Free English classes for newcomers (LINC)
Updated 2026-10-27English original
Official source: IRCC · Improve your English and French ↗
Published 2026-10-27Last checked 2026-10-30Language English
If this page and the official page differ, the official page is right.
What it is
LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) offers free English classes. The French version is called CLIC. Classes run in person and online, in the daytime, evening and on weekends.
Who can join
Permanent residents and protected persons can usually take classes for free. Other groups may qualify in some programs. Ask a settlement agency.
How to join
- Book a free language assessment at a settlement agency.
- You get your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level.
- The agency helps you choose a class at your level.
Find a place near you: open the Learn English board on this site and use “Find free English classes near you”. Choose your province, then your city. The list comes from IRCC and is updated every time the site is rebuilt.
Other free help
Many classes offer child-minding and some help with transportation. Ask when you register.
General information, not legal advice. Every guide links to the official source and shows when we last checked it. For your own case, use IRCC’s tools or a licensed consultant.