What is ESL?
English as a Second Language, or ESL, is a program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, available from the Durham Catholic District School Board and the Durham District School Board. The programs are for permanent residents, Canadian citizens, and convention refugees over the age of 17 years. Non-LINC eligible students are assessed using the Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLB-PT) at the school which they wish to attend.
English as a Second Language (ESL) facilitates the integration of newcomers into Canadian culture and society by providing basic, intermediate, and advanced language training. Students develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing and have the opportunity to practice their new skills during class outings and social activities.
What is the cost of an ESL class?
There is a minimal registration fee for both school board programs. Registration for any of the Durham District School Board ESL programs in E.A. Lovell (Oshawa) or Pickering takes place daily. Please arrive 15 min. before class to register with $35 and the original and a copy of your permanent resident card, citizenship card or refugee papers to register.
Registration for the Durham Catholic District School Board ESL programs in Ajax, Whitby, or Oshawa takes place daily at the site of choice. The ESL registration fee is $20 for the year. Please bring the original and a copy of your permanent resident card, citizenship card or refugee papers to register.
Visitors to Canada
A visitor must pay the registration and hourly fees. He or she may attend classes for a maximum of 24 weeks without student authorization. Those wishing to attend classes for longer than 24 weeks must obtain a student authorization in their home country before arriving in Canada.
Locations
There are five locations for ESL classes across the Durham Region.
Ajax (Ajax Campus 458 Fairall Street, Unit 4)
| Classes | Schedule | Time |
| ESL Beginner/Intermediate | Monday to Friday | 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
|
ESL Basic/Intermediate |
Monday and Wednesday | 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Conversation Class - postponed until further notice |
Tuesday | 6:30 pm- 9:00 pm |
Oshawa (EA Lovell 120 Centre St.S.)
| Classes | Schedule | Time |
|
ESL High Intermediate, |
Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 11:00 am |
| ESL Basic 1, ESL Basic 2 | Monday to Friday | 11:30 am - 2:00 pm |
| ESL Intermediate | Tuesday and Thursday | 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm |
Oshawa (DCDSB Oshawa Campus 692 King St. E.)
| Classes | Schedule | Time |
| ESL | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 11:00 am |
| ESL | Monday to Friday | 11:30 am - 2:00 pm |
Pickering (DCE 1400 Bayly St., Unit 1)
| Classes | Schedule | Time |
| ESL Basic, ESL Intermediate, ESL Advanced |
Monday to Friday | 9:00 am - 11:30 am |
| ESL Intermediate | Monday to Friday | 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
| ESL Intermediate/Advanced | Monday and Wednesday | 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm |
Whitby (Centennial Building 416 Centre St. S.) - New Conversation Class!
| Classes | Schedule | Time |
| ESL Basic | Monday to Friday | 9:00 am - 11:30 am |
| ESL Advanced | Monday to Friday | 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
| ESL Conversation | Tuesday | 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
Whitby (Whitby Library 405 Dundas St. W.) - NEW!
| Classes | Schedule | Time |
| Computers for ESL Learners | Monday | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm |
