HDSB’s Gary Allan Learning Centre offers adult language training classes in English and French (also known as LINC/ESL & FSL) for newcomers/immigrants and first-generation Canadian citizens. Please click on the eligibility tab to see if you qualify.
Courses are offered at various Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) levels, for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners.
Courses are available as in-person or online options. We offer in-person classes out of Oakville, Burlington & Milton.
Our instructors are OCT- or OCELT-certified, highly-skilled & passionate individuals.
We offer various convenient schedules in the morning, afternoon, evening and Saturdays.
Pre-Registration Information
To register for LINC/ESL or FSL classes, you must have the following:
To register for English or French classes, you must have an up-to-date language assessment*
(*If you do not have a current language assessment, please call the Language Assessment Centre at 905-949-0049 xt. 1369 or email lac@achev.ca to book an appointment.
Attendance Requirement
Once enrolled in the program, learners are expected to attend classes regularly, with an 80% attendance rate. Irregular attendance may result in removal from the program to make room for others waiting for a spot.
To qualify for the program, you must be:
- An adult (18 years or older)
- Refugee Claimant
- Conventional Refugee
- Permanent Resident
- Landed Immigrant
- A naturalized Canadian citizen (born outside Canada, where English or French is not their first language)
- Provincial nominee
- Live-In Caregiver
The LINC/ESL program at Gary Allan will provide learners with the opportunity to improve their English language proficiency according to their individual learning goals and priorities, in a group setting. The curriculum is based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) standards. Learners progress through a continuum of benchmarks, at their own pace, with periodic evaluations and feedback to ensure that learning outcomes are met.
A learner profile that includes employment goals will be established in the initial weeks of the program. If bridge-training is an option, then the learner will be provided additional resources to prepare for it. Finally, a referral to a suitable program is made.
Several classes are available to suit your needs. Check out the SCHEDULE.
Come experience the joy of learning with us!
The French as a second language (FSL) courses offer learners opportunities to communicate in French in a variety of travel, leisure and job-related contexts.
Using the NCLC curriculum standards, learners will expand their vocabulary and grammar in a variety of themes related to their daily lives with the help of dedicated & professional FSL instructors. They will use their life experiences, knowledge & skills as the basis for developing their French language communicative abilities for real-life purposes.
Classes will be for 2.5 hours twice a week. Check out the SCHEDULE.
Come experience the joy of learning with us!
Specialized Language Training (or SLT, for short) helps learners in the program develop language skills for a specific sector of their choice. Below is a list of SLT classes that will offered this school year:
- Introduction to Hairstyling & Aesthetics
- Introduction to Retail Sales Occupations
- Introduction to Food Services Occupations
- Introduction to Office Admin Profession
- Introduction to Pharmacy Assistant
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- Introduction to Personal Support Occupations
These courses will run on a 8- to 10-week cycle and are offered at convenient times (afternoon, evening or weekend schedules).
For more information, please call the office. Or, Register right away!
A Certificate of Completion will be provided for those learners who have attended all the teacher-led sessions and have completed the online course work.
The ESL & FSL program is available to those learners who are neither eligible for the IRCC nor the MCCSS program.
Learners will have:
- Access to a friendly instructor and be part of a small group of fellow-learners.
- An adaptive learning path, suitable for individual learning needs and goals.
- Regular live lessons online, filled with creative group and individual activities & projects.
- One-on-one sessions with the instructor to ensure learning success.
- Initial program & technology orientation, and ongoing technology assistance, as needed.
- Regular homework assignments and tests to measure progress & participation.
- CLB Progress Reports to help learners move along their learning goals.
- Occupation-oriented course content along with language training, when applicable.
Fee-Payer Program
The ESL & FSL program is available to those learners who are neither eligible for the IRCC nor the MCCSS program.
Click to PayLocations
The LINC/ESL/FSL program will be offered at the following sites*:
- Gary Allan (Burlington) – 3250 New Street, L7N 1M8 (Gary Allan High School between Walker’s Line & Guelph Line)
- Gary Allan (Oakville) – 240 Wyecroft Road, L6K 3Y6 (near Tim Horton’s & Burger King, Entrance on west side of building. )
- Gary Allan (Milton) – 215 Ontario Street South, L9T 2M9 (at E.C. Drury School)
Free Childcare
As of September 2022, all our sites offer free childcare services for eligible learners. Please contact linc-esl@hdsb.ca for more information at the time of registration.
Transportation Subsidy
Some LINC learners may be eligible for transportation subsidy. Please email linc-esl@hdsb.ca for information at the time of registration.
Certain restrictions apply.
Settlement Services
Through the HDSB Welcome Centre, all learners are eligible to a wide variety of settlement services.
- email: welcomecentre@hdsb.ca
- call: 905-335-3665 ext: 3440
If you or a member of your family are in distress and need to talk, please contact one of the following agencies:
KidsHelp Phone (provides information, strategies and access to phone/text/live chat support)
- Call: 1-800-668-6868 • Text: 686868 • Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
ROCK (under 18) – 24 Hour Crisis Line at 905-878-9785
COAST (over 16) – 24 Hour Crisis Line at 1-877-825-9011
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please call 911
Email us
Phone: Burlington 905-632-2944 x 133
Oakville 905-337-9476 x 221
Milton 905-878-2244 x 282