Learn English

English for Everyday Living

English Classes for the Community (CLB 1-4)

ISANS offers English classes to help immigrants learn the language they need to function in the community.

We help you develop your general English skills for day-to-day living, like making a doctor’s appointment, asking for help in a supermarket or getting a library card. We offer morning, afternoon and evening classes for CLB 1-4. Full time classes are available at some levels.

After you improve your basic English skills, intermediate level classes will help you increase your vocabulary and develop more complex language structures for broader communication in the community. Some examples are: volunteering at an organization, writing an email or filling out an application for further education.

Literacy Classes

These classes are for immigrants with little or no formal education. There are 5 levels in this program. You will have more time and support in these classes to learn how to read and write in English, and to develop listening, speaking and numeracy skills.

Some of the literacy skills you will learn in this program are:

  • learning strategies
  • reading from left to right
  • writing lower and upper case letters
  • reading survival signs
  • writing basic personal information
  • sounding out words
  • spelling

Special Needs Support Classes

These classes accommodate immigrants with special needs by modifying the classroom setting and teaching approaches. If you have a hearing impairment, you will have the use of transmitters and receivers in the classroom. If you have a visual impairment, you will have the use of a low-vision reader or a magnifying page.

For immigrants who are legally deaf, there is a class that teaches language and literacy skills as well as American Sign Language (ASL). You will connect with the deaf community in Nova Scotia.

For immigrants who have intellectual challenges, there is a class that teaches language and literacy skills at a slower pace and uses technology to promote learning.

Language Class for Young Adults

ISANS offers classes for refugee young adults aged 18-30 who want to prepare for the Adult Learning Program to get their high school equivalency. There are two levels in this program: CLB Literacy/1 and CLB 2/3. The CLB 2/3 course runs full-time, year round.

In this program, you will

  • prepare for the Adult Learning Program to get your high school equivalency
  • study with people your own age
  • focus on fun and interesting topics for youth
  • improve your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills
  • practice strategies for learning language
  • practice digital and math literacy skills
  • explore Halifax through class outings

LINC Home Study

This program provides a flexible learning option for immigrants who are unable to attend community English classes in person. Learners have the opportunity to study online as well as speak to an instructor, either by phone or online, once a week. Priority in this program is given to immigrants in rural Nova Scotia where there is limited face-to-face language training.

Outreach Classes

ISANS offers one-on-one instruction off-site for clients who cannot attend language training classes. You meet with an EAL instructor twice a week for 90 minutes. You will learn how to read and write in English, and to develop listening and speaking skills. This program is for CLB literacy to CLB 4. This program is offered in Halifax and Sydney