Canadian Colleges & Institutes - Responding to the Needs of Immigrants

English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) programs at colleges and institutes offer full-time and part-time instruction to students whose first language is not English or French. ESL and FSL programs vary from the beginner to the intermediate levels and generally pick up from the LINC or equivalent programs. In most cases, the length of time students spend in English or French language training is not pre-determined and students continue until their goals are reached. ESL and FSL classes emphasize language skills which will help students function in Canadian society and achieve their personal educational and work related goals.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and French for Academic Purposes (FAP) programs and courses are most appropriate for intermediate and advanced ESL and FSL students. These programs and courses are designed to help ESL and FSL students increase their English or French language skills so they can meet their academic goals for entry into career/technical, university transfer or degree programs at Canadian post-secondary institutions, namely, colleges, institutes, or universities. These programs develop English and French speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to the level needed to succeed in post-secondary education in Canada.

The diagnostic survey attempted to get a sense of the enrollment in ESL, FSL and LINC equivalent type programs. The results of the responses to this question do not enable us to provide cumulative figures on the number of learners in these programs because there are inconsistencies in how these were reported. However we can provide some examples, as follows.

Examples of Enrolments in ESL, FSL and LINC Equivalent Programs

Algonquin College: 180 learners in LINC plus 170 immigrant learners in ESL, for a total of 350 immigrants per trimester
Cégep André Laurendeau: 500 immigrant learners funded by the MRCI per year.
Bow Valley College : 900 to 1,000 ESL immigrant learners (600 full-time and 300 to 400 part-time), including LINC
Camosun College: 200 FTEs funded from college block funding, and 25 additional seats funded for a total of 250 learners, including ESLA
Centennial College: 700 LINC students funded per year, 250 to 300 immigrants enrolled in English for Academic Purposes per year
Douglas College: up to 185 immigrants (50 percent of the total enrollment) in the English for Academic Purposes program per year
George Brown College: up to 450 immigrants in regular ESL, sector specific business language programs, and preparatory courses for the TOEFL exam
Grant MacEwan Community College: 171 immigrants in full-time ESL programs, and 60 to 80 immigrants enrolled in an English for Business evening program
Holland College: through LINC the college has 42 seats funded
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning: up to 130 immigrants in English for Academic Purposes
Langara College: over 90 students in English for Academic Purposes
Norquest College: 400 immigrant learners per session in LINC
Nova Scotia Community College: 20 to 25 enrolled in ESL program last academic year
Red River College: 393 immigrant learners last academic year, 191 enrolled this academic year as of October 2003