21 languages available
Alone in Canada is a 65-page book designed to address mental health needs of newcomers who are alone in Canada and may be struggling with settlement. There are 21 chapters written at an intermediate level; the content is accessible and a comfortable length for the low-intermediate learner. The topics cover a variety of issues, including thinking about the past, present and future, coping with stress, learning the unwritten rules of Canadian manners, developing a routine and celebrating achievements. The chapters contain quotes from newcomers, tips and short exercises to help the reader individualize and apply the content.
Although intended for individuals who are on their own, the content may be helpful to all newcomers who are facing challenges adjusting to life in Canada. In addition, instructors and administrators may find it a useful resource for professional development. The chapters can easily be used or adapted for classroom use.
Articles with information about finding a job, living in Canada, banking, and studying.
Legal Aid Ontario provides legal assistance for low-income people living in Ontario. There are 73 community legal clinics across the province offering free advice and assistance for matters such as:
- Social assistance (Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program)
- Housing (rental issues, social housing matters)
- Human rights
- Workplace safety
- Employment, workers rights
- Consumer matters
- Education
- Elder law
The clinics are mandated to do community outreach and public legal education; lawyers will come into schools to provide information sessions.
This is the 68-page official government document to prepare applicants for the Canadian citizenship test. The topics include applying for citizenship, rights and responsibilities, government, federal elections and the justice system.
It should be noted that the guide is written at an intermediate level, which may be challenging for newcomers with lower reading proficiency. It is not a textbook; there are no learning activities other than the sample study questions at the end of the guide.
Free access:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/discover.pdf
This guide for newcomers to Canada, prepared by the city of Vancouver, attempts to introduce newcomers in simple language to the First Peoples in Canada and their relationship with Canadian government, while also presenting ways to learn more about First Nations people in Vancouver specifically. It is written with the assumption that newcomers have limited opportunities to meet Indigenous people, and thus have limited awareness of their diverse culture and history. It provides hyperlinks to many useful online resources which could supplement a classroom unit on First Nations peoples or assist a student with an independent study project.
Produced by Immigrate Manitoba, this set of videos and resources can be used in the classroom or independently to encourage effective learning strategies outside the classroom.
There is a workbook and an online course for newcomers hoping to find a job in food processing occupations. The course provides instruction in job skills, job-specific language, vocabulary and pronunciation, Canadian workplace culture, workplace documents, and health and safety. This is a joint-project of the Alberta government and Alberta Workforce Essential Skills (AWES); it is open to all newcomers to Canada.
This resource book contains curriculum for financial literacy with well-presented teaching guidelines.Resource for Literacy Learners on the topics: Economy, Employment, Personal Management from 2002.
Several resources are available to support LGBTQ newcomers. AMSSA in British Columbia has created an information sheet to support settlement service providers:
Free access:
Settlement.org has a comprehensive listing of supports, including practical guides/best practices, courses and online learning and service providers in Ontario.
Free access:
CLB 4+ Teaching resources, including lesson plans, and youtube videos from LISTN:
Free access:
https://listn.tutela.ca/wp-content/uploads/Resources-for-Higher-Levels-LGBT-Rights-and-Communities1.pdf
Breaking News English lesson plan, suitable for intermediate learners. Free access:
http://breakingnewsenglish.com.
These resources are posted on Settlement.org. Both classroom activities and lesson plans are available at each Stage 1 level.
A Career Survival Guide for New Immigrants. Book: 200 pages.
Contents include career assessment, marketing yourself, Canadian workplace culture, values, and expectations.
Published 2011, 2nd edition by WCS Publisher.
Available through bookstores. ISBN: 9780981310404
For more information see: https://www.mcgill.ca/caps/no-canadian-experience-eh-career-success-guide-new-immigrants-2nd-ed
This 66-page workbook is intended for internationally trained individuals who have arrived in Canada or are considering moving to the country. It is designed to help with research before or upon arrival. The chapters provide concise information, and lots of space for note taking with headings and guiding questions to assist the newcomer.
There are five sections, written at an intermediate level, that cover the following topics:
- Living in Canada: links to provincial and territorial governments and immigrant-serving organizations, housing, finding a school, important documents and money.
- Improving your English or French: government-funded classes.
- Finding a job: information on regulated and non-regulated professions, skills and training information, starting one’s own business.
- Work-related documents: gathering, sending, translating papers.
- Educational and academic credentials: educational upgrading or completing a training program.
Free access: www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/workbook-national.pdf
Free access:
Canada Revenue Agency Tax System Videos for Newcomers:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/vdgllry/ndvdls/menu-eng.html
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Government of Canada:
http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/
The Canadian Consumer Handbook provides information on identity theft, credit reporting and consumer complaints:
http://www.consumerhandbook.ca/en/
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is an interactive site for exploring the Virtual Charter in 20 languages:
http://charterofrights.ca/en/27_00_01
Consumer Protection Ontario:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario
Get Cyber Safe, Government of Canada, provides information on how to keep safe online:
https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/index-en.aspx
Human Rights Legal Support Centre, Province of Ontario, provides information in 10 languages:
http://www.hrlsc.on.ca/en/welcome
Legal Aid Ontario: 1-800-668-8258
Legal Line provides easy to understand explanations on many federal and provincial laws, on many topics, and in 65 languages:
http://www.legalline.ca/answers/
The Tenant Survival Manual is produced by the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations and is available in 13 languages:
https://www.torontotenants.org/resources/tenant-survival-manual
Voting in Canada, Elections Canada, provides civic education classroom resources developed for elementary and secondary students:
http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=yth/tea&document=index&lang=e
This access is restricted. Available online through an approved log in. Any changes show in the news box when the site is open.
For details:
http://www.amssa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/iCARE-Course-Catalogue-2016-17-English-Courses.pdf
A resource from TD Bank and ABC Money Matters, this resource provides clear information on why learners need to file a tax return and the various benefits that flow from taxes. A chart breaks down various government benefits (Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security, etc) that flow from taxes and who they are for. There are no suggested classroom activities with this resource, however a link is provided for information on free tax clinics.
You’re Hired…Now What? An Immigrant’s Guide to Success in the Canadian Workplace Text and Workbook $
When learners have employment goals, these resources fill in the gap between the skills and activities needed to write a resume, to have a successful interview and the competencies and to acquire the skills needed to keep a job in Canada. Topics include a broad range of areas that instructors may need some support in teaching:
- Workplace culture
- Business talk
- Telephone tips
- Getting along with others
- Business etiquette
- Office politics
- Networking
- Meetings
The text communicates core information and the workbook supports that learning. Each unit is organized in the same pattern and there is an answer key in the back.
Available to purchase:
Book $45.50
Workbook $23.50
ISBN-13: 9780195432183
Publisher: Oxford University Press
