The newcomers at CTA are a mix of refugees, recent immigrants and international visa students who learn about the world from each other’s unique experiences in their home countries.

CTA offers all course levels from ESL A to E, and our beginner students are offered companion courses such as English for Presentation and Speaking Skills to increase their language acquisition during their first years in Canada.

CTA also has special ELL sections in which teachers accommodate the language and vocabulary needs of the students related to the subject material.

Teachers of ESL and companion courses plan trips in the immediate area so that newcomer students can become more familiar with their new community. Further support is provided by our designated staff mentor for newcomer students and our school settlement worker.

All newcomers have opportunities to meet and make friends with our Canadian born students. Newcomers arriving in the summer attend a special orientation session in the last week of August, and all newcomers are quickly matched up with peer mentors for language, academic and social support.