The Renfrew County District School Board provides ESL support for both day school students and adults.
Parents and/or guardians may request ESL support for students who come from countries whose language is neither English or French as well as students born in Canada, but live in homes where the spoken language is neither English or French. Once a principal determines that a student qualifies for ESL support he/she must complete and return the "Request for ESL Support" form to the principal of Continuing and Community Education. Principals must ensure that all forms are signed and that all required documentation are attached to the form. The principal of Continuing and Community Education will review the form to ensure that it is complete.
Non credit Adult ESL classes are provided in communities where it is deemed feasible to do so. School Boards receive funding from the Ministry of Citizenship and International Trade based on the number of students attending on a daily basis. Usually, a minimum number of eight students are required to run a program. Programs normally run Monday to Friday from September through June. Adults who are new to Canada or who are living in Canada, but require ESL support, are eligible provided they are landed immigrants or have citizenship status.
Once contact has been made, the individual will be referred for assessment. Once approved, the assessor will make arrangements for the assessment to take place. The results of the assessment will be provided to the ESL Instructor and the individual will be placed in a class. These assessments are recognized by all organizations who provide ESL Non-Credit classes in Ontario.
Presently, RCDSB offers Adult Non Credit ESL classes at the Mary Street Education Centre located at 480 Mary Street, Pembroke, and at MacKenzie Community School in Deep River. Class times are 9:00 am to 11:30 am. There is also a program located at Rural Outreach Employment Services in Eganville (classes run from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm).
Interested individuals should contact the principal of Continuing and Community Education at 613-735-0151 ext. 3323.