Gaining proficiency in English is a critical skill for many newcomers to our city. Every year, nearly 20,000 adults benefit from the TDSB’s English as a Second Language classes. Find the program you need close to home or through the links below.

Have you taken an ESL class over the last 12 months?

• No. Please call YMCA Language Assessment and Referral Centre at 416-925-5462 to book an assessment appointment.
  For more information, please visit ymcagta.org/language


• Yes. Visit us at one of these sites:

We offer free ESL classes, in locations across the city, to adults who are residents of Canada or who are applying for residency status.

Some of the classes we offer include:

• Conversation
• Citizenship preparation
• Language proficiency test preparation
• Literacy
• Bilingual programs where English is taught with the help of the student's first language
• Family classes, where children are welcome
• Business language and computer skills courses

Who is eligible for free classes?
Our classes are free if you are a:

• Canadian Citizen (born outside of Canada)
• Permanent Resident
• Convention Refugee
• Refugee Claimant
• Provincial Nominee
• Canadian Experience Class participant
• Live-In Caregiver Program participant

Click the links below for eligibility, assessment and registration information translated in the following languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese - Simplified
• Chinese - Traditional
  
• Farsi
• Korean
• Somali
• Spanish
• Tamil
• Urdu

Visitors are Welcome

Visitors to Canada are welcome! Visitors can attend for $7 per hour with an initial assessment. The assessment costs $60. View our Visitor flyer.