“Literacy is freedom. When I say freedom, it means that people can integrate into society. Literacy is not about learning words. It’s about creating opportunities, independence and belonging,” says Sophie Kaur, LINC program manager at DIVERSEcity. 

The organisation supports newcomers in developing their language and literacy skills, which in turn helps them access employment, education, healthcare services and community life in a new country. These newcomers bring knowledge, skills, language, culture and education. Kaur believes that by investing in literacy, not only does it help individuals, it also strengthens the community. 

“When newcomers come to Canada, they are learning to navigate different systems. They may learn to read a letter from their child’s school, understand a medical appointment, fill out a form or make a simple phone call. It can make a huge difference in someone’s ability to manage their daily life. Literacy is foundational for successful settlement,” she says. 

Limited English does not mean limited ability 

Kaur explains that newcomer adults have many responsibilities. They may be working, looking for jobs, caring for their children, managing their household and attending appointments. The LINC program at DIVERSEcity can remove some of these barriers for newcomers, such as offering child care and bus passes. 

“Newcomers may have many years of education, professional and life experience, knowledge and valuable skills developed in their home country. But when they come to Canada, they have difficulty navigating the Canadian workplace because they’re learning English. So something as simple as understanding a job posting, writing an email or participating in an interview could be a barrier,” Kaur emphasizes. 

Sometimes, there are emotional barriers. Some adults feel nervous about returning to school, especially if they had limited education or difficult experiences with schooling in the past. 

“Limited English does not mean limited ability. English proficiency is not a measure of intelligence. Effective literacy support for newcomer adults and youth should begin with respect,” she says.

Newcomer youth experience unique challenges 

According to Kaur, newcomer youth are actually adapting to several things at the same time. They are learning English, a new school system, new classroom expectations, new social norms and navigating a new community. They are trying to make friends and figure out where they belong. They are young, but starting over in a new country is a major transition at any age. 

“This transition can affect their confidence as well as belonging. People will start hiding. What can look like quietness or disengagement can actually just be a language barrier. So we need to ask ourselves, what is happening underneath that behaviour?,” says Kaur. 

Schools can provide accessible language support, mentorship, peer connections and safe opportunities for these students to ask questions. Kaur believes these newcomer youth need to know that there is an adult who notices them, who listens to them and encourages them to ask for help. 

Statistics don’t capture the newcomer experience 

Kaur points out that statistics don’t capture the parent who is learning English just so they can speak to their child who was born and brought up in Canada. They don’t capture the person who is nervous to make their first phone call or the youth walking into a new school where they don’t know anyone and they’re trying to make their first friend. 

“Behind every statistic is a person with a story, hopes, and challenges,” says Kaur. “The human experience is incredibly important to remember.” 

Before recent Canada-wide budget cuts, DIVERSEcity had about 800 students (up to CLB 8), which has now been reduced to 600 (up to CLB 4). 

World Literacy Day is Sept. 8, 2026. 

For more information visit: DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society