LINC Program Overview
From the publication: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program
Handbook . Public Affairs and the Settlement, Integration Branch, Citizenship and
Immigration Canada.
Objective of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Although many services are available to immigrants, for those who do not speak English or
French, language training is essential. By providing basic language instruction to adult
newcomers in English and French, LINC facilitates the social, cultural and economic
integration of immigrants and refugees into Canada. In addition, LINC
curricula includes information that helps newcomers become oriented to the Canadian way of
life. This, in turn, helps them to become participating members of Canadian society as
soon as possible.
LINC aims to have the same proportion of women and men participating in its program as
is reflected in the local immigrant population. Through the continued co-operation between
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and other partners, quality training can be
offered to the broadest range and largest number of newcomers. Organizations interested in
becoming partners in the LINC Program may obtain applications for funding through the
local Citizenship and Immigration Centre.
Program Criteria
Who may apply to offer LINC programs?
- Businesses.
- Non-profit groups.
- Non-governmental organizations.
- Community groups.
- Educational institutions.
- Individuals.
- Provincial, territorial or municipal governments.
Who will benefit?
- Government-assisted refugees.
- Immigrants eligible for employment insurance.
- Immigrants receiving social assistance.
- Newly arrived immigrants.
Who is eligible to enroll in a LINC class?
To be eligible under LINC a person must be:
- An adult immigrant (older than legal school leaving age).
- Either a permanent resident or a newcomer who has been allowed to remain in Canada, to
whom CIC intends to grant permanent resident status and who has not acquired Canadian
citizenship.
- Eligible individuals may participate in LINC training regardless of whether they are
destined to the labour market.
Duration of language training
Clients may participate in LINC for up to three years from the time they start
training. This limit is set to allow clients flexibility to access language training while
meeting family, social, medical, employment and other commitments. Clients who begin LINC
training overseas are still eligible for up to three years from the time they begin their
LINC training in Canada.
Term of agreement
Agreements for any funding component may be signed for a period of up to twelve (12)
months.
LINC components
1. Linguistic eligibility determination and related services:
- Rating clients to assess their current language skill level.
- Determining clients' needs.
- Recommending language training providers.
2. Language training.
3. Delivery assistance.
Linguistic eligibility determination and related services
Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA)
Before language training can be provided, clients must be rated to determine their level
of language proficiency. The Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA) is used for
this purpose. It is based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks, a set of task-based level
descriptors of English language ability. The CLBA provides an indication of the amount of
training which may be required for clients to achieve the LINC Program outcome competency
level. CLBA results are provided to both clients and language training providers (please
refer to page 7 for details on the CLBA level descriptors).
Only a rater (a person who is trained in the use of the CLBA) can use the CLBA. A
client must show proof of immigrant status before being assessed by a rater.
The equivalent French Language assessment instruments for placement in the LINC Program
is available for 1997.
Related services
Besides administering the CLBA, raters assess clients' needs and recommend language
training providers. This "onestop service" helps clients gain fair access to
training and provides up-to-date information on all training programs available in the
community. Clients are given this information to enable them to apply to the language
training provider of their choice.
LINC training providers must, therefore, market their services to CLBA raters. Raters need
to know about the operations of language training providers such as courses, schedules,
training sites and methods of instruction (use of video, language laboratories, etc.).
They also need to know what related services are offered such as childminding, wheelchair
accessibility and services for special needs groups. As well, LINC raters inform language
training providers about clients' needs.
Language training providers who are not funded by CIC are also invited to provide
information about their services.
Language training
LINC strives to achieve a uniform quality of language training across the country. All
LINC providers should be in a position to teach CLBA stage 1 of listening/speaking,
reading and writing skills. Where enrollment numbers permit, all students in a LINC class
should be working at the same level. In addition, participants should be placed in classes
that best meet their personal needs. LINC curricula should meet provincial standards and
should be rich in orientation information. Canada: A Source Book, published by
CIC, is an excellent source of orientation material.
A LINC graduate is a client who has completed LINC training and has reached the LINC
outcome competency level. Every graduate receives a "CIC LINC Certificate of
Success". The amount of training clients need varies according to their background,
circumstances and abilities. The progress of each participant should be charted and
assessed based on the CLBA Benchmarks.
Delivery assistance
Delivery assistance is provided to improve and assist with the delivery of both language
training and assessment within the LINC Program.
Some examples include:
- Studying the traits and language training needs of local immigrant groups.
- Monitoring the progress of LINC participants.
- Bringing together people with language training expertise to examine ways to improve
LINC program delivery.
- Finding new cost-effective training methods.
Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment Level
Descriptors (CLBA)
The CLBA assesses three areas of language ability: listening/speaking, reading and
writing. Each of these skill areas has 12 levels of competency called Benchmarks. Clients
eligible for the LINC Program are those assessed at Benchmarks 1-4 and those eligible for
LINC 3+ are those assessed at Benchmarks 5-8. The first eight benchmarks for each area are
described here.
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12 - LINC Program Overview