 

Carelton Place Library

Volunteers at the Carleton Place Library in Partnership with the Canadian Career Academy, provides a supportive and friendly environment where you can practice speaking English, engage in meaningful conversations, and build confidence in your language abilities. Contact the Library for more details library@carletonplace.ca or call 613-257-2702. 

Mississippi Mills Library

FREE language-learning with Mango & your library card! Register here

Contact the Library for more details almontelib@missmillslibrary.com call 613-256-1037 pakenhamlib@missmillslibrary.com call 613-624-5306. 

Beginner, Foundation and Advanced Online Group Classes

EnglishConnect classes help learners develop English skills in an environment of fellowship and faith. EnglishConnect 1 & 2 programs have no cost and are not accredited since volunteers of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offer them.

English for Beginners

Enrol in this free 6-module online ESL course offered by Queen’s University that will allow you to improve your English skills with some fun activities. When you finish the course, you will receive a digital badge of completion. Anyone can take this course, regardless of their status in Canada. 

English as a Second Language – Algonquin College

Enrol in ESL at Algonquin College Language Institute to improve your English communication skills. The courses are designed to meet various specific language needs, such as test preparation, language for business, and pronunciation. Your language training focuses on a combination of lessons which include speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

A placement test is required for all levels of ESL training. Results from your free placement test determine your starting level.

• Conversational Skills: $399.80
• IELTS Preparation: $399.80
• IELTS Exam Cram: $95

English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community (ELTOC)

The English Language Tutoring program provides individualized and accessible ESL tutoring to adult newcomers who cannot attend regular ESL classes by matching them to an ELTOC-trained volunteer tutor in the community. ELOTC can help you learn English in your home. 

There are 2 ways to apply to be part of this program: 

1. Call the ELTOC administrative assistant at (613) 796-8566.

2. Fill out the student application form online here

Open to start at any time. The duration depends on what your tutoring goals are.

• Online (self-paced)

• FREE for eligible newcomers

Grammar for ESL via Gale Courses

Grammar for ESL is for intermediate and advanced-level ESL students.
Grammar for ESL is one of the required courses in most college ESL programs to transfer to mainstream English or to transfer to a university.

• 6-week courses start toward the beginning of each month.

• Online instructor-led

• FREE via Contact North registration process 

Informal English Chat Group – Pembroke Public Library

Meet new friends and gain cultural insights with Second Language Support at Pembroke Public Library. Dedicated community volunteers lead this group chat. An abundance of in-house and online resources are ready for you to start learning today, including: 

• • English as a Second Language Chat Group (Thursdays 12:30 – 1:30 pm)

  • English Language Materials

  • Little Pim

  • Mango Languages

• Open to start at any time.

• In-person OR online (self-paced)

• FREE to all Pembroke Public Library members

Mango Languages

Mango Languages is similar to programs like “Duolingo.” Provides an easy, fun, and effective way to learn how to speak another language.

• Open to start at any time. The duration depends on the speed at which you complete the course.  

• Online, anytime (self-paced)

• Check with your local library to see if they offer Mango Languages

The Mennonite New Life Centre LINC Program for Adults

LINC is a free language training program for eligible adult learners. It is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). All our LINC instructors are TESL certified and experienced in adult education. This resource is based in Toronto, so you must select the online option. New classes start in January, April and September each year. 

They offer a supportive, friendly and welcoming learning environment where students can learn the language skills to:

• Communicate effectively in various situations (shopping, banking, medical appointments, social interactions, landlord/tenant, emergencies, making a complaint, asking for help, etc.) and gain independence.

• Learn about Canadian culture/society/values

• Access the job market

• Further upgrade their education

Eligibility

• Age 18 or older

• Be a Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee, Convention Refugee/ Protected

• Person or CUAET Permit holder (for Ukrainian citizens)

• Persons in Canada whose applications for Permanent Resident status are being processed in Canada and who have been informed by a letter from IRCC of the initial approval of their application subject to an admissibility assessment

• Must be physically within the province of Ontario

• Must have a valid Language Assessment. Please complete the form below if you don’t have a valid assessment.

Canadian citizens, visitors, workers, international students and refugee claimants are not eligible for LINC.

Renfrew County District School Board – English as a Second Language (ESL) for Adults

If you live in Pembroke and are looking for ESL support, Renfrew County District School Board Continuing Education can support you.

• Enroll in a class at any time during the school year.

• Classes take place in Pembroke, Ontario OR, online (self-paced)

• FREE for eligible newcomers

Renfrew County District School Board – English as a Second Language (ESL) for Students

If you have a child who attends a school in Renfrew County who needs language support, they may be eligible for the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. 

The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) receives funding for students who have been in Canada for three years or less and who have come to Canada from a country in which English is not the first language.

The criteria exclude students who either enter Canada from an English-speaking country but cannot speak English or who take longer than three years to acquire the language.

Students are usually enrolled in a full program of mainstream courses and may receive tutorial support from an ESL instructor or peer tutor.

Request for ESL Support: The principal determines whether or not a student requires extra assistance based on data gathered when a new student registers or on a recommendation from the classroom teachers. The principal will complete a request for ESL support and forward it to the superintendent for approval.

Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) offers elementary students an after-school International Language Program. This is a free program for school-age children from Kindergarten to Grade 8. The program runs after school for 2.5 hours per week. Program offerings, dates and times are based on sufficient registrants.

• For more information, contact the Continuing and Community Education Office.

• Within your child’s school OR in person.

• Free for eligible newcomers

Road to IELTS Academic

The Road to IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic training module provides users with over 120 hours of intensive English vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking tasks.

• Open to start at any time. The duration depends on the speed at which you complete the course.  

• Online, anytime (self-paced)

• FREE via Contact North registration process 

Second Language Training

This Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) self-directed learning format puts you in control of your learning. It helps overcome common roadblocks that prevent learners from realizing their full potential. This helps to build confidence in the skills you learn and in your ability to learn. You CAN learn a new language, and we can help!

• Open to start at any time. The duration depends on what your tutoring goals are.

• In-person and online 

• Free

TR Leger English as a Second Language (ESL) Program for Adults

The TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education has offered ESL instruction for over 25 years. You can access classes at various levels- from literacy to high intermediate through our ESL classes. Our enthusiastic professional staff will help you learn to speak English well, write well, listen well, and read well.

Computer classes are an integral part of our curriculum. Keyboarding, Word, Excel and PowerPoint are offered in the afternoon curriculum.

The ESL program is available to immigrants who:

• • are Canadian citizens OR refugee claimants

  • are 18 years old and over

• Enroll in a class at any time during the school year.

• • Contact TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education

• In-person (virtual) and instructor-led

• FREE for eligible newcomers

Upper Canada District School Board – English as a Second Language (ESL) for Students

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) welcomes hundreds of English Language Learners (ELLs) to its elementary and secondary schools.

English as a Second Language (ESL) program is for students whose first language is other than English. These programs offer students the opportunity to develop age-appropriate first-language literacy skills while, at the same time, meeting curriculum expectations.

Kindergarten to Grade 12: K-12 ELLs are supported by school staff, who assist in successful language acquisition, curriculum learning, and integration into the school community.

Upon registration with the UCDSB, a staff member will conduct an initial language assessment to determine your child’s English Language proficiency so that teachers can better plan and program for your child’s language needs.

• If you or your child need ESL support, please inform your school when registering.

• Within your child’s school, in-person

• Free for eligible newcomers

Wesley United Church – Conversational English

Wesley United Church‘s Conversational English workshops are interactive language learning sessions held on Saturdays from 10:30 – 11:30 am. They are designed to help individuals improve their English speaking and listening skills in a friendly and supportive environment. These workshops are open to people of all ages and language proficiency levels, whether they are beginners seeking to develop basic conversational skills or advanced learners aiming to refine their fluency. There is no need to register. Drop by 275 Pembroke St E, Pembroke and start practicing.