ESL Literacy for Immigrant Youth

Immigrant youth make up a significant percentage of Canadian society.

Each year, about 250,000 immigrants arrive in Canada. About one-third consist of youth under the age of 24 (Citizenship & Immigration Canada, 2009). Many of these learners have significant gaps in their education and face multiple barriers in accessing post secondary options.

LIFE (Learners with Interrupted Formal Education) that come to Canada as older teens are age appropriate for high school but need ESL classes in order to acquire language proficiency skills. When LIFE are no longer eligible to study in high school, they are often unable to successfully transition from high school to the adult learning context. There is a need for responsive post-secondary programming that supports language acquisiton and academic literacy skills in order for learners to access upgrading and career programs.LIFE that come to Canada between the ages of 20 - 25 are often placed in ESL or ESL literacy programs with older adults and with content that isn't age-appropriate.

There is a need for responsive programming that focuses on helping these learners access further educational opportunities.

Immigrant youth face many challenges and barriers along their educational pathway, but they all have aspirations and dreams. They need the opportunity to realize their ambitions, reach their potential and make a contribution to their future.

Explore this section on immigrant youth to learn about an innovative and holistic program at Bow Valley College that addresses the needs of this unique and resilient group of learners.