Newcomer Literacy Initiative

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NLI History

Established in 2007, the Newcomer Literacy Initiative provides adult EAL literacy classes to newcomer immigrants and refugees who cannot access mainstream programs due to childcare commitments or mobility issues. With on-site childcare and language supports, the NLI program currently runs 3 classrooms (Foundations, CLB 1 and CLB 3) serving over 45 learners and their children.

The NLI is a partnership between:
Victoria Albert School
Hugh John Macdonald School
The Community Education Development Association
and The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba

The program has received support from Neighbourhoods Alive, Literacy Partners of Manitoba and the Winnipeg Foundation, with current funding through Manitoba Labour and Immigration Adult Language Training Branch.

Program Details

The NLI offers three classes based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Literacy Foundations is held Monday-Wednesday (with and enrichment day Thursday) from 1:00 – 3:30 pm at Victoria Albert School.

CLB 1-2 is held Monday – Friday from 9:00 – 11:30 am at Victoria Albert School.

CLB 3-4 is held Monday – Friday from 1:00 – 3:30 pm. at Hugh John Macdonald School.

Our classes provide students with survival English skills focusing on the following:

School in Canada
Parenting in Canada
The Family
Daily Routines
Health
Shopping & Money
The Home
Canada

Extracurricular Activities
In addition to structured class time, the NLI strives to provide enriching extracurricular activities that provide opportunities to practice English in a variety of more social settings.

Cooking in Canada - Mary Jane’s Cooking School provides cooking classes once a week at Hugh John Macdonald School. This program is available at different times to all NLI students who are interested in learning new recipes and gaining nutritional advice and education, while practicing English in a more casual social setting.
NLI Choir – In the spring interested students have participated in a community choir open to NLI students and their children.

New students are asked to contact the ENTRY program 944-0133 to complete an orientation to Winnipeg. The ENTRY program will arrange for an English language assessment with the Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre (WELARC) 943-5387. WELARC will refer all eligible students to the NLI.

If you require any further information please contact:

The NLI Program Coordinator at IRCOM Office 95 Ellen Street at 943-8765

For additional information please select one of the links below:

NLI Practicum Students
NLI Volunteers

International Adult Learners Week
Highlights

TEAM Newsletter

TEAM represents and express the concerns and professional needs of adult EAL educators. They also work collaboratively to promote and improve programs and services for adult EAL learners through community input, advocacy, and professional development.

To view the latest TEAM newsletter click here.