Language Assessment and Referral Services
We provide immigrants in Canada with English and French online and in-person language assessments for government-funded programs at no cost.
or call us 416-925-5462
About our services
- The YMCA of Greater Toronto does not offer any language training, just the assessment that is needed to join language training programs.
- Our language assessments are based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs) (PDF) and the Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadiens (BTC-NCLC), the nationally recognized standard that measures speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- A certified language assessor will refer you to government-funded English and/or French programs offered by community partners.
What people are saying
Newcomer learns to embrace change and discovers new-found confidence through YMCA Immigrant Services
A newcomer’s journey: Adjusting to life in Canada through YMCA Immigrant Services
Government-Funded Programs
The YMCA Language Assessment and Referral Service provides immigrants in Canada with English or French language assessment for the following government-funded programs:
English Language Training (Literacy to Advanced)
French Language Training: Beginner to Advanced
Higher-Level Language Training (HLLT) programs
* YMCA Language Assessment reports are also required for many government-funded Ontario Bridge Training Programs offered by colleges and universities and community organizations
More information:
| Immigration Status | Required Documentation (original or certified copy must be presented) |
| Canadian Citizen born outside of Canada | Canadian Passport Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Citizenship card) |
| Permanent Resident | Record of Landing (IMM 1000) Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5509) Permanent Resident Card (you must also bring the initial immigration document with your card) |
| Convention Refugee/Protected Person | Record of Landing (IMM 1000) Protection Persons: Protected Persons Status Document (IMM5520) |
| Persons in Canada whose applications for Permanent Resident status are being processed in Canada and who have been informed by a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada of the initial approval of their application subject to an admissibility assessment: | Approved in Principle letter (pending verifications) Work or Study Permits that include a notation indicating initial approval of a concurrent Application for Permanent Residence. The Work or Study Permit must have words like “Initial Approval of PR” written on it. |
| Refugee Claimant | Refugee Protection Claimant Document |
| Temporary Worker or Student who has obtained initial approval for a concurrent Application for Permanent Residence. | Work or Study Permits that include a notation indicating initial approval of a concurrent Application for Permanent Residence. The Work or Study Permit must have words like “Initial Approval of PR” written on it. |
| Foreign domestic worker admitted under the Live-In Caregiver program. | Live-In Caregiver Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. |
Note:All documents must be accompanied by photo identification such as a passport, driver's license, etc.
If you are 18 years or older, or younger than 18 and have a high school diploma, you are eligible if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Canadian citizen born outside of Canada
- Permanent resident
- Convention refugee/protected person
- Refugee claimant
- Foreign domestic worker admitted under the Live-In Caregiver Program
- Person in Canada whose application for permanent resident status is being processed in Canada and has been informed by a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of the initial approval of their application
- Temporary worker or student who has obtained initial approval for a concurrent application for permanent residence
- Persons with Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel document (CUAET)
- All government-funded programs (LINC, CLIC, ESL, FSL) are offered at no cost.
- All language assessment appointments must be scheduled in advance.
- In-person assessments take between 2 ½–3 hours.
- In-person assessments are offered at the five Language Assessment and Referral Centres.
- You can study full-time or part-time.
- Childminding is not available at the assessment centre. However, some language schools deliver Care for Newcomer Children programming online.
- An assessment is temporarily extended to be valid for 24 months. If you have a previous valid language assessment, a re-assessment is not required. Your assessor can refer you to in-person and online government-funded English, French and higher-level language training programs.
A person must meet requirements to participate in English and French assessments. After the assessments, an assessor will refer a client to available English, French or Higher-Level Language Training (HLLT) programs. These programs were listed above under ‘Government-Funded Programs’.
North York YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services
YMCA Language Assessment and Referral Centre
4580 Dufferin Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto ON M3H 5Y2
Etobicoke YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services
YMCA Language Assessment and Referral Centre
1530 Albion Rd, Toronto, ON M9V 1B4
Lansing Square YMCA Immigrant Services
YMCA Language Assessment and Referral Centre
2 Lansing Square, 7th Floor, Suite 700, North York, ON M2J 4P8
The Barrett YMCA Centre for Newcomers to Canada
YMCA Language Assessment and Referral Centre
365 Bloor Street East, 1800A floor. Toronto, ON M4W 3L4
Scarborough Milner YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services
YMCA Language Assessment & Referral Centre
10 Milner Business Court, Suite 600 Toronto, ON M1B 3C6
Helping Youth Navigate an Unprecedented Labour Market
When he came to Canada from Sri Lanka, Moses wanted to fit in, feel accepted, and help support his family financially.
Joining the YMCA Newcomer Youth Leadership Development program opened a paid internship opportunity for Moses, where he gained real work experience. He then put his freshly honed skills to use in the YMCA Youth Job Connection Program, completing pre-employment workshops and a job placement.
“The Y has made me the person I am today and it’s a second home to me,” says Moses.
When you give to the Y, you help young newcomers like Moses ignite their true potential.
