Program helps new immigrants with linguistic skills

Canada, 16th September: New immigrants coming to Canada are being helped for bridging language skills.

Canada has a host of programs that help newcomers build their language skills for successful integration in Canada’s society and way of life.

Free English lessons for newcomers to Canada—One such program is the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society for those residing in Keremeos and surrounding communities. A weekly language program, it is a part of the contract with British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. It helps new immigrants accomplish not just short-term but long term targets after coming to Canada.

The society has a large number of volunteers who are well trained to assist new immigrants develop their language skills for pursuing day-to-day activities in their new homes including going to a hair saloon, opening bank accounts or even getting an appointment with a doctor.

Apart from daily events, language skills thus attained also go a long way in getting knowledge about life in Canada and in becoming responsible citizens of Canada.

Simple ways to teach language skills to newcomers in Canada—The language program focuses on equipping newcomers to Canada with language skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Learner new immigrants are given exercises in pronunciation and grammar. Tutors use simple and effective means to help teach newcomers with language skills.

They help newcomers practice simple things including ordering dinner in a restaurant among other things. Aim of such learning lessons is to build confidence in new immigrants and help them overcome barriers to successful integration in their new home.

Participating in such language classes can help newcomers perform day-to-day tasks including attending a parent teacher meeting, reading child’s report card or getting an appointment with a physician with ease and confidence.

Canada’s other immigrant programs for bridging language barriers—Canada has several other programs working successfully in different provinces. One such is Niagara’s EQAO(Education Quality and Accountability Office) for new immigrants to Canada and children whose native language is other than English.

Giving details about the program, the superintendent of school support services of the board, Carol Germyn said different ways are used to enable new immigrants learn English language skills.

The welcome center of the board helps assess the linguistic skills of new immigrants in Canada and provides support for them. Immigrant initiatives for Canada newcomers Canada has several initiatives to help settlement of newcomers into Canada's society and way of life.