learnspeaklive.ca

Improving English Skills to Enter
the Job Market

What is Enhanced Language Training (ELT)?

The Enhanced Language Training (ELT) program is designed to help newcomers to Canada improve their English skills in order to enter the job market. Generally, this advanced-level program is for professionals and trades people who want to get a job in their chosen profession, but need stronger English skills to work in that profession.

The ELT program also offers specialized training including work placements, mentoring, internships, preparation for licensing and certification exams, and cultural orientation in the workplace.

This program is for newcomers who already have good English language skills with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 or higher.

Funded by the Government of Canada, ELT programs are offered through community agencies, colleges and schools throughout Peel Region, the City of Toronto and York Region and surrounding areas, at no cost to participants. Many ELT programs offer free childcare and transportation to and from class.

Who is Eligible for Enhanced Language Training?

In Ontario, you are able to enrol in the ELT program if you are:

18 years of age or older
A permanent resident, a person who has applied for
Permanent Resident status and has received a letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada stating you have initial approval, a Landed Immigrant, or a Convention Refugee
Have English language skills that are currently at CLB Level 7 or higher

You are not eligible for the ELT program if you are a:

Canadian citizen
Refugee claimant
Temporary resident (including foreign student, foreign worker, or visitor)

If you are not eligible for the ELT program, and interested in building English skills that will help you at work, bridging programs offer language training for the workplace. You can learn more about bridge training programs funded by the Government of Ontario by visiting the Work in Your Profession section of www.ontarioimmigration.ca. You can also visit www.settlement.org for more information.

How to Enroll

Newcomers who meet the above criteria can enrol directly with the organization providing the ELT program that you are interested in. To find where ELT programs are currently being offered in your community, click here.

Before enrolment, you must also take a free English language test at an Assessment Centre located in your community to find out your current level of English language skills or CLB Level. Find out more about Assessment Centres in your community.