Sophie Kaur works as the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) manager at DIVERSEcity. She has been in the literacy sector since 2023. DIVERSEcity has been serving people since 1978, helping newcomers and diverse communities to settle in Canada. The LINC program provides free English classes to eligible newcomers, from literacy to CLB level four. Learners develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while learning about Canadian society, workplace skills, computer skills and community resources.

“Literacy is freedom. When I say freedom, it means that people can integrate into society,” Kaur explains, “Literacy is not about learning words. It’s about creating opportunities, independence, and belonging. When we support newcomers in developing their language and literacy skills, we help them access employment, education, healthcare services and community life in a new country. These newcomers bring knowledge, skills, language, culture and education. If we invest in literacy, we are not just helping individuals. We are actually strengthening our own communities.”

“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. It gives people the tools and confidence to participate more fully in their new community,” says Kaur.

Limited English does not mean limited ability

“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, “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.”

Barriers to attending literacy programs

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

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.

What can schools and communities do to support newcomer youth?

“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.

Kaur explains, “Schools can provide accessible language support, mentorship, peer connections and safe opportunities for these students to ask questions. Relationships are extremely important. These newcomer youth need to know that there is an adult who notices them, who listens to them and says, it’s okay to ask for help.”

Statistics don’t capture the newcomer experience

“Statistics don’t capture the parent who is learning English, so they can just speak to their child who is born and brought up in Canada. They don’t capture the person who is nervous to make their first phone call, but they still do it. These statistics don’t capture the young person walking into a new school where they don’t know anyone, and they’re trying to make their first friend,” says Kaur, “Behind every statistic is a person with a story, hopes, and challenges. 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.

Website: www.dcrs.ca

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