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LINC (Language Instruction to Newcomers in Canada)

Free English classes for permanent residents and refugees that build practical language skills, confidence, and successful integration into Canadian communities.

LINC Program overview

Brochure attached contains:
  • Program overview
  • Eligibility requirements
  • Class levels or streams
  • Schedule or format (in person/online)
  • Contact information
  • Registration process

ASSIST Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program welcomes permanent residents and refugees aged 18 and older to join our free English language classes. Our welcoming and supportive learning environment focuses on practical, real-world communication and the transferable skills needed for everyday life, employment, education, and active participation in the community.

Every class is designed around the unique strengths, goals, interests, and learning needs of our students. Using a customized, learner-centered curriculum, our experienced instructors provide engaging and meaningful learning opportunities that help students build their English language skills with confidence. As students improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, they also gain greater independence, strengthen their connections with others, and develop a deeper sense of belonging in their communities and across Canada.

Eligibility requirements:
  • Permanent Residents of Canada 
    • For economic class immigrants, as of April 1, 2027 onwards, the length of eligibility will be limited to 5 years after obtaining permanent resident status (1,824 days). 
    • The above length of eligibility will not apply to family class immigrants, Government-Assisted Refugees and other eligible clients under the Settlement program. 
  • Protected Persons as defined by Section 95 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act 
  • Individuals who have been selected to become Permanent Residents and who have been informed by a letter from the Department 
  • Convention Refugees and Protected Persons outside Canada who have been selected for resettlement in Canada by the Department 
Class levels or streams and Schedules and formats
CLB Stream

 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 2:30 pm 

CLB 1 

 

Full-Time Blended Afternoon – Women only Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

12:15 pm to 5:15 pm 

CLB 2/3 

CLB 4 

 

Full-Time Blended Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 2:30 pm 

CLB 2 

CLB 3 

CLB 4 

 

Full-Time Online Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 2:30 pm 

CLB 1/2 POM 

CLB 2/3 

CLB 4 

 

Part-Time Morning In-person Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 12:00 pm 

CLB 3 

CLB 4 

 

Part-Time Morning Online Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 12:00 pm 

CLB 3 

CLB 4 

 

Part-Time Saturday Hybrid Classes 

Saturdays in-person 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Tuesday and Thursday online 

 

CLB 1/ CLB 2 

 

CLB 3 / CLB 4 

 

Part-Time Evening Hybrid Classes 

Wednesday in-person 6:00 pm to 9:00pm Monday and Thursday online 

CLB 1/2 POM 

CLB 2 POM 

CLB 3 

 

Part-Time Evening Online Classes 

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm 

CLB 4 

Literacy Stream

Full-Time In-Person Morning Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 2:30 pm 

Foundation L 

CLB 1L 

CLB 2L 

CLB 3L 

CLB 3L / CLB 4L 

 

Full-Time In-Person Afternoon – Women only Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

12:15 pm to 5:15 pm 

Foundation L 

CLB 1L 

Part-Time Morning In-person Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Foundation L 

 

Part-Time Morning Online Classes 

Tuesday to Friday 

9:00 am to 12:00 pm 

CLB 2L 

 

PRE-LINC Classes 

Tuesday to Friday in-person 

9:00 am to 12:00 pm 

Foundation L / CLB 1L / CLB 2L 

 

 

Contact Information:

LINC Office  

820 Saddleback Road, NW, Edmonton  

(780) 429-3112 

Ext 221 / 222 / 223 

lincsw@assistcsc.org 

 

Office Hours 

Monday:                                     9:00 am to 3:30 pm 

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:     8:30 am to 5:30 pm 

Wednesday:                                          8:30 am to 8:30 pm 

Saturday:                                        9:00 am to 2:30 pm 



Registration Process:
Step 1 – Get a Language Assessment:

Make an appointment at the Catholic Social Services. 

  • 8212 118 Avenue Edmonton, AB, T5B 0S3
  • (780) 424-3545 

Go to your appointment for your placement assessment. 

Get your Assessment Report at your appointment. 

Step 2 – Register at ASSIST:

Go to the LINC Office at: 

820 Saddleback Road or send e-mail: lincsw@assistcsc.org

Register during office hours or during any class time. 

Bring or send by e-mail: 

  • picture ID 
  • your assessment report 
  • your PR card and landing paper 
  • your most recent LINC certificate and progress report if you have been a LINC student before 
Program Flyer
Register Now

Program goals and outcomes

LINC is an English language training program funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residents aged 18+. Designed primarily for recent newcomers, it is offered at no cost to eligible students. The program focuses on teaching essential English language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) needed for settlement and integration in Canada. The program typically addresses themes such as health, employment, education, transportation, housing, and shopping.

We are federally funded to deliver Stage 1 classes :
  • CLB 1 to CLB 4
  • Foundations Literacy to CLB 4L.

Our Learners

Our learners are motivated adults who need to improve their language skills for employment, further education, or for survival in Canada. Our program addresses student needs by providing lessons focussed on skill-development, within themes that are immediately relevant and useful. The LINC program uses together best practices from the professions of settlement, adult education, teaching, and program development. The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) provides LINC programming with a framework for language instruction and assessment, with guidance on implementing practice models in adult education. Our teaching methodology follows PBLA (Portfolio Base Language Assessments) Practice Review Framework, ESL for ALL framework for Literacy Stream, and TBLT (Task Base Language Teaching) practices incorporated into classroom teaching in the LINC classes, customized curriculum based on learners’ needs assessments.

Assessment and Learner Progress

Learner progress is monitored through the Portfolio-Based Language Assessment (PBLA) process, an ongoing assessment approach that supports language development while measuring achievement throughout the program.

LINC Certificates and Learner Progress Reports are issued based on assessment evidence collected through PBLA. To successfully complete each Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, learners must submit a minimum of 32 pieces of assessment evidence; at least eight pieces for each of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). The assessment evidence must demonstrate achievement across the four competencies associated with each language skill.

Listening Competencies
  • Interacting with Others: Understanding greetings, social exchanges, and everyday conversations.
  • Comprehending Instructions: Following spoken directions, procedures, and step-by-step instructions.
  • Getting Things Done: Understanding requests, service interactions, and practical everyday communication.
  • Comprehending Information: Listening for details, descriptions, explanations, and reports.
Speaking Competencies
  • Interacting with Others: Participating in conversations, social interactions, and small talk.
  • Giving Instructions: Explaining procedures, directions, or steps clearly.
  • Getting Things Done: Making requests, asking for assistance, and expressing needs.
  • Sharing Information: Retelling events, describing people or places, and providing information or explanations.
Reading Competencies
  • Interacting with Others: Reading social messages, notes, invitations, and personal correspondence.
  • Comprehending Instructions: Following written directions, recipes, manuals, or procedures.
  • Getting Things Done: Reading schedules, bills, forms, notices, and workplace documents.
  • Comprehending Information: Reading stories, articles, reports, and informational texts.
Writing Competencies
  • Interacting with Others: Writing personal messages, notes, text messages, or emails.
  • Reproducing Information: Copying information, taking notes, and completing forms accurately.
  • Getting Things Done: Writing requests, applications, complaints, or other practical documents.
  • Sharing Information: Writing descriptions, narratives, reports, and informational texts.

All assessment evidence is securely collected and maintained electronically in each learner’s e-Portfolio (e-binder) within their Avenue class. Learners are encouraged to regularly review their e-Portfolio with their instructor to monitor their progress, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate their achievements throughout their language learning journey.

Learner Support Services

To help learners succeed in their language learning journey, ASSIST provides the following on-site support services for students enrolled in the LINC program:
  • On-site Childcare: Available for eligible newcomer children whose parents are attending eligible daytime or afternoon LINC classes with an in-person component, allowing parents to fully participate in their studies.
  • Digital Support: Assistance is available throughout the school day to help learners access and use digital tools, AVENUE, online learning platforms, email, and other technology required for their classes.
  • Intake and Learner Support: On-site assistance is available during school hours to help learners with registration, program information, referrals, and general questions related to their LINC studies and settlement needs.

What Our Clients Say About Us

I am grateful to the Assist school for helping me with my English studies; while I was studying, my children, Sophia and Samuel, were excellently cared for by their teachers at the daycare. Today, I feel more confident speaking or asking questions in my community during my daily life. It is a school that helps with any questions or needs a new immigrant might have.
(LINC Student)

Hello, my name is Espo. I’m from Afghanistan. I have four kids. I really like ASSIST school. The teacher is really amazing. All of people in here is very kind….. Thank you so much.

(LINC Student)

Arriving in a new city and starting from scratch can be a challenge, but Assist LINC became my biggest support network right from day one. The entire team consists of extraordinary human beings who accompany you with patience, empathy, and professionalism….Today, I feel more secure, well-integrated, and happy to see how my ability to connect with others has grown.

(LINC Student - Yorley Ortiz) 

Contact Us

To learn more or schedule an appointment with an Intake staff.

Please Call or email

780 429 3112
lincsw@assistcsc.org