Language: free English and French classes
Steps, in order
- Ask a settlement agency about free language classes. The federal Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program offers free English classes to eligible permanent residents and protected persons, and the French equivalent (CLIC) offers free French classes.
- Expect an assessment first: classes are grouped by level, so a placement test puts you in the right class rather than a beginner class you may not need.
- If you cannot attend in person, ask about online or home-study options; many providers offer evening and weekend classes for working newcomers.
- Language skills also feed your immigration future: the same test formats used for Express Entry and provincial programs (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF) are the ones employers and regulators recognize, so keep your test results even after you arrive.
Rules differ by province: Quebec offers free French courses for newcomers; outside Quebec, free English classes are the norm, with French classes available in many regions. Start at your province's official site (below), then follow its links to health, driving, tenancy or schools — never assume one national rule.
Province official sites — start here
- British Columbia — official site
- Alberta — official site
- Saskatchewan — official site
- Manitoba — official site
- Ontario — official site
- Quebec — official site
- New Brunswick — official site
- Nova Scotia — official site
- Prince Edward Island — official site
- Newfoundland and Labrador — official site
- Yukon — official site
- Northwest Territories — official site
- Nunavut — official site
Official & finder links
Check before you act: The official IRCC settlement-services page URL for LINC/CLIC was not re-verified in this draft; the parent must attach the confirmed official LINC/CLIC page URL at build time.
General information only — not legal or financial advice. Rules, benefit amounts and local services change. Use the official or finder links above to confirm details before acting. No local addresses or phone numbers are listed here on purpose — use the national finders above for your area.