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

What is the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program?

LINC is a free language training program for eligible adult learners funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

In Ontario, the LINC program is generally offered in English. A few organizations also offer the French program Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada (CLIC). Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funds LINC and CLIC, so they are free if you meet the eligibility requirements. They provide basic language skills. If you need specific language skills, consider a program that better fits your educational or career goals.

LINC offers both full- and part-time classes, and some centres have free child-minding while you attend classes. Remember, every adult in your family can take LINC classes if they are eligible.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the LINC, you must:

• Be a Permanent Resident, a Protected Person, a Convention Refugee, or a Ukrainian national in Canada under CUAET-AVUCU
• Be at least 18 years old
• Not be registered in a CLIC program

• Take a test at a Language Assessment Centre

You are not eligible for LINC if you are a:

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

However, you may be eligible for other types of English classes.

Many settlement agencies can help you find LINC classes, or you can contact 211 Ontario to find free English classes near you.

For More Information

• Improve your English and French - General information on language training options available in Ontario. From the Ontario Government.
• Online English Self-Assessment Tool - This is an online test that will help you assess your English level in reading and listening according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks for English. 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 living and working in Canada.