Learn English

The Newcomer Learning Centre Desk is open daily starting at 9am, excluding Sundays and statutory holidays. 

The Newcomer Learning Centre is on the 4th Floor of Central Library. 
It has books, CDs and DVDs for Learners and Tutors. 
Anyone with a HPL card can borrow Newcomer Learning Centre materials. 

To speak with Staff, call 905-546-3444 or email nlc@hpl.ca.

Newcomer Learning Centre Programs

Proof of Permanent Residency or a Protected Person status is requested in advance of participating in any Newcomer Learning Centre program. Registration is also required for all program.

English Tutoring:

Practise English with a tutor in-person, online or both. Meet twice a week for one to two hours. To join, complete the English Tutoring Request Form.

To volunteer with Newcomers to Canada, please complete our Volunteer English Tutor Application.

English for Seniors Online or In-Person:

Learn English with other seniors age 55 and older, in a small class.

Online classes are Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30am.

In-person classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:00am.

Newcomer Book Club:  

Chat about a book, learn new vocabulary and meet friends.

Human Library for Newcomers:  

Learn about the life journeys of others in Canada and about Canadian culture through short conversations with a settled immigrant or long-time Canadian.

In-Person Conversation Circles:

Practise English in-person, in a group setting. Topics are tailored to the needs of students. Conversation Circles meet Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm.

Information Sessions:  

Information sessions are hosted throughout the year. Themes include employment, credential evaluation, volunteering, employee/tenant rights and more. Ten sessions offered per year. 

Visit Newcomers Events for more information.

Language Assessment and Settlement Services

English language assessment and settlement services are available at:

• Immigrant Services | Services for Newcomers to Canada | YMCA HBB - YMCA

French language assessment is available at:

• Language Assessment Services - Peel Halton Dufferin - Achēv (achev.ca)
• Collège Boréal (collegeboreal.ca)

French Integration and Settlement Services are available at:

• Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara: https://www.cschn.ca/services-aux-nouveaux-arrivants/
• Additional newcomer supports in Hamilton can be found through the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) at: https://newcomersinhamilton.ca/

Videos

Watch a series of videos prepared by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, to help Newcomers settle.