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English Language Learners

At the Durham Catholic District School Board, our English language learners are given educational supports that allow students to achieve their potential. We offer two programs English as a Second language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD).

What to do if my child is an English language learner?

English language learners must register at a school he/she wishes to attend. After registration, an ESL teacher or consultant will assess a child's English and Math skills in order to place him/her in the right grade/class/course.

Who is an English language learner?

An English language learner is a student whose first language is other than English or is a variety of English that is significantly different from what is used for instruction in Ontario schools.

Where do English language learners come from?

Our students have diverse backgrounds and experiences. They may be born Canadian, but speak another language at home. Others arrive from other countries, such as China, Cuba, Mexico, Egypt, Nigeria and the Philippines. English language learners receive direct language instruction as needed in order to achieve proficiency in English.

New to Canada

If you are new to Canada, our schools offer settlement assistance. These settlement workers provide service in thirty languages to help address your needs. Please contact your child's school in order to obtain a consent form to authorize a settlement worker to contact you.

Supports for elementary ESL/ELD students

English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist teachers provide language support to a group of elementary schools in our Board. The ESL teacher works in the classroom and with the classroom teacher to support a student's English language development. Depending on a student's needs, the ESL teacher will be available weekly, bi-weekly or as needed.

For English Language Learners in the French Immersion program, the instructional model of 90% of daily instruction in French remains the same. While in Grades 1 to 3, all students will receive 10% of their daily instruction in English. This allows for approximately 30 minutes per day for students to have exposure to English language instruction. This occurs during the Religion and Family Life block. Should an English Language Learner require the support of an ESL teacher, it will be during this time. In Grades 4 to 8, instructional time in English increases to 50%.

Supports for secondary ESL/ELD students

Our secondary schools offer ESL courses for our English Language learners. Five courses are offered depending on language proficiency:

ESL AO
ESL BO
ESL CO
ESL DO
ESL EO

Speak with a member of the school's guidance department to learn more about course selection and graduation requirements.

Summer 2021 Programs for Newcomers to Canada

New to Canada? Join us for Welcome and Information for Newcomers (WIN), an orientation program for students and families. During this program, students and families will receive information about school in Ontario and will have the opportunity to ask questions. The program will take place virtually on August 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. To register for this free program please click here. For further information, please contact the SWIS Durham Office at swisdurham@cdcd.org or (905)686-2661 ext. 122.
New to Canada? Join us for the Newcomer Orientation Week (NOW), an orientation program for high school students. During this two-day program, students will receive help to prepare for school. This program will take place virtually on August 25 and 26, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. To register for this free program please click here. For further information, please contact the SWIS Durham Office at swisdurham@cdcd.org or (905)686-2661 ext. 122.

Helpful Resources

To learn more about the Ontario education system visit the following websites:

Contact Us

To learn more about our ESL/ELD programs email the English as a Second Language Consultant.