ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute OBJECTIVES You will understand: 1. The guidelines for Canadian government-funded ESL programs (LINC). 2. How the provincially-funded programs are different from the LINC program. You will be able to: 1. Compare and contrast government-funded ESL programs within Canada and abroad.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute FEDERALLY-FUNDED VERSUS PROVINCIALLY-FUNDED LANGUAGE PROGRAMS In Canada, there are two types of government-funded language training programs. LINC The first is called Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, or LINC. This program is federally-funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The program is open to Permanent Residents of Canada and Convention Refugees (refugee claimants who pass a hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and are deemed legitimate refugees eligible for Permanent Resident status). Learners can remain in LINC as long as they are Permanent Residents or Convention Refugees.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute PROVINCIALLY-FUNDED PROGRAMS The second type of program is provincially-funded. For instance, Manitoba funds ESL classes through the Ministry of Labour and Immigration. Alberta funds classes through the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Labour, and some newcomers are eligible for income assistance and language training under the Alberta Works program. In Ontario, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration offers language programs. Similar funding exists in other provinces. Provincially-funded courses are open to all newcomers: refugee claimants, Convention Refugees, Permanent Residents, and Canadian citizens.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute LINC BACKGROUND AND HISTORY LINC was established by the federal government in It is a national program, standardized across Canada. The LINC program is based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), a 12-level set of standards that measures and describes the language proficiency of adult immigrants. Initially, the LINC program included levels 1-3. In 1997, the program was expanded to cover levels 4 and 5. In 2006, the program was further expanded to include LINC 6 and 7. The CLB levels corresponding to specific LINC levels were realigned to accommodate the inclusion of LINC 6 and 7. For any federally-funded program in Canada, teachers must have a university degree and be TESL-certified.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute The LINC program is task-based and learner-centred, and is intended “to provide language instruction that facilitates social, cultural and economic integration into Canada.” (LINC 5-7 Curriculum, p. 1) The LINC curriculum is based on the following 12 themes:

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute LINC LEVELS AND THEMES The 12 themes above spiral through each of the LINC levels, with increasing complexity. Currently there are two curriculum documents in use: LINC 1-5 Curriculum Guidelines and LINC 5-7 Curriculum Guidelines. *An example of the language focus items incorporated in “At Home in the Community and the World” at different levels can be found on p. 520 of this module’s lecture notes. There are also functional “level outcomes” in the LINC curriculum not included in the chart below, such as “provide personal information”, or “fill in a simple form”, for example.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute LINC PROGRAM CONTENT LINC assesses student progress in terms of the listening, speaking, reading, and writing tasks they can perform. To begin the LINC program, immigrants are tested by specially trained assessors, using the Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT). Assessment Centres are located in communities throughout Canada. In LINC, grammar is taught in context. Students use grammar to accomplish realistic tasks, such as explaining a problem and asking for repairs to be done in their apartment. The LINC curriculum also includes computer skills to be incorporated at each level. To benefit immigrants at the higher LINC levels and beyond, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recently began funding Enhanced Language Training (ELT). These courses are often profession-specific, and help immigrants to acquire the advanced language, soft skills, and knowledge of workplace culture that is needed to succeed in the labour market. ELT programs often include internship or mentoring components, and often help immigrants with assessment of international credentials.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute LITERACY CLASSES In addition to higher level LINC programs, CIC funds designated Literacy classes for immigrants who are below CLB 1. These learners are semi-literate or illiterate in their first languages. These learners work to develop basic reading and writing skills, as well as listening and speaking. Literacy learners benefit from funding that allows for separate classes. With little or no formal education, they often struggle with classroom concepts like multiple choice questions, fill-in- the-blank exercises, and in some cases, even holding writing instruments.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute PROVINCIALLY-FUNDED ESL Generally the curricula used in the provincially-funded ESL programs are not standardized, but instead are typically developed by the school board or institution delivering the language training. In some cases, the teachers have the greatest role in determining curriculum in provincially-funded programs, in accordance with level. Sometimes these programs utilize the CLB levels, but not always; use of the CLB is not required in provincially-funded programs as it is with the LINC program. Programs that do not use the CLB develop in-house assessment tools and level divisions. As mentioned above, provincially-funded ESL classes are open to all newcomers, regardless of status. These classes can be either general four-skill ESL, specialized courses such as TOEFL Preparation, or classes focusing on specific skills, such as reading and writing. As use of the CLB is becoming more prevalent in all areas of language training, more provincially-funded programs may start to incorporate them.

ACE TESOL Diploma Program – London Language Institute Complete task journal question 3 and submit by to or in person.