There are several reasons that cause families to move out of their home country such as seeking new job opportunities or due to immigration. Having moved to a new country is difficult not only for adults but also for their children. Children have to adapt to a new environment as well as a new culture when coming to a different country. It is often said that children are flexible; they can learn new languages and adjust to changes in their surroundings. However, there are some specific challenges that may affect children mentally and physically when they move to another country, for example challenges regarding their education, social support, and psychological health and well-being.
Language is one of the issues that children deal with when they immigrate abroad. Approaching a new language means that they have to change many things regarding their first language and sometimes it may take a lot of time for them to engage with it.
Ways that help your children to learn new language
For kids who are in Kindergarten level, parents should let them watch their favorite movies in the foreign language, read them stories before bedtime or sing children songs in English. By doing that, children will have the ability to memorize and familiarize themselves with the new language.
For children who are in Primary school, they will be excited in learning a new language as if it’s their chance to explore the world outside. Parents should allow them to participate in after school activities as well as take them to social gatherings. Moreover, children will learn the new language more effectively if their parents always translate and explain carefully whatever they don’t understand.
For High school children, they may feel shy when speaking new a language since they are afraid to make mistakes. Parents should encourage them more often and speak the new language as the role model. Sometimes, parents should request them to do some tasks that require them to speak the foreign language such as order their own food.
Learning English in Canada
In Ontario, parents can find the support for their children’s language from the language training centers at most elementary and secondary schools. Moreover, teachers will also help children at school through the language classes as well as helping them improve their literacy skills.
Children should take the assessment test for their language in the newcomer reception centers in some Ontario school boards to decide the appropriate school with their language level.
Below are the addresses of language centers for newcomer’s children in Ontario:
School Board & Contact Information
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Newcomer Reception and Assessment Centre
St. Veronica School
680 Novo Star Drive
Mississauga, ON L5W 1C7
Telephone: (905) 361-2344
Newcomer Reception and Assessment Centre
St. Isaac Jogues School
300 Great Lakes Drive
Brampton, ON L6R 2W7
Telephone: (905) 361-2344
Greater Essex County District School Board
Newcomer Reception Centre
284 Cameron Ave.
Windsor, ON N9B 1Y6
Telephone: (519) 254-5017
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Assessment Centre
(In Dr. Harry Paikin Room on the first floor of the Education Centre)
100 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6
Telephone: (905) 521-2554
Ottawa Catholic School Board
Family Welcome Centre for Newcomers
570 West Hunt Club Road
Nepean, ON K2G 3R4
Telephone: (613) 224-2222
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
The Family Reception Centre
300 Rochester St., Room 202
Ottawa, ON K1R 7N4
Telephone: (613) 239-2416
Peel District School Board www.peelschools.org
We Welcome the World Centre – Brampton
25 Kings Cross Road
Brampton, ON L6T 3V5
Telephone: (905) 366-8791
We Welcome the World Centre – Malton
3131 Morning Star Drive
Mississauga, ON L4T 1X3
Telephone: (905) 366-8791
Simcoe County District School Board
The Newcomer Welcome Centre
320 Bayfield Street
Barrie ON L4M 3C1
Telephone: (705) 725-8360 ext. 310
Toronto Catholic District School Board
Orientation Centre
783 Bathurst St. (in Loretto College Annex)
Toronto, ON M5S 1Z5
Telephone: (416) 393-5500
Toronto District School Board
West End Reception Centre
777 Bloor St. W.
Toronto, ON
Telephone: (416) 393-0542
Greenwood Reception Centre
24 Mountjoy Ave.
Toronto, ON
Telephone: (416) 393-0750
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Newcomer Reception Centre
154 Gatewood Road
Kitchener, ON N2M 4E4
Telephone: (519) 743-3328
Waterloo Region District School Board
Welcome Centre for Newcomers
749 King Street West, Unit 203
Kitchener, ON, N2G 1E4
Telephone: (519) 576-3018
Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
Newcomer Reception Centre
1214 Ottawa St.
Windsor, ON N8X 2E6
Telephone: (519) 973-9282
York Catholic District School Board
ESL/ELD Reception Centre, CEC
320 Bloomington Rd. W.
Aurora, ON
Telephone: (905) 713-1211
York Region District School Board
Reception Centre Kennedy Fields Plaza
7200 Kennedy Road
Markham, ON L3R 4P2
Telephone (905) 479-0546
Nhu Le
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