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• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• ESL for Adults

Can I take the LINC program in French?

In Ontario, the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program is generally offered in English. However, there are a few institutions that offer the French equivalent.

The French program is called "Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC)." Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finances both the LINC and CLIC programs. You do not have to pay for them.

The following institutions offer CLIC:

• La Cité des affaires (Ottawa – affiliated with La Cité collégiale)
• Collège Boréal (offers CLIC programs in Southern Ontario)
• L'École des adultes Le Carrefour (affiliated with the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario)

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the CLIC program in Ontario, you must:

• Be a permanent resident of Canada, or Convention Refugee;

OR

Be a person in Canada whose application for Permanent Resident status is being processed in Canada and who has been informed by a letter from IRCC of the initial approval of your application subject to an admissibility assessment (this means you have "approval-in-principle");

AND

Be at least 18 years old; Not be taking a LINC (English) course; Not have taken more than a certain number of hours of LINC instruction; and Take a language assessment test at a Language Assessment Centre, to determine which level is right for you.

Your French level is assessed according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks for French as a Second Language (FSL), called "Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)."

To do a self-assessment, you can use this online self-assessment tool. The results you get are for your information only – they are not official results.

You are not eligible for CLIC if you are a:

• Canadian citizen
• Refugee claimant
• Temporary resident (such as foreign student, foreign worker or visitor)

Many community agencies can help you find CLIC classes. To find help, go to Services Near Me and search for "settlement services" in your area.

CLIC Online (CLIC en ligne)

You can also take CLIC courses online. The online version of the CLIC program is called "CLIC en ligne"

This free program, which is a virtual version of the regular CLIC courses, is run by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks and is also financed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the CLIC en ligne program, you must:

• Be a permanent resident of Canada, or Convention Refugee;
• Be at least 18 years old or you have finished your schooling in your country of origin;
• Have proof of your immigration status;
• Have proof of residency in Ontario (e.g. bill, bank statement or government document showing your address in Ontario);

However, even if you meet the criteria above, you become ineligible for the CLIC en ligne program if you:

• Are already taking an in-class CLIC course.
• Are registered (or have been registered) in a LINC course.
• Do not have some knowledge of French, at least NCLC level 3.
• Speak English fluently.

You can contact CLIC en ligne to find out more.

Other French Classes

The Occupation-specific Language Training program (OSLT) has a French equivalent called "la formation linguistique axée sur les professions (FLAP)." The Enhanced Learning Training program (ELT) also has a French equivalent; it's called "cours de langue de niveau avancé (CLNA)."

Other French classes are also available, but they may not be free.

For More Information

• Learn English or French - General information on language training options available in Ontario. From the Ontario Immigration website.
• Online French Self-Assessment Tool - This is an online test that will help you assess your French level in reading and listening according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks for French. Your test results are for your information only – they are not official results.
• Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks - The centre that establishes the national standards in English and French used to measure the second language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada.
• Where can I learn French? - This article lists some places where you may find information about French language classes in your area. It also includes a search tool for some communities.
• Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) - The Ontario branch of a national organization run by volunteers and dedicated to promoting and creating French-language learning opportunities for children and youth in Canada.