Welcome To The TCDSB ESL/ELD Department Website

The TCDSB aims to provide all English Language Learners opportunities to successfully develop their skills in English, while fostering a school community formed by Catholic beliefs and traditions. 

Ontario’s increasing linguistic and cultural diversity provides many opportunities for cultural enrichment and global education for all students.  At the same time, because of the variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds that students have, schools need to provide language programs to ensure that all students develop the level of proficiency in English required for success at school and in post-secondary education and the workplace.

At present, the Ministry of Education funds newcomers for four years based on country of birth and date of entry into Canada.  Although the Ministry recognizes by definition (see below) that English Language Learners  may be Canadian born, they do not qualify for full funding under the present formula.  This is one of the many issues addressed by Dr. Mordechai Rozanski in his Report of the Education Equality Task Force, released in Fall 2002.

English language learners are students in English-language schools whose first language is other than English or is a variety of English that is significantly different from the variety used in Ontario’s schools, and who may initially require educational interventions to assist them in attaining English language proficiency.

They may be Canadian-born or newly arrived from other countries. They come from diverse backgrounds and school experiences, and have a variety of needs.

For their first few years in Ontario schools, many English language learners take one of two distinct language-support programs, where they receive direct support from teachers who specialize in meeting their language learning needs:

English As a Second Language (ESL) programs are for students born in Canada or newcomers whose first language is other than English or is a variety of English significantly different from that used for instruction in Ontario schools.

English Literacy Development (ELD) programs are for newcomers whose first language is other than English or is a variety of English significantly different from that used for instruction in Ontario schools. Students in these programs are generally from countries in which their access to education has been limited, or where they may have had limited opportunities to develop language and literacy skills in any language. They arrive in Ontario schools with significant gaps in their education. Some Aboriginal students from remote communities may also have had limited opportunities for formal schooling, and they also may benefit from ELD instruction.

Ministry of Education ESL Documents

ESL/ELD Resource Guide,  Grades 1-8  

ESL/ELD Curriculum Document,  Grades 9 to 12

Many Roots Many Voices